My body quivers out of fear. I glued myself onto the wall by the bedside. I stopped breathing so that she doesn't even hear me breathing. I know that Shudu mentioned my presence to distract his mom from this chaotic predicament. From where I am I could feel the awkwardness outside the room.
" Oh, that's great!" She answers with a faint voice showing disinterest in my presence.
" Brian pack things you need and we leave for home" Auntie instructs Brian changing the topic and sticking to her initial intention of visit.
" Deya...Come greet my mom" Shudu shows his bruised face by the door with a devilish smirk. Shudu!!! Devil sent you and you could not resist, damn you!
"Oh...She was here all this time and I was going to leave without her saying proper greetings. Haibo! Kids these days don't have respect towards elders" Auntie responds in a disappointed tone.
Now I am torn between staying glued to my seat or greet. She sounds unimpressed by my first meeting with her.
"Deya...how are you? come outside and let me see you" She calls me out. I drag my body to the door filled with fear but kept my head low and a shy expression. I must act respectfully to at least gain the confidence that I just lost by hiding in Brian's room. Brian's room, what would I say I was doing, I hope she doesn't conclude that I and Brian are an item. Talk about tragic love.
" Good Morning Auntie" I greet her with respect. I sneak a peek of her and caught her scrutinizing me like I am a bag of crisps. I don't think she likes me.
"You look like your mother. only if, I would have preferred you to be my son's mate, but Edward snatched that chance" Auntie greets back at me and forces a faint smile showing a bit of her straight line and white radiant teethed smile.
"Aren't you your mother's daughter? A beautiful flower. it is nice to finally meet you" A sweet and soft voice greets me. I look up to meet a tall, strong, broad, slim and dark chocolate man. He looks like Brian. What the hell! I thought...I exclaim to myself. What Shudu was talking about was rubbish. This man looks exactly like Brian. I snap out of my thoughts.
" Good day..." I pull a warm smile. He tears a grin and his eyes sparkle with joy. Oh, dear Lord, Brian is his father's son. If I am to get married to Brian, I have no doubt we will make beautiful babies. I continue with my smile but fueled with my fantasy. Auntie sneers at my smile.
"It was nice to meet you. Unfortunately, we don't have time to chat about it, as you see there's a family matter at hand that needs to be resolved. Probably with proper planning we will meet in good circumstances and introduce ourselves to you. As for now Brian we will be waiting for you in the car. Shudu let's go" Auntie walks away before waiting for any agreement from the man. Shudu and Brian's Father couldn't protest the given, so they followed a pursuit. As their steps disappear, Brian releases a heavy sigh. " I hate her!" He gets in the room and starts packing his essentials. I just stood there in silence and watch him pack his bag. There's nothing I could do to ease him.
I walk towards Brian and wrap my arms around his waistline, rest my face carefully on his hardened back. He is tense. So much anger and pain are pent up in his body. I wish I could do something to help him relieve the trauma that his body suffered. It's not always only our minds that suffer from trauma but our bodies too, suffer the same pain as our minds. Seeing my mom falling into a depressive episode after my Father's death, I understood how important it is to address mental and physical health, both are utterly important in leading a fulfilling life for a person.
He sighs and turns to face me. He pulls my body and hit his hard body. He hugs me tightly. " I will be back before you think about it. In the meantime, stay in my room. I will be at peace, knowing you are in my room and keeping our bed warm" Brian whispers into my ear. What the hell! Oh wow! Today can't stop throwing at me these weird and unexplained moments. Our bed? I know I fantasise about marriage, but it's only day one. " Okay, I will be here waiting" I utter my words softly and carefully, maintaining this melancholic moment. He steps back, picks the bag and head for the door. He turns his head and look at me, then bit his lower lip seductively. He walks out. I shake my head. What a crazy, naughty being. He can't be serious even in this kind of situation. I close the door and lock it. I throw my body on the bed. What a day! I close my eyes and start breathing in and out. Peace. Serenity and tranquillity. You are not your thoughts, your thoughts are just objects floating in the air. You have the ability to choose to attach or not attach yourself to your thoughts. Breathe in through the nose, Breathe out through the mouth. Focus on your breath and be still.
*******
Everyone leaves the car. Brian and Shudu leave the car with sad faces, while the elders leave the car with disappointed faces. They walk inside the house. Mrs Mulaudzi, Shudu's mom looks around and throw the bag on the sofa. She heads for Shudu and slaps his face with reddened eyes.
