Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Hlelolenkosi Hlophe

We were in his car. Yoh, guys, I won't lie—it was beautiful. Soft leather seats, everything smelling like it had just come from the showroom. Comfortable, clean… spotless. Ntando was definitely a clean gent, I'll give him that. But there was something about him—he always wanted things his way, like the whole world was meant to bend when he spoke.

So I sat there, arms folded, trying to make myself comfortable because, really, I didn't have a choice. He slid in on his side, started the car, and we drove off. But the more I watched the turns we took, the more I realized—this wasn't the way to my place.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, heart thumping.

His jaw tightened. "Can you please just keep quiet before I slap you? Not now, Hlelo—ngiyacela."

I froze. The calmness in his tone was worse than if he had shouted.

"Can I please get out?" My voice shook. "I don't want to go with you."

He slammed on the brakes. My whole body jerked forward. He didn't even look at me—just leaned across, pushed the door open, and said flatly, "Get out."

Woah. I wasn't expecting that.

I stepped out slowly, my heart beating faster than my feet could move. The moment both my shoes touched the ground, he pulled the door shut and drove off. The taillights disappeared into the night like nothing had happened.

I stood there, in the dark, on the side of the road. Alone. Cold. Confused. My mind kept repeating the same question: Did he really just leave me here?

Ten minutes passed. I didn't move. I couldn't. I just stood there, hugging myself, trying to figure out what to do. The streets were quiet—too quiet—and the night air kept cutting deeper into my skin.

Then, as if God wanted to test me, the sky opened up. Rain. Heavy, merciless rain. It pelted down, soaking me in seconds. My hair clung to my face, my clothes stuck to my body, and the only thing I had with me was my phone.

I pulled it out, tried to shield it from the water, but it was already getting wet. Then, just before it gave in, a call came through.

I swiped and put it to my ear. "Hello?"

His voice came through, calm and deep, almost mocking.
"Are you ready to come now, or have you made a plan? Because by the looks of things, it's raining cats and dogs out there."

My teeth chattered. I was shivering so badly I could hardly speak. Pride wanted me to say no, to tell him I'd figure it out myself, but reality hit me hard—out here, alone, in this cold, I didn't stand a chance.

"…Fine," I whispered. "Ngicela ungilande."

He chuckled softly, as if he'd known all along. "Good. But tell me—whose car are you going to get into when you're that wet?" He paused. "I'll send a driver to pick you up. But when you get here, don't expect me. I'm going out with my boys."

Before I could even reply, my phone beeped and died, finally giving in to the water.

I stood there, shivering, rain pounding on me, clutching a useless phone. And right on cue, headlights appeared down the road. A car slowed to a stop in front of me, windows tinted, engine purring.

Yoh, guys. Ntando is mean. Ha a hle! I don't even know why my chest was both hurting and relieved at the same time.