After a warm evening celebrating with the Jabavu family, Mmabatho returns to her apartment after not being there for weeks, feeling an unexpected sense of belonging. But as she steps inside, she notices Kabello in the corner, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused, a bottle resting on the floor beside him. She can smell the alcohol from across the room, and a chill runs down her spine.
"O ne o le kae?" Kabello slurs, his voice low and dangerous. (Where were you?)
Mmabatho takes a steadying breath. "I went to dinner with the Jabavus... Ba itumeletse about the pregnancy." (they're happy)
Kabello's face twists in anger. He rises unsteadily to his feet, his voice growing louder. "So you're celebrating with another man's family now?" he sneers, stepping closer.
Mmabatho instinctively steps back, but Kabello's anger explodes. He yells accusations and insults, his rage unchecked, and then it turns physical. Mmabatho stumbles, shielding herself as best as she can, but the punches keep coming until he finally storms out, leaving her on the floor.
As she tries to catch her breath, Mmabatho becomes aware of a warm, wet sensation on her thigh. She looks down and sees blood. Panic surges through her.
With trembling hands, Mmabatho reaches for her phone and calls Onalenna, her voice shaky as she explains what happened. Within minutes, Ona arrives, her face set with worry, and helps Mmabatho to the car, racing toward the hospital.
On the way, Mmabatho dials Sandile, barely holding herself together as she explains what happened. "Uhm....my boyfriend.....uhm attacked me, there's blood, and I'm on my way to the hospital."
Sandile's voice is tight with concern. "We'll meet you there," he assures her, and she can hear Khanyiswa in the background, questioning what's going on.
As they rush toward the hospital, pain flares in Mmabatho's lower abdomen, and her vision begins to blur. She grips Ona's hand, gasping as the pain intensifies. Ona's voice is the last thing she hears before everything fades to black.
Hours later, Mmabatho wakes up in a hospital bed, her mind foggy but aware of voices nearby. She sees Onalenna, Sandile, and Khanyiswa talking with the doctor, their faces etched with worry. When they notice she's awake, they gather around her bedside, Sandile's hand resting reassuringly on the bed rail.
The doctor gives her a gentle smile. "Mmabatho, you're very lucky. The baby is safe and healthy. We're going to do an ultrasound now, just to double-check."
Relief floods through her, and she nods as they prepare the ultrasound. Moments later, the screen lights up, showingthe small, steady heartbeat of the baby. Sandile's shoulders relax as he watches, his relief obvious. Khanyiswa nods along, though her expression is harder to read.
"Thank you," Mmabatho whispers, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Despite the pain and the fear of the night, her baby is still with her.