02
THINGOLUHLE MTHETHWA
l took a deep breath, slinging my bag over my shoulder and setting off down the street. l have no idea where lm going, but l know that l can't turn back now.
As l walk, l find myself replaying the conversation with my family in my mind, feeling both grief and relief. Grief for the life lm leaving behind, but also relief for escaping the expectations and demands of my family.
My heart races as l spot a sleek black sedan trailing me a block or two behind.
“Am I being paranoid?” l wonder, quickening my pace. l turn down a side street and doubling back, but the car keeps following me.
Panick, l dart into an alley, hoping to lose the vehicle. But when l emerge on the other side, the car was waiting for me
“Who are you?” l demand, my voice shaking.
Thingo : I said, who are you?
(Silence from the car)
Thingo : (more aggressively) : Answer me or I’ll walk away right now!
Voice from the car (coolly) : Get in the car.
Thingo: Haibo ,why should I?
Voice from the car: Because I can help you.
Thingo: How do I know that?, You’re not exactly inspiring trust here. If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way.
Voice from the car (firmly): Thingoluhle , get in the car now.
feeling even more uneasy he knows my name , l turn to walk away. But the voice stops me in my tracks.
Voice from the car (with a hint of menace) : My name is Melusi Xulu. Your father sent me to bring you to your new home.
l freeze. l approach the sedan, hesitating a moment before opening the door and sliding into the back seat. As the car pulls away, my heart beat furiously in my chest.
Thingo (nervously) : Why would my father send you to get me?
Melusi (coolly) : He didn’t want you walking around alone in the dark. He cares about your safety, even if he doesn’t show it.
Thingo (scoffing) : My father doesn’t care about anything but his own business.
The car sped through the winding streets, the silence between them thick with tension. Thingo stole glances at Melusi, trying to get his intentions. He seemed calm, but there was something about him that made her uneasy.
After a few minutes, the car pulled up in front of an imposing mansion on the outskirts of town. Thingo swallowed hard, knowing this was the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Melusi (turning to face her) : Welcome to your new home.
Thingoluhle's jaw tightens as she steps out of the car.
Her eyes roam the grand façade of the mansion, taking in the elaborate architecture, the beautiful gardens, and the imposing iron gates that guarded the property. For a moment, she is transported to another world, a world of wealth and privilege that she’d only ever imagined.
Melusi's voice jolts her back to reality. “We should go inside,” motioning towards the front door.
She follows, her feet dragging a bit as she realizes she is stepping into the lion’s den.
As Melusi led me down a long hallway, l couldn’t help but feel like a small fish in a very big pond. He stops in front of a set of double doors, opening them to reveal a massive dining room where a group of men in suits were already seated around a long table.
Melusi (to the men) : Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Thingoluhle, our guest of honor.
The men look up, One of them, an older man with a thin, beak-like nose, stood up and extended his hand.
Old Man (with a gravelly voice) : Welcome to our home, Thingo. My name is Mkhonto Xulu. I am your father-in-law.
Thingo (skeptical) : My father-in-law?
Old Man (chuckling) : Ah, I see my son hasn’t explained the situation to you.
Thingo (trying to remain calm) : There’s a situation?
Old Man (with a gesture towards Melusi) : Melusi is my son, and you are his betrothed. I believe your father has already approved of the arrangement.
Thingo(trying not to raise her voice) : Actually, I don’t think he did.
Old Man (frowning) : I see. Well, regardless, we will honor the arrangement. You are a guest in our home, Thingo, and we will treat you as such.
Thingo (getting angry) : I appreciate that, but I don’t want to be here. I won’t marry your son.
Melusi (interjecting): Thingoluhle, please, give it a chance. This is a good opportunity for both of our families.
Thingo (glaring at Melusi) : Opportunity?
Thingo(still glaring) : Opportunity for what? To be trapped in a life I don’t want? To be forced into a marriage I don’t want?
Old Man (trying to stay composed): Thingo, I understand your concerns. But if you would just give this a chance, I think you’ll find that it’s not as bad as you think. You will want for nothing here.
Thingo (scoffing) : Except for my freedom, you mean. Look, I don’t know what my father was thinking when he agreed to this, but I’m not a commodity to be traded around. I’m a human being. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room.
