Chapter:10

Manzini

Today is Christmas
This is joyful days to other family
While I will be the maid today here
Cleaning and cooking
I don't have no rest day especially since they have been scammed
But since he came back, he never touched me.He is focused on getting his money back, he believes someone out there is targeting his family
I'm done with cooking
"Hi"
I don't know how to respond and react to that
Bongani:Manzini I don't know what I did to you but ngiyaxolisa
Manzini:You didn't do anything to me, I just need you to stay away from me, that's all I'm asking from you, actually I'm pleading you right now
Bongani:But why?
Manzini:Nje..
Bongani:Okay but I brought you something
I look at him
Bongani:Christmas gift
Manzini:You didn't have to
Bongani:But I wanted to
He took it out and unwrapped it
It is silver necklace
Bongani:Can I put it on you?
I don't feel comfortable with any man touching me
I will never feel comfortable with any men touching me
I don't know if I will be able to get married, if I'm so scared to be touched by a man
Bongani:Manzini it's okay you can put it on yourself
Manzini:Thank you
Bongani:Merry Christmas
I nodded
Bongani:What will you be doing today?
Manzini:I will be just at home waiting for aunty and malume to come from church
Bongani:Oh..
Manzini:Let me finish up here
He left
Now I can breath because he suffocate me but in the good way
I look at this necklace it is very beautiful
I have to hide it as in always
If not so I will get into trouble
They arrived and I dished up for everyone
Xola:Manzini..
Why is he calling me out in front of everyone?
This man installed fear in me
Zodwa:Manzini umalume wa kho wa khuluma, are you deaf?
Manzini:Cha aunty
Zodwa:So answer him
Manzini:Yebo malume
Xola:Me and your aunt we decided you will be my second wife
God no!
This can't be happening to me
Tears were streaming in my eyes
Manzini:But malume I'm too young to be someone's wife
Xola:Since you have been 5 years, you have been doing all the wife duties so nothing changes there
Rain is pouring so hard
Manzini:I don't want to be your wife,I don't want anything that will involve me with you,I'm just 18 years old, the peer of your daughter malume. I still want to live my life,you stole my childhood from me now you want to steal the youth from me?you just take and take from me,aren't you satisfied with what you got from me?because I had enough
Thwaa!
That's a slap from Zodwa
Zodwa:Don't you dare raise your voice to us,you should be grateful that we consider you to be in our family
Xola:Enough Zodwa
I stood up
Xola:Uya'kuphi Manzini?
I didn't respond to him
I just ran out of there
I ran so fast as my feet could get me
I ran so fast in this pouring rain
I feel calmness in this rain
I feel I can breath now
I feel all emotions in me