Chapter 9

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Chapter 9

Zuko's POV

The air was too thick to breathe. There was sudden aggressive heat coming out of nowhere.

I looked up, but there was no ceiling, only a swirling vortex of orange and black, fire. I tried to scream, but the smoke had already claimed my throat.

I reached out, my small hand trembling, trying to find a corner, a wall, anything that wasn't burning. The heat intensified, searing the air from my lungs with every gasp.. My chest hammered against my ribs.

I try moving through the flames, a plank hit me on my back, there's sharp pain as the fire burns my pjams

I am burning, I thought. This is how I end, this is-

I bolted up, waking up...

My heart skipping hard.

My hands flew up, clawing at my own chest, at the air, at anything solid. Cold sweat drenched my face.

It wasn't real, it's just a dream.

Yet, the same dream.

I shook, my breath coming in ragged, jagged hitches

OMPHILE POV

Since it's exam season, I decided I need prayers. For my exams. I'm not a prayer warrior but when it's exam season my favourite genre suddenly becomes gospel. And so going to Soweto, to church with my mom made sense.

I was holding an umbrella as it was hot, me and my mum walking side by side talking, she was telling me about the neighbours kid, gossip. My books have been draining the life out of me lately, so taking this break felt like breathing fresh air again.

The service was actually peaceful. Usually, my mind is racing about assignments, but today, the choir's singing just calmed me down. I actually remembered when I wanted to part of the choir. I didn't make the cut because my voice is not as angelic as I had thought. There's something about music that just makes everything calmer. It felt good to be here. My thoughts kept drifting to him, though. My boyfriend, can't believe I can say that. It's crazy how fast things happened. I'm happy that things happened this way. He's definitely not the church boy my mom dreams of,

After the service, I headed to the youth meeting. That's when Thabo walked over, he's part of youth. He's been around this church since I was a little girl but we've never really talked. Like a conversation. He looked so clean-cut in his button-down shirt.

"Hey, Omphile," he said, smiling shyly. "It's been a minute seeing you in church."

"Hi, Yeah...school. How are you by the way?"

He shifted his feet, looking a bit nervous. "I'm good. Hey, I've... well, I've been trying to get the courage to talk to you for a while now. You've been scarce lately. I really hope I can see you around more?"

I gave him a polite smile. " It's just school. When I'm not buried in notes, I'm a regular here, I promise."

He nodded, looking like he wanted to say more, but Mom called out from the car. I gave him a quick wave and headed off. What was that about?

I went to the car. When I put on my seat belt. Mom looked at me. I dartrd my eyes around wondering what's up.

"Is that Mr Fama's son?" She asked.

" Yeah...I think."

"What was he saying?" Gosh mom is noisy.

"Nothing really, just greetings." She looked at the window where he was now walking with one of his friends.

"So," she started, "Thabo seems like such a respectful young man, doesn't he?."

I kept my head down, focusing on the carrots. "He's nice, Ma."

" He's a good boy. Solid. Type of man you would want to marry when you're done with your studies. Not like some of these guys running around the streets."

I felt a little pinch in my chest. We never have these conversations and this is definitely awkward. I never even knew what she preferred for me. I'm thinking someone who isn't like dad. It's crazy how mom never ever dated or I've just never seen her with anyone. I wouldn't want that though. I love how it's just the two of us. But the conversation about dating never came. If only she knew I was dating already and it's not who she has in mind.

"He is nice," I said, keeping my voice light. "But Mom, I'm really just focused on school right now. I don't have space for anything else."

"School is important, yes," she sighed, putting a pot on the stove. "But a good man is hard to find."

I just nodded, I already found my person, even if he didn't fit the picture she had in her head. For now, I'd keep my secret safe. After all, Sunday was for family, and I wasn't ready to break the peace just yet.

After church me and my mom usually go shopping and I love, love that. We pick up things for Sunday dinner, we share jokes. I thought we were just grocery shopping but we also went to Ideals, mom ended up buying a two piece. We checked Jet and she bought me a dress...the dressing up part was fun.

By the time we got home, we were both ready to start cooking. It was a proper Sunday, we were making a full seven colours meal.

Zuko's POV

The tavern was loud, and there was a stench of beer smell, no fight break out, just yet and some cheap tobacco. We were inside Ta Zets office- We were planning the next heist

I look at Shakes sitting across from me. He's leaning back, tapping his fingers against his glass. Then there's the rest of the boys, sharp-eyed and quiet.

