Hlelolwenkosi's POV
"Surprise!!!"
I didn't know that my family would plan a surprise welcome home party for me especially since I am not ready to be around people. I stood there not knowing what to do but as soon as I saw my Aunt and the smirk on her face, I knew I was not dreaming hence I ran into my room and locked myself in.
I just find it very hard to believe that my own family could do this to me heck my own father had a hand in everything and to top it all, my aunt is here pretending like she sympathies with me. I just want to know why , what have I done for them to hate me the way they do. As much as I know that some people genuinely care about me but I am no longer sure.
I curled myself with my favorite blanket and cried. I cried thinking that my pain would be released along with my tears but obviously there's no such thing.
An hour later I receive a call from Nkosiyabo which I didn't expect.
" Ufunani? ( What do you want?) " I asked
" Look I get that you are overwhelmed with the whole surprise party thing but ke sekuryt.( It's enough). Ngilambile futhi ngikhathele( I'm hungry and tired) . " He said
" Pho usafunani la ngoba ngabe uyahamba uyodla. Angingene ndawo endabeni yendlala nokukhathala kwakho. ( So what are you still doing here instead of going to eat. It's non of my business whether you are hungry or tired. ) " I replied feeling agitated.
It's not my fault that they decided to throw a party without asking me if I am okay with it.
" Don't you think I have better places to be in than to be here at your stupid party? Well I do okay ! I'm here because of my sister she cares about you and she's not the only one who cares but people cancelled their plans for you so instead of you appreciating their efforts, you are going on like a spoilt brat. Khona manje uma wakho ( right now your mom) is trying to figure out what wrong she did.
[Taking a deep breath]
Look Hlelo you might have not wanted the whole thing but at least pretend even if you go out and say hi then go back to your room it's okay but do it for your mom and everyone else who is there. " He said
" How am I supposed to look at the eyes of the people who caused me such scares. They are here laughing, talking like they had no hand in my kidnapping. " I said feeling more angrier.
" Well you are giving them the power of thinking that they won. They see that you are shattered which is what they want so why don't you prove them wrong show them that uyiNkanyezi ekhanya ebumnyameni ( a star that shines in the dark) , show them that you are unbreakable and show us the real Hlelolwenkosi." He said
I just felt myself not knowing what to say.
" Thanks " I said after a while.
" Phuma ke ngifuna ukudla (then get out I want to eat. ) " he said and I laughed.
Well he is right if I stay here in the room they would be very happy. So I stood up and refreshed myself before I went to the dining room. When I got there , I was met by many eyes looking at me.
" Sanbonani ( Hello) " I said
I guess everyone thought I was going to sit in my room forever for which it's the truth.
Siphosihle came running to hug me and I realized the love that was surrounding me.
" Sis Hlelo I'm so happy to see you" Sihle said with tears brimming in her eyes
Me : " Ngiyaxolisa ngokubaleka ( I'm sorry for running away) I was just overwhelmed but ngiyabonga (thank you ) for all of this. "
My friends were there and I was surprised to see them crying. I tried by all means to ignore my aunt and her children even though Lindo didn't do anything but his family caused me pain so to be on the safe side....
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1 week later
I decided to move in with my grandmother because staying in Johannesburg was tormenting me I just couldn't continue staying there and I decided to take a gap year just so that I can heal properly. My friends also took a gap year to support me , I don't know why but they did.
My bruises are slowly fading away but I have to admit it, I am no longer the person that I was , the old Hlelolwenkosi died in the hospital. It hurts to have people hunting for your blood left right and center. I don't know what to do anymore and honestly speaking I feel betrayed. I feel like my ancestors as well as God have failed me , I have done nothing but to respect and honor my ancestors, even when I suffered because of them , I respected them but when it comes to protecting me and fighting for me, they do nothing instead they allowed my enemies to have their own way with me but anyways it is what it is.
The support I got from people is amazing even though there are those who still say I deserved everything that happened to me but overall people supported me as well as my family especially my mom.
My mom has been clingy ever since I returned home. She even sold out her house in Johannesburg and broke up with Mr Khumalo even though there was no need but yeah she changed her life for me and I am grateful for that. Nkosiyabo has tried calling me a few times but I couldn't answer him because of the whole marriage thing even though I haven't asked my mom and grandma infact I don't know how to confront them without being disrespectful because I am very angry at them for not telling me so yeah I have been avoiding him but not Sihle.