"How dare you demean me? I knew it was a girl, but I thought you saw what Edward did to me, us. I thought you wouldn't bring illegitimate brats. for fucks sake, two brats" Mrs Mulaudzi walks away and throws her body on the sofa fuming with anger. Brian's Father and his wife, rest on the love seat, while the boys sit on the other sofas.
"Sister I understand your frustration, anger and disappointment. I am disappointed in these boys. I thought they are responsible for adults. But shouting and slaps won't resolve these issues. We are the elders, let us help these boys to resolve this matter, and if punishment is fit, then they can get one" Mr Mala, Brian's Father speaks sense into Mrs Mulaudzi's head. Mrs Mulaudzi sneers and walks out of the lounge.
Mrs Mala and Mr Mala look at each other defeated. How are they going to resolve this matter, if Agnes is acting childish and making this matter about her? They turn and look at each other.
" So what happened today? what's with this baby mama thing? Whose? Shudu you broke up with your girl lover or is it, you son?" Mr Mala enquires. Brian smirks at the fact his dad just used a modern word to describe the mother of his cousin's baby. Dad is catching up. Mr Mala gives Brian an icy look for smirking while he is trying to understand this messy predicament.
"I didn't break up with Maya" Shudu clears the confusion on his side.
"Then...?" Mr Mala asks puzzled.
"It's Brian's baby mama" Shudu delivers the news. Mr Mala is shocked. Brian gives Shudu an icy look then burst out a sarcastic laugh. It fuels his dad's anger.
"What's funny? why you don't tell me you have a child?" Mr Mala asks Brian disappointed.
"Whose child? if I had one, I would have announced it to the family" Brian calmly explains himself. His mom and dad pull a frown on their faces. Mr and Mrs Mala look at him with confusion and vexation.
"Care to explain?" Mrs Mala ask impatiently.
"The thing is we are waiting for a DNA test to clarify whose child is it" Brian talks calmly without showing an inch of nervousness or fear. "The thing is my ex-lover had an affair with Shudu and they claim that the child is mine, while it is not. But we are doing this test to prove the truth. I can't accept someone's burden". Brian ends his explanation by getting up and beginning to walk out of the room
Shudu snickers. " Yeah it is my fault, I am sorry. but we both know that your three-month promise relapsed. So don't act innocent. There's a high chance that the baby is yours" Shudu stops Brian from leaving by refreshing his memory that he and Lala almost maintained that three months promise, but that one faithful drunken night, the last day of the promise, he could not keep his hands on himself. He and Lala were all over each other that Maya and Shudu had to excuse themselves from Brian's room because all they wanted was to know each other again. Thinking about that last night that he had with Lala before the next months of realisation, pierces into his heart. How could he be so foolish! His jaw tightened and he turned around to face Shudu.
"Tomorrow let's do the DNA test then" Brian pierces into Shudu eyes with a daring look.
Mr and Mrs Mala are flabbergasted by their children behaviour and conduct. They raised them like brothers, but now they behave like thieves stealing from each other. This is not what they hoped for. They let out a heavy sigh. Mr Mala wipe the sweat cracking on his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"It seems you have reached consensus. Tomorrow we go to the doctor. Call the girl and let her know of the news. let's call it a night. I don't have the strength to sit next to you and eat super with you, after this humiliating confession and realisation that you didn't take any of the things that we as your parents taught you. I am very disappointed in you" Mr Mala lets out his annoyance and disappointment and leave the room. Leaving the boys and Mrs Mala gaping at the boys with dissatisfaction; but then again she's not surprised, she had been sensing the tension between them, the surprising matter is that they had slept with the same girl. That is disappointing of them. They have lost their principles, morals and values. What happened to the harmonious brotherhood, they were inseparable. She continues to stare at them in silence.
"It is this lavish lifestyle. It has ruined them. Oh, I am so disappointed, beyond the description of the word " Mrs Muluadzi walks with a coffee tray and sit next to Mrs Mala offering her the cup of coffee next to hers.
Brian turns his back on them and leaves the room. Shudu follows pursuit too. The women are left alone in the lounge with a lot of emotions running through them, and their mind racing with questions seeking clarity. It is quite obvious that there's more than that catches the eye. As mothers, they have to find a way to protect their sons and their reputation as mothers in the community. If this matter is discovered, their prestigious status could be threatened. Oh dear, Funza Lushaka Academy could lose its sponsors. Investors are pretty cautious and are at the step of the door if a bad reputation comes your way. They need to curb this disaster and fix this situation as soon as possible.
