PROLOGUE.

FORBI
DDENLOVE.

beingbor nf r
om aver yt raditi
onalf ami lysucks
reall
y, i
tcomeswi thlot sofr esponsi bili
ties
speciall
ywhenyou' ref amilyi swel lknownar ound
almostbuever yone.youbei ngt oldever ydayt hat
youmustnotdoanyt hingt hatwi lltarnishthef amily
name, youbei ngtoldhowt obehaveorcar ry
yourselfinpubl i
cbcswher everyougoyou
representyourpar entsorf ami ly.inmyf ami l
yi f
you'regirlyoumustr each21st il
lavir ginsot hat
youcanhaveumemul odonef oryou.youmustnot
haveaboyf ri
endorsomet hingimeanhowam i
goingt ohaveaboyf riendwhenmybr otherar e
alwayswat chi
ngmel ikeahawk?t heychaseever y
boyt hatcomesmyway.mypar entsar ever ystri
ct
speciall
ymydadhe' syourt ypicalZul umanwho
foll
owscul tureandmymom i sXhosa!mypar ents
aresweetesthumanbei ngsbuthardcoresatthe
samet i
me.we' re3chil
drenathomei t'
smyt wo
olderbr
othersSakhil
eandSandi l
ethenmet hel ast
born,mybr other
saresoover pr
otect
iveofmeand
i
tannoyst heshitoutofmesomet imesbuttheni
appreci
atethem inmylifebcstheydoingthi
sj ust
bcstheyloveandcar eaboutme.

ihaveabestf r
iendhernamei sOmuhl eLanga
she'st heonl yfr
iendihave, she' ssuchagood
fri
end.she' sbeenwi thmet hroughhel l!she'smy
biggestsuppor tershecr iedandr ejoi
cedwi t
hme
event houghwear etotallydiff
er entpeopl ebutshe
get smever ywell.she'sver ybubbl yandveer ywil
d,
apar tyanimalandachat ter
boxyho!t hatgirlcan
talkf ordaysandshecanbeannoyi ngatt i
mesbutI
loveherl i
kethat!whi l
emeont hereot hersidei
don' tdrinkorgot opar t
ies, im ver yquiteand
reser vedverycal m il
ikemyownspacemostoft he
time.Mostpeopl esaysi mrudej ustbcsispeakmy
mi ndidon' tsugarcoatt hings.il over eadingbooks
andl i
steningtomusi c, itkeepsmesaneand. .
"ear
thtoHl
alu..
"saysOmuhl
ewavingherhandi
n
fr
ontofmyfacebri
ngingmebackt
oeart
h.
me:"ohsorr
yfri
endwhatwher
eyousayi
ng?.
."
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omuhl
e:"isai
dlet
sgoandbuysomel
unch,
its
br
eakt
ime..
"
me:"ohokay. ."wet ookourschoolbagsandgot
outofclassandheadt ot het
uckshop.lookatme
proceedingwithoutintroduci
ngmyself, mynameis
HlalumiNkabindeim 17year solddoingGrade11.
Thedaught erofBulelwaandNkosi nathiNkabi
nde,
st
aywi thmeont hi
sbumpyr oadaheadofus. .
FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERONE.

*
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°
HLALUMI
.

beingt helastbornsucks, ireall

yhat ebei
ngt he
l
astbor nsomet i
mes.myf ami l
ytreatsmelikei m6
yearol dimeanhel l
o!im 17year soldicando
thingsonmyown!mybr ot
her streat
smel i
keI 'ma
l
ittlegir
ltheyareal waysfussingoverme!ir eall
y
hat ethat.imeanican' tevenbr eathetheyare
alwaysonmycase.Si ghs.iwi shihadal i
tt
le
sisterorbrothersomehowyouknowbutt henmy
mom sai dshe'
st i
redofgivingt obigheadscabanga
!t hatwomani smeanbutanywaysil oveherlike
thatshe' smyever ythi
ng.

sonowt heschoolwasoverandiwaswal king

homewi thOmuhl e.mydaddoesn' tmewalkingto
schoolwewant edtohireadri
verformebuti
ref
usedilovewalkingionlycomest oschoolbycar
whenit'
sr ai
ningonly!soonourwayhomeOmuhl e
wasblabberingaboutapartythatwashostedbya
cert
ainDJshewast al
kingaboutidon'
tevenknow
thi
sdudebutthewaymuhl
etal
ksabouthi
m he
soundswel
lknownli
keacel
ebr
itybuso.
me:sowhat
'st
henameoft
hisDJyou'
ret
alki
ng
about?.
shesmi
led.
Omuhl
e:i
tsDJLJ,
he'
ssohandsomel
ove.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:idi
dn'
taskt
hationl
yaskedhi
sname.
shescof
fed.
Omuhle:itsnotl
ikeyouknowhim mos.velehow
youweregoingtoknowhim whenyoudon'teven
havesoci
almedia.youonlyWhatsAppimean
that
'sbor
ingHlal
u.
igi
ggled,
shealwayst
easedmeabouthowihat
e
soci
almedia.
me:What
sAppi
smor
epr
ivat
ethanot
hersoci
al
net
wor
ks.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omuhl
e:what
ever.
wecont i
nuedtowal
kwhil
echatt
ingunti
lwe
reachedherhome.webidGoodbyestoeachot
her
andi wal
kedhomealone.
"Ntokazi"someonesaysbehindmeit ur
neditwas
Mabutho, somehandsomedudest ayi
ngdownt he
road.he'syourfuckboytypaguyandgir
lst
hrows
themselvesathimintheschoolj
ustbcshe'
sa
Rugbycapt ai
n,healwaystri
eshisl
ucktomebut
noim notoneofhi sfl
oozi
esthi
sguyplaygi
rl
slike
crazyandgi r
lsf
ighti
ngoverhi
m.
me:mabut
ho.
hesmi
ledwal
kingt
owar
dsmeicont
inuedt
owal
k
wit
hhi
m besi
desme.
Mabut
ho:unj
anikodwa?.
(Howar
eyout
hough?
)
me:ndi
phi
lakunj
anikuwe?.(I
'
m good,
howar
e
you?)
mabutho:ngi
'Shar
p,sovelevel
eangif
uni
ngempela?.(soyoureal
lydon'
twantme?)
me:yesmabut
ho,
howmanyt
imeshaveit
oldyou
t
hat?.
hecl
earedhisthr
oat,icanseethi
sishardforhi
m
bcshe'
snotusedt oapproachagi
rlbcsgi
rl
s
al
waysthrowthemselvesathim.
mabutho:i
tsal
ri
ghtt
henbutiwon'
tgi
veupyouwi
ll
bemineint
heend.byebeaut
if
ul.
hewi nkedatmeandwal kedaway.ichuckl
ed
shakingmyhead.i arr
ivedathomemom wasi nthe
ki
tchencookingiwenttoherandhuggedherfrom
behindandkissedhercheek.
me:hel
loma.
shegavemeahear
twar
mingsmi
le.
mom :heybaby,
howwasschool?.
me:schoolwasf
inenot
hingexci
ti
ng,
whatar
eyou
maki
nghere?.
isaidopeni
ngthepotl
idsshesmackedmyhandi
fl
inchedinpai
n.
me:ouchma!
sher
oll
edhereyes.
mom :goandchangesoyoucaneat,
aft
ert
hatyou
accompanymet
othemal
l.
ihuf
finf
ust
rat
ion.
me:yhoma,
imt
ir
edcanwegosomeot
hert
ime?.
mom :hl
alumi!
shewarns,isi
ghedi
mreal
lynoti
nthemoodf
or
goi
ngtothemall.
me:f
inemom .
iwalkedupstai
rstochangemyuni f
orm andwor e
mybl ackl
eggingsandhoodi et
hensomepush-i ns
thenheadbackdownst airs.mom wasal r
eady
dishi
ngupf orme, isatdownont hebarstoolshe
handedmemypl ateithankedheranddiggedin.

Aftereat
ingiwashedtheuntensi
lst
henheadtomy
room totakemysli
ngbagthenwentdownstai
rs
again.
me:l
etsgomom.
wewentoutandgotinsi
deherrangeRoverand
dr
oveofft
othemall.wearri
vedatthemall,mom
i
sher etobuytoi
let
ri
esi
magi
ne!ishoul
d'vej
ust
stayedathome.wewenttocl
icks!mom bought
everyt
hingshewantedt
obuywepayedandwent
backhome.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

sinceiwasyoungigr oomedt obeabusi nessman

bcswhenmydadr etir
edi m goingtot akeoverthe
familybusi ness.t osayiwasexci t
ediwoul dbe
l
yingbcst hat'snotmydr eam ir eal
lydon'tsee
mysel fasabusi nessman.bei ngadoct ora
cardiologisttobespeci f
icasal waysbeenmy
passionbutt henmydadcoul dn'tall
owi thesaidhe
want smebehi ndt hedeski nhiscompanyl ooki
ng
afterit.mydadi st hattypeofmant hatnobody
goesagai nhi scommandshet ellsyousomet hi
ng
youdoi ti
mmedi atelysogoi ngagai nsthis
i
nst r
uct i
onsi srecipef ordi
sast ersoif ol
lowedhis
i
nst
ruct
ions.

evennowhe' sagai nstonmebei ngaDJbutist ood

mygr oundont his!yeshedemol i
shedmydr eam of
beingadoct orbutican' tlethim dot hatonmyl ove
formusi ciref usedbutatt heendhecameal ong
andaccept edi t.thi
si sahobbyIl ovemusi ct o.I
t
keepsmesane.it r
iedt alkingt
omymom sot hat
wecoul dconvi nceherhusbandt oletmest udy
medici nebutt hensheal socan'tgoagai nsther
husbandwi shessoigotnochoi cebutt oaccept
thi
sf atethatwascr eatedf ormebef oreiwaseven
born.butt henil ovemymom soiwoul ddo
anythingtomakeher. .
"Babyareyouokay?"askedmyGir
lf
ri
end,her
nameisAsemahlewe'
vebeendat
ingfor6months
now!ili
kehernotl
oveher,l
ovei
sabigwordsoi
set
tl
ewithli
ke.
me:yeahi
m goodl
ove.
igaveheraf
akesmi
le.shesatonmyl
apand
ki
ssedme.
mynamei sLwazingcaJolaim 20year
sold,doing
asecondyeari nBusinessmanagementinvarsit
y!
doi
ngsomet hingidon'treal
lyli
kebcsi
mf or
cedt o
doitbutthenakhoChoi ce.staywit
hmeont his
bumpyr oad.

t
obecont
inued.
.
FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

i
m wokenupmom sayi
ngt
hatdi
nneri
sreadyi
r
ubbedmyeyeswhil
eyawni
ngisatupst
rai
ghtand
t
ookmyPhonef rom pedestalt
ocheckt hetime,i
t
was7pm intheeveni ng.igotoffthebedandwent
t
othebathroom iwashedmyf aceandr insemy
mouthandheadbackt othebedroom !iwor emy
Gownandsl eepersiheaddownst air
s.igotther
e
t
hefamil
ywassi t
tingonthediningtable.
me:eveni
ngf
ami
ly.
dad:
hel
loPr
incess,
howwasyournap?.
ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.Notknowi
nghowt
orepl
y
.
me:iwassl
eepi
ngsoidon'
tknow.
hej
ustl
augh.
Dad:ofcour
se.
isatdownanddi
shedupf
ormysel
f.
Sandi
le:howwasschoolhl
alu?.
iswal
lowedbef
oreanswer
ing.
me:schooli
sgoodbhut
i,t
hankyouf
oraski
ng.
henodsandcont
inuedt
oeat.
me:umhdaddyineedsomemoney.
her
aisehi
sbr
owl
ooki
ngatme
Dad:f
orwhat?.
me:ther
e'sasneakert
hatisawatt
hemal
ltoday
so.
.
hedidn'
tanswerback,iknowhewil
lwantmet o
begfori
t.hesayshewant smet
oworkforitbcshe
doesn'
twantaspoiltbr
atofachi
ldwhat
everthati
s.
wefini
shedeati
ngandmeandmom cl earedthe
tabl
eandwashedt hedishes.
Mom :Enhl
eiscomi
ngoverf
ort
heweekend.
ismiledandnod, Enhlei
smyannoyi ngcousi
n.
Don'tgetmewr ongiloveherbutshe'
stooforward
formyl i
kingandshe'saloudmouthjustOmuhle!
she'
sgoi ngtoinvademyspacewhenshe' shere
andi won'tgetmypeacenowar g.
mom :youdon'
tlookhappy.
me:iam happymom .
shechuckl
edshaki
ngherhead.
mom :somet
imesyouf
orgett
hatIknowyoui
nsi
de
out,
tal
ktomommywhat '
swrong?.
isi
ghed
me:don'tgetmewrongmom iloveEnhl
eneh?but
someti
messhe'st
oomuch, andyouknowhowi
l
ovemyownspaceandpeaceandevenwor se
she'
saloudmouthveryf
orward.
shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
mom :butOmui
sal
sol
oudnj
ena.
me:that
'st
otaldi
ffer
ent,omuismybestf
ri
endand
Enhl
eisnotmyf r
iendandwe'
renott
hatcl
oseso
she'
sgoi
ngtobor eme.
shenodsl
ooki
ngamusedbyt
his.
mom :i
tsokaymychi
ld,
iunder
standyou.
wefi
nishedwashi
ngdi
shesandret
ir
edt
obed,
i
pr
ayedthensl
epti
mmediat
ely.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
thenextdayiwokeupwi thabangi ngheadachei
don'tevenknowwher eitcomesf rom , imoani n
painitsli
kemyheadi sgoingt ospl iti
nhal f.igot
offthebedandmadei t.iopent hecur tainsthen
headt othebat hroom iwashedmyf aceand
brushedmyt eetht hengotinsi detheshower.i
fi
nishedshower i
ngt henlotioned!iwor emy
uniform andtiedmydr eadlocks, yesihavel ong
dreadlocksafterfixingmyhai riappl i
edmycol ogne
.igr abbedmyPhoneandschool bagandhead
downst air
s,igott heremom andSakhi lewere
sit
ti
ngont hetable, mom wasdr i
nkingcof feeand
Sakhi l
ewaseat i
ng.
me:mor
ningguys.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
mom :babyar
eokay?.
inodded.
me:i
tsj
ustal
it
tl
eheadachet
hat
'sal
l.
mom stoodupanddi
sappearedtothekit
chenand
camebackwithagl
assofwat erandGrandpatabl
et
andgavethem t
omeithankedheranddr ankt
hem .
Sakhi
le:eatupsi
s,i
mtaki
ngyout
oschool.
idishedOat
sformeandqui cklyatebeforeSakhil
e
leavesmebcshe'sverypunctual.ifi
nishedeati
ng
thenranupst
air
storinsemymout handappl i
edmy
li
pglosst
henheadbackdownst airsitookmy
schoolbagandwewal kedout,wegoti nsidethe
caranddroveoff.

Sakhi
le:bef
unanimabut
hokuwei zol
o?(Whatdi
d
mabuthowantfr
om youyest
erday?).
imental
lyrol
ledmyeyes,mybrot
hersar
eli
kethis
al
ltheti
meswhent heysawmewithaboyor
someonesawmewi t
htheboyandtol
dthem !i
havetomanybodyguardsar
oundthis
nei
ghborhood.
me:hewantedt
oaskmeaboutsomehomewor
k
weweregi
ven.
hejustsai
d'mmh' andconcentr
atedont heroad,
heplayedmusi
cjustguesswhichmusichepl ayed?
heplayedmbaqanga!imeanwhost il
lli
stensto
thi
skindofmusicnowdays?.
me:ist
hist
heonl
ymusi
cyouhave?bcst
hisi
s
shi
t.
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:l
anguagehl
alu,
you'
renott
alki
ngt
o
Omuhle..
ij
ustkeptmymouthshutandfocusedont
her
oad.
wearri
vedatmyschoolhegavemesomepocket
moneyithankedhi
m andgotoutt
hecar.
Sakhi
le:enj
oyyourdayhl
alu,
iloveyou.
me:enj
oyyour
stoo,
iloveyoumor
e.
iwavedathi
mt henheadi
nsidet
heschool
premi
ses,idon'
tseeOmuhleneart
hegatebcsshe
al
wayswaitsformehere,
maybeshe'slat
etoday.
"Nt
okazient
le".
ther
e'sonlyonepersonwhocal
lsmet
hatanditi
s
mabut hoiwonderwhathewant
snow?irol
ledmy
eyesandt ur
nedtolookathi
m.
me:yinimabut
ho?ufunani?(Whatmabut
ho?
whatdoyouwant?)
hef
rowns.
mabutho:wamuncunj
ekwenzenj
ani?(whyar
e
yousosour?what'
swr
ong?)
isi
ghed,
im noti
nthemoodf
ort
hisdudeser
iousl
y.
me:mabuthoidon'
thavet
imeforchi
tchat,say
what
everyouwannasayandgetoutofmyface..
herai
sedhishandsandsur
renderandwalkedaway
.icli
ckedmytoungeandwalkedtomyclass..
.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

OMUHLE.

ilookedatHl al
uasshewascomi ngtowardsthe
classroom l
ookingmad, iwonderwhomadeher
angrynow.Hl al
uhasbeenmybestf ri
endfor4
yearsnowimeetheri nGrade7whenshewasnew
tothisschool.shewasbeaut i
fulst
il
lis,wit
hher
longdr eadl
ocks.Iaskedtobeherfriendandshe
agreedandwest i
llhol
dingitt
ight.Hlal
uisavery
cal
m personshe'schil
ledandreserved,shedoesn'
t
l
iketotal
kandshesor akyhermi ndshedoesn't
carewhetheryouhurtbyherchoiceofwor dsshe
j
ustsayitasitisandiloveherforthatshe'
sbrutal
whenitcomest othethrut
h.

imustsayshe' sthet r
uesdef i
nit
ionofat ruefri
end
she'
sbeenwi t
hmet hroughthickandt hin!when
mymom l ostherjobherf amil
yhelpeduswi t
h
everyt
hingjustbcsHl alutal
kedtohi sfathersothat
hecangi vemyf atheraj obathiscompanyandhe
did.wewer everygratef
ulforthat,hlalu'
sparents
tr
eatmel ikeI'
mt heirchil
dalsomypar entstr
eat
hlal
ulikeshe'stheir
s.
"Hel
lo?am it
alki
ngal
one?"
shesaidwavi
nghersmal
lhandi
nfr
ontofmyf
acei
snappedoutofi
t.
me:heyl
ove.
.
Shesatdownnextt
ome.
Hl
alu:youseem f
arwhat
'swr
ong?.
.
me:nothi
ngi
swr
ong,
whoupset
syouear
lyi
nthe
mor
ning?.
shecli
ckedhert
oungeandsatcomf
ort
abl
eont
he
chai
r.
hl
alu:i
t'
sthati
diotmabut
ho.
.
Shesaysibur
stoutl
aughi
ngsher
oll
edhereyes.
hl
alu:di
dyouhavet
olaughl
iket
hat?.
Me:what
ever,
whathasmabut
hodonet
hist
ime
ar
ound?.
shescof
fed.
hl
alu:yester
dayhesai
dhewon'
tgiveuponme
unti
lim hi
simagi
ne!Me?Mabutho?Toget
her?
never..
iburstoutl
aughingshej
oinedme.shehasa
beauti
full
aughter.
Me:he'
scr
azy.
Hl
alu:ver
ycr
azy.
.
wecont inuedtochatt
ingandlaughingabout
mabutho.mynamei sOmuhleLangai m 17years
old,doingGr ade11.im Hl
alu'sBestfr
iend,t
he
daughterofSi net
hembaandVuyi swalanga!Stay
tuned.

t
obecont
inued.
.
FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHREE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"areyoucomi ngtothegigt
oni
ght?"Thatwasmy
Bestfr
iendSongezo, he'
sal
soaDJwe' r
edoingt
his
thi
ngtogether.ishakedmyheadindi
cat
ingno.
me:no,
ihaveanassi
gnmentt
odo.
henoded.
Songezo:youwi
llbeavai
labl
emosnextweek?
.
me:yeah.
Songezo:thepar
tyi
sstil
lonatAthi'
splacet
his
weekend,girl
sar
egoingcrazyaboutiton
I
nstagram .
ichuckled,he'
sal
wayst
hinki
nggi
rl
sli
kehecan'
t
li
vewithoutthem.
me:youal
wayst
hinki
ngaboutpussyman.
Hel
aughed.
Songezo:pussyi
sli
febr
o,seeyou.
wef i
stbumpedandandwentourseparateways,i
drovestrai
ghthome.igotther
emom wasinthe
ki
tchenwashi ngdi
shesanddadwassit
ti
ngonthe
barstoolreadi
ngsomethi
ngonhisi
Pad.
me:af
ter
noonr
ent
s.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
dad:
howwasyourdayson?.
Me:schoolwasf
ine,
ijusthaveanassi
gnmenti
needt
ofini
sh.
Henoded.
dad:wellf
ini
shi
tthen,
ineedyout
opasst
hose
modulesokay?.
inoded,
itsnotl
ikeihaveachoi
ce.
me:yesdad.
mom gavemeanapol
oget
icsmi
le.
mom :shoul
didi
shupf
oryou?.
me:yespl
easebutiwi
llgoandf
reshenupf
ir
st.
Shenoded,iwentheadupstair
stomybedr oom
andtookashower.igotouttheshowerand
wrappedatowelaroundmybodyisatont hebed
checki
ngmyphoneihadami ssedcal
lfr
om
Asemahleical
ledherback.
Asemahl
e:l
wazi?
.
me:heybaby,
isawyourmi
ssedcal
l.
Asemahl
e:whydi
dn'
tyouansweryourphone?.
ichuckled,she'
sst
art
ingwi
thherj
elousy
tendencies.
me:iwasi
ntheshowerMahl
e,buzot
hini?.(what
wer
eyouwantedt
osay?)
shesi
ghed.
Asemahl
e:imi
ssyoul
wazi,
you'
renol
onger
spendst
imewi
thmeanymor
e.
ihuf
finf
rust
rat
ion!idon'
thavet
imef
ort
his.
me:Asemahl eli
stenyougotintomyli
feknowing
thati
m abusyperson, youknowthati
fim notat
schoolI
m ataclub.soi fyou'
ret
ir
edofthi
syou
welcometoleavemydear. .
shesni
ff
ed, ohGodisshecr
ying?i
m notsogood
atcomf
orti
ngapersonyouknow.
Asemahle:whoi
sshe?whot
hehel
lisshel
wazi?
Arecheat
ingonme.
ohGod.
me:Asemahl
eidon'
thavet
imef
ort
his.
.
ihungup.Gi rl
saredramat i
cseriously,imeanI
toldherbefor
ewedat edthatI'm abusypersoniwill
seeherwheni mfreeandwheni mf reeidoseeher
soidon'tknowwhyshe' sactinglikethi
s.iputmy
phoneawayandl oti
onedt henwor emycomf or
tabl
e
clothesandheaddownst ai
rs.
mom :yourf
oodwasaboutt
ogetcol
d.
shesaidandhandedmet
hepl
ateit
hankedherand
diggedi
n.
dad:t
omorrowwegoingt
othecompany,
ther
e's
somet
hingiwantt
oshowyou.
iment
all
yrol
ledmyeyes,
im bor
edbyt
his.
me:ihaveagi
gtomor
rowdad,
can'
tZukogowi
th
you?
.
zukoi
smybi gbr
other,
he'
saCEOi
noneofmy
fat
her
'scompani
es.
dad:iexpectyout
obeatJol
aCorpor
ates
tomor
rowat12orwegoingtohaveaprobl
em .
me:sur
ethi
ng.
hest
oodupandwal
kedaway.
Me:mom can'
tyout
alkt
oyourhusbandor
somet
hing?.
shesi
ghed.
mom :it
ri
edl
wazi,
youknowyourdadi
sst
ubbor
n.
inoded,
andcont
inuedt
oeatunt
ilif
ini
shed.
Me:thanksfort
hef
ooditwasdel
ici
ous,
iwi
llgo
andstar
twit
hmyassignmentnow.
shenoded,
istoodupandki
ssedhercheekthen
headtomyroom t
owrit
ethi
sfuckenassi
gnment..