I think back to Ta Zet. My father was his best friend, brothers in every way that mattered. When my old man got locked up, He took me in. I've been under his wing since I was a kid. Ta Zet is Shakes father as well.

"This job is in Zolani's territory," Shakes says, his voice low.

I feel a knot twist in my stomach. Zolani is our rival, he's the kind of guy who likes to make people disappear. We've been running the business hitting for a long time. There's nothing like the adrenaline of a CIT hit. The moment the van pulls up, the weight of the explosives in your hands, the way the world seems to go into slow motion right before the blast. It's dangerous, sure, but it's the only way to play the game on our terms.

"Zolani is already poking the bear, Zuko, yadika la kaka ingathui yi kons," Shakes adds, looking me in the eye. "He's been stepping on our toes for months. If we hit his route, we don't just get the money. We send a message. Mhlambi xa sisitya apha atya khona uzowuva umyakezo"

I looked at Shakes. " Did you see the stunt he pulled on the spinning event?"

Shakes laughs, "ayikho la kaka ebeyenza pha. Pathetic. Let's hit his route."

I know he's right, but my gut is screaming no. It's a bad feeling, the kind that usually means the concrete is going to be stained red. But then again, the score is massive. It's enough to change everything. We start talking about the cars we'll use. We need speed, my car has speed but we also need the armor to take a hit.

This thing is something I've always done for money, what I know and getting out is not excatly an option. It's not something I'm thinking of too. One thing I've learnt. People mustn't know too much about your personal life otherwise ops could attack.

Later that night, I had just got to house, I was spending the night here tonight, I had bought myself an rdp house. My small phozi.

I ringed my girl...waiting for the phone to pick up.

"Babe..." My heart melts when I hear her voice.

" My rhuzu." She laughs softly.

"I didn't hear your voice today. I missed you."

"I missed you too, I was actually thinking of you today, when I went to church one of the guys from church just came to greet me and my mom was having ideas. That time I'm yours."

"Uthini? What guy." What was that about a guy.

"Umm...I'm just telling you about my day, just a harmless guy from church wethu" The type of guy she'd probably go for. Approved by everyone.

"You should tell your mother I'm your man. She mustn't get any ideas about other men. I'm your one and only."

I hear her chuckle softly. It's tickling my ears.

"That's crazy babe."

"And Omphi, suthetha nezi ntwana man, clearly he wants you."

There's a pause. "I don't think so. He's a shy person."

That's getting me worked up a bit.

"Shy person...and wazincama wathetha nawe, there's no way he was just approaching. Next time don't look his way. I don't like sharing what's mine."

"I'm sure he wasn't doing any of what you're thinking and it was just a talk." She said casually.

"It wasn't just a talk. I know how boys work."

"And you're jealous." That caught me off guard. I was really pressed.

"I'm not jealous, I'm just telling you. Anyways how are you? Unjani u Omphile Ka Zuko."

"I'm fine ...just exam stress. I'm writing this week." She sighed.

She really sounds down now. "Oh baby wami...don't stress too much yeva. You'll pass."

"That's why I'm praying, I want pass. I don't even pray that much."

"Uyampart tyma uThixo."

She laughed. My heart melted. I put my feet on the wall, what am I doing? I quickly put my feet down.

"So... what are you wearing?" My voice, low.

"Umm..." There's hesitation. " Silk pyjamas, you?"

I looked at my torso. "My briefs."

"Oh..." She sounded embarrassed. "I didn't want to think...think of you like that."

"Like what?" I asked innocently.

Her voice now low. "Nake..naked."

I smile. She's thinking of me naked.

My voice low "yeah...what do you have under neath those pyjamas?"

"W.. what?" She sounds confused.

"Or you don't wear panties?" I asked.

"Zuko..." She said that almost in a moan.

"So you don't."

"I do, just my panties." Dirty min. Why am I smiling?

"Can you do me a small favour?" I asked.

"Yes?"

"Put your hand in there," I instructed.

"What?" She soundly slightly shocked.

"In your panties."

I hear some breathing. "Done?" I asked.

"Yeah. Feels weird." She nervously chuckled.

"Wait...you don't touch yourself?"

The line is silent for a second. "No."

"You're a virgin?"

"You're not grossed out by me now? Are you?"

"No...no baby. Never...you still have your hand in there?"

"Mhh.."

"Put it in, in between, softly baby."

I hear her breath in heavily. My dick hardens.

"Rub it slowly." She breathed more.."then faster..." She breaths more rapidly. "ahhh"

I rub my dick, and groan as I hear her moan. "ahhh. ahhh"