In Brians bedroom
Brian switches on the light. The bedroom is finished with a big bed and headboard in the centre of the room with twin side cupboards. The bed is dressed with silent tone colours grey and white comfort blanket, and a little bit of faded pink small and medium-sized pillows. Each side cupboard carrying night lamps. The room has a big moving space. A big desk is placed on the corner not so far away to two entrances which one leads to the closet and the other to the bathroom. Brian scrutinizes the cleanroom and closes the door behind. He thrashes his body on the bed bouncing a little bit. He closes his eyes breathing in the clean air. It's been a while he hasn't been home. He spent his festive holidays with his maternal family.
A phone chimes. He opens his eyes. Reaches for his phone and read the message. His eyes widened in shock, his face turns sour. Rage fills inside him. His eyes flickered with rage. He gets up the pace up and down in the room in shock. Wow! He wanted the truth, but it's obvious he wasn't ready to hear the detailed story of what happened between Shudu and Lala. He sneers then start laughing in anguish. He is in grief. It hurts more than he expected it to be. I can't stay here for the night, not like this. He opens the door and storms out. Runs down the stairs. Where is my bag? He budges in the lounge room disturbing the two women who were conversing and still drinking their coffee and grabs his bag. "Mom, can you borrow me the polo tsi car keys?" He pleads with his mom avoiding eye contact. He doesn't want to share his sadness with her. His mom reads his body language and understood that Brian had a valid reason for wanting to leave home right now. Fortunately, it's still evening. "Where the car keys stay" She answers in a motherly concerned voice. "Thank you, Ma" "Take care. And text me when you arrive safely". Mrs Mala watches her son walk out of the house. Mrs Muluadzi is stunned and then rolls her eyes in annoyance.
Brian opens the car, gets in and settles himself in the driver's seat. He sends a text to Deya.
" Pack something for the night. We are sleeping out"
He starts the car and the only sound left echoing in the yard is the scratching of the wheels on the ground.
*****
Lala receives a text. She taps on the message and starts reading it. Her body temperature skyrocketed that she started peeling off her nightgown. Was this a mistake or intended for her? There's no way he can do this to her. She told him that she loved Brian and she will do anything to get him back. And no one, even Shudu will stop her. I hope he didn't share this truth with Brian.
Her phone chimes again. "Oh, that was a mistake, not meant for you. Anyway...I shared my side of the story with him. All the best" She reads the message. Is he insane? She dials Shudu's number. The phone rings on the other side but does not get picked up. She dials again, it gets picked up.
"What do you want?" The voice asks in disdain.
"How dare you go and tell Brian lies about me?" Lala asks seething with anger
"Which part? That you cheated on him throughout the relationship. You don't deserve him. At least he will understand that it was not a mistake that you did, but your habit" The voice answers in a flat tone.
"You didn't have the right...you are just jealous that I never chose you when you wanted us to be more than acquaintances " Lala disagrees
"Acquaintances in the bedroom activities. I am not jealous, I pity my brother and I am glad you rejected me. I can't imagine me going through this betrayal" He hits back at her.
She scoffs "Like you are faithful and did not betray anyone. You are no different from me"
"Whatever I don't have the energy to talk to you right now. Tomorrow we are doing a DNA test" The voice breaks the news.
"Where?" She asks with a cunning motive.
"Should I suggest your place of choice?" The voice asks calmly.
"Yes...I will send four different places where my dad rotates around. Thank you for this" She let out a cunning smile.
"Whatever I just want this all gone" The voice speaks in an agitated voice.
"Don't you worry. It will go well. And you can go back to your mom's good books. I wonder how long though?... Let us hope you behave and no one will know the great Mashudu is playing for both teams. Ciao! " She hangs up the call before Shudu could say a word. This is her weapon. She discovered that Shudu was bisexual and he secretly has a boy lover in another province who is known as a friend he sometimes visits for a break. Little did they know that the world is round, your friend's friend could be my friend's friend. That's how she discovered that her cousin's friend's friend is dating Shudu for two years now. Lala shakes her head. Why won't he just come out and he wouldn't have to hide anymore. But it's good that he didn't, how would she have leverage over him, if he had nothing to hide. Next week, she will be lying on Brian's chest. She will be very sincere and apologetic and woo Brian with her everything so that he takes her back. She sits on the bed cross-legged and pulls a sinister smile.
*Haibo! _A South African(Nguni language) expression of surprise or amusement.