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

iwaschill
ingwi t
hOmuhl einmyroom , shecameto
vi
sitmeaft erschool.shewasbusyt alkingabout
hercrushthatisSongezobutknownasDJsongz
bcshe'saDJ.Omuhl eisgoingallcr
azyaboutthis
songzdude!she' sbusyst alki
nghim onInstagr
am .
whil
stiwasbusyli
steni
ngt
oherblabber
ingabout
thi
sdudeshescreamedhol
dinghermouthwithher
hand.
Omuhl
e:OMW !.
shewasj
umpi
ngupanddownont
hebed.
me:Omuhlekeepitdownyouknowhowmom i
s
l
ike,
what
'sgoingon?.
sher
oll
edhereyesgi
ggl
ed.
Omuhle:ievenf
orgottenhowdramaticyourmom
i
s,anywaysSongezoandhi sfr
iendsarehost
inga
par
tyatoneofhi
sf r
iendshouse..
me:so?whyar
eyouscr
eami
ngkengoku?.
.
shegavet
hat'
real
ly'
lookir
oll
edmyeyes.
Omuhl
e:imeanduh,coul
dn'
tyouputt
hepi
eces
t
oget
her?hei
nvi
tedmeonhispart
ydumbass.
Shesai
dwi
thawi
desmi
leonherf
ace.
Me:what?soar
eyougoi
ng?.
.
Omuhl
e:ofcour
sedar
li
ng!.
inoded.
me:Enhl
eiscomi
ngoverf
ort
heweekend.
Omuhl
e:Enhl
e?t
hatr
atchetCousi
nofyour
s?.
me:yeah,
theoneandonl
y.
herf
acedr
opped.
Omuhle:ohshamemydearf ri
end,
thi
sisgoingto
bealongweekendofyourl
if
e.imeanthatchil
dis
toof
orward.
igi
ggl
ed,
theydon'
tgetal
ongver
ywel
l.
me:sayt
hatagai
n.
shehuggedme.
Omuhl
e:youwi
llbef
ine.
inoded,weconti
nuedt ochataboutthi
spart
yshe'
s
goingtoandt
hiscrushshehasont hisguy.she
evenshowedmeapi ctureofhissquad!imust
admitshamethey'
rehandsomer eal
ly.
me:they'
rehandsomebutt
heyl
ookl
ikef
uckboys
youknow.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omuhle:yeaht
heyar
ehandsome,
speci
all
ythi
s
one.
sheshowedt
heoneshe'stal
kingabout!imean
wowthey'
rer
eal
lyhandsome.
me:what
'
shi
sname?.
omuhl
e:DJLJ.
Inoded.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.

ican'
tbeli
eveitalkedt
omycr ushli
keOhw!t his
dudehasbeenmycr usheversi
nceisawhi m on
Inst
agram butihaven'
tseenhiminperson.so
Inst
agram wasachaost odayever
yoneistalking
aboutthei
rpartyspeci
all
ygir
lsimeanwhowoul dn'
t
wanttogoont heirpar
ty?imeanthedudesar e
ridiculousl
yhandsomeal lofthem special
lythatLJ
dude.ihear dthathe'sdatingthi
sothergi r
lcall
ed
Asemahl ebuttheseguysl ookslikefuckboyst ome
butt henasazi.soaf t
erispendthedaywi thHlal
ui
wenthomel at
eronagoodmoodbcsit alkedtomy
crushevent houghwedi dn'ttal
kmuchatl eastwe
talked, soigothomenoonewast heremom was
get ti
ngani ghtshiftanddadwasnotbackatwor k
soisendHl aluat extonWhat sApptell
ingheri
ar r
ivedhomesaf ethenstartedcookingdinner..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
34] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.
"HURRYUPHLALU, ENHLEISVERYI MPATIENT "
saysmom yell
ingfr
om downstair
sirol
ledmyeyes,
i
m weari
ngmysneaker swegoi ngtogetEnhl
efr
om
ai
rpor
tim sobored.
"HLALUMIMAN!"
me:I
M COMI
NGMA.
iquicklygr
abbedmyphoneandrandownstair
s,
mom wasal readywai
ti
ngbythedoorwhenshe
cl
ickedhertoungewhenshesawmecomi ngand
walkedout.ifoll
owedhert
othecarwegotinsi
de
anddr oveoff.
mom :canyouatl
eastpr
etendt
obehappy?.
iscof
fed.
me:whywoul
didot
hat?.
shesi
ghed.
mom :babylist
eniknowthatEnhl
ecanberatchet
atti
mesokay, butt
henshe'
smybr ot
her'
sdaughter
icankickheroutwhenshecomestovisi
theraunt
andi knowyoudon'
texact
lygotal
ongbutplease
baby.
isi
ghedandnoded.
me:okay.
wedrovei ncomfor
tabl
esil
ence,mebusywi thmy
phonechat t
ingwi
thOmuunt i
lwearri
vedatthe
air
portandgotoutofthecar!Enhl
ecamer unni
ng
touswi t
hherbags.ithoughtshewasherefora
weekend?ohGod.
Enhl
e:OMGMZL!(scr
eami
ng).
seewhatimean?she'
sal
oudmout
h.
me:hel
loenhl
e.
ihuggedher,
shel
ookedbeaut
if
ult
hant
hel
ast
ti
meisawher.
Enhl
e:youst
il
lbeaut
if
ulasever
.
ismi
led.
me:you'
rebeaut
if
ult
oo.
shegreet
edmom andtookherbagtot
hecar,
we
goti
nsidethecarandmom dr
ovehome.
mom :howar
eyouEnhl
e?.
Enhl
e:i
mfi
net
hanksAunt,
howar
eyou?.
mom :i
m goodl
ove,
how'
syourdad?.
Enhl
e:youknowdadhe'
sal
waysgood.
mom nodedandf ocusedonther
oad.wear r
ivedat
homeandheadi nside!Dadandmybrother
swer e
homeirantomydadandj umpedonhisarmshe
cat
chedlaughi
ng.
dad:
iwasmi
ssedisee.
heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
me:youhavenoi
dea.
Dad:heybaby.
hegreetedmom andkissedherli
ps!Aft
ersomany
year
sofmar r
iagethey'
rest
il
lheadoverheel
swi
th
eachother.
Dad:howar
eyoupr
incess,
imi
ssedyou.
imisseshi
mtoo,
hewasonabusi
nessTr
ipwi
th
Sandil
e.
Me:i
m gooddad,
howar
eyou.imi
ssedyout
oo.
dad:
im al
waysgoodyouknow.
heputmedownandwentt ogr
eetEnhleand
huggedher,
igr
eetSandi
lehekissedmyfor
ehead.
me:l
etsgoEnhl
e.
wewentupstai
rstoputherbagi
nmyr
oom ,
wegot
i
nsi
dewithherlooki
ngaround.
Enhl
e:youhaveabeaut
if
ulr
oom her
e.
ismi
led.
me:t
hankyou.
shenodedandputherbagsinthecl
othesandt ook
offhershoest
henworehersl
eepers.isatnextto
heronthebed.
me:t
her
ear
egr
oundsr
ulesher
e.
shel
ookedatmewi
thar
aisedbr
ow.
Enhl
e:gr
oundr
ules?.
me:yes, f
ir
stl
yyoudon'
ttouchanyt
hingbelongst
o
mewithoutmypermissi
on,secondl
ykeepitdown
wit
hyournoi
sebcsiknowyou'
realoudmout
hand
l
astl
ynomoresneaki
ngoutl
ikethel
astt
imebcs
yougotmeintr
oubl
e!dowehaveanagreement?.
shet
houghtf
orawhi
leandnoded.
Enhl
e:yeahsur
e.
ismi
led.
me:t
hankyou,
let
'sgodownst
air
s.
iwor epushinsandweheaddownstai
rs,wegot
thereeveryonewasalr
eadysi
tt
ingonthedi
nner
table.wesatdown, mom sai
dGraceandwe
diggedin

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

i
m wokenbysomeonebangi
ngt
hedoorigr
oaned
i
nir
ri
tat
ion.
"Wakeupgi rl
s,you'r
egoi
ngtodogrocery
shoppi
ng"saysmom behindthedoorandwalked
away.ilookedbesidesmeEnhl
eissleepi
ng
peacefull
ynextt
ome.it ookmyphoneundert he
pil
lowandcheckedtheti
mei t
s9am inthemor ni
ng!
igotoffthebedandopenedthecurt
ainsthen
disappearedt
othebathr
oom iwashedmyf aceand
brushedmyt eet
hthenheadtothebedroom iwoke
Enhleup.
me:Enhl
ewakeup,we'
regoi
ngt
othemal
ltodo
gr
ocer
yshoppi
ng.
shesatupst
rai
ghtmumbl
li
ngsomet
hingunderher
breat
h.
enhl
e:soear
ly?yhoimi
sshome.
ichuckl
ed.
me:you'
rewel
comet
ogobackl
ove.
wit
hthatsai
diwentt
othebat
hroom t
otakea
shower.
Enhl
e:FUCKYOU.(scr
eami
ng)
ichuckl
edandgotinsidetheshowerandshowered.
igotoutwit
hatowelwr appedaroundmybodyand
headbacktothebedroom Enhlewasnowheretobe
seeniwipedmybodyandl ot
ioned.iwor
emybl ack
mi nidr
essandmysandl es!iletmydr eadl
ocks
looseandputonmybuckethat, iappli
edmy
cologneandl i
pglossthengrabbedmysl i
ngbagand
Phonet henheaddownst air
s.t hewasempt ythere
wasanot eonthef r
idgesayi
ngmom wentt ocheck
hercoffeeshopi ntownandot hersareatthefarm.
imadecer ealformyselfandat e.Enhl
ecame
downst ai
rswhilsteati
ngshewasl ookingbeauti
ful.
me:t
shesamoghel!.
(yougogi
rl).
shegiggledandmadecerealf
orhersel
ftooandwe
ate!aft
ereati
ngiri
nsedthedi
sheswhileEnhlei
s
request
inganUber.theUberarr
ivedwetookour
thi
ngsandwal kedout.

wear
ri
vedatthemallandstart
edatPi
cknPayt
hen
t
ospar!af
terbuyi
ngeveryt
hingweneeded.
me:Enhl
ecal
lJoeandt
ellhi
mtof
etcht
hisgr
ocer
y
.
j
oeisthedri
verathome,he'
stheonewhot akesme
t
oschoolwhenit'
srai
ningonl
y.Afterafew
minut
esjoecameandtookthegroceryt
henwent
home.
me:wher
edoyouwannaeat?.
Enhl
e:l
et'
sgoatst
eer
sim cr
avi
ngsomer
ibsand
chi
ps.
inodedthenwewenttosteers,wegotther
eitwas
fullnj
ebutwefoundatabl
eandsatdown.we
ordered!af
terawhi
leourordercameandwe
diggedin..

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"iseveryt
hingsetforthepart
ytomorrow?"iasked
Athisi
ncet hepar
tywi l
lbeheldathi
splace
tomorrowiwasmaki ngsur et
hateveryt
hingi
s
goingaccordingt
opl an.
At
hi:yeah,ever
ythingisgoodwejustneedt
obuy
pl
ast
icplat
eandgl assesthenwesort
ed.
inoded.
Songezo:i
m goi
ngt
obuyt
hosedon'
twor
ry.
me:t
hanksbr
o.
wewer eatSt eer
sitwasme, songezo,Athenkosi,
Andileandliyabona,sincewedi dn'
thaveany
classestodaywet houghtweshoul deatoutmore
l
ikespendingt hedaytogetherbutthenihavetobe
home12bcsihavet obeatJolaCor por
ates.my
dadcanbesuchabor esomet i
mes.
Andil
e:t
herewer etwohotti
esthatisawget
ti
ngi
n
butnowandibaboni.(ican'
tseethem )
hesaidlooki
ngaround,theseguysarefuckboys
theyar
echanginggirl
sleft,r
ightandcent
er.
Li
yabona:ar
eyout
alki
ngaboutt
hosegi
rl
s?.
hesaidpoi nti
ngatthecor ner,wet urnedtol
ookat
thatt
able.t heyweret wogirl
sthere!theywereboth
beauti
fulnol i
esbutt hatgi
rlwit
hl ongdreadl
ocksis
hell
agorgeous!shest oodupandmadeherwayt o
thebathroom ilookedatherbehindimeanwowt he
Geeisgifted!iwoul dn'tmi
ndt otabthatevenona
onenightst
and.if
eltsomeonepoki
ngmei
snappedoutofi
tandclear
edtheywereal
lshoot
ing
daggersatme.
me:what?.
Songezochuckl
ed.
Songezo:you'
vebeenst
ari
ngatt
hatt
abl
efora
l
ongtimenow.
theybur
stoutlaughi
ng,icli
ckedmyt
oungeand
conti
nuetoeatwitht
hem teasi
ngme.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
34] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
VE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.
Enhleandiwokeupear l
ybcswe' r
egoingt ochur ch
notthatwevol unteer
edmom f orcedussayi ng
nobodyi sgoi ngtostaybehi ndatherhousewhi l
st
othersar eatchur chprai
singGodi magine.she
evenf orcedDadandmybr otherstocomeal ong!
sowewokeupanddi dourhygi eneprocesst hen
woreourcl ot
hest henheaddownst ai
rs, everyone
wasal readysi t
ti
ngsitti
ngdownsul ki
ng.Dadhas
anannoyedl ookonhi sfaceil aughedsilentl
yat
howt heyl ookrightnow.wesatdown.
me&Enhl
e:mor
ningguys.
t
heydidn'
tgreetback,onl
ymom di
d!iguess
t
hey'
reangryatust oo.
me:noguysdon'
ttel
lmethatyou'
real
lsul
kingbcs
youdon'
twannagoandpr
aisetheLord?haywow.
iclappedmyhands,
mom &Enhl
ebur
stouti
n
laughter.
Sandi
le:shutuphl
alumi.
Mom :kodwahl
alui
sri
ghtbat
hong,
imean
ser
iousl
yguys?(But)
.
dadj
ustbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Dad:okayf
ineguys,
you'
rer
ightt
hisi
scr
azy.
weallburstoutl
aughi
ng.wealldi
shedupfor
our
selvesandmom saidGrace,wealldi
ggedi
n.

"ihadanamazi ngweekendwithyoumyl ove,at

l
eastyoudidn'
tboreme"isaidhuggi ngEnhl e,we
wereattheair
portshewasgoingbackhome.i
nevert
houghtiwouldsaythi
sbutiwi llmissher
shame.shepl ayf
ull
yhitmyshoulderlaughingand
huggedme.
Enhl
e:yourmout
hdoesn'thaveaf
il
ter!youdon'
t
saysucht
hingst
oaperson.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:what
ever,
im goi
ngt
omi
ssyou.
shelookedshockedaboutwhatisay,iunderst
and
herbcseveryti
meshewasher ewedidn'tgetalong
somesayi ngiwil
lmissheri
t'
skindashocking.
Enhl
e:whathappenedtoyou?imeant
hisi
snot
youanywaysiwi
llmissyoutoo,
Bye.
shebi
dGoodbyest
omom andhuggedher.she
wavedasshewaswal
kingawaywewavedback.
mom :l
et'
sgo.
wewalkedt othecarandgotinsidethendroveof
f.
wearri
vedathomet henheadi nsidethehousei
wentst
r ai
ghttomyr oom andwor emysneakers
andhoodie, it
ookmyphonet henheadback
downstair
s.
me:mom i
m goi
ngt
oOmu'
shouse.
Mom :okaybaby,
don'
tcomebackl
ateokay.
me:okay,
bye.
iwalkedt oOmu'shousewhi l
stl
isteningt
omusic.
Omul i
vesdownt hest
ressfrom myhouse.whi l
st
walkingsomeoneputsof thandsonmyeyesi
screamedandt hepersonlaughedir emovedt
he
handsf rom myfaceandturneditsMabutho.
me:whatt
hehel
lmabut
ho?ar
etr
yingt
oki
llme?
.
hel
aughed.
mabutho:whywoul
diki
llsuchabeaut
if
ult
hingl
ike
you?.
hesai
dsmi
li
ng,
irol
ledmyeyesandsmi
led.
mabut
ho:uyaphi?(wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
).
me:Omu'
shouse.
henoded.
mabut
ho:l
etsgo.
hewal
kedt
oOmu'
shousewi
thhi
m bl
abber
ingnext
tome.
mabut
ho:awusangi
funnamanj
e?.
isi
ghed.
me:mabut
hoitol
dyoumanyt
imest
hatidon'
tany
boyi
nmyli
fe.
mabut
ho:buti
m amannotaboy.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:samedif
fer
ence,orshoul
dical
lmybr
other
s
f
oryousoyoucanunderst
and?.
hest
oppedwal
kingandl
ookedatmewi
thhi
seyes
wi
deopen.ibur
stoutl
aughi
ngathi
sreact
ion.
me:ngi
yadl
alahawu!(i
m ki
ddi
ng)
.
hebr
eat
hinr
eli
ef.
mabut
ho:don'
tpl
ayl
iket
hat.
hehi
tmyshoul
derpl
ayf
ull
y.
me:sor
ryt
hen.
wecont
inuedt
owal
kunt
ilwer
eachedOmu'
shouse
.
me:t
hankyouf
oraccompanyi
ngme.
hesmi
led,
he'
shandsomeshame.
mabut
ho:nopr
obl
em nt
okazi,
usal
ekahl
e.(keep
wel
l).
iwasaboutt
owal
kawayhegr
abmyar
m sof
tl
y.
Mabut
ho:canihugyou?.
heaskedl
ooki
ngner
vous,
igi
ggl
ed.
me:sur
e.
hehugged,
thehugl
ast
edl
ongert
hanexpect
ed.
me:youcanl
etgonow.
hequi
ckl
ypul
ledout.
mabut
ho:sor
ry.
inodedt henwal kedinsideOmu' syard, t
hedoor
wasopen.iknockedbutnooneanswer edigot
insi
de!Omuwassl eepingont hecouchwi ththet
v
playingiti
ptoedt othekitchenandpourwat erint
he
jugt henwentt otheli
vingr oom agai
nipourt he
wat eronherf aceandqui cklysatupstraight
gaspi ngiburstoutlaughing.
Omu:mot
her
fucker!.
shesaidwipi
ngherfacewit
ht het
-shi
rtshewas
weari
ngiputthej
ugont hetablet
hensatdownon
thecouchopposi
teher.
me:whyar
eyousl
eepi
ngatt
hist
ime?.
Omu:hangoversi
s.
iputmyhandonherf
orehead,
shewasbur
ning.
me:ohshamemypoorf
ri
end,
uzobar
ight.(you
wi
llbef
ine)
.
omu:f
uckyou.
sher
emovedmyhandandcl
ickedhert
ounge.
me:sohowwast
hepar
ty?.
shecl
appedherhandsbeami
ngwi
thexci
tement.
Omu:Chommie!youmi
ssedout.iki
ssedSongezo
yest
erday.
shesai
dcover
ingherf
acewi
thherhands.
me:(gaspi
ng)youl
ie!.
shenoded.
Omu:i
mtel
li
ngyoumot
ase.
me:howwasi
t?.
shebl
ushed,
ohw.
Omu:yhoitwasamazi
ngchomi
e!Songezoi
sa
goodki
sser.
shesai
dsmi
li
ng.
me:t
obadican'
trel
ate.
shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Omu:don'
twor
rymydearf
ri
end,
iwi
llhookyouup
wi
thLJ.
me:hayhayOmuhl
e!.
if
rowned,
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:i
m ki
ddi
ng.
me:soyouandDJsongzar
edat
ingorwhat?.
sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
Omu:wedidn'
ttal
kaboutdat
ing,
wej
ustki
ssed
t
hat
'sal
l.
me:mj
oloi
scompl
icat
ed,
wast
eoft
imenj
e.
shelaughed.wecont
inuedt
ochatandl
aughing
unti
lherparent
scamebackfr
om home.she
accompaniedmebackhome.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
haveyoueverf eel l
ifeyouwannachangef ami l
ies?
l
ikebei ngbor nf rom anot herf amily!iwasgi vena
chanceiwoul d'
vedef i
nit
elychoseanot herf ami ly
notthisJol af ami l
y.ever yonet hinkshavi ngmoney
canmakeyouhappyorbuthappi ness?t heanswer
i
snotf oranexampl eme!myf ami l
yiski ndar ich
butim nothappy, mydadi sver ycont roll
ing,
mani pulativeandst ubbornever yt
hinghesayswe
mustdo, wedoi timmedi ately!hef orcedmet o
studyBusi nessmanagementwhi leilovemedi cine.
heknowsI '
veal wayswant edt obeacar diologist
butwesquashedmydr eam j ustlikethatbcshe
want smet otakeoverhi slegacy.t hesamel egacy
thatidon' tevenwantbutihavenochoi ce.im onl y
20year sol dim st i
lldependi ngonmypar ents!ist il
l
needt hem speci allymymom bcst hatwomani smy
everythingiwoul ddoanyt hingt oseeherhappy.so
meandt heGent swer eatthecaf eteri
aatschooli t
s
l
unchbr eak.
Li
yabona:igotyouri
nfor
mat
iondawg.
hehandedmetheenvel
ope,iaskeehimtoget
someinfor
mat
iononthatgi
rlwi
thdreadl
ocksisaw
atsteer
syest
erday.Li
yabonai sanITstudenthe's
goodwi t
hcomputer
s.t her
e'ssomethi
ngaboutt hat
gi
rl!somethi
ngispull
ingmet oher.
me:t
hanksmyman.
wef
istbumped.
Li
yabona:akhosmokont
wana!(nopr
obl
em )
.
Songezo:asi
zwei
thi
nikal
o.(l
et'
sseewhati
tsay).
iopenedtheenvel
opeandt
ookoutt
hef
il
eand
openedthenread.
me:hernamei sHl
alumiNkabi
nde,she'
s17year
s
doi
ngGr ade11.she'snotonsoci
almedi
aor
whatsoever!hayshe'
sbori
ng.
Andi
le:i
tsl
ikeshe'
saner
dorsomet
hing.
wel
aughed.
At
henkosi:di
dyousayhersur
namei
sNkabi
nde?.
inoded.
me:yeah.
At
henkosi:t
her
e'sonl
yNkabi
def
ami
lyiknow,
its
Sandi
leNkabi
nde'
sfami
ly.
Us:yhuu!.
webur stoutlaughing.rhaaat
hatdudeis
i
nti
mi dati
ng,allbuffyandstuf
f,i
fshe'
sSandi
le'
s
si
sterim defi
nitel
ystayi
ngawayfrom her.
Li
yabona:youbet
terst
ayawayf
rom herdude.
Me:ii
ntendofdoingthatbr
o,idon'
twannabeon
t
hatmother
fucker
'sbadbooks.
t
heyal
llaughedatme.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
34] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
X.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.
im wokenupbymybeepi ngsoundofmyPhonei
tooki tundert hepi ll
owandt urnedi ton, i
tsa
messagef r
om Songezosayi nghemi ssesme!i
smi ledandr eplied.idon' tknowwhat 'sgoi ngon
bet weenmeandt hisguyr eall
ybutt heat tenti
onhe
givesmeil ovei t.we' vebeenchat tingand
videocal l
ingalotl ately!idon' twantt ogi vemysel f
hopet hatwegoi ngt odat ebcst hosedudesar e
fuckenpl ayersandidon' twannaf indmysel f
involvedi nthecl ichéofboot ycal lsorwhat ever
theycal lit.Sighs.Butt henir eall
yl iket hisguyand
idon' twannagethur tthesamet i
me.il oggedout
ofI nstagram afterr epl yingt ohist exticheckedt he
timei ts6am int hemor ningigotof ft hebedand
madei t,iopenedt hecur tai
nst henwentt othe
bat hroom ibrushedmyt eetht hengoti nsidethe
shower.af tershower ingigotoutandwi pedmy
bodyt henloti
oned, iwor emyschooluni form and
fixedmyhai rthenappl iedmycol ogne.igr abbed
myschoolbagandphonet henheadt ot heki t
chen.
igott heremom wasdi shi ngupbr eakf ast.
me:heymoms.
shesmil
ed,
iki
ssedhercheekandsatdownont
he
chai
r.
mom :hel
lobaby,
her
e.
shehandedmet heplat
eitookthecutl
eryandate.
aftereat
ingirantomyr oom t
orinsemymout h
thenappliedVasel
ineonmyl i
ps.
me:byemoms.
mom :byel
ove.
shehandedmet hepocketmoneyithankedherand
ranout.iarr
ivedatschoolthenwentstr
aightt
omy
class,
Hlaluwasal r
eadythere.
me:Lover.
iki
ssedhercheek,
shesmi
led.
Hl
alu:heyOmu.
me:howar
eyout
hismor
ning?.
sheshr
uggedhershoul
ders,shedoesmostoft
he
ti
mewhenshe'sdoesn'
tknowwhattosay.
Hl
alu:i
m Good,
you?.
me:i
m per
fect
lyf
ine.
Hl
alu:letmeguess,
your
ecei
vedagoodmor
ning
t
extfr
om Songezo?.
inoded.
me:mor
ethant
hat,
hesaysmemi
ssesme.
Hl
alu:sbwl!.(i
m cr
avi
ng)
.
il
aughed.
me:di
dyoudot
heassi
gnment?
sheshakesherhead.
Hl
alu:i
m gonnadoi
ttoday,
atMom'
scof
feeshop.
inoded.Thebel
lrangandt
het
eachercamet
o
cl
ass.