She turns on her boots and marches out of the dining room, leaving the men staring after her in stunned silence.
Melusi (to his father): Baba, I don’t want to marry her either.
.
.
MELUSI XULU
Old Man (sighing): “Melusi, you know as well as I do that this is not about what you want. This is about the future of our family.”
Melusi (frustrated): But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with someone who hates me.
Old Man (in a grave tone): Your wants are of little consequence compared to the needs of our family. This alliance will bring us power and stability. You will marry her, and that is final.
Old Man (standing): Remember, mfan'wam, our family’s name is built on strength and loyalty. You must do what is right for the family, no matter how difficult it may be.
With that, he turns and walks out of the room, followed by the other men. lm left alone, staring at the ornate chandelier above , feeling trapped and powerless.
Melusi(to himself): What have I gotten myself into?
Thingo sat on the plush carpet, her arms folded around her knees, her head buried in her arms. She can’t believe how quickly her life has turned upside down. One moment she was living her own life, and the next she is being treated like a piece of property, an object to be used in a political game.
Tears well up in her eyes as she tries to process the situation. It isnt just that she is losing her freedom—she is losing her identity. She is no longer the strong, independent woman .
She tiptoes down the stairs, her eyes fixed on the door that lead s to freedom. The mansion is quiet, and she can hear her own heartbeat thudding in her ears.
She is so close to the door when she accidentally brushed against a small table, knocking a glass off the edge. It hit the floor with a loud crash, shattering into a thousand pieces.
She freezes, terror and adrenaline flooding her veins. She knows that sound would have woken up the entire household, and sure enough, she heard the sound of footsteps racing down the stairs.
She ducks behind a nearby pillar, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. She can hear Melusi’s voice, confused, calling out into the darkness.
Melusi: Thingoluhle? Are you there?
She holds her breath, her hand pressed against her mouth to silence any sound. She can hear Melusi’s footsteps approaching, and she knows she doesnt have much time before he discovers her.
He emerges from the darkness, his eyes. He can see the desperation on Thingo’s face, the fear and defiance in her eyes.
Melusi (shrugging): Go on, then. Escape. You won’t get far. The guards are stationed all around the property.
She stood, her eyes locked with his. She knows he is telling the truth. There is no way she can escape without help.
Thingo (angrily): You’re not the monster I thought you were, Melusi.
She continues, her voice rising in frustration.
“You’re not the monster I thought you were, but you’re still a prisoner in this life, just like me. You don’t want to marry me, I don’t want to marry you, but you won’t defy your family’s wishes. So tell me, Melusi, who’s the real prisoner here?”
His expression softens, and he lets out a long, sigh.
Melusi: Uqinisile Thingo. I-
He sighs, shaking his head at the situation.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” he mutters under his breath as he turns to head upstairs.
l watch him walk away, my confusion and frustration mounting. l feel like lm trapped in a maze, with no way out.
As he climbed the stairs, he resolves to at least wash away the stress of the day in a hot shower. The steam from the bathroom fill his senses, and he leans against the cool tiles, closing his eyes and trying to clear his mind.
"What a day" he thought to himself. He never expected his father to make such a drastic decision without consulting him, and certainly not with a woman as stubborn and headstrong as Thingoluhle. He has to admit, he is impressed by her courage and determination, but he knows its only going to make things more difficult for both of them.
He sighs, letting his mind wander. He tries to imagine a life where he isn’t trapped by his family
...
l raise an eyebrow as l grab the lotion off the dresser.
Melusi (smiling ) :Not what you were expecting to see, I take ?"
Thingo blushes,
Thingo : “I-I’m sorry, I thought this was the guest room. I’ll leave you to… to…” Her voice trails off, as she can’t quite finish her sentence.
l chuckle , shaking my head.
Melusi : “It’s fine. If you’re going to be staying here, you might as well know your way around. And besides, it’s not like you haven’t seen a man in a towel before.”
She raises an eyebrow, her cheeks still flushed.
Thingo :“Who says I haven’t?” she shoots back.
l laugh, lm amused really .
Melusi : “Touché.
[9/27, 10:12]
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Ok so Thingo gets lost but when she arrived she knew where her "room" was? ??
Posted on November 9, 2024, 6:03 pm