I woke up and took a bubble bath. The water was so soothing but I couldn't help it but to shed a few tears when I scrubbed my lower body seeing the permanent scars on my thighs and legs. When I finished bathing I went to my room with a towel wrapped around my body and I almost had a heart attack when I saw someone inside my room.
" Ufunani? ( What do you want?)" I asked
" Kungani ungiziba ( why are you ignoring me ?) " Nkosiyabo said coming closer to me
Seeing that it was Nkosiyabo I relaxed a bit but then I remembered that I was only wearing a towel which barely covered my body.
" I'm not ignoring you vele we have to talk but not now please leave I will call you so that we can talk " I said
I just wanted to get rid of him not that I was going to talk to him.
" Ok you will find me in the lounge by the way your mom invited me for breakfast and Sihle is on the way. I told the guards to fetch her hope that's not a problem. " He said
" Obviously it's not a problem. " I said
Not Nkosiyabo standing like he is lost I mean he said he is leaving but here is he gawking at me.
" Can you please leave ?" I said seeing that he's lost in my body.
He cleared his throat before leaving like he's being chased by someone. [chuckling] The guy was probably shocked by the amount of scars my body has.
As I was moisturizing my body, I remembered how much I loved wearing dresses but of course that's impossible now. I decided to wear my black baggy jeans with my white long sleeve shirt and tied my hair in a neat bun. When I was done with everything I took a pic and went out.
[ 1 hour later]
Breakfast is served and everything seems to chatting up a storm wherelse I'm still deciding on whether to confront my mom and grandmother now while Nkosiyabo is here or not.
" Siphosihle can you please ask Thingolwezulu and her grandmother to come here please. " My mom said
Why is my mom asking for sis Thingo and her grandmother ? I just hope whatever that she is calling them for is not too serious. My mom explained everything when I got here and how they helped me from the whole thing. I still have to buy them something just to show my appreciation.
Siphosihle returned with our guests and I still can't get over how they look not that I am judging them but they look very familiar just can't remember where. I stood up to give the elders space but I was told to sit down which made me curious as to what my mom wants to say that requires my presence.
" Thanks for coming ma nawe sisi I just wanted to thank you guys properly for saving my child's life and I hope that you guys are settling well with us. " My mom said
" Nami bengithanda ukubonga sis Thingo nawe gog' Dingiswayo futhi ngevumo yenu bengingathanda ukunisa kwi shopping. ( I would also like to thank you sis Thingo and also you gog' Dingiswayo and with your permission can I please take you to shopping. " I said
I just hope they didn't feel belittled by my suggestion. I just want to thank them for saving my life.
" Siyabonga kakhulu kodwa kukhulu okuzayo futhi isikhathi asisekho kwamele siphuthumise umsebenzi wabo [ pointing at me and Nkosiyabo] ngabhambi kokuthi nithi niyasibonga ( thank you so much but there is a storm coming and there is no time left. We have to prioritize their ceremony before you guys thanks us. " Sis Thingo said
Confusion is taking place in both Nkosiyabo and I. We are so lost in what sis Thingo is saying
" Wait with all due respect sis Thingo but what about me and Hlelo ? " Nkosiyabo asked
" Guys I am sure that you guys already know that you are supposed to marry your chosen beloved and your case you guys are chosen for each other. " My mom said
" What?" Nkosiyabo said
I guess I found out before I could ask. Nkosiyabo is acting shocked which surprises me because I told him when I was in hospital and he didn't believe so I am surprised as to why he is acting like it's the first time he is hearing this. I don't even know how to react to the whole revelation
" Why ? "Â That's the first question that I asked
" What do you mean when you say why ? I mean you already know why you are supposed to get married to him. " Thingo said
" So what ceremony are we supposed to do?" I asked
If eyes could kill I would probably be dead by now looking at the way Nkosiyabo is looking at me right now
" You guys have to pay ilobola to each other's ancestors before Nkosiyabo can pay dowry for Hlelo. In that way they will be strong and not vulnerable on front of their enemies because we still have a huge battle ahead of us " Thingo said
Yoh so I am supposed to pay dowry for Nkosiyabo's ancestors before he pays my dowry like ngapha we have a battle to fight and I just don't think I have it in me to fight shem.
Author's note
Hi guys sorry for the late updates and thanks a lot for your support please continue doing so ð
Love you â¤ï¸