HLALUMI
.

soaf
terschoolSakhil
ecametof
etchus.wegot
i
nsi
dethecarandgr eeted.
Sakhi
le:howwasschooll
adi
es?.
me:schoolwasf
ine,
not
hingmuch.
Sakhi
le:howwasschoolOmuhl
e?.
Omu:l
ikehl
alusai
ditwasf
ine.
henodedandf ocussedont heroad,musi
cplayi
ng
soft
lyatl
easthe'snotplayi
ngmbaqangathisti
me.
hewasplayingSundaybl uesbyLangamavuso.
suchabeautif
ulsong, wear r
ivedatOmu'
shome.
Omu:t
hankyouf
ort
hel
if
tbhut
'Sakhi
le,
byeHl
alu.
me:byel
over,
seeyout
omor
row.
shegotof
fandgoti
nsi
deheryar
d.Sakhi
ledr
ove
home.

wearri
vedathomemom wasbusyonherl
apt
op
si
tt
ingonthebarst
ooli
ntheki
tchen.
me:heyma.
igr
eet
edthenheadstrai
ghtupstai
rstochange.i
woremysweatpantandoversi
zedpinkhoodiet
hen
mywhiteal
lst
ar.ipackmybooksandmy
assignmentpaperandputt
hem i
nabagthenhead
downstai
rs.imadesandwichandjui
cef
ormyself
thenate.
mom :masambehl
alu.(l
et'
sgo).
me:i
m comi
ng.
iquicklyrinsetheutensi l
sthenf oll
owedmom t ot
he
car,igoti nsi
det heshedr oveof ftothecafe.we
arri
vedt hereandpar kedt hecarandheadi nside.
thecof f
eeshopi snotf ul
ljustfewpeopl emindi ng
thei
rownbusi nessitsaper fectspaceformet odo
myassi gnmenti tsver yquiet, mom borrowedme
herlaptopif i
ndat ableandsatdownandst art
researching.afterawhi l
eoft ypingandwr i
ting
someoneopenedpul ledchai rthatwasinfrontof
meandsatdown!whoeveri tishasthegutt ocome
anddi sturbmeil ookedupandmetbyaf ami l
iar
facebuti m notsurewhenI 'veseeni t.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
LWAZI
NGCA.

howeversaidvar si
tyiseasywassurelydecei
ving
people!Varsit
yisal otofworkanditshardi
fyou're
notseriousaboutyourst udi
esyou'
resurel
ygoing
tofail
.soiwasi nmyr oom doi
ngfi
nishupsoft hi
s
fuckenassignmentihadbcsIhavet omakesur e
thatipasssot hatmydadcanl eavemet hehel
l
alone.someoneknockedonmydoor.
"Lwazi?".
sai
dmom behi
ndt
hedoorknocki
ng
sof
tl
y.
me:mama?.
mom :canyougoandbuysomemuff
insf
ormeat
Bul
i'
scoff
eeshop?pleasebaby.
isi
ghed,idon'
thaveanyener
gytogoanywher
ebut
thi
sismymom iwi l
lgoanywher
eshewantsmeto
goto.
me:okayma.
ihear
dfoot
stepswal
kingaway,iworemysneaker
s
andhoodi
ethenheaddownstai
rs.shegavemethe
moneyit
ookmycarkeyst
henwal
kedout!igot
i
nsi
dethecaranddr
oveof
f.

iarri
vedatBul i
'scoff
eeshop, thisi soneoft hebest
coffeeshopsi ntownt heysel ldel iciouscof feeand
muf fi
nst hat'swhymymom l ovesi tsomuch.i
parkedt hecarandwenti nside, i
t'
snotf ul
ljustfew
peopleiwentovert othecount erimeetbya
beautifulwomanwhol ooksl ikeshe' sonherear l
y
40sandigr eetedthenpl acedmyor dert healso
ordercof feef orme.il ookedar oundt hecof fee
shopunt i
lsomeonecat chedmyeye, i
t'sher!t he
gir
lwi thdr eadlocksshe' ssitti
ngf rom af arcor ner
withal aptopi nf r
ontofher, shel ookedr eall
y
occupi edandbusy!shel ookedsexywhenshe' son
aser i
ousmode.she' sbeaut ifulnol ieswi t
hher
dreadlocksneat lyti
edi ntoabunshe' swear i
ngan
oversizedpi nkhoodi eandbl acksweat pantwi than
whiteal lstartakkie!ireal l
ywantt ogoandgr eet
herbutshel ooke. .
"Here'
syouror
dersi
r".i
m br
oughtbackt
oear
thby
thewomanhandingmethemuff
insandmycof
fee.
idi
dn'
tevenhearhercomebackiwaszonedout.
me:t
hankedyou.
it
hankedherandpayed, shesmi l
edandbi dme
Goodbyes.ii nsteadofwal kingoutifoundmyself
goingstrai
ghttot hegir
lstabl e!ievenfor
gother
name, ipull
edt hechairandsatdownsher ai
sed
herheardandl ookedatme!Damnshe' sso
beauti
fulwithhersmal lpurewhi teeyes,li
tt
le
poutedli
pst hathasapi nklowerl ip.shehasa
fl
awlesscaramel ski
nwithnopi mples!sheclear
ed
herthr
oatisnappedoutofi t.
me:hi.
sherai
sedherbr ow, i
sshenotgoingtoscream ?
bcseverygirlitalkert
oalwaysscreamsiguessshe
doesn'
tknowmeorevencar eaboutmebcsshe
l
ookedli
ket hoseidon' tt
akeshi
ttypagir
ls.she'
s
l
ookingallsor t
sofsexy.
"hel
lo?".shesays,
ohsweetLor
dthevoi
ce!.
me:Lwazi
ngcai
sthename.
ibr
oughtmyhandf
orahandshakebutshej
ust
l
ookedatit,iquickl
yref
rai
nedmyhand!im not
usedtothi
s, gi
rl
salwaysdropt
hei
rpant
ieswheni
approacht
hem .
"ni
cet
omeetyoul
wazi".
shesaysichuckl
ed.
me:soyou'
renotgoi
ngt
otel
lmeyour
s?.
sher
oll
edhereyes.Maybei
m bor
ingherishoul
d
go.
"i
m Hl
alumi.shesays.
Hl
alumi?yeshl
alumit
hat
'shernameont
hatf
il
e.
me:ibr
oughtyoucof
fee.
idon'
tevenknowwhattosaytohernow,al
lthe
confi
denceIhadj
ustwentoutoft
hewindow.
Hl
alumi:i
fiwantedcoff
eeiwoul
d'veboughti
t
mysel
fbutthanksanyways.
me:pl
easur
e.
hl
alumi:umh?.
sheal
readyf
orgot
tenmyname!
me:Lwazi
ngca.
Hlalumi:yesLwazingca, l
ist
ennottobesounding
rudeoranythingbutim busyhereim doi
ngan
i
mpor tantschoolassi
gnmentsoi fyoudon'
tmind
please.
ijustfl
ushedwit
hembar
rassement!nogi
rlasever
talkedtomeli
kethi
s.
me:ohokay,
letmel
eaveyout
oitt
hen.
istoodupandwalkedawaywi that ai
lbet weenmy
legs,i
m soembarrassed.myl ooksdidn'teven
helpedme!it'
str
uewhent heysayt here'safir
stfor
everyt
hingt
odayijustexper
iencemyf irstrej
ecti
on
mnk!. .

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
34] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
HLALUMI
.

ifi
nishedmyassi gnmentverylat
ebcsoft hatdude
idon'tevenknow, hel
ookedf amil
iart
houghi t
sli
ke
I'
veseenhi m bef
oreanywaysmom l ockedthe
coffeeshopthenwewentt othecaranddr oveoff.
onthewayhomesuggest edthatweshoul dgettake
awaysbcsi t'
salr
eadylatetocookdinner.we
arr
ivedathomeDad, Sandil
eandSakhi l
ewer e
sit
ti
ngont heloungewatchingsoccer.
me:sani
bonani.(Gr
eet
ings)
.
Dad:heyguys.
isatonDad'
slap,
heki
ssedmycheek.
Dad:di
dyouf
ini
shyourassi
gnment?
.
inoded.
me:i
twasl
it
tl
edi
ff
icul
tbutif
ini
shedi
t.
Dad:good.
mom cal
ledust
othedi
nnert
abl
eanddi
shedupf
or
us.wesaidgraceanddiggedin.aftereati
ng
Sandi
leandSakhil
ewashedt hedishesandot her
s
wenttosl
eep.igottomyr oom andtookaqui ck
showerandworemypyjamasigotUnder covers,i
tookmybookandr ead.

it
spastmidnightandim st
il
lupican'tsleep!itr
ied
li
steni
ngtomusicbutthatdidn'
thelpalso.my
phonerang, whocal
lsmeatt hi
stimeoft henight?
icheckedthecall
eri
t'
sEnhleianswer ed.
me:Enhl
e?.
Enhl
e:(scr
eami
ng)mzl!
.
ohGod!shesoundsdr
unk.
me:Enhl
ear
eyoudr
unk?.
shechuckl
ed.
Enhl
e:yesbaby!
.
bat
hong!.
me:onMondayEnhl
e?you'rebackonyourr
atchet
waysnow?it
houghtyouchanged.
shescof
fed.
Enhle:yhuha.ami
ssknowi
tal
l,idon'
tneedyour
l
ectureri
ghtnow.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:t
henwhydi
dyoucal
l?.
Enhl
e:you'
resomeanatti
mes,
ical
ledyoubcsi
missyoumzlyi
nikant
i?.
me:what
everEnhl
e!j
ustgohomeandsl
eepwe'
l
l
t
alkt
omorr
ow.
ihungup, Enhlecanbeirr
esponsi
bleatti
mesi
meanwhodr i
nksonMondays?aschoolki d
nakhona,didsheevenwentt oschoolt
oday?what
isUncleLuusayingaboutthi
smnk!.iclosedmy
bookthenputitonthepedestal,
iputmy
earphonesonandpl ayedmusic.

thenextdayiwokeupandopenedt hecurt
ainst
hen
headtothebathroom iwashedmyfaceand
brushedmyteeth.itookaquickshowerbcsiwoke
upal i
tt
lebi
tlat
e!iloti
onedandworemyschool
unif
orm ifi
xedmyhai rt
henappl
iedmycol
ogneand
l
ipgloss.igrabbedmyschool
bagandmyPhone
thenrandownst ai
rs.
Sandi
le:t
hankGodyou'
reher
eiwasaboutt
oleave
you.
isecr
etl
yrol
ledmyeyesbutheal
readysawme.
Sandi
le:ngi
zokushayanj
alo.(i
'
llbeatyouup).
itookanapplethenf oll
owedhimt ot
hecar, igot
insidehedroveoff.hedr oppedmeattheschool
gateandgavemet hepocketmoneyit hankedhim
andheadt omycl assroom ,igott
her
eOmuwas
sitt
ingwit
hMabut ho.
me:hel
loguys.
t
heysmi
ledatmeandgr
eet
edback.
me:andthenwena?youdon'
tusual
lycomeher
e
wassupt
oday?(you).
mabut
ho:hawunt okazi,
ansakwazinokuvakasha
manj
e?.(can'
tievenvisi
tnow?) .
igi
ggl
ed.
me:angi
shongonj
alomabut
ho.(idi
dn'
tsayt
hat)
.
helaughed,
Omuwasbusysmi
li
ngatherphone
now.
me:missomuhleyou'
resmi
li
ngonyourphone,
are
webor
ingyounow? .
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omu:don'
tst
artwi
thyourdr
amaHl
alumi.
me:icanseeDJsongzi
skeepi
ngyoubusy.
shegi
ggl
edbl
ushi
ng.
Mabut
ho:(shocked)wai
tisshedat
ingDJsongz?.
me:yep!.
Omu:(l
aughi
ng)she'
slyi
ngmabut
ho.
me:haveieverl
iedt
oyoumabut
ho?.
heshakedhi
shead.
me:t
heni
tsobvi
oust
hatshe'
sdat
inghi
m.
shecl
ickedhert
ounge.
Omu:Hl alugotyoubyt
hebal
lsmabut
ho!you'
re
fuckenwipped.
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

aft
erschoolOmuaskedmet oaccompanyherto
themallbcsshewantstodoherhai
ratSof
ie'
s
salooni
ntown, sowetookanUbertot
hemall.we
arr
ivedatSofi
e'
ssaloon.
me:whatar
eyougonnado?.
sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
Omu:br
aidsmaybe?whatdoyout
hink?.
me:dobr
aidst
heywi
llsui
tyou.
shesmi
led.
Omu:iwi
lldobr
aidssi
s'
Sof
ie.
Sofi
enoded, shesatdownandshest
art
sdoingher
hai
r.after2hoursand30minut
esshewasdone, i
t
wasalready6pm int
heeveni
ng,shel
ooked
beauti
ful.
me:youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmyl
ove.
shesmi
led.
Omu:t
hanksl
over.
me:Songzwi
llgocr
azywhenheseesyou.
shebl
ushed,
myf
ri
endi
sinl
ovewi
tht
hisguysohw.
Omu:mxm ,
let
'sgo.
wepayedandwal
kedout.
me:let
'sgetsomet
hingt
oeatatMcDonal
d'si
m
hungr
y.
shenoded,wewenttoMcDonal
d'sandorderour
food.ourFoodcamewepayedandwalkedtothe
door,myphonerangwhi
lewewereapproachi
ng
thrdoori
tsmymom cal
li
ngmaybeshe'sworri
ed.i
answered.
me:mom ?.
mom :(shout
ing)yeysundi
qhelaHl
alumi,
nguban
i
xeshangoku?uphi?.(don'
tfuckwi
thme, what
's
t
hetimenow?Wher eareyou?)
yhoshewental
lXhosaonme.
me:i
m comi
ngmom ,
im atMcDonal
ds.
Mom :gether
enow!.
shecli
ckedhertoungeandhungup.Yho, ont
he
dooribumpedintosomeonemyFoodf el
ldown!i
fel
tli
kecryi
ng,hebenddownandpi ckedit.He
l
ookedupi t
'st
hatguyfrom t
hecof
feeshop.
"wemeetagain".hesai
dwi
thasmi
ledonhi
sface,
he'
stoohandsome.
me:yeahwhat
ever,
givemet
hat.
"don'
tber
udehl
alumi"ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:okaysor
ry,
canyoupl
easegi
vemet
hatso
t
haticoul
dgo?.
isai
dwi
thaf
akesmi
le.
"That
'
smor
eli
kei
t".hehandedmet
hepaperbag.
me:t
hankyou.
iwal
kedpasthi
m, Omuwasal
readywai
ti
ngf
orme
out
sideiwal
kedtoher.
Omu:doyouknowwhoi
sthat?.
me:who?
Omu:thatguyyouweret
alki
ngt
oatt
hedoor?do
youknowwhohei s?.
ishakedmyhead.
me:whohei
s?i
shet
hepr
esi
dent
'ssonmaybe?.
shechuckl
ed.
Omu:t
hat
'
sLJdumbass.
il
ookedatherconf
used.
me:whi
chLJ?bespeci
fi
cman.
Omu:DJLJHl
alumi.
Me:(shocked)what?ohf
udge!.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
35] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTEREI
GHT.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

i
m soshockedr
ightnow,
ican'
tbel
ievet
hisguyi
s
t
hefamousLJthatOmuli
kestotal
kabout.
me:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmeomu?
.
wewereal
readyont
heUberonourwayhome.she
gi
ggl
ed.
Omu:i
tdoesntmat
teranymor
e,youwer
erudet
o
t
heguy.
isi
ghed.
me:he'
sannoyi
ngman.
shescof
fed.
omu:okay.
myphonebeepsi tsamessagefrom Sakhi
leaski
ng
wher
eam i, ir
epli
edtohim andputmyphoneon
myblazerpocket.TheUberdri
verdr
oppedusat
Omu'
shouse,
ical
ledSakhi
le.
Sakhi
le:hl
alumi?.
me:bhut
icanyoupl
easecomegetme?.
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:wher
ear
eyou?.
me:atOmu'
spl
ace.
Sakhi
le:i
m comi
ng.
hehungup, wegoti
nsi
det
hehouse.Omu'
s
parentswer
ewatchi
ngTVi
nthel
ounge.we
greetedt
hem .
Omu'
mot
her:you'
rescar
cet
hesedayshl
alu.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:schoolwor
kiskeepi
ngmebusyVuyi.
shenodedsmili
ng.wewalkedpastt
hem headi
ng
toOmu'sroom ,
ilai
dont
hebedandeatmybur ger.
Omu:i
m meet
ingwi
thSongezot
omor
row.
me:wher
e?.
Omu:athi
spl
ace.
myeyeswi
den.
me:noOmu!youcan'tmeethi
m athi
splacewhat
i
fhe'
sarapi
st?don'
ttakei
mpulsi
vedeci
sions
omuhl
e.thi
nkbef
oreyoudo.
shesi
ghedandnoded.
me:meethi m att
hepubl
icplace,t
heni
fyoufeel
safewithhi
m ortr
usthi
mt henyoucangoathis
placebutnotnowokay?.
Omu:okay, you'
resuchar
elat
ionshi
pexper
tyet
youneverdatedhowcome?.
il
aughed.
me:buzzof
f.
wefi
nishedeat
ingourbur
ger
sthenwelaidont
he
bedwithOmuplayi
ngwithmydreadl
ocks.
"HLALU,YOURBROTHERI SHERE".Omu'mot
her
yel
ledf
rom t
heki
tchen.ist
oodupandt
ookmy
school
bag.
me:seeyout
omor
rowl
over.
Omu:byeGee.
ipeckedherl
ipst
henwalkedout,igotatt
he
loungeSakhi
lewasal
readyonhisfeet.
Sakhi
le:we'
l
lbeonourwaynowMr&Mr
sLanga.
t
heynoded.
Omu'
dad:uhambekahl
eNkabi
nde.(Gowel
l).
webidGoodbyesandwal
kedout,
wegoti
nsi
det
he
caranddr
oveoff.
Sakhi
le:imustwar
nyousi
s,dadi
sgoi
ngcr
azyat
home.
myhear
tski
ppedabeat,
dadcanbeatmeupi
fhe
want
s.
me:why?.
Sakhi
le:you'
reaski
ngwhy?hehakehl
alumi
.
ijustkeptquietandfocussedontheroad.we
arri
vedathomeandpar kedthecar!wegotoutand
headi nsi
de.mom i sthefi
rstonetoseeusshe
quickl
ycameandhuggedmet i
ght.iwantedt
oroll
myeyessobadl ybutiknowbet t
ertodothat,my
parentscanbedr amaticatti
mesbutidon'tbl
ame
them imtheironlypri
ncessandbesidestheworl
dis
danger
ousnow,
gir
lsgetr
apedandki
ll
edever
yday
.
Mom :Hl
alumiyouwi
llgi
veusgr
eyhai
riswear.
me:im sor
rymom ,
wej
ustgothel
dupatt
he
sal
oon.
shenoded,
andpul
ledout.
Mom :ar
eyouhungr
y?.
me:noij
ustat
eabur
ger,
ijustneedt
orest.
"Restmyleftfoot,wher
ehaveyoubeen?Doyou
knowhowwor riedwewer e?".saysdadcoming
fr
om theki
tchenlooki
ngatmewi thadeadl
ylook.
me:ngi
yaxol
isababa,
wel
eftatt
hesal
oonl
ate.
isai
dwit
habreaki
ngvoi
ce,
tear
swer
est
ingi
ngi
n
myeyes.hesi
ghed
Dad:cameher
epr
incess.
iwentt
osi
tonhi
slap.heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Dad:pri
ncessyouneedtounder
standthatyou'
re
ouronl
ygir
lchil
d,ourl
astbor
nifyounothomeby
ti
mewewor rybcsgi
rl
sarenotsafeoutther
eokay?
pleasemybabyi
fyou'
regoi
ngt
obehomel
ate
reportt
ousneh?.
inoded.
me:i
m sor
rydad,
iwi
llnextt
ime.
dad:you'
ref
orgi
ven,
stopcr
yingnowiwasnot
goi
ngtobeatyouup.
hesai
dlaughi
ng.
Dad:Goandt
akeof
fyouruni
for
m.
igotoffhi
slapandrunupstairs,itookof
fmy
unifor
m andfol
dedi
tneatl
yt henwor emypyjamas
thenheaddownstai
rsagai
n.weal lseati
nthe
loungewatchi
ngamoviewhi lehavingsnacks.
.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"shewhat?r
haaa!".saysSongezol
aughi
nghi
s
assout.ij usttoldhim whathappenedbet weenme
andHl alu,isti
llcan'
tbeli
evethatiwasr ejectedby
agirlli
kethat,imeanshewasnotevenchar medby
myl ookssuchabummer.t hatgirli
sveryhot
headed, veryfi
est yandshehasanat t
it
udef ordays
,her' idon'tt
akenonsense' personali
tytur nsme
onshemakesmewannagoaf terhermor ebuti
don'twannabenui sancetoherbcst hi
sgir liseasil
y
i
rri
tated.
Songezo:(laughing)ireall
yneedst
oseethi
sgi
rl!
ineversawyout hinkf
ustrat
edbyagirl,
amere17
yearold?yaneh!.
icl
ickedmyt
ounge,
thi
sidi
ot!.
me:shi
tupsongezobr
o.
hel
aughedevenl
ouderunt
ilij
oinedhi
m.
Songezo:onsseri
ousnotebr
o,ithi
nkshe'
sthe
oneforyou.Maybeshecanputyouonthel
ane.
ichuckl
ed.
Me:Fuckyousar
ni.
heshakeshi
shead.
Songezo:hi
mawhoamfethu,
whatabout
Asemahle?.(Wai
tbr
o).
shi
t!.
me:yho,
ievenf
orgot
tenabouther.
Hel
aughed.
Songezo:you'
rei
ndeepshi
tbr
a!.
me:enoughaboutme, what
'sgoi
ngonwi
thyou?
youseem happyt
hesedays.
hechuckl
ed.
Songezo:it
hinki
minl
ove.
me:what?.
i
m shocked!Songznevergetat
tachedtoanygi
rl,
healwaysdosmashandpass.sohi m sayi
nghe
thi
nkshe'
sinloveshockedme.
Songezo:yeahman,youknowi
m newtothi
slove
shi
tsoidon'tknowwhatt
odowit
hthi
sgir
l.
il
aughedathowf
ust
rat
edhewas.
me:don'
twor
rybr
o,j
ustgowi
tht
hef
low.
henoded.wecont
inuedt
ochatunt
ilwewentt
o
cl
ass.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
35] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERNI
NE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.

sotodayim meetingwi t
hSongezoatst eers,
i
alr
eadytol
dhi mthatican'tmeethim athispl
ace
bcsofsomecer tainreasonheunderstands.so
knowim onmywayt osteer
sHlalugavemesome
peptal
kthatIshoul dplayhardt
oget!Songezo
mustsweatsot haticouldseeifhe'
sser i
ousandi
agreeshe'
sright!Hlaluamazemesomet i
messhe
neverdat edbutt hewayshe' ssoexper i
encedabout
relati
onshipsadvi cesyouwoul dswearshehad
dat edbefore.im soner vousidon'tknowwhatt o
expectf r
om t hisdudesot heUberdr oppedmeat
steersitookdeepbr eathsbeforegoingin.ifound
sit
t i
ngont het ableatthecornerbusywi t
hhis
phoneiwal kedt owardshim .icl
earedmyt hroathe
l
ookedupt omeandsmi l
e,he'shandsome.he
huggedmeandopenedt hechairformet osi
t, such
aGent leman.
me:hey.
Songz:hiMuhl
e,youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
ismi
led,
hel
ookedner
vous.
me:t
hankyou,
youdon'
tlookbadyour
sel
f.
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:l
et'
sor
der.
hecal
ledt
hewai
ter,
thewai
tert
ookouror
der.
Songz:sohowar
eyou?.
me:i
m Good,
howar
eyou?.
heshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
s.
Songz:si
nceisawyoui
m good.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:sowho'sSongezo.
hewasaboutt
otal
kbutthe
wai
tercamewit
hourfood.wet
hankedhi
m and
di
ggedin.
Songz:soim SongezoLayi,i
m 20yearsolddoing
mysecondyeari nmedici
ne.alsoaDJ, i
m born
andbredi
nEast erncapei
nEastLondonicame
her
etostaywithmyaunt.i mthelastbor
nathome
wena?.(you).
iswal
lowedbef
oreanswer
ing.
me:im Omuhl
eLangaim 17year
sol
d,doingGr
ade
11,al
sodoi
ngmodell
ing!imtheonl
ychi
ldonmy
par
ents.
henoded.
Songz:i
nter
est
ing,sowhi
chcar
eerpat
hyou'
re
taki
ngaf
termat
ric?.
ismi
led.
me:i
m gonnadocr
imi
nall
aw.
hesmi
led.
Songz:wow, that
'samazing,iseeyou'
r eal
ready
hadyourlif
etoget
herattheyoungagethat '
s
i
mpr essi
vebcstheynothi
ngattract
ivel
ikeawoman
whoknowswhatshewant s,womanwhoar e
ambiti
ousandcareerdri
ven.
ismi
led.
me:t
hankyou.
Songz:soyoudon'
thaveanyf
ri
ends.
me:ionl
yhave1f
ri
end,
mybestf
ri
endhernamei
s
Hl
alumi.
henodedsmi
li
ng.
Songz:soicall
edheret
odaywant
ingtomeetwi
th
youit
'sbcsihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
Helookednervousagai
nallofasudden,myheart
i
sbeatingf
astagainstmychest.hehel
dbothmy
handsandtookadeepbr eat
handclear
edhi
sthroat
Songz:umhOmuhl
eidon'
tknowhowt
osayt
his
butil
oveyou, ireal
lydoim notusedtothis.im not
usedtobeingattachedtoagirlbef
oreimetyoui
usedtosmashandpassbutyoust ol
emyhear t!
youmademef eelthi
ngsineverfel
tbeforeilove
thi
sfeeli
ngandidon' twanti
ttogoawaysocan
youpleasegivemeachance?.
i
m shockedandhappyatthesameti
me, idi
dn't
knowhef el
tli
kethi
saboutme!Ohw..butwaithe
sai
dheusedt osmashandpasswhatifhewant st
o
dothatt
omet oo?noican'
tal
lowt
hat.
me:howicanibesur
ethatyoudon'
twantt
odo
t
hatsmashandpasst
ome?.
hecl
osedhi
seyesandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Songz:ifiwantedtodosmashandpasst oyou,
i
wouldn'
tbehavingthisconver
sati
onwi t
hyou.i
would'
vetoldyoustrai
ghtupthatourthi
ngit
s
gonnabesexnot hi
ngmor e,nothi
ngless.
isighed,iwanttotr
usthi
m buti
tshar
dtot
rusta
player!habbi
tsdiehar
d.
me:umh.
.
Songz:im notsayi
nganswermenow,
justsl
eep
onitokay?.
inoded.
me:okay.
songz:good,
you'
resobeaut
if
ulman.
ibl
ushed.
Songz:andshe'
sbl
ushi
ng!Ladi
esandGent
lemen
i
m winni
nghere.
Hesai
dwit
hawi
degr
inonhi
sface.ihi
thi
schest
pl
ayf
ull
y.
me:(bl
ushi
ng)st
opi
t!.
hel
aughed.
Songz:okayt
hen,
buti
mtel
l
ingt
het
rut
h.
ir
oll
edmyeyesandsmi
led.
.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.
sotodayi tsSat urdayandmom sai dweshoul d
springcl eant hehouse, i
m sol azyt odot hati
thoughtiwoul dbei nbedt hewhol edaybutt hen
mommydear esthadot herpl ansf orme.soOmu
wentt omeetSongzatst eer sshewassohappywe
shel eftihopeSongzwon' tplaywi thmyGeebcsi m
goingbr eakhisbal l
s,impat i
ent l
ywai t i
ngt oOmut o
comebacksot hatshecant ellmeever ything.
anywaysigotof fthebedandmadei t,iopenedt he
curtainsandwi ndowst henheadt othebat hroom .i
washedmyf aceandbr ushedmyt eet h!it ookoff
mypyj amasandwor emyl eggingsandmy
oversizedshi rtt henfli
p-f
lops.iputal lmydi rty
l
aundr yont hewashi ngbasketiheaddownst air
s.i
tookt hewashi ngbaskett ot hel aundr yroom sot hat
i
tcanbewashedt henwentt ot heki t
chent omake
cerealf ormysel f.Mom camewhi l
steat ing.
Mom :khawul
ezi
santombi,umsebenziul
indi
le.
(Hur
ryupgirl
y,t
hejobiswait
ingforyou)
.
ihuf
finf
ust
rat
ion,
mom canbeannoyi
ngatt
imes.
me:yesmom .
shewal
kedaway.iqui
ckl
yf i
nishedeat
ingand
ri
nsedt
hebowl,af
tert
hatigettowork.

whent hetimehits2pm iwasal readydonecl eaning

,iwasdogt i
redandsweat y.Mom di dover worked
meher e!thehousewasver yspot lessandsmel l
ing
ni
ce.imademywayt omybedr oom ist r
ipped
nakedt hengotundert heshower, thehotwat erhit
myski nmakingmymuscl est or elaxabi t!aftera
l
ongshowerigotout.il otionedt henwor emymi ni
dress,whiteallstart
akkiet henmydeni mj acket.i
mosturisemydr eadlocksandl ett hem loose, iwore
mybuckethat.iappl i
edmycol ogneandl ipgloss!i
grabbedmysl ingbagandphonet henhead
downst ai
rs,everyonewasnowher et obeseeni
walkedout.ibumpedi ntojoeatt hedoor.
me:joecanyoutakemetot
hemal
lpl
easet
her
e's
somethi
ngineedtobuy.
henodedthenl
edmet othecar.wegoti
nand
dr
oveoff.wearr
ivedatt
hemal lj
oedr
oppedmeat
MRPr i
ceandleft!igotinsidet heshopiboughtthe
hoodieiwantedandsomebr asandpantiesforme
thensomesandl esipayedt hengotout.iwent
strai
ghttoSofi
e'ssaloonineedt owashmy
dreadlocksandstylethem .Sof iedi
dhert hi
ngson
myhai riwasbeautifulnolies.soiwentt o
McDonal d'
stogetsomet hingt oeatifoundat abl
e
andsatdown, ior
der edthenwai tedformyor der
whi l
ebusyonmyphone.
"im notsurei
fthi
sisfateorwhat?".says
someonei nfr
ontofmeIl i
ftmyheaduponlytobe
metbyt hefamousLJhimself!hereal
lyl
ooked
goodinjeans,muscletee,deni
mjacketandacap!
he'
shandsomeshame.
"you'
rechecki
ngmeoutnow?".ij
ustr
oll
edmy
eyes.
me:don'
tfl
att
eryour
sel
fmi
ster.
hechuckl
edandsatdownopposi
teme.
Lwazi:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
ismi
led.
me:t
hankyou,
youdon'
tlookbadyour
sel
f.
hescof
fed.
Lwazi:ohpl
easeyouknowi
lookhot.
hesmi
rkedibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.Hesmi
ledwi
del
y.
Lwazi:wow,ist
hatyoul
aughi
ng?bi
gupst
ome
i
m winning.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:what
ever.
t
hewai
terbr
oughtmyor
deri
thankedhi
m.
Lwazi:sohowar
eyou?.
hesai
dtaki
ngaf
ri
edchi
pfr
om mypl
ateandat
eit.
me:i
mfi
net
hank,
howar
eyou.
Lwazi:i
m per
fect
lyf
ine,
iloveyourdr
eadl
ocks.
me:t
hankyou.
wesati
ncomf
ort
abl
esi
lence,
eat
ingf
rom mypl
ate
.
Lwazi:l
et'
sint
roduceour
sel
vesbcst
hel
astt
ime
youweremean.
ibi
temyl
owerl
ip.
me:i
m sor
ryiwaski
ndast
ressedt
hatday.
henodedsmil
ing,thi
sdudel
ovessmi
li
ngori
t'
sbcs
hehasabeauti
fulsmil
esohe'
sshowi
ngoff?
bl
oodyhel
l.
Lwazi:soi
m Lwazi
ngcaJol
a,im 20year
sol
d!
doi
ngmysecondyearinBusi
nessmanagement,
al
soaDJyou? .
iswal
lowed.
me:i
m Hl
alumiNkabi
ndei
m 17year
sol
d,doi
ng
Gr
ade11nothi
ngmuch.
henoded.
Lwazi:doyour
eali
zethatthi
sisourf
ir
stnormal
conver
sati
onwi
thoutbeingrudet
oeachother?.
wel
aughed.
me:yeahinot
iced.
Lwazi:shouldior
dersowecoul
deatatmypl
ate
toooryoufine?.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:youcanor
der.
hecal
ledthewait
erandor
der
ed.t
heor
derar
ri
ved
andwediggedin.
Lwazi:soyou'
reSandi
leNkabi
nde'
ssi
ster?.
il
aughed,
ever
yonel
ovest
oaskmet
his.
me:yeah.
Hel
aughed.
Lwazi:r
haaat
hatdude!.(Damn)
.
welaughed, ever
yoneisafrai
dofSandile.we
conti
nuedt ochat t
ingandlaughi
nggetti
ngtoknow
eachot her,imustsayhe'ssuchani cegoodand
goodlookingt oo!ididn'
tnoti
ceallt
hisbcshewas
annoyingatf ir
st.Hemademyday.
Me:ishoul
dgonowi
tsget
ti
ngl
ate.
Lwazi:okayt
hen,
letmepaysot
haticant
akeyou
home.
me:youdon'
thavet
otakemehome,
iwi
llt
akean
Uber.
her
oll
edhi
seyes,
hecal
ledt
hewai
terandpayed.
het ookmybagsandwal kedtowardsthedoori
foll
owedhi m behind.wegott ohiscari t
sa
beaut i
fulgr
eypol ovi
vocarheputt hebagont he
backseatandopenedt hedoorforme, igoti
nand
closedt hedoor!thecarisverycleanandsmel ls
l
ikehi m, hegotinsi
deanddr oveof f.
Lwazi:you'
rever
yst
ubbor
n.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.wedr oveinsi
lencewi
thme
di
rect
inghim her
eandther
e.heparkedtwohouse
awayfrom myhome.
Lwazi:canihugyou?.
inoded,hel
ookssocut
ewhenhe'snervous,he
huggedme!hishugi
sverywarm andwelcoming
andhiscol
ognei
snotdoinganyj
usti
cewepul l
ed
out.
Lwazi:ihadanamazi
ngt
imewi
thyout
oday,
at
l
eastyouwerenotr
ude.
iscof
fed.
me:i
m notr
udebutIhadagr
eatt
imewi
thyout
oo.
it
ookmybagf
rom abackseatandopenedt
hedoor.
Lwazi:Lumi?.
iguessial
readyhadanni
ckname.
me:yes?.
Lwazi:canihaveyournumber?.
ismi
led.
me:ifwemeetagai
nyouwi
l
lgeti
tbuti
m not
sayi
ngyoushoul
dstal
kme,
bye.
iwi
nkedathi
m andwalkedaway,
whathappened
tot
heshyHlal
umi?..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
35] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°
LWAZI
NGCA.

ican'tbel
ievei
'vespendadaywi t
hLumiandwe
hadanconver sati
onswi t
houtbeingrudetoeach
other,imeant hatgi
rli
sacl osedbookyoucan't
readheroryoudon' tknowwhatt oexpectfr
om her
andpeoplewhoar eli
kethatareverydanger
ous.
Si
gh.
nonet hel
essihadaspl endi
ddaywi t
hhershe' s
suchani cepersonwithmoodsandat ti
tude,very
fi
er ceshe'stotal
lygi
vingmehar dti
me!ican' teven
givemysel fhopebcskungasaengat het hil
onto
l
amnt anagir
r r
e.myphoner angmaki ngmet rai
lout
ofmyt houghtsitsAsemahleyhoicompl et
ely
forgottenabouther!Lumihasbeeni nvadingmy
mi ndt ot
heext entt
hatievenf or
gotmyown
Girlfr
iendmnk.ianswer ed.
me:Mahl
e?.
shesni
ff
ed,
ohGodher
ewegoagai
n.isi
ghed.
me:Asemahl
ewhati
tis?Ukhal
elant
on?.
(Why
ar
ecr
ying)
.
Mahl
e:Lwaziudi
kiwendi
m?.
(ar
eyout
ir
edofme)
.
me:no,
whatmakesyousayt
hat?.
Mahle:ifyou'
renotthenwhyar eyounotanswering
mycal l
sornolongerspendst i
mewi thme?yaz
Lwazingcaimtir
edofyourcr abne?ifyoudon't
wantmeanymor eoryouf oundsomeonebett
erfor
youjustsayso.sot hatIcanleaveyoual
one.(you
know) .
Si
gh.
me:mahl eli
stenyazsomet i
mesizinto
ezi
fostel
wayodon'tusuall
yworkout.ij ustcause
youstressandheartachebcstheper sonyou've
wit
hnol ongerfeel
stheconnecti
ont hetwoofus,
soizi
ntomelezekbaziyekwebeforeitgoesoutof
contr
ol.(Forcedthi
ngs.weshoul dleavet hi
ngs).
shescof
fed.
Mahl
e:whatar
eyousayi
ngexact
ly?.
Me:whati
m sayi
ngmahl
eisthatweshoul
djust
br
eakupyouknow,bcsi
tscl
earthatt
he
connecti
onwef el
tit
'snol
ongerthere.sofreei
ng
eachotherf
rom thi
sheadacherelat
ionshi
pwi l
lbe
thebestsol
uti
on.
Mahle:what?Lwaziyoucan' tdothattome!we'
ve
beenthr
oughalott
ogetheryoucan' tj
ustt
hrowsi
x
monthsawayjustl
iket
hat, l
ikeitnevermeant
anyt
hing.
me:Asemahl epleaselet
'sbemat ur
edaboutt his
ndakcela,i
mt ryi
ngtobeagoodguyher ebyt elli
ng
youstrai
ghtforward, howwoul dyoufeelifididn'
t
tel
lyouthisthenyouseemei npublicholding
handswi t
hanot hergi
rl,wouldn'
tyousayi m
makingyouaf ool?orim cheati
ngonwhat soever.
i
m doingthisinadecentwaysopl easewor kwi t
h
meher eidon'twanttostringyoualonganymor e.
shesi
ghed.
Mahle:iguessyou'rerightlwazi,thi
srelati
onship
i
snol ongerworki
ngi tjustbri
ngingme
unnecessaryheadache.soourr oadendsher eit
wasnicebeingwi t
hyou!iexper iencedgoodand
memor i
ablethi
ngswi thyouandi mf orevergrat
eful,
Goodl
uckwi
thyourl
if
e.Bye.
shehungup.isi ghedimj ustgladsheunder stood
andmadenodr amaabouti t!yazot herthi
ngs
needstobesolvedi nacalm mannersot hatyou
canseesomeoner easonsofdoi ngwhat evert
hey
weredoingbutifuyenzangeDr ama?yhohayke.
aft
erdroppi
ngLumiof fatherstreetidrovestrai
ght
homejammi ngamapi ano, iarr
ivedathomemom
washavingherteawi thBuli'
smuf fi
nsigoti n
si
nging.
me:(singi
ng)Khulumawebhozayam , Khuluma
westhandwasami ,yonki
'ntooyif
unayomayenziwe
!umakuf i
kai
skhathisukuthiukuziphakancane,
awkancaneyonki
'ntooyif
unayomayenzi we! .
isi
ngwi
thdanci
ng,
shel
aughedatme.
mom :andt
henwassupwi
tht
hegoodmood?.
iwentt
oseatnextt
oherandki
ssedhercheek.
me:mamzo.
Mom :heybaby,
youl
ookhappyt
oday.
ichuckl
ed.
me:iwokeupi
naver
ygoodmood.
shel
aughed.
mom :you'rel
yingyoul
efther
einthemorningi
na
sourmoodandnowyoucomi ngbackhappy,i
ts
defi
nit
elysomethi
ng.
ichuckl
edandshookmyhead.
me:nzokbonamamzoneh.
(iwi
llseeyoumom )
.
irantomyroom ,
ist
ri
ppednakedandgoti
nsi
de
theshower.

aft
ershoweringiloti
onedthenwor
emybrief
sthen
gotUndercovers.iloggedi
ntoI
nst
agr
am iwas
tr
endi
ng, it
sapi ct
ureofmeandLumiin
MacDonaldlaughing.
me:f
uck!.
Lumiisnotgoi
ngtoli
kethi
s, shehat
essoci
al
mediaandnowshe'str
ending.she'
sgoi
ngt obe
meant omeagainshi
t!.il
oggedoutofInst
agram
andslept.
.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

soiwasathomewi t
hOmushewast ell
ingme
aboutherdatewithSongezo,youshouldseenthe
wayshe'sblushi
ngyouwoul dlaughather!her
complexiondoesn'
tmakeanyj ust
iceforherbcs
she'
slightski
nned.
me:Ohmywor d,t
hat'
sver
ycut
echomi
e.idi
dn'
t
knowhe'
ssuchasoft
y.
shegi
ggl
edbl
ushi
ng,
mnk
Omu:met oobutthenhesupricedme!iwas
shockedwhenhesaidhelovesmet oomyhear
t
wasjumpingforj
oy.
shesai
djumpi
ngupanddownont
hebed,
ibur
st
outl
aughi
ng.
me:i
nal
loft
hatl
ovi
ngeachot
hershi
tdon'
tfor
get
t
omakehi
m sweatAbi
t.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omu:(sul
king)butiwannabehi
sgi
rl
fr
iendal
ready
hl
alu.
icl
appedmyhandsl
aughi
ng.
me:wow,
anywaydowhatmakesyourhear
tjump
f
orj
oy.
shegiggl
ed.herphonebeeps,shejumpedonit
maybeshethinksi
tsanmessagef r
om Songezo.
shehereyeswidenandshelookedatmewi t
ha
naughtysmil
eandialr
eadyknewitsnotsomethi
ng
good.
me:what?.
shechuckl
ed.
Omu:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmet
hatyouwentonadat
e
wi
thLJ?.
her
ewegoagai
n.
me:(whi
sper
ing)
ohmygoodness.
Omu:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?.
shefol
dedherar
mst
oherchest,
wai
ti
ngf
ormet
o
answer.
me:ididn'tgoonadat
ewit
hhim, iwasatmc
Donald'
sthenhecametomytabl
eandweat e
t
ogether.
Omu:butitdoesn'
tlookl
iket
hatt
ome,
ithought
youdol
ikethedude.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:ofcour
seist
il
ldon'
tli
kehi
m andwhatdoesi
t
l
ooksl
ike.
Omu:i
tlookscosy.
me:what
ever.
Omu:you'
ret
rendi
ngkemyl
ove.
iqui
ckl
ysatupSt
rai
ght.
me:what?don'
tjokel
iket
hatOmuhl
e!.
sheshowedmet hepi
ctureofmeandLwazionMc
Dee,iwaslaughi
ngatwhateverhewassayi
ngand
i
twascapti
oned"ourFamousDJf i
nal
lyf
oundhi
s
soul
mate"imeanwhatt hehel
l?.
me:ohGod,
ifSandi
leseest
hisi
m deadmeat.
shel
aughed.
Omu:ofmypoorf
ri
end.
shesi
dehuggedme,
ilaughed.
me:oneofthereasonswhyidon'
tli
kesoci
almedi
a
,youknowi..
"HLALUMICOMEHERE".yelledSandi
lef
rom
downst
air
s,wel
ookedateachother.
me:(whi
sper
ing)OhmyGod.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
35] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERELEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
LWAZI
NGCA.

thef ol
lowingmor ningiwokeupi nabadmood, i
didn'tf
eell i
ket
alkingorgoi ngoutbutthenihave
classtoday.isatupst rai
ghtandloggedinto
Instagram again,not i
fi
cati
onscamef l
owingever y
secondiwasst il
ltrendingiwonderhowLumif eel
s
aboutt hi
sidon'tevenhavehernumbersot hati
couldcal lher.
si
gh
idon'tknowwhatif eelfort
hisgir
lbutwhateveri
tis
it
sbi gbcsican'tseem togetheroutofmymi ndor
stayawayf rom hereventhoughiheardthather
brotherSandil
echaseever yguythatcomesher
waybuti m wil
li
ngt otakearisk,whatam ieven
sayingialr
edytakenar i
skthedayiapproachher
andnotwe' rehe'sgoingtoseethisandfuckmeup!
myphoner angitsSongezoianswer ed.
me:Boy?.
Songz:hei
taboy,
uGr
and?
.(heybr
o,ar
eyouokay
).
me:yeahi
m okay,
whydi
dyoucal
l.
Songz:ohiwantedtot
ellyout
hatSi
zwewant
sto
seeusaft
erschool.
Si
zwei
sourmanager.
me:okaysur
e.
Songz:shar
p.
ihungup, igotoffthebedandmadei tt
henheadt o
thebathroom iwashedmyf aceandbr ushedmy
teeth.igotinsidetheshower!af tershoweri
ngi
loti
onedthenwor emyclothesir oughenmyf ade
thenappliedmycol ogne, ipackedmybooksand
grabbedmyphonei headdownst ai
rs.igotthere
everyonewassi t
ti
ngont het abl
eeating.
me:mor
ningguys.
iki
ssedmom'
scheek,t
heygreet
edback.isat
downanddi
shupformysel
f.
Dad:you'
real
waysint
hegoodmoodt hesedays
wassup?unecher
ry?.(youhaveagi
rl
fri
end).
ichuckl
ed.
me:sor
tof
f.
Mom smi
led.
mom :si
funumbonakal
oku.
(wewantt
oseeher).
me:haymamaisaidsor
tof
f,khandi
thindi
nayo.(i
di
dn'
tsayihavei
t).
shej
ustsai
d'mmmh'
andf
ocussedonherphone.
Dad:wenaZukowhenar
eyouget
ti
ngagi
rl
fr
iend?.
hechokedonhi sf
oodibur stoutl
aughi
ng,
Zuko
alwaysfeeluncomf or
tabl
ewhendadaskhimthisi
thinkmybr ot
herisgay.hegavemeadeat hst
arei
stoppedlaughingimmediately.
Zuko:idon'
twantanyGi
rl
fr
iendt
imer.(Dad)
.
Dad:ar
eyousur
ethatyou'
renotgayson?.
Zukost
oodup.
Zuko:iwi
llbeonmywaynow.
hewal
kedaway,
iburstouti
nlaught
er.Mom t
hrew
adi
shcl
othmywayiduckedit.
Me:sor
ryma.
if
ini
shedeat
ingt
hent
ookmyt
hings.
me:byef
ami
ly.
iwalkedout,
igoti
nsi
demycaranddr
ovet
o
school.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

iwasstil
linmyr oom si
ncemybrot
hercal
ledme
downstai
rs,im afr
aidtogot
her
e!Omui slaughi
ng
herassoutidi
ot.
Omu:hambahl
alumi.(Go)
.
isi
ghedandsl owlygotupiwor emysleeper
sthen
exi
ttheroom .igotdownstair
sSandil
ewassi t
ti
ng
onthecouchwi t
hhisiPadonhi shand,it
sobvious
hesawit,isl
owl ywenttositonthecouchopposit
e
him.
me:bhut
iyoucal
ledme.
helookeduptome,hedoesn'tl
ookangr
ythough
helookedcal
mfort
hatmatterwhichmademe
rel
axedabit.
Sandi
le:t
her
e'saboyout
sidewant
ingt
oseeyou.
aboy?whoi
sitnow?i
tbet
terbenotwhoit
hinki
t
i
s.
me:who'
sthatboy?.
her
aisedhi
sbr
owl
ooki
ngatme.
Sandi
le:howam isupposetoknow,
goandsee
hi
mf oryoursel
fhe'
satthegat
e.
sohedidn'
tseet
hepicture?ThankGod.inoded
thenwal
kedout!asiapproachthegat
eisee
mabutho.whatt
hehellishedoingher
e?ithought
hewasafrai
dofmybr other.
Me:mabut
ho?whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?.
hechuckl
ed.
mabut
ho:ohhel
lot
oyout
ooHl
alu.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:ohsor
ry,
hi.
Mabut
ho:im her
etogiveyouyourbook,you
f
orgot
teni
tonyourdeskatschoolFr
iday.
hehandedt
hel
if
esci
encet
ext
bookit
hankedhi
m.
me:t
hankyoubut
ho.
henoded.
mabut
ho:bye.
hewal
kedawayiwentbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.
me:hecamet
ogi
vemet
his.
isai
dshowi
ngSandi
let
hebookandr
anupst
air
s.
"andthen?whatdoeshesay?.
"sai
dOmuasiget
i
nsidether
oom .
me:hecal
ledmebcsmabut
howasatt
hegat
e.
Omu:mabut
ho?Whatwashedoi
ngher
e?.
ishowedhert
hebook.
me:t
ogi
vemet
his.
shenoded.
.
thefoll
owingdayafteraft
ernoonme, Omuhl
eand
mabuthower ecomingbackf r
om school,
iwas
pi
ggybackedbymabut howil
lwewalking.wewer
e
di
scussingacontroltestt
hatwewer egoi
ngto
wri
tetomorrow.
Omu:i
tsnott
hathar
dguys,
wej
usthadt
ost
udy
har
d.
Inoded.
me:you' r
eri
ght,youwon'
tpassifyoudon'
t
pract
icespeci
all
yifi
t'
smathsthatt
hingi
sademon
seri
ously.
wel
aughed.
mabut ho:mi
naiwil
lhavetocancelt
heRugby
pract
icetomor
rowbcsihavetostudyican'
taf
for
d
tofai
l.
me:atleastyou'
reser
iousaboutyoureducat
ion
somet
imesi nst
eadofchasi
ngothergir
ls!.
wel
aughed.
Mabutho:hayi
m donechasi
nggi
rl
s,i
m onl
y
chasi
ngaft
ermyfutur
ewifet
hati
syou.
ir
oll
edmyeyesl
aughi
ng.
mabut
ho:you'
resuchani
diotmabut
ho.
wel aughed.wehear dacarhoot erbehinduswe
turneditsaGreyPolovivo,itl
ookedlikeitsLwazi'
s
car!itparkednexttousandt hewindowr oll
ed
downi tsLwazi.irol
ledmyeyes, helooked
handsomewi t
hhissunglasses,Omuscr eamed
demandi ngtotakeapictur
ewi t
hLJ, wewai tedfor
them tobedonewi thwhatevertheyweredoi ng.
Lwazi:canit
alkt
oyouLumi?.
me:No!.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:pl
easeHl
alumi,
iwon'
twast
eyourt
ime.
Mabut
ho:youhear
dher,
shedoesn'
twantt
otal
k.
Lwaziqui
ckl
ylookedathi
m whi
lewal
kingt
owar
ds
hi
m.
Lwazi:bendi
thet
hanawe?.(wasit
alki
ngt
oyou)
.
mabuthoshookhi
sheadr
epeat
edl
y,Lwazi
chuckl
ed.
Lwazi:suphaphakeboy,ndi
zokunyat
hel
a.(don'
t
beforward,i
m goi
ngtofuckyouup).
Mabuthoswallowedhard,Omuwasl
aughi
ng
si
lent
ly.Lwazilookedatme.
Lwazi:pl
ease.
isi
ghed.
me:f
ine.
heledmet
othecarandopenedthedoorformei
gotin,
hewentt
ohissi
deandalsogotinside.
LJ:hey,
areyougood?.
me:yeahbesi
det
hef
actt
hati
mtr
endi
ng,
im ver
y
muchgoodyou?.
hesi
ghedandr
ubbedhi
shandst
oget
her.
LJ:i
m Good.
inoded.i
sthi
swhathewant
edt
otal
kabout?.
me:yousai
dweneedt
otal
ksot
alkke.
hel
ookedner
vous.
LJ:ij
ustwant
edt
oapol
ogi
sef
ordr
aggi
ngyoui
n
myi
ndramati
cli
febcsbei
ngwel
lknownsucksbcs
t
hel
it
tl
ethi
ngyoudoitsgoi
ngt
obeonthepapers
t
omorr
ow.
isi
ghed.
me:iforgi
veyouLwazi,butyouhavet ost
ayaway
fr
om me, mnailovemylif
epr i
vatesobeingseen
wit
hyouwi l
lcausechoasthatidon'tneed!thi
sis
oneofthereasonswhyihatesocialmedia.
LJ:iunder
standyouLumiireal
lydobutdon'tmake
mestayawayf r
om youbcsican'tir
eal
lyl
ikeyou.
isi
gned,
idon'
tneedt
hisr
ightnow.
me:LJl istenidon'
ttaket hi
sthebadwaybut
pleasedudel eavemeal one,thedramayoucomi ng
withidon'tneeditili
kemyl if
easpeacefulasiti
s
okay?sosuggestt hatyouplayfarawaybcsifthat
pictur
ereacht omyf amilyim goi
ngtobeinlotof
tr
oublesopl easendakcela.
henodedandgavemeP.
Schocol
ateismi
le,
thi
sis
socut
e.
LJ:t
hat
'smyapol
ogy,
onel
astt
hing?.
me:yeah?.
LJ:canihaveyournumber?.
Isi
ghed.
me:Lwazidi
dn'
tyo.
..
LJ:pl
ease.
me:okayf
ine.
hesmi l
edwidel
yandtookouthi
sphoneipunched
mynumber sthengavehi
m backhi
sphonehe
thankedme.
me:Imeantwhatisai
d,st
ayawayf
rom me.
iopenedt
hedoorandgotout.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
35] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWELVE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

whenyourl
egsdon'
twor
kli
ket
heyusedt
obef
ore.
Andican'
tsweepof
fyourf
eet.
Wi
llyourmout
hst
il
lremembert
het
ast
eofmyl
ove.
Wi
llyoureyesst
il
lsmi
lef
rom yourcheeks.
Anddar
li
ngi,
wil
lbel
ovi
ngyout
il
lwe'
re70.
Andbabymyhear
t,coul
dst
il
lfal
lashar
dat23.

i
mt hinkingabouthowpeopl
efal
linl
ovei
n
mysteriousways.
maybej
ustt
het
ouchofahand.
Wel
lmeif
alli
nlovewi
thyouever
ysi
ngl
eday.
andi
justwannat
ellyouiam .
sohoneynow.
Takemei
ntoyourl
ovi
ngar
ms.
ki
ssmeundert
hel
ightofat
housandst
ars.
Pl
aceyourheadonmybeat
inghear
t.
i
mthi
nki
ngoutl
oud.

Maybewef
oundl
over
ightwher
ewear
e.
whenmyhai
r'
sal
lbutgoneandmymemor
yfade.
Andt
hecr
owddon'
tremembermyname.
whenmyhandsdon'
tpl
ayt
hest
ri
ngst
hesameway
mm -mm.
iknowyouwi
llst
il
llovemet
hesame.

i
m ont opofmybedbl asti
ngthinki
ngoutloudbyEd
Sheeran!someoddr easonifoundmysel fthi
nki
ng
aboutLumiidon'tknowwhybutimi ssher.it
s
beenweeksnowsi nceilastsawher, l
ikeshesaidi
shoul
dst ayawayfrom herit
riedbutimtotall
y
fail
ingim mi ssinghereverysingleday.i'
vebeen
tryi
ngt ocallhereverydaybutshedoesn' tanswer
mycal l
sidon' tknowwhet hershe'sdoingiton
purposeorshedoesn' tanswerunknownnumber s.
idon'tknowwhat '
sgoingonwi thmer eall
y,im not
surei fi
mf aili
ngf ort
hisgirlorwhatbutshe'sreall
y
maki ngithar dforme, she'sdeterminetomakeme
sweatabi t!andshe' swi nningont hi
s.Myphone
ri
ngsi tsSongzianswer ed.
me:bawo.(Gr
eet
ings)
.
Songz:ei
tant
wana,
smoko?(heybr
o,what
's
wrong).
isi
ghed.
me:i
t'
sHl
alumi.
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:uyak'
phambani
sal
omnt
ana.
(thi
sgi
rli
s
makingyoucrazy)
.
me:howdi
dyouknowt
hatyouwer
einl
ovewi
th
Omuhl
e?.
hel
aughed.
songz:asyouknewmosbainevergotat tachedt o
anygi rlspeciall
ygirl
sididn'
tsleepwith,soisaw
Muhl e'spict
ur eonInstagram andinvi
tedhert ot he
par t
y!wespendt hewholenightatthepar t
yt alking
thendayswentbyi wasstart
ingtothinkaboutt his
girlalltheti
me, st
alki
ngherInstagram iwasj ust
drawnt oherman.Ikeepyear ningforherpr esence
allthet i
mesoiaskedmyauntbawhyi mf eeli
ng
thiswayshe' ssai dimfail
ingforthegirl,
soyeah
that'sitman.
isighed,thi
sisexactlywhatimfeeli
ngf
orLumi.
im alwaysthi
nki
ngabouther!year ni
ngt
oseeher
alltheti
me.am ifall
ingforher?.
Songz:it hi
nkimfall
ingforherSongzbcst hisgir
l
i
sal waysonmymi nd.wheniwakeupshe' sthe
fi
rstpersonithi
nkaboutevenwheni m aboutto
sl
eepit hi
nkabouther!thisisfuckedup.ieven
tr
iedcalli
ngherbutshedoesn'tanswermycal l
sbut
shegavemehernumber.
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:(
laughi
ng)yhot
hisgi
rli
sdi
ff
icul
tman,
she'
smaki
ngyousweatabi
t,idon'
twannabeyou
bro!.
il
aughed.
Me:f
uckyoubr
o!.
Songz:let
'sdoadoubl
edatewit
hHlal
umiand
MuhletomorrowbutHl
aluwon'
tknowthatwet
her
e.
ismi
led,
iwi
llgetachancet
otal
ktoher.
me:okaycool.
ihungup.Hlal
umi, Hl
alumi,
hlal
umiyou'
rereal
ly
dif
fi
cul
tyer
rr!inevermetagir
lst
ubbornl
ikethi
s
yho.
"LWAZI,LUNCHISREADY."yel
ledmom f
rom
downst
air
s,iwor
emysleeperst
henhead
downst
air
s.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.
isighedl ookingatmyPhoner ingingi tsLwazi, yesi
savedhi snumberevent houghidon' tanswerhi s
calls.it oldhim verywel ltoleavemeal onebuthe
doesn' tlistenhekeepscal l
ingandt extingdoesn't
hegett hemessage?idon' twannat alktohim. ..
.
Maybeidobutnoi can'ttalktohim !Lwazi being
involvedi nmyl i
fewi llbringmenot hi ngbutdrama
bcspeopl earewat chinghi ml ikeahawk!i mj ust
reli
evedbcst hatpicturewewer etrendi ngi
ndoesn' t
showmyf aceclear l
ybutwhoknowsmewi l
lknow
itsme.myphonest oppedr ingingisi ghedinrelief.
maybeishoul dsendhi m amessage.
'st
opcalli
ngmelwazi,idon'
twannatal
ktoyou.'
i
senti
t,hewasnotonli
neonWhat sApp.ij
ustgot
Undercover
sandsl
ept.

Lat
erI
'
m wokenupbysomeoneshaki
ngmesof
tl
y.
"Hl
alu?.
"it
sOmucal
li
ngme.
me:mmh?.
Omu:wakeuphl
alumi.
igr
oanedandsatupst
rai
ghtr
ubbi
ngt
hesl
eepof
f
myeyes.
me:what?.
shechuckl
ed.
Omu:wakeup,
imi
ssyou.
ismil
edt hegotoffthebediheadtot
hebat hroom
andwashedmyf aceandbr ushedmyteet
ht hen
headbackt othebedroom .Omuwasal r
eady
Undercoversigotinsi
detooandwecuddl ed.
Omu:t
omor
rowi
mtaki
ngyouout
.
me:(exci
ted)r
eal
ly?wher
e?.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:somenewr
est
aur
antonceSongezot
ookme
t
o.
Ismil
ed.YeahOmuisfi
nall
ydati
ngsongz.My
fr
iendi
ssooHappysongezoist
reat
ingherGood.
me:okay.
wef
elli
ncomf
ort
abl
esi
lence,
losti
nourt
hought
s.

Omu:what
'sgoi
ngonbet
weenyouandLJ?.
if
rowned.
me:whatdoyoumeanbywhat
'sgoi
ngon?.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omu:don'tpl
aydumbwi
thmeHl
alu,
youknow
whatimean.
Isi
ghed.
me:idon'
twannat
alkabouti
t.
shenoded.
Omu:cool.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
36] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTEEN.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

OMUHLE.

yest erdaybef oreiwentt oHl alu'shouse, Songezo

askedmeaf avourf orhi sbestf riendLJ!hewant s
total kt oHlal ubutHl aluisavoi di
nghi m .iknow
hlalumishe' sver yst ubbor nashel l!youwon' t
convi ncehereasi lyshegi veyouhar dtimebef or
e
sheagr eest osomet hing.soihadt opr etendli
ke
i
mt aki nghl aluoutsot hatwecoul ddoadoubl e
datei nsepar atet ablessot heycoul dtalkbcsican
seehl aluthatshewant stot al
kt oLJbutshe' s
afraidofherbr otherSandi le.imeanwhowoul dn'
t
be?t hatdudei sal waysser i
ousandi nti
mi dat
inghe
hardl ysmi l
esi m evenaf raidofhi mt oo, anyways
around7pm Hl alu'sbr othertookmehomeaf t
eri
haddi nnert here, hedr oppedmeof fatthegat ei
wal kedt owar dsthehouseandgoti nside.Mom
waswaswor kingni ghtshi f
tsoDadi sher e.
me:heyDad.
Dad:hiPr
incess,
wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom ?.
me:f
rom t
heNkabi
ndehousehol
d.
henoded.
Dad:yourf
oodi
satt
heoven.
me:t
hanksDaddy.
iheadstrai
ghtt
omybedroom andtookashower
andworemypyj amas.it
extedhlal
utel
li
ngheri
arr
ivedsafel
y,sher
epl
iedsayingGoodni
ght
.

myphoner
angi
tsSongezoismi
ledandanswer
ed.
me:Songe?.
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:Muhl
eza,
howar
eyou?.
me:i
m good,
howar
eyou?.
Songz:i
m goodl
ove,
didyoudowhatiaskedyou
todo?.
me:yesidi
d.
Songz:and?.
me:sheagr
eed.
Songz:t
hat'
sawesome,
anywayswhatar
eyou
doi
ngther
e?.
il
aidonmybackont
hebed.
me:get
ti
ngr
eadyf
orbedyou?.
hechuckl
ed.
songz:i
minaCl
ubanywayGoodni
ght.Il
oveyou
Ismi
led.
me:Il
oveyou,
bye.
ihungupandUnder
cover
sthensl
eepI
'
m medi
atel
y
.

thenextmorni
ngim wokenupbymyr
ingi
ngphone
igroanedandtooki
tundert
hepi
ll
ow.
me:mmh?.
"wakeywakeysl
eepyhead.
"saysHl
aluscr
eami
ng
overt
hePhone.
me:dudewhyar
eyouscr
eami
ng?.
shel
aughed.
Hlal
u:vukaOmuhl
eit
s11am i
nthemor
ning
.(Wakeup).
what?it
houghti
tsst
il
l7am ,
igi
ggl
edsi
tt
ingup
st
rai
ght.
me:i
m awakeyho.
Hl
alu:don'
tfor
gett
hatyout
aki
ngmeout.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:ofcour
sehl
alumi.
Hl
alu:okaykebye.
ihungupandgotof fthebedandmadei tthen
openedthecurt
ains,iwenttothebat
hroom to
washmyf aceandbr ushmyteethaft
erihead
downstai
rs.igottheremom anddadwer eeati
ng
breakf
ast.
me:mor
ningguys.
t
heygreet
edback.isatdownanddi
shedupf
or
mysel
fanddi
ggedin.
Mom :ar
est
il
lwr
it
ingonMondaybaby?.
inoded.
me:yesmom .
Dad:di
dyoupr
epar
e?.
me:yeah.
Dad:Good,i
fyoupassi
twel
lim goi
ngt
oget
somet
hingni
ceforyou.
ismi
led.
me:(exci
ted)ngempel
a?.
(real
ly).
Henoded.if i
ni shedeatingthenwashedt hen
washedt hedishes.iheadupst ai
rst
of r
eshenup
andwor emycl othesthenf i
xedmyhai rthen
grabbedmysl ingbagandphonet henhead
downstairs,
acarhoot edoutsideipeekedthrough
thewindowitsHl aluwithSakhileiwentoutand
walkedouttheyar d.igotinsidethecar.
me:heyl
over,
hibhut
'Sakhi
le.
ikissedHl
alu'
scheek,
theygr
eet
edbackanddr
ove
off.
Hl
alu:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
ismi
led.
me:youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oo.
shereall
ylookedbeauti
ful,shewaswear i
ngblacm
Jean,awhi tet
urt
leneckwithblackdeni
mj acket
withherdreadl
ocksti
edupneat ly.wearri
vedatthe
rest
aurantandgotoutthecar, webidGoodbyesto
Sakhil
eandhel ef
t!wewal kedtowardsthen
rest
aurantandgotin.wewal kedtothetabl
eand
satdown.
me:whatar
ewehavi
ng?.
sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
Hl
alu:l
et'
scheckt
hemenu.
wecheckedt
hemenuandor
der
ed.
.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.
ourordercamebackwedi
ggedi
n,havi
ngsome
conversat
ions.
"sorr
yimlateguys".sai
dSongezotaki
ngaseat
nextt
oOmuir aisedmybrowlooki
ngatOmu, she
wasavoidi
ngeyecontactwi
thme.
me:sor
ryyou'
rel
ate?it
houghti
twasj
ustt
het
wo
ofus?wow.
Songezol
aughed.
me:soiwi
llbet
het
hir
dwheelher
e?.
Omu:No.
me:No?.
Songezo:mybr
otheri
scomi
ng.
oh-Kaythi
sisadoubledateisee,
they'
replayi
ng
matchmaking.inodedeat
ingmyfoodwhileOmu
andSongztal
kingaboutwhat
evert
heyaretalki
ng
about
.
"molweni".sayst
hevoi
ceihaven'
theadi
nweeks!
whatishedoingher
e?ohwowiseewhatar et
hey
t
ryi
ngt
odo.wegr
eet
edback.
Lwazi:ni
njanil
adi
es?.
(Howar
eyoudoi
ng)
.
Omu:i
mfi
ne,
howar
eyou?.
Lwazi:i
m good,
wenaLumi?.
t
her
ehegoagai
ncal
li
ngmeLumi.
me:i
m Okay,
you?.
hesmi
led,
isn'
thet
hecut
est?.
Lwazi:i
m Good.
wefistbumpedandgr
eeti
ngwithSongezo.t
hey
or
deredweallat
einsi
lence.af
tereat
ingweallhad
mil
kshakes.
Songezo:babycanit
alkt
oyouf
orami
nut
e?.
sai
dSongezotalki
ngtoOmuwhoj ustnoded.they
bothstoodupandwalkedaway,Iwasleftwi
ththi
s
handsomenigga!heclear
edhi
sthroat.
Lwazi:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
me:t
hankyou,
youl
ookgoodt
oo.
Lwazi:Hl
alumindi
cel
aut
het
hanawe.(canit
alkt
o
you)
.
areallXhosaguyst
hissexywhent
hey'
respeaki
ng
thei
rlanguage?isi
ghed.
me:Zingcaithoughtimademysel
fcl
eart
hat
t
her
e'snothi
ngt otal
kabout.
hesmil
edaft
erher
eal
izedt
hatI
'
vegi
venhi
ma
ni
ckname.Fuckme
Lwazi:youal
readygi
venmeani
ckname,
ili
kei
t
al
ready.
ir
oll
edmyeyes,
he'
ssuchanass.
Lwazi:onaser
iousnot
eHl
alumi,
iwi
lll
ikeust
o
tal
k.
isi
ghed.
me:f
ineLwazi
ngca,
youcant
alk.
henodedandr ubbedhiseyest
ogether.inot
iced
thathel
ikesdoingthi
swhenhe'snervous.
Lwazi:Hlalumiallt
heseweeksi'vethinki
nghard
andtr
yingt ofi
gureoutbawhat '
sgoingonwi t
hme,
whatisitthatif
eelforyou.idon'tknowwhetherit
s
l
oveorl ustandazibutwhat everiti
sifeelaboutyou
ndayithandai tfeel
sgood.Butwhatf ustr
atesmei s
thatyou'reavoi di
ngmeLumiyoudon' tr
eplyanyto
myt extmessagesidon' tknowwhatt odoanymor e!
...iknowyousai dishouldst ayawaybutican'tthe
mor eitrytost ayawaythemostiyer nforyour
presencepl easeLumigi veusachancesot hatwe
couldexpl oreourfeel
ings.
isi
ghed.
me:whosai
dihavef
eel
ingsf
oryou?.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:wowHl alumiaft
eral lthi
sisaidyouonly
heardthatpart?anywayi fdidn'
thavefeel
ingsfor
meyouwoul dn'thavegivenmeyournumber,
secondlyyouwoul d'veblockedmynumberwhen
youdidn'tanswermycal l
s, last
lyyouwouldn'
t
walkedoutt hemomenticamei n.
ihat
ethefactt
hathe'
sri
ght.ever
ythi
nghesai
d
makessense.
isi
ghed.
me:Zi ngcali
sten,ineverdat edbefor
eokay?i
don'tknowanyoft hi
sfeelingsthingstheref
orei
don'tevenknowwhatt osayr i
ghtnow.yesihear
youandiappr eci
atethebraver yofyoutoconfess
howyouf eelformebutpl easeineedt i
mef or
processthi
s.t ot
hinkabouti tcanyougi vemethat?
.
henodedsmi
li
ng.
me:t hankyouver
ymuch, iknowbeingwit
hyou
wil
lbringmedramathatihate!yourl
if
eisdramat
ic
yhoitsucksbei
ngacelebri
ty.
wel
aughed.
Lwazi:thankyouforput
ti
ngt
hist
oconsi
der
ati
on,
i
appr
eciateitsomuch.
wesmi
ledateachot
her,
heki
ssedbot
hmyhands.
Lwazi:canigetahug?.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:sur
e.
hest
oodupandst
andinf
rontofmeandhuggedme
!hesmel
lsr
eal
lyGood.hi
scolognei
smasculi
ne
andi
ntoxi
cat
ing.
Lwazi:phezaf
ondini,andi
yondodakho.(t
hat
's
enoughnow, i
m notyourman).
wel
aughed,
ihi
thi
schestpl
ayf
ull
y.
Lwazi:i
m ki
ddi
ng.
hewentbackt
ohisseat,
OmuandSongzcame
back!Bl
oodyt
rai
tor
stheypl
annedt
his.
me:bl
oodyt
rai
tor
s!.
weal
llaughed.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
36] :THESOULMATE.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
HLALUMI
.

i
m wokenupbyanoi secomi ngf rom downst air
si t
l
ookedl iketheyar ewat chi ngsoccerj udgingbyt he
noisethey'remaki ng.Af tert hatdoubledat ewehad
Iarri
vedathomeandt ookanapbef or
est udyingf or
thetestim goi ngt owr i
tet omor row.whatZi ngca
saidtomei sst il
lstuckonmymi ndididn'tknow
thathef eelssomet hingf ormeit houghthel ikedt o
annoymekant ii t
'smor et hant hat!idon'teven
knowwhatt odowi ththissi tuati
onbcsi 'venever
datedbef oreandiknownot hingaboutr elati
onshi ps
orwhat soever, imeaniwoul dlovet obewi th
Zingcabuthi slifeistoodr amat i
cf ormyl i
king, he's
alwaysont hei nternettrendingandiwon' tstandf or
thatbcsil ovedoi ngmyt hingsl owkeywi thoutthe
wor l
dknowi ng.
Isi
ghed.
thi
siscompli
catedYho.maybeishouldcal
lOmu
she'
sdati
ngacel ebr
it
yal
sososhewillknowwhat
todoical
ledher.
Omu:(scr
eami
ng)mnganwam .(myf
ri
end)
.
ichuckl
ed.
me:yiniwaj
abul
akangaka?.
(Whyar
eyouso
happy).
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:l
if
eisgoodmzl,
not
hingel
se.
ismiled,eversi
nceOmuhledatedSongezoshe's
beenhappyandbubbly.Im gl
adthatMrDJi s
tr
eati
nghergoodbcsi fhedi
dn'
tiwasgoi ngt
o
breakhisball
s!Omu'shappi
nessmeansal ottome
.
Omu:hl
aluar
eyout
her
e?.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
me:yeahi
m st
il
lher
e.
Omu:what'
swrong?icansenset
hatt
her
e's
somet
hingbot
her
ingyou?.
isi
ghed.
me:LJconf
essedhi
slovef
orme.
Omu:(screaming)ohwHl
alumi.
..
.Butwai
tyou
don'
tsoundhappywhy?.
me:it
snott
hati
m nothappy,
imj
ustwor
ri
edt
hat
's
al
l.
shescof
fed.
Omu:wor
ri
ed?wor
ri
edaboutwhat?.
me:Omuhl
ecomeon,webot
hknowhowmuchi
hat
edr
amaandbei
ngwit
hLJbri
ngsmeonl
ythat.
Omu:Hl
alumidoyouf
eel
somet
hingf
orLJ?.
ismi
led.
me:it
hinkido.
Omu:makeupyourmi ndHlalumi, youcan'tkeep
playinghideandseekgamewi thLJbcshe' sgoi ng
togett i
redofbegging.im notsayingbei na
relat
ionshipwithhim whenyoudon' twanttobuti f
youwantt oo?goof ori
tlove,idyoul ovesomeone
youhavet omakesacr i
fi
cesforeachot heralli
m
sayingist hatf
oll
owyourhear tit
syouandLJi nt hi
s
nooneel se.
Isi
ghed,
she'
sri
ghtLJi
shandsomeandhe'
s
famoushecangetwhoeverhewantsbuthe'
sher
e
beggi
ngme.ishouldmakeituptohim.
me:iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t,t
hankyouf
ort
headvi
ce.
Omu:anyt
ime.
ihungup.iwashedmyf aceandbrushedmyteet
h
thenmademywaydownst ai
rs.Mom wascooki
ng
intheki
tchen,Dadandhissonswerewatchi
ng
soccermakinghel
lanoi
se.igreet
edthen.
Them :(scr
eami
ng)HLALULU!.
Ohwowt hey'
redrunk,igiggl
edandwentt
ot he
ki
tchenandsatdownont hebarst
oolwat
ching
mom cooki
ng.
me:heyma.
Mom :heybaby,
canyouhel
pmepealt
hose
veget
abl
es.
me:okay.
it
ookt
heveget
abl
esandpealt
hem .
me:mom caniaskyousomet
hing?.
shenoded.
me:howdoyouknowwhenyou'
rei
nlove?.
sher
aisedherbr
owl
ooki
ngatme.
Mom :hl
alumiar
eyoui
nlovewi
thsomeone?.
igi
ggl
edner
vousl
y.
me:me?nomom i
mjustaski
ng.never
mind
t
hough.
shedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.

thef ol
lowingmorningiwokeupanddomyhygi ene
processt henworemyuni for
m !i m wr i
tingat est
todayhopef ull
yiwil
lnaili
t.ifinishedfixingmysel fi
appliedmyper fumeandl i
pglosst hengr abbedmy
schoolbagt henheaddownst airs, Everyonewas
alreadyatwor kij
usttookanappl ethenheadout,
joetookmet oschoolsi
nceiml ateanddr oppedme
ont hegat e!if
oundOmui sclassr eadingabooki
kissedhercheek.
me:heyl
over.
Omu:hel
lobaby,
areyour
eady?.
inoded.
me:yeah.
t
hebellrangi
ndicati
ngthatt
heschooli
sin.the
t
eachercametocl assandgaveusourpaper
sto
wri
teisaidal
it
tl
epr ayert
henw
St
artwr
it
ing.

nowwewer einclasswehad20mi nuteslef

tbefore
theaft
erschool,Mabut hoandOmuwer ebickeri
ng
aboutthepaperwej ustwrote.Tell
ingeachother
answersiwasj ustli
steni
ngtothem blabber
ing.
aft
erawhi l
ewehear dpupi l
sscreamingabd
whist
li
ngout si
dewewentoutt ocheck!Students
weresurroundi
ngacar.
Omu:i
sn'
tthatLJ?.
shesai
dpoi
nti
ngont
hecar.
me:wher
e?.
Omu:t
her
eHl
alumil
ooki
tshi
m.
il
ookedt
her
e,i
tshi
m whatt
hehel
lishedoi
ngher
e
?.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
36] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTEEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.

i
m st i
llshockedt oseeZi ngcaheratmyschool
causingchaos!pupi l
sar egoi ngcrazybyseeing
him .they'r
easkingpi cturesleftri
ghtandcent er!
thi
siswhatihat edbei nginvolvedwi thawell
knownper son.hemanagedt osl i
pt hr
oughthe
crowdandwal kedt owar dsusiwannar unandhi de
butmyl egsbetr
ayedmet heydi dn'
tevenmove, he
hadawi desmileonhi sf acewear i
ngsunglasses,a
blackri
ppedjeans,amuscl eteeandaleather
j
acketthenhissneakers!holdingf
lowersonhis
handwi t
haboxofchocol ates!suchromancei
couldn'
thel
pbutsmi l
eher eachedus.
Lwazi:higuys,
heyLumi.
wegreet
edhim back.hehuggedmeandki
ssedmy
f
orehead!hesmelledr
eal
lygood.
Lwazi:canit
alkt
oyouf
orami
nut
e?.
me:iwi
llbebackguys.
t
heynoded,
mabut
howal
kedaway.
Lwazi:ar
eyougood?.
me:i
m goodyou?.
hesmi
led,
he'
shandsomebat
hong.
Lwazi:i
mfi
ne.icameher
ebcsiwant
edt
oseeyou
.
ichuckl
ed.
me:i
nmyschool?uyahl
anya?.(ar
eyoucr
azy)
.
her
oll
edhi
seyes.
l
wazi:i
m cr
azyi
nlovewi
thyou.
ismi
ledr
oll
ingmyeyes.
me:what
ever,
aret
hosef
orme?.
ipoi
ntedatt
hechocol
ateboxandf
lower
shenoded
.
l
wazi:ohyeah,
her
e.
hehandedt
hent
ome.
me:t
hankyou,
thi
sisunl
ikeyou.
hef
rowned.
l
wazi:whatdoyoumean?.
me:youdon'
tst
ri
kemeasar
omant
ict
ype.
Hel
aughed.
l
wazi:t
heyisal
ott
hatyoudon'
tknowaboutme
st
handwasami.
ismi
led.
Lwazi:canit
akeyouhome?.
isi
ghed.
me:don'
tpushi
tZi
ngca!
.
Lwazi:ndakcel
aLumit
orho.(i
m beggi
ng)
.
me:f
ine,
fineLwazi
ngca.
hesmiledandl
edmet
othecar,il
ookedar
oundi
don'
tseeOmumaybeshel
eft.
Lwazi:umki
le.(shel
eft)
.
inodedandgoti
nsi
det
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
Lwazi:sohowwasyourt
est?.
me:i
twaski
ndadi
ff
icul
tbutidi
dmybest.
hesmi
led.
Lwazi:Good,sohaveyout
houghtaboutwhatwe
tal
kedabout?..
.it
snoti
mrushi
ngyoui t
sjustt
hati
wannaknow.
isi
ghed.
me:pleasegivemet i
meLwazi,i
mt r
yingt
ot hi
nk
t
histhroughsothaticanknowwhati
m get
ting
myselfint
o.
hesi
ghedandnoded.
Lwazi:iunder
stand,
canical
lyoul
ateron?.
inoded.
Lwazi:awesome.
wefel
lincomfortablesi
lence,whi
lstpl
ayingmusic!
Bestt
hingineverhadbyBeyonce.ikeptsi ngi
ng
al
onghereandt here,l
wazikeepssteal
ingglances
atmeandsmi l
e.
me:what?.
Lwazi:nothi
ng,
itst
hatidi
dn'
tknowyousi
ngso
beaut
iful.
ibl
ushed.
me:t
her
e'sl
otoft
hingsyoudon'
tknowaboutme.
isai
dmi
micki
nghi
svoi
ce.
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:(l
aughi
ng)idon'
tspeakl
iket
hat!.
me:yesyouar
e.
Lwazi:noidon'
t!.
me:yesyouar
e.
Her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Lwazi:f
ine,
ispeakl
iket
hat.
igi
ggl
ed,wedroveunt
ilwereachedmyst
reet!he
par
ked3housesawayfrom myhome.
me:t
hankyouf
ort
hel
if
t.
Lwazi:i
t'
sapl
easur
e.
me:iwi
llseeyouar
ound,
bye.
igotof
fthecarandr
unhome.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

ilookedatherassheranhome, ireall
ywi shshe
couldgivemeachancesot haticouldprovetoher
thaticoul
dloveherthewayshedeser vesbutYho
theladyishotheadedandveryoverthi
nking.im
slowlybutsurel
ywinni
ngherheartoverbcsshe's
nolongerrudet omet omejustli
kethefi
rstti
mei
sawher.butidon' twannagetmyhopeshi ghbcs
thatgir
lisunpredi
ctable.Af
terdroppi
ngheroffi
drovestrai
ghttotheclubiwascal l
edbySizwe,i
gotthereSizwewaswi t
hSandil
eNkabindeLumi'
s
brotherl
ookingint
imidati
ngasalways.iwalked
towardstheirt
able.
me:gr
otmans.
t
heygr
eet
edback.Sandi
lel
ookedatSi
zwe.
Sandi
le:youcangonow,
iwannahaveachatwi
th
thi
sgenthere.
Si
zwenodedandwal
kedaway.
Sandi
le:si
tyourassdown.
iqui
ckl
ysatdownopposi
tehi
m.
Sandi
le:soihear
dthatyou'
ret
ryi
ngyourwaywi
th
mysister.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
me:yeah.
Sandi
le:whatdoyouwantf
rom her?.
me:il
oveher,
iwanthert
obemygi
rl
fr
iend.
hechuckl
edbi
tt
erl
y.
Sandi
le:boyf
ri
end?whatdoessheknowabout
boyf
ri
ends?.
ikeptqui
et,
hecamecl
osert
ome.
Sandil
e:l
ist
enhereboybcsiwon'
trepeatt
his.
Stayawayfr
om heri
fyouknowwhat '
sgoodforyou
.
iswal
lowedhar
d,hest
oodup.
Sandi
le:STAYAWAY!
hewal
kedaway.
me:f
uck!
comehellorhi
ghwat
ersi
m notst
ayi
ngawayf
rom
her!ILOVEHER.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
36] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERSI
XTEEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

idi
dn' tknowt hatZingcacanber omanti
clikethisi
meanidi dn'
texpectanychocol at
esandf l
ower s
mnaeverwor seididn'texpectt oseehim atmy
school.imustsayt hisi scut eshameandil ovet hi
s
si
deofhi m !ihadtohi dethisthesethi
ngsonmy
schoolbagbef orearrivingathomebcsSakhi lewas
backf rom Schooligr eet edhim andwentst r
aightto
myr oom .it ookoffmyuni f
orm andwor emy
oversizedhoodi ewithsocksonl y.itookoutmy
bookandwr otemyhomewor kwhil
eeatingthe
chocol at
e, myphoner angitsZingcahecalledlike
hepr omisedt o.
me:hi?.
Lwazi:heyLumiunj
ani?.
(howar
eyou)
.
me:I
'
m ver
ymuchgood,
howar
eyou?.
Lwazi:i
m per
fect
lyf
inemydar
li
ng,
whatar
eyou
doi
ngthere?.
me:i
m wr
it
ingmyhomewor
kwena?.(you)
.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:i
m atschool.
me:okay.
wef
elli
ntosi
lencel
ist
eni
ngt
oeachot
herbr
eat
hing.
me:thankyouf ort
hef
lower
sandchocol
ate,
t
hey'
redeli
cious.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:i
tsallgood,
socanwespendt
hedaywi
th
metomor r
ow?.
me:umh.
.
Lwazi:pl
easeLumi
.
isi
ghed.
me:yougonnagetmei
ntr
oubl
eyouknow,
buti
t'
s
okay.
Lwazi:whatt
imeshoul
dicomeandgetyou?.
me:howabout1pm ?bcst
her
e'snoschool
t
omorrow.
l
wazi:awesome,
iloveyouHl
alumi
.
ikeptqui
et.
Lwazi:i
m notexpect
ingyoutosayi
tback,
imj
ust
tel
li
ngyousothatyoushouldknowokay?.
inoded.
Lwazi:st
opnoddi
ngLumiican'
tseeyou.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:sor
ry,
thanksf
ort
hecal
liwi
llhungupnow.
Lwazi:shobaby.
Ihungup.il
aidonmybackont hebedwi t
hmy
phoneatmychestsmi
li
ng,ican'tbel
ievei
mfal
li
ng
fort
hisguy,
mnk.iputthephonedownand
conti
nuedwri
ti
ngmyhomewor k.

l
atert
hatdaymom cal
ledmedownst
air
sfordi
nner,
iwor
emysl eeperst
henheaddownst
air
s.Ever
yone
wasalr
eadysitt
ingont
hetabl
e.
me:f
ami
ly!.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
Mom :(smi
li
ng)you'
rei
nagoodmood.
me:i
m al
waysi
nthegoodmoodmom .
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Mom :(sar
cast
ic)yeahr
ight.
wehol
dhandst
henmom sai
dGr
aceandwedi
gged
i
n.
Dad:Hl
aluwhatam ihear
ingt
hatyougoi
ngar
ound
wit
hboys?.
ichockedonmyf ood,mom passedmeaj ui
cei
drankit.hel
ookedatmewit
har aisedbr
ow.
me:boys?whatboys?.
hechuckl
ed.
Dad:don'tpl
aydumbwi thmeHlalumi,
ngi
zokshayanjal
o.(I
'
llbeatyouup).
Me:that
'snott
ruedad,
im notgoi
ngar
oundwi
th
boys.
dad:
ihopeyou'
ret
ell
ingt
het
hrut
h.
Mom :HayNkosi
nat
hi,
yekumnt
ana.(No.
.leave
t
hechil
dalone)
.
Dad:Nobul el
wa,sheneedstounder
standt
hati
don'twantboysar
oundher!shehasbookst
o
focuson.
Mom :Nkosi
nat
hi!.
shewar
ns.Dadsi
ghed
Dad:f
ine.
weatewhil
sthavi
ngsomeconver
sat
ions.t
hen
af
tert
hatweallwentt
obed.

thefol
lowi
ngmorni
ngim wokenupbymom
shouti
nghervoi
ceout.
"HLALUMI!"
ipr
etendedtobesleepi
ng,
shekeptshout
ingmy
nameunt i
lshewentqui
tet
hankGod.iwasslowl
y
dozi
ngoffunt
ilif
eltcol
dwaterbei
ngspl
ashedal
l
overme!iscr
eamedandj umpedofft
hebed.
Mom :t
hatser
vesyour
ight,
I'
vebeencal
li
ngyou
f
orages.
me:(sul
king)butmom iwasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
mom :not
imet
osl
eepyougoi
ngt
ocheckt
hecaf
e
t
oday.
Me:what?.
noican'
tipr
omi
sedZi
ngcai
wil
lspendt
hedaywi
th
hi
m.
Mom :i
stheapr
obl
em ?.
ishookmyhead.
Mom :Good,
nowgetr
eadywel
eavi
ngi
n20
mi
nutes.
shewal kedout!ihuffinfustr
ati
on.iopenedthe
curtai
nsandwi dowst henheadtot hebathr
oom i
washedmyf aceandbr ushedmyt eeththewent
backtot hebedroom .icheckedthetimeit'
s
10:30am inthemor ni
ngiwor esleeper
sihead
downst ai
rs,igotther
eandheadt othekit
chen
str
aightimadecer ealformyselfandate,after
eati
ngir insedt hebowlt henheadbackupst airsto
shower!Af tershower ingiworemycl ot
hesthen
ti
edmydr eadlocksiappl i
edmyPer fumeand
l
ipglosst hent ookmysl i
ngbagandphoneiHead
downst airsagain, mom wasalreadywaiti
ngi nthe
carigotoutandl ockedthedoorthenwentt ot he
carwedr oveof f.shedr oppedmeatt hecafet hen
wentt oherwor k, iopenedthecafeandstart
sort
ingt hingsout.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

i
m soexci t
edt hatLumiagr eedt ospendtheday
withme, ididn'tsleepyesterdayicouldn'
twai
tfor
todaybutifinallyslept.iwokeupi nthemorning
anddidmyhygi enepr ocessthenwor emyclothes
andeverythi
ng, it
ookmyschool bagandphone
thenheaddownst airs!ther
ewasnoonei nthe
housejustmealoneimadecer
ealformyselfand
ate.af
tereat
ingiputt
hebowlonthesinkthentook
mycarkeysandwentout.

whentheclockhit
s12iwasdonewi t
hmyclassso
ical
ledLumiitwentstr
aightt
ovoi
cemai
lbutit
ri
ed
agai
nsheanswer edthi
st i
me.
me:hiLumi.
Lumi:heyman,
areyougood?.
me:i
mfi
newena?(you).
Lumi:youknowme,
im al
waysgood.
shesoundsl
ikeshe'
sinagoodmood.
me:ar
ewest
il
lon?.
shechuckl
ed.
Lumi:yeah,
meetmeatBul
i'
scaf
e.
me:okay,
im comi
ng.
ihungupanddr
ovest
rai
ghttoBul
i'
scafe.iarr
ived
ther
eandwenti
nsi
deidon'
tseeheranywhere
maybeshe'sstil
lcomingsoisatdownont hechai
r
busywithmyphone, hersweetperfumehit
smy
nost
ril
silookedup!theresheissmili
ngatme
l
ookingallsort
sofBeauti
fulhol
dingaredrose.
Lumi:myt
urnt
ogi
veyouf
lower
s.
ibur
sti
ntol
aught
er,
shechuckl
ed.
me:hayboHlal
umi!f
lower
s?youcan'
tbeser
ious.
t
hankyouanyway.
shehandedmet
hef
lowerandsatdown.
me:t
hankyouf
oragr
eei
ngt
omeetme.
Lumi:i
tsal
lgood,
atl
eastyou'
reagoodcompanyi
won'
tbebored.
ichuckl
ed.
me:doyouevert
hinkbef
oreyousaysomet
hing?.
shej
ustshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
me:you'
rebeaut
if
ul.
shesmi
led.
Lumi:ngi
yabonga,
whatwoul
dyoul
iket
ohave
.
(Thankyou).
me:yourmother'
sfamousmuf
fi
nsandsomehot
chocol
atepl
ease.
shenodedandcal
ledsomeonet
otakeouror
der,
aft
erawhil
eouror
dercamebackwediggedin.
me:sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
udyaf
termat
ri
c?.
sheswal
lowedbef
oreanswer
ing.
Lumi:i
m goi
ngf
oropt
omet
ri
st.
shesayspr
oudl
y.
me:wowi
mimpr
essed,
beaut
ywi
thbr
ainsne!.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi:yeahyoucansay,
whataboutyou?whatar
e
youstudyi
ng?.
me:i
m doi
ngbusi
nessmanagement.
Lumi:youdon'
tsoundexci
ted,
youdon'
tli
kei
t?.
isi
ghed.
me:yeahidon'tl
ikei
t,growi
ngupialwayswant
ed
t
obedoctor!ialwaysthi
ngsthati
nvol
vesadoct
ors
butthenmydaddeci dedmyf
atebefor
eiwaseven
bornthatiwi
llst
udymanagementandtakeoverhi
s
l
egacywhenher eti
res.
shesighedandhol
dmyhands,
herhandsar
esmal
l
,softandverywar
m.
Lumi:i m sor
rytoheart hat,buthegotnorightto
destroyyourdream l i
kethat.butyou'
rest
il
lyoung
Zingcayoucanst i
llbeadoct ori
fyouwant, dr
eams
aremeantt obef ul
f i
ll
ed.
she'
snotonl
yrudeandf
iest
y,she'
sal
soasmar
t
ass.
me:you'
renotonl
ymean,
youal
soasmar
typant
s.
wel
aughed.
Lumi:mxm .
weconti
nuedtochatandlaughing,
alsome
st
eal
ingpict
uresofherandvideos.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.

iwasj ustonacal lwithSongezor ightnow, he's

tell
ingt ocheckI nst
agram anddoaxact l
yt hat.Yho
Instagr am isgoi ngallcrazysana!LJupl oadeda
pictureofhi shandhol dingLumi '
sBeaut i
fulhand.it
wasbeaut i
fulpicturethenanot heronei tlookedlike
they'reonBul i
'scafehl alumiwashol di
ngacup
closet oherf ace, shef acingdownsoican' tseeher
face, andhecapt i
onedi t"onadat ewitht heloveof
myl i
fe ".LJ' sf ansar egoingcr azyaboutt his
theywantt oknowwho' st hegirl.theycan'taccept
itthatt hey'
recr ushistakenbysomeonewho' snot
evenonsoci almedi a.theyl ookedcut etogether
though!ij ustwi shtheycoul ddat ebutmyBest
fr
iendisverystubbornbutthenicanseei nher
eyesthatshewant sLJbutshe'safrai
dofdr ama
andherf amil
y.Hlaluissomeonewhol ovesher
pri
vacy, shedoesn'
tli
keherthingstobeknownand
herdati
ngsomeonewho' salwaystrendingit
s
somethingdiff
icul
tforherbutthenloveislove
wethu!there'
snothingwecando, soicalledher.
Hl
alu:Beaut
if
ulone?.
ichuckl
ed.
me:Hl
alumiam inol
ongeryourbestf
ri
end?.
Hlal
u:hawuushukthinimanj
e?ofcour
seyou'
remy
bestfr
iend.(whatdoyoumean).
iscof
fed.
me:thenwhydi
dn'
tyout
ellmet
hatyou'
regoi
ngon
adat
ewi t
hLJ?.
shel
aughed.
Hl
alu:ohman!icompl
etel
yfor
got
tenl
ovei
m sor
ry.
me:no,
I'
m notaccept
ingyourapol
ogy.
Hl
alu:comeonmyGee,
im goi
ngt
obuypi
zzaf
or
you.
ismi
led.
me:okay,
im comi
ngovert
hen.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Hl
alu:youl
ovef
oodt
oomuch,
okayi
m wai
ti
ng.
ihungup,iworemyblackjeanwithahoodiethen
mysneakersit
iedmybraidsthentookmyphonei
wentout.myparent
sareatwor ksoijustl
ocked
thehouset
henwalkedtotheNkabindehousehold.

iarr
ivedthereandknocked,Sakhi
leopened!iused
tohaveacr ushonthi
sguybutI '
vegrownoutofit.
Hlal
u'sbrother
saresuchhandsomemot herf
uckers
special
lySandil
ebuthe'sol
d.
Sakhi
le:Omu.
me:heySakhi
le,
canicomei
n?.
Sakhi
le:yeahsur
e.
hemovedasi de,igoti
nandranst
rai
ghtt
oHlal
u's
room .igott
hereshewaslyi
ngonthebedbusy
wit
hherphonesmil
i
nglikearet
ardf
ool,
ishookmy
head.she'
sIl
ovebutshecan'
tseei
t.
me:mal
ovi
sto.
iki
ssedhercheek.
Hl
alu:heyl
over.
isatnextt
oher,
shet
urnedof
fherphoneandputi
t
aside.
me:mypi
zza?.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Hlal
u:iwasjoki
ngi
don'
thavei
t!iwant
edyout
o
comehere.
Igasp.
me:(sulki
ng)haybohlal
umi!didyouknowt hati
l
eftdi
shesunwashedathomeandi fVuyelwa
comeshomeandseet hosedishesi
m gonnabe
beat
enupbcsim wasrushingtothi
spizza.notto
menti
onthewalkihadtowalkfrom hometohere,
yougott
abekiddi
ngme.
shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
sheknowsi
mlyi
ngatsome
t
hings.
Hlal
u:(laughi
ng)yhoi
m ki
ddi
ngmnt
akaVeeyou
don'
thavetoli
e.
icli
ckedmytounge,
shetookthepi
zzaunderher
bigpil
lowandgavei
ttome.ismil
edwidel
y.i
peckedherli
ps.
me:t
hankyoul
ove.
shesmil
ed.iopeneditandt
ookasl
ice,
shet
ook
her
stoowejusteati
ng.
me:sot
ellmeever
ythi
ngkal
oku.
shesmi ledbefor
enarr
ati
ngEveryt
hing!shekeeps
blushingher eandther
e.she'ssoi
nlovebathongi
nevert houghtiwouldseetheday.Thehotheaded
HlalumiNkabi ndefal
li
nginl
ove?Lif
eis
unpr edictabl
e.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.
ihadanamazi ngt i
mewi t
hZingcayest erday, he'
s
suchagoodcompanyt obehonest!iwoul dn'
tmi nd
spendingt hedaywi thhim again,he'saf unper son
tobear oundwi th!hehasasenseofhumour,
smar tandverydedi cated.aguywhoknowswhat
hewant sisattractive, nottoment i
onthathe' s
cleanandhesmel l
sgood?nott oforgetthathecan
dance?yhoha. a.!yest erdayhespendsl otofhis
ti
mebei ngmyphot ographerhekeptst ealing
pictur
esofmeandvi deosandsmi l
edatme,
wheneverhesmi l
esatmeij ustfeelthingsonmy
bodyineverf eltbef oreidon'tknowwhat '
sgoingon
butwhat everitisfeelsver ygood.sonowi m here
withOmuathomet elli
ngherever yt
hingaboutour
date.
Omu:l
etmeshowyousomet
hing.
shehandedmeherphoneil ookedaroundit,it'
sa
pict
ur eofmyhandandZingca'
sholdingtogether.
suchabeautif
ulpict
ureandtheotheroneim
holdingacupcloset
omyf ace!thankGodt hatthey
can'tseemyface,ismil
ed.
Omu:you'
resoi
nloveHl
alu,
lookatt
hatsmi
le.
ihi
demyf
acewi
thmyhands.
me:noi
m not.
shechuckl
ed.
Omu:anywaysyouguysl
ookcut
etoget
her.
ismi
ledr
oll
ingmyeyes.
Omu:peopleonInst
agram ar
egoi
ngcrazyabout
t
hispi
ctures,t
heywanttoknowwho'
sthegir
lwho
t
ooktheircr
ush.
me:somepeopl
ear
ebor
edyaz.
Omu:t
ruet
hat
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTEREI
GHTEEN.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.

il
oveyou
Il
oveyou
Baby,
Iloveyou,
youar
emyl
if
e
Myhappi
estmoment
swer
en'
tcompl
etei
fyou
wer
en'
tbymyside
You'r
emyrel
ati
oninconnecti
ontothesunwi
thyou
nexttomet
here'
snodarknessican'
tover
come
youar
emyr
aindr
ops,
iam t
heseed
wit
hyouandGodwho'
ssunl
ightibl
oom andgr
ow
sobeaut
if
ull
y
Babyi
m sopr
oud,
proudt
obeyourgi
rl
Youmaket
heconf
usi
ongoal
lawayf
rom t
hiscol
d
andmi
xed-upwor
ld
Iam i
nlovewi
thyou
yousetmef
ree
Ican'
tdot
hist
hingcal
ledl
if
ewi
thoutyouher
ewi
th
me.

i
mi nZingca'scarwit
hhim sitt
ingi
ncomfortable
l
isteningtothissong,it
slikeheplayedi
tinpurpose
he'
st ryi
ngt otel
lmesomet hingsohesaidthrough
thi
ssong!hekeptst eal
ingglancesatmesmi li
ng.
i
ts5mi nutespastmidni
ghthecameher eand
askedmesneakoutbcshemi ssesmeandhe
want stoseeme, andIdidsneakout!onhisway
herehebr oughtpizzaandsomeduckedwi ngsf or
me.
Lwazi:(si
ngi
ng)causei
m danger
ousl
yinl
ovewi
th
you.
ismil
ed,hehasabeaut
if
ulvoi
cewi
thali
tt
lebi
tofa
bassyouknow!idi
dn'
tknowhecansi
ng.
me:(smi
li
ng)idi
dn'
tknowyoucansobeaut
if
ull
y.
hel
ookedawaytr
yingt
ostophi
mselff
rom showi
ng
methathe'
sbl
ushi
ng,ncoobat
hong.
me:(l
aughi
ng)Zi
ngcaar
eyoubl
ushi
ng?.
Lwazi:(smi
li
ng)hayhayHl
alumi!.
(No,
no).
igi
ggl
ed.
me:you'
resocut
eri
ghtnow.
her
oll
edhi
seyessmi
li
ng.
Lwazi:iknow.
ar
rogantmuch.
Lwazi:caniki
ssyou?.
heaskedwithasof
tvoi
ce,ishookmyheadimean
ineveraboybef
ore.hi
sfacedroppedhel
ooked
cute.
l
wazi:why?.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat,
im goi
ngt
oembar
rassmysel
f
her
e.
me:i
..
ineverki
ssedsomeonebef
ore.
hi
smout
hhangopen.
Lwazi:what?
inoded.
Lwazi:soyou'
reavi
rgi
n?andyouneverdat
ed
bef
ore?.
me:yes.
Lwazi:hol
ycr
ap.
igi
ggl
ed,
he'
sst
il
lshocked.
Lwazi:okayt
hen,
yougoi
ngt
ofol
lowmyl
eadne?.
inoded.hel i
ckedhi sl
ipsandbr oughthisf ace
closert omi ne!iclosedmyeyesasif eelhiswarm
breat hfanningmyf ace.hissoftlipsbrushed
agai nstmineandheevent ual
lykissedme.i
foll
owedhi sleadandiMustsayt hisi
sgr eat,t
he
wayhewassucki ngmyl owerli
pmademyst omach
inknot sifeltgoosebumpsal lovermybody, he
pulledoutl eavingmebr eathi
ngheavilyandpant i
ng.
heki ssedmyf oreheadandhuggedme.
Lwazi:iloveyouHlalumi,iknowi t
'stoosoonbuti
can'thel
pit.beingwithyour i
ghtherefeel
sgood
andr i
ghtit
sli
keibelongher ewithyou!youmake
mef eelt
hingsineverfel
twithothergirl
s.you'r
e
yourownper son!youchallengemesomet hi
ng
othergir
lsneverhadthegut stodo.you'renot
afrai
dtot el
lmeshi t,you'
resmar t,Beauti
ful,fi
esty
,youst andyourgr oundinwhatyoubel ievein.you
speakyourmi ndandt hat
'swhatmakesmef all
deeperinlovewi t
hyouLumi you'r
eeverythi
ngt hati
need.forgotaboutt heint
ernetthatalwayscauses
dramajustf ocusatwhatyouf eelandbehappy, i
f
youalwayscar edaboutwhatpeopl ethi
nkyouwi l
l
neverbehappymyl ovesopleasecanyoupl ease
bemi neLumi?.
hisvoi
cewasverysoft,sosoothi
ng!ievenfi
nd
myselfi
ntear
sireal
lylovehi
m butim scar
edofmy
famil
yift
heyfi
ndoutaboutthis.
Lwazi:pl
easel
ookatmeLumi.
irai
sedmyheadandl
ookedathi
m, hecuppedmy
facewit
hhi
shandsbot
h.hepeckedmywetl i
ps.
Lwazi:Lumil i
sten,iknowyou'rescar edofthisbcs
you'renewinitandyout hinkiwil
lsomehowiwi ll
breakyourheart.Hlalumiim notperfectiwillmake
mi st
akesasaper sonbutiwon' ti
ntentional
lyhurt
youIl oveyoutoomucht odothatandIknowyou' r
e
alsoscaredofyourpar entssodoispeci all
ythat
Sandiledudebcsihaven'
tseenyourdadbuttheni
tookar i
skandapproachedyoueventhoughiknew
thatyourbrot
herdoesn'
twantanyboyaroundyou
sowhenIsayIl oveyoubeli
evemebcsido.
isi
ghed.
me:Lwazi ngcaihearyouver ycl earandappreciate
yourhonestyverymuch, asyouknowt hatim new
tothisIneverdatedbefor
ebutt heni m notafr
aidof
heartbr
eakmnabcsndakuqhekezaunyeonceyou
tr
yt obreakmyhear t,al
lim sayingisim givi
ngusa
chancet oexplor
ewhatwef eelforeachot herunt i
l
weseewher eitt
akesusokay, mnaiknownot hing
aboutrelat
ionshi
pssoyouwi l
lgui dememos?. (i
wil
lfuckyouup).
henodedsmil
ing,hegavemeami
ndbl
owi
ngki
ss
agai
nthenpul
ledout.
Lwazi:t
hankyouver
ymuch,
Mankabi
nde,
you
won'
tregreti
t.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:ihopeso.
hetakesoutt
hepi
zzaweatei
twhi
lstshar
ingi
t,he
pl
ayedmusicenj
oyi
ngeachot
her
'scompany.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERNI
NETEEN.

(Shor
t)

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

"What?ohmywor dhlal
u. "saysOmuscr eaming
herlungsout,causingpupilstolookatuslikewe'
re
crazy.ihi
thershoulderplayfull
y!ijustt
oldabout
meagr eei
ngtobeZi ngca'
sGi rl
fri
endandhowwe
spendournightyester
day, iwentbackhome
around3am inthemor ningbcsweeventuall
ysl
ept
i
nt hecarwhil
etalki
ngandl aughi
ngwhi l
stpl
ayi
ng
somemusi c.itwasact ual
lyni
ceienjoyedmyti
me
withhi
m.
me:don'
tmakenoi
seOmuhl
e.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omu:what ever,
im sohappyforyoumygee.
you'
redat
ingnowican'tbeli
eveit.
shehuggedme,
she'
sreal
lyexci
tedshecan'
thi
de
i
t.
me:im happyt
oo, iknownot
hingabout
r
elat
ionshi
psbutiwilll
ear
nastimegoes.
Omu:andim alsoher
e,iwi
llgi
veyousome
advi
cesyouknow.
ismi
lednoddi
ng.
Omu:sodi
dn'
tanyonesawyousneaki
ngout?.
ishookmyhead.
Omu:howdi
dyouevengotout?.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:iusedt
hewi
ndowonmyr
oom t
osneakout.
shel
aughedshaki
ngherhead.
Omu:(laughi
ng)you'
resuchapr
ofessi
onalf
ora
st
art
er!
me:il
ear
ntf
rom t
hebest.
wel
aughed.
Omu:di
dyouguyski
ssed?.
inodedshyl
y,shesmi
ledwi
denl
y.
Omu:(smi
li
ng)ohmyi
nnocentf
ri
end!howwasi
t?
.
ismi
ledj
ustbyt
hinki
ngaboutt
heki
sswehad.
me:(blushi
ng)ohmygeei twasheavenonEarth,
sobeauti
ful
lyandt
ender!hi
sli
psaresosoftand
warm youknowwhatimean.ican'
tbeli
eveiki
ssed
aboy.
Omu:(smi
li
ng)ohwl
ookatyousoi
nloveandshi
t!
.
il
aughedhi
dingmyf
acewi
thmyhands.
me:shutupOmu!.
wel
aughedandheadt
othecl
assr
oom .

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

ican'
tbelieveiFinal l
ygott hegi rlalwayswant ed!i
feell
ikedanci ngyouknowt ell
ingt hewhol ewor ld
thati
mi nlovewi t
ht hisgirlbutihavet or especther
bcsshedoesn' tr
eallylikeinternet.af terthehar d
ti
meshegavemeshe' sf i
nal l
ymi ne.thewayif eel
ri
ghtnowi tsoutoft hi
swor ld.i twasni cehavi ng
heronmyar msl astni ght,kissingher!pl ayi
ngwi th
herhair.tell
inghert hatiloveheri twasj ustoutof
thi
swor ld,thatgirlmakesmehappywi thoutdoi ng
muchj ustherbymysi deal li
swel l,shechal lenges
meever yday.maki ngmet of alldeeperi nlovewi th
herevenmor eand. .
Songz:bawo?.(br
o).
me:mhh?.
Songz:uci
ngaphi?.
(whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout).
ichuckl
ed.
me:not
hing.
songz:i
t'
sHl
alumii
sn'
tit?.
ismi
ledandnoded.
me:she'
sfi
nal
lymi
nenow.
hewhi
stl
ed.
Songz:fi
nal
lyyho!t
hisgi
rlknowshowt
opl
ayhar
d
togetr
haaa.
il
aughed.
me:butt
heni
tsal
lwor
thi
tmyni
gga.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERTWENTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

iwasinthecafet
eri
awi ththeGents,ourclasses
wereoversowe'rejustspendingti
met ogetherbcs
it
sbeenawhi l
esincewedonet hatbcsofour
schoolworkofcourseandt heyweretalki
ngabout
gir
lsasalways.
Athi:bawoihear
dthatyou'
redat
ingt
hatHl
alumi
chicknow.
ichuckl
ed.
me:ewebawo.(Yeahbr
o).
t
heywhi
stl
ed.
Liyabona:youwentaft
erherevent
houghyouknew
thatshe'
sSandil
e'
ssist
er?hayunesbi
ndimfet
hu
.(you'r
ebravebro)
wel
aughed.
me:iloveHlal
umievent
houghherbr
other
i
nti
midatesmebutiwon'
tgi
veupHlal
ubcsoft
hat.
Andi
le:al
lim sayi
ngi
sthatyou'
rewhi
ppeddawg.
wel
aughed.
At
hi:ineedsomeadvi
cebr
os.
Andi
le:we'
real
lear
s?.
Athi:umht here'sthi
sgirlher eatcampusshe's
doingfir
styeari nmyclass, she'
sveryintel
li
gent
andBeaut ifulbutnotmyt ypeofbeaut yyouknow
meil i
ket hem wi ld.soyester dayshecamet ome
tol
dmet hatshehasacr ushonme(si gh)itoldher
thatidon'tdol oveijustsmashandpassbcsl ove
fuckedmeupr ealbad.andt henallofthesudden
umedywakhal asoidon' tknowhowt otel
lherbcsi
don'twantt obr eakherhear tyouknow.
wenoded.
me:li
stenbroyouremembermosiwaswi t
h
Asemahle.iwasnotinl
ovewit
hherijustl
oved
bei
ngwithherandcaredaboutherandherfeel
ings
eventhoughiwasnotevent hereyetbutIwas
considerateaboutherf eelingsdoyougetwhati m
tryi
ngt osay?sobr eakingupwi thherdi dn'teven
hurtiwasj ustwor r
iedaboutherwel lbei
ng.
Asemahl ecausedmeheadacheaccusi ngmeof
cheatingevent houghshegoti ntother elati
onship
eyazibaI '
m busyper soni fim notatschooli m at
theclubsobr eakingupwi thherwaski ndahar dbcs
iknowshe' sasensi ti
veper sonandacr ybabybuti
diditnonethelessbcsi twasn'tfeelingr i
ghtfor
stri
ngingheral oneandpl ayingwi t
hherf eeli
ngs
whileknowi ngthatim noti nl
ovewi thher, soAt hi
bawowhati mt ryi
ngt osayi sjusttellherthetruth
sothatshecangetovert hisstupidcr ushshehas
overyouandmoveonwi t
hherl if
et hat'
sal li
m
saying.
hesi
ghed.
At
hi:enkosibawo.
(thankyoubr
o).
Liyabona:yeahbr
o, LJi
srightjusttel
lherthe
thrut
hQhauzobar i
ghtbabygirl.(babygir
lisgoi
ng
tobef i
ne).
wecontinuedt
ochataboutcer
tai
nthings,
ijust
excusedmysel
fandcall
edmygi r
lf
ri
end.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

iwasatmymot her'
scaf ehelpi
ngher,wheni m
boredilovecomingher etohelpherwithi
tbut
todayshef or
cedmeevent houghiwasnoti nthe
moodbutt henthisismymot herwe'
retal
kingabout
youcan'tsaynot oher.soiwaspacki ngmuf f
in
andcakesont heirshel
fswi t
hthehelpofWendymy
mot her
'sassi
stanthere.myphoner angitsZingcai
smiledandanswer ed.
me:Jol
a?.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:Nganenhl
e,howar
eyou?.
me:i
mfi
net
hanks,
howar
eyou?.
Lwazi:i
m Good,
imi
ssyou.
Lwazi:Imi
ssyout
oomyl
ove,
caniseeyou?.
me:now?.
Lwazi:yesi
fyou'
renotbusy.
me:i
m act
ual
lybusyr
ightnow,
howaboutl
ater?.
hekeptqui
etf
orawhi
le.
Lwazi:umhiwi
llseewhaticando,
iloveyou.
ismi
led.
me:il
oveyout
oo,
bye.
ihungupandputmyphoneont opofthecounter,
whileiwassti
llpacki
ngagroupofgi
rl
slookedlike
they'
revar
sit
ygirlsgoti
n,t
heycamest r
aightt
ome.
me:hi,
howcanihel
pyou?.
oneofthegi
rl
sgaspt
heyal
ll
ookedatheraski
ng
herwhat'
swrong.
"thi
sist
hegir
lwho'sdat
ingourLJ?"
.shesaysal
l
ther
egir
lsl
ookedatme,ohJesusChri
st!t
hisi
s
whatIwasavoidi
ng.
"What?.
"theyal
lsai
dthatatt
hesamet
ime.
"LJreal
lydowngr
adedhere!whywoul
dhedat
ea
wait
ressfr
om acoff
eeshop?."
"whatdi
dheevenseei
nher?shedoesn'
teven
appl
ymakeupshe'
sjustpl
ainJane".
"LJr
eal
lyl
eftmef
ort
his?wow".
theywer
etalki
ngli
keI'
m nother
e,idon'tevencar
e
aboutt
hem idon'
tevenknowthem ontopofthat.
me:hel
lo?ar
eyouguysbuyi
ngorwhat?.
oneoft
hem cl
ickedhert
ounge.
"She'
salsorudenx!"shesayswalki
ngout.t
hey
al
lwalkedoutonl
yonegirlr
emainbehind.
"don'tmindt
hem ,
they'
rej
ustbi
tt
erbcsLJdumped
thei
rfri
end."
inoded.
me:don'
tworrysweethear
tidon'
tevengivea
damnaboutt
hem ,areyougoingtoordertoo?.
sheshookherhead.
me:okayhaveni
ceday.
iwal
kedt
othest
orer
oom .
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

l
ateronmymom &il ockedthecoff
eeshopand
wenthome, wear r
ivedther
edadandSakhi l
ewe'r
e
cooking.mom lookedateachothershockedbcs
theseguysnevercookediwonderwhat '
ssospeci
al
today.
mom :t
hisi
sasupr
ice.
me:asupr
icei
ndeed.
t
heychuckl
ed.dadki
ssedmom t
henki
ssedmy
f
orehead.
Sakhi
le:l
adi
esyoumayt
akeyouseat
s.
heledustot
hedini
ngtabl
eheopenedt hechai
rs
forusandwesatdown!weweresti
llshockedby
thi
s.
Sakhi
le:canibr
ingyour
efr
eshment
ssol
ong?.
wenoded.
Sakhi
le:whatwoul
dyoul
iket
ohave?Cof
fee?
Water?Jui
ce?.
igi
ggl
ed.
mom :iwi
llcof
feepl
ease.
me:appl
ejui
cef
orme.
henodedanddisappear
edt
otheki
tchen,
mom &i
bur
stint
olaught
er.
me:what
'
shappeni
ngwi
tht
hem ?ar
etheyal
ri
ght?
.
Mom :(l
aughi
ng)idon'
tevenknow.
Sakhil
ecamebackwi ththeref
reshmentsand
snacks!Mnkwet hankedhim andatethesnacks.
aft
erawhiledi
nnerwasr eadytheyfi
xedthetable
anddishedupforeveryone.mom saidgracethen
wediggedin.dadclearedhisthr
oatwealllooked
athim.
Dad:Ndlovukaziyam naweNkosazanayami ,i
knowthi
scomesasashockert oyoubcswenever
cookedf
oryouguysbutt odaywedecidedtodoso
bcsweknewt hatyouwil
lcomebackt i
reff
rom t
he
cafe.wejustwant edt
odot hissmal
lthi
ngjustt
o
showyout hatweappreciatehavi
ngtwowonderful
womeninourl ives,weloveyouguys.
mom andIwi pedourtearsi m soemoti
onalbcsi
di
dn'tevenexpectt
hisatal l,youknowmenl i
ket
his
ar
ef orkeepssana.Dadki ssedmom' shand,mom
bl
ewki ssesonhim !wearej ustsit
ti
nghere
watchingthi
sromancelive.
me:wow,thankyouguyswedi
dn'
tevenexpect
t
his.wel
oveyoutoo.
Sakhi
le:okayenoughwiththi
sromancet
hing,
ngi
lambil
emi na.
(im hungr
y)
welaughedandcont i
nueeat ing.Af
terwedone
eati
ngDadandSandi leclearedthet
ableand
washedthedisheswhi l
emom andiwentt ofreshen
up.igottomyr oom andst r
ippednakedthengot
insi
detheshower!aftershower i
ngilot
ionedand
woremywar m pyjamast hensatontopoft hebed.
ical
ledOmu.
Omu:Hl
alul
u!.
she'
sbubbl
yasal
ways.
me:Beaut
if
ulone,
unj
ani?.
(how'
syou)
Omu:i
m goodl
ove,
wena?.
(You)
me:i
m okay,
guesswhathappenedt
oday?.
Omu:youhadsex?.
il
aughed.
me:euwno!somevarsi
tygi
rl
scametot
hecof
fee
shopt
odayandt
heycauseddrama.
Omu:whatdi
dtheydo.
it
oldherever
ythi
ngt
hathappenedandwhatt
he
gi
rl
ssaid.
Omu:mxm ihopeyout
oldt
hem wher
etogetof
f!.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:nodi
dn't!idon'
thaveti
mef orbor
edbitches
mnawhogoesar oundconf
ront
ingpeopleabout
t
hei
rboyf
ri
ends.
wel
aughed.
Omu:you'
rer
ightbutst
il
l.
anot
hercal
lcamet
hrough.
me:umhloverther
e'sanot
hercal
lcomi
ngt
hrough,
seeyout
omorrowi l
oveyou.
ihungupandanswer
edZi
ngca'
scal
l.
me:heyyou.
Lwazi:nganenhl
e,im onmywayt
her
e.shoul
di
br
ingyousomet hi
ng?.
me:j
ustbr
ingmeanyt
hing.
Lwazi:okayiwi
llt
ellyouwheni
mther
e,il
oveyou.
ismi
led.
me:il
oveyout
oo.
hehungup, iquickl
yrandownstair
stoseei fmy
parent
sar easleep, whenigott
heretheli
ghtswere
offwhichmeanst heyasl
eepiheadbackt omy
room towaitforZingcatosayhe'shere.iti
edmy
dreadl
ocksandwor emydoekt henappli
edvasel
ine
onmyl ips.myphonebeempedi tsatextfrom
Zingcaitsays;

'
yourpr
incechar
mingi
sher
emyl
ady,
comeout.
'

igrabbedmyphoneandwor emysleepersthen
headdownst ai
rs,it
ipt
oedt othedoorandopen
sl
owl ythenwalkedout.iopenedthegat eand
walkedt owar
dsZingcapolovivocariopenedthe
doorandgoti n.wesmi l
edateachot her.
Lwazi:Nganenhl
e.
hehuggedme,
hesmel
lsni
ce.
me:heyboo.
Lwazi:umhlenakwipyj
amas.(you'
rebeaut
if
ul
eveninpyj
amas).
igi
ggl
ed.
me:ngi
yabongaJol
a.(ThankyouJol
a).
Lwazi:iboughtyousomet
hing.
Hetakessomethingf
rom thebackseatandhands
tome.it'
saplasti
cbagfrom Sparilookedi
nsidehe
boughtmeicecream andRomanbi scuit
sipecked
hissof
tli
ps.
me:t
hankyoubaby.
Lwazi:youwel
comeMankabi
nde.
heheldmyneckandbr ingmyf aceclosertohisand
ki
ssedmesl owlyandpassionate,hewassucki ng
myl owerl
ipfordearl
if
e.iwassoenj oyingthekiss
ievenfoundmyselfmoaning!hesneakedhi shand
undermypyjamat opandhiscoldhandt ouchedmy
warm boob.
Lwazi:f
uck!
!
hecur
seswhilemassagi
ngmyboob.iwrappedmy
ar
msar oundhi
sneckwhil
stmyot
herhandis
pl
ayi
ngwi
thhishairhegr
oanedandpull
edout
l
eavi
ngmebreat
hingheavi
lyandpant
ing.he
smil
ed
Lwazi:nowiwi
llsl
eeppeacef
ull
yknowi
ngt
hati
sawyou.
ismiled,hepeckedmyl i
psandtookouttheice
cream wit
ht woplast
icspoonsthenatetheice
cream .heplayedmusi c.somelovesongslike
Mar i
o-loveisintheairwhil
ewehavingsome
conversati
ons.

me:yaztodayatt
hecoffee,somevarsi
tygirl
s
camether
e!theywereshockedtoseemet here
werel
ike't
hisi
sthegir
lwho'sdati
ngourLJ' .
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:soi
mthei
rLJnow?.
inoded.
me:(l
aughing)t
heyevent houghti
m awaitr
ess
t
here,
theywerel
ike'
LJr eall
ydowngradedhere,
whywouldhedat
eawai t
ress' andot
herssai
d'
she'
snotevent
hatpr
ett
y'iwasl
ikeYhosana.
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:hayboser
ious?.
inoded.heki
ssedmyhand.
Lwazi:don'
tmi
ndt
hem sweet
hear
t.

wekeptchatt
ingandlaughingwhilstsi
ngi
ngalong
tothemusict
hatwaspl ayi
ngunt i
lmyfavour
it
e
songplayed,
itst
hinki
ngoutl oudbyEdSheeran.
Lwazi:(si
ngi
ng)whenyourl
egsdon'
twor
kli
ke
theyusedt
obefor
e
Andican'
tsweepof
fyourf
eet
Wi
llyourmout
hremembert
het
ast
eofmyl
ove
Wil
lyoureyessti
llsmilef
rom yourcheeksand
dar
li
ngi,will,
bel ovi
ngyouti
llwe'r
e70
Andbaby,
myhear
t,coul
dst
il
lfal
lashar
dat23.
me:(singi
ng)andimthinki
ngabout,
howpeopl
e
f
alli
nlovei
nmyster
iousways
Maybej
ustt
het
ouchofahand
Wel
lmeif
alli
nlovewi
thyouever
ysi
ngl
eday
Andij
ustwannat
ellyouiam
Sohoneynow
Takemei
ntoyourl
ovi
ngar
ms
Ki
ssmeundert
hel
i
ghtofat
housandst
ars
Pl
aceyourheadonmybeat
inghear
t
I
'
mthi
nki
ngoutl
oud
Maybewef
oundl
ovewher
ewear
e.

wegi
ggl
edt
henki
ssed.
Lwazi:Il
oveyou.
me:Il
oveyout
oo.

west
ayedi
nthecarunt
ilt
het
imewas11pm .
me:booihavet
ogonow,
bye.
Lwazi:okayst
handwaSam ,
bye.
wehuggedandki ssedthenigotout,iwal
ked
towardsthegat
eiwavedathi m andheadinsi
de.i
openedthedoorandt ipt
oedtothestai
rswheni
wasaboutt ot
akeaf i
rststai
rthel
ight
swenton.
"Uvel
aphihl
alumi?.
"
Ohmy.
..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
37] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

ist
oppedonmytracks,
iswearial
mostpeedon
mysel
f.myhear
twasbeati
ngwayf asticoul
d
l
it
erall
yheari tf
rom myear s!iwasevensweat
ing!
whythemom i ssti
llupatthi
sti
me?Damnyou
Zi
ngca, islowlytur
nedmom washol dingabot
tleof
waterstandingbythef r
idge.
Mom :iaskedyouaquest
ionHl
alumi.
iCl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
me:ma?.
Mom :di
dist
utt
er?.
ishookmyhead.
me:no.
Mom :soanswermyquesti
on,uvel
aphingel
ixesha?
.(we'
reyoucomingf
rom att
hist
ime)
me:i
..
iumh-
whyam ievenst
utt
eri
ng?i
m doomed.
mom :shoul
dical
lyourdad?.
Ohnoshecan'
t!
me:nononomom t
her
e'snoneedf
ort
hat.
Mom :t
hent
alk.
iswal
lowedhar
d,shesatdownont
hebarst
ool.
me:umhmom pl
easepr
omi
semet
hatyouwon'
t
bemad?.
shescof
fed.
mom :i
twi
lldepend,
comeandsi
ther
e.
iwalkedt
owar
dsherandsatdownont
hechai
rnext
toher.
Mom :Hl
alumiar
eyoudat
ing?.
isl
owlynodedwhilel
ooki
ngdown,
idon'
twanna
seeherf
acerightnow.
Mom :hl
alu.
me:ma?
Mom :whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
okay,whyi
sshesocal
m ?i
lookedather.she'
s
smil
ing.
me:iwasscar
edithoughtyouwer
egoi
ngt
oshout
atmeorsomet
hing.
shechuckl
edshaki
ngherhead.
Mom :l i
stenmybaby, iwoul dnevershoutatyou
mnabcsI '
vebeent here,donet hatunt ilimarried.
sodat i
ngi snotabi gdeal, almostever yteenager
outthereisdat ingsomeshout i
ngatyouf ort
hat
willbethewast eofti
mebcsi t'
snotl ikewhenisay
stayawayf r
om t hatboyyou' r
egoingt odot hatbcs
iknowyouwi l
lnot.butt hensthandwai fyouand
yourboyfriendar ereachingast agewher ehewi l
l
wantt osleepwi thyout alktomef irstbcsyouknow
therulesoft hisfamilyne?youhavet or each21
yearsstil
lavi rginbutifhewon' twai tforthatleave
him he'snotf oryoumybaby!don' teverhi de
anythingfrom meneh?.
inoded, honest
lyididn'
texpectt
hisfr
om mom i
thoughtshewasgoi ngtoshoutorevenbeatmeup
butshedi dtheopposit
eimustsayi m supr
iced.
Mom :(laughi
ng)ican'
tbel
ievemybabyi sdati
ng!
yourf
atherwil
ltot
all
yfr
eakoutifhefi
ndoutabout
thi
swhichmeansyouhavet obecarefulwi
ththi
s
boyofyours.
me:pl
easedon'
ttel
lDad.
shesmi
led.
Mom :iwon'
tsweet
hear
t,yoursecr
eti
ssaf
ewi
th
me.sowhat'
shisname.
igi
ggl
edhi
dingmyf
acewi
thmyhands.
Mom :mmhlookatyou!you'
resosmitt
enionl
y
askedhi
snamebutyoualr
eadyblushi
nghay
Hlal
umi.
shesai
dlaughi
ng.
me:mom st
opi
t.hi
snamei
sLwazi
ngcaJol
a.
Mom :Jol
a?hossur
namesoundf
ami
li
art
hough.
inoded.
Mom :anywaysGoodni
ghtbaby,
greetyour
boyf
ri
endforme.
sheki
ssedmycheekandwal
kedaway.
Si
gh.
t
hatwentprett
ywell,ij
umpedoffthechairandr
an
t
omyr oom !igotUndercover
sandslept
i
mmediatel
y.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

i
fsomeonewoul d'vetol dmet hatatthi
st i
mei
wouldbedat ingahi ghschoolki diwoul d'
ve
l
aughedatt hem bcsI 'vedat edvar si
tygirl
st hemost
butifelli
nlovewi tha17yearol dandbehappywi th
heratthat.ir eallyloveHl alumisomuchshemakes
mef eelhappyandal i
vet hingsthatmyex-
gi
rlfr
iendsf ail
edt odowhent heywer ewi t
hmebut
Lumidoesi twithoutevent ryi
ng, shejustflashes
herBeaut i
fulsmi leandi tsdone.soaf terwespend
ourbeaut i
fulmomenti nthecariwenthome!i
parkedmycaront heDr i
vewayandheadi nside.
ki
tchenl i
ght swer eonsoiwentt here,Zukowas
si
tti
ngont hebarst oolsmi l
ingonhi sphone.
me:br
o.
hej
umpedspi
li
ngwat
eral
loverhi
sphone.
Zuko:f
uck!
!!
il
aughed.
me:sor
ryman,idi
dn'
tmeantoscar
eyou!Who'
s
maki
ngyousmi
leli
ket
hat?.
hechuckl
ed.
Zuko:noneofyourbusi
ness,
wai
t..wher
ear
eyou
fr
om att
hist
ime?.
me:f
rom mygi
rl
fr
iend.
Zuko:okay.
itookawaterbot
tl
efr
om t
hef
ri
dgeandr
anupst
air
s
tomyr oom .

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
38] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
HLALUMI
.

thefoll
owingmor ningiwokeupear l
ysi ncei
couldn'
tsleeplastnight,idi
dmybedandopenmy
curtai
nsthenheadt ot hebat
hroom iri
nsedmyf ace
andwashedmymout h.iworemysl eepersgown
thenheaddownst airs!igotther
emom was
prepari
ngbr eakf
astikissedhercheek.
me:heyma.
shesmi
led.
Mom :mor
ningMr
sJol
a,howdi
dyousl
eep?.
igaveadeat
hst
are.
me:Ma!
shegi
ggl
ed.
me:isl
eptwel
l,howdi
dyousl
eep?.
Mom :isl
eptwel
l,you'
reupear
lyt
odaywassup?.
me:icoul
dn'
tsl
eep.
shenoded.
Mom :hel
pmeher
e,wi
pet
hosepl
atesandgl
asses.
me:okay.

afterim donesett
ingthetablewit
hmom ir ushedto
myr oom soicoul
dgetr eady,iquickl
yshower ed
andwor emyuniform .iti
edmydr eadlocksand
puf f
edmyper fumet henappli
edmyl i
pglossi
grabbedmybackpackandphonet henwent
downst air
s.thefami l
ywasal r
eadyseateddown.
me:sani
bonani.
(Gr
eet
ings).
t
heygreet
edback,
isatdownanddi
shedupf
or
mysel
fanddi
ggedin.
Dad:hl
alul
uyou'
rehappyt
hesedays,
what
'sgoi
ng
on?.
imental
lyr
oll
edmyeyesandshr
uggedmy
shoul
ders.
Mom :yeahinot
iced,
she'
snol
ongert
hatmoody
Hl
alumi.
Ilookedatmom !suchatrai
tor,ideci
dedtoignore
them andeatmybreakf
ast.afteri
m doneitookmy
backpackandbidgoodbyestothem thenwalked
outtoschool.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

OMUHLE.

l
ifeasbeengoodasf arasiknow, academi call
y
everythingisgoinggr eatevenmyr elat
ionshipwi t
h
Songezoi sgoingwellactuall
y.youknowIgoti nt
o
thi
sr elati
onshipuncer t
ainabouteverythi
ngimean
datingacel ebri
tyisnotawal kinthepar kspeciall
y
whenyourmani swantedbymanypeopl emor e
beaut i
fulgir
lsfrom varsi
tymnaI mj ustahigh
schoolki d.ithoughthewasgoi ngt obet i
redofme
realquickbutt henhepr ovedmewr ongorisi tt
oo
soont osay?.
si
gh.
butidoubtheseem cer tai
nandver ysincer eabout
usimeant hinkabouti twhywoul dawel lknowndj
l
ikeSongzr anar oundf oramer ehighschoolgi rl
l
ikemel eavingrichBeaut if
ulgirl
sinvarsity?it
meansal ottome, anywaysThi supcomi ng
weekendSongezoaskedmet otel
lHlal
ut hatwe're
doingadoubl edateascoupl esnowbcst helast
doubledatewehadHl alumiwasn'tawarewewer e
j
ustplayingmat chmaki ngyouknow. ..
.im brought
backtoear t
hbyHl al
umiseat ingnexttome.
hl
alu:l
over.
me:babe,
you'
resobeaut
if
ulandgl
owi
ng!bi
gups
t
oLJ.
shegiggl
ed,hayshe'
sreal
lyglowi
ngsanaand
she'
shappyandcarefr
eethesedaysshe'
sno
l
ongerthatmoodyHlal
umianymore,ithi
nkil
ove
thi
snewher.
Hlal
u:getoutofher
e!youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oo,
Songzi
streati
ngyougood.
ibl
ushed,
shel
aughed.
Hl
alu:(l
aughi
ng)yougoti
tbadgi
rl!.
me:what
ever.
Hlal
u:geeyouwon'
tbel
ievewhathappened
yest
erday,
ohwican'
tbeli
evei
t.
t
hecur
iousmei
simpat
ient.
me:t
alk,
whathappened.
shel
aughedandst
artnar
rat
ingwhathappened.
me:what?shutthef
rontdoor!t
hatdoesn'
tsound
l
ikeyourmom .
shechuckl
edshooki
ngherhead.
Hlal
u:ithoughtshewasgoingtoshoutatmeor
evenworsebutshedisappoi
ntedmeanddidthe
opposi
te.
me:wow,iwishVuyicanbet
hatunder
standi
ng
bcswowsana!.
wel aughed,mymom won'tevenletmefini
sh
utteri
ngawordboyfri
endt
oherevenwor semydad.
thoseparent
sofmineactsli
ketheyneverbeen
teenagerori
nlove.
Hl
alu:youhavet
otesthersomeday,
justaskher
whatwi l
lshedoi
fshefoundoutthatyouhavea
boyfr
iendthenwai
tforherr
eacti
on,butdothat
whenshe' si
nagoodmoodt houghwedon'twant
Vuyelwatogogunblazzi
ngonyounowdowe?.
me:ohhel
lno!anywaysthi
scomingSat
urdaywe
havi
ngadoubl
edate,ar
eyoukeen?.
shet
houghtf
orawhi
le.
Hlal
u:ifmom won'
taskmet
ohel
pheratt
hecof
fee
shoptheni
m keen.
me:okaycool,
letLJknow.
Hl
alu:sho.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"Okay,that
'sact
uall
yagreati
dea".Isayto
Songezo,hewast el
li
ngmeaboutthi
sdoubledat
e
wehavingonSaturday.wewereathi
scribhavi
ng
beer
saf
terani
ntenset
estwehad.
me:soAt
hidi
dyout
alkt
othatgi
rl?.
henoded.
Athi:yeahbutshewasal
it
tl
ebi
tdi
sappoi
ntedbut
sheunderstood.
Li
yabona:l
ovei
sfuckedup!.
wechuckl
ed.
Athi:yaneh,that'
swhyi m smashingandpassi
don'twantanyfeel
ingsinbetweenbcsthelastt
ime
ifel
linl
ovethegir
lplayedwithmyloveandthrewit
backatmyf ace!Leavingmeal lbr
okenandshit.
yeahAt hiwasdati
nganot herchickcall
edZinhl
e,
theywer einl
oveandlookedgoodt oget
her.my
brotherwassohappyandshi twiththatchi
ck,a
l
itt
ledi dweknewt hatZinhlewassentt oluresome
i
nf ormat i
onabouthisdadsot hathecanget
arrestedsheneverlovedhi m .whenhef oundout
hewassobr okeneversi
ncet hatheneverlovedany
girlaft
er.
me:
butr
emembert
hatnotal
lgi
rl
sar
eli
keZi
nhl
e.
don'
tgi
veuponlovebr
oyou'
resti
llyoung.youst
il
l
gonnameetsomeonewhowi
llhumbleyou.
hechuckl
ed.
Athi:j
ustli
kehowyouwer ehumbledbyHlal
umi!
rhaaaubethwengePant
yebusweni wena
ngulamntana.
(you'
resoinlove)
.
wel
aughed.
me:voet
sekbr
o!.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
38] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.
sot odaywe' regoingt ot hedoubl edateatt he
restaurantdownt own, l
ucklymom di dn'twantgo
tothecof f
eeshopt odaysoi tsf r
eet i
mef ormet o
go, soiwokeupar ound11am i nthemor ni
ngand
shower edt henwor emymi nitightdress, sneaker s
thenmyj eanj acket.iletmydr eadlocksl ooset hen
putonmybuckethatandsomeear ri
ngs!iappl ied
myl ipglossandper fumet hengr abbedmysl i
ngbag
andPhonet henheaddownst airs.igott herethe
whol efami l
ywassi tti
ngont hel ivi
ngr oom chat ting
aboutwhat everigreet edthenpassedt henwal king
totheki tchenimadecer ealformysel fandat e.
aftereatingir i
nsedt hebowlt henwentt ot heliving
room .
Dad:wamuhl
ekanj
e,uyaphi?.
(you'
resobeaut
if
ul
,wher
eareyougoi
ng).
ismi
led.
me:t
hankyouDaddy,im goi
ngt
othemal
lwi
th
Omu.Sakhi
lecanyoudropmeoff?.
Mom l
ookedatmeandwinked,
Sakhil
estoodup
andt
ookhiscarkeyst
henwewalkedout.weget
i
nsi
det
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
Sakhi
le:Hl
aluar
eyoudat
ing?.
me:no.
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:youknowmosyoucantel
lyourbi
gbr
o
ever
ythi
ng!iwil
lsuppor
tyou.
imentall
yrol
ledmyeyes, i
nhiswildestdr
eamsi
wil
ldothat.Sakhi
leissuchabetrayerhewon'
t
evencomet omer escuewhendadf i
ndoutabout
medat i
ngbutthenihavehopefrom mom .
me:(sar
cast
ic)yeahr
ight.
ij
usttookoutmyphoneandgotbusywi
thi
t.we
ar
rivedatt
herest
aur
antheparkedt
hecar.
Sakhi
le:cal
lmewhenyoudoneneh?.
inoded.
me:okaybye.
ikissedhi
scheekthenheadi
nsidet
herest
aur
anti
foundthem al
readysi
tt
ediwenttot
hem.
me:heyguys,
lover.
t
heygreet
edback.ihuggedOmuandpeckedher
l
ips.
Omu:l
ovi
stoyou'
rel
ate.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Lwazi:Nganenhl
e.
ismi
ledandpeckedhi
sli
ps.
me:heyboo.
Lwazi:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
me:t
hankyou,
youl
ookandsmel
lsgood.
hesmil
ed,
ilai
dmyheadonhi
sshoul
der.He
ki
ssedmyfor
ehead.
me:DJSongz,
howar
eyou?.
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:i
m goodChomam ,
howar
eyou?.
me:i
m Good.
henoded.
Lwazi:sowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
ohave?.
wel
ookedthr
oughthemenuthenweor
der
ed.af
ter
awhi
leouror
dercamewediggedi
n.
Omu:soyouguysar
eenj
oyi
ngbei
ngaDJ?.
Lwazi:f
rom mysi
deyeahienj
oybei
ngaDJ.
Songz:met
oo.
me:howdoyoumanagebei ngonaclubal
most
ever
yweekendandstudiesspeci
all
ywenaSongz
you'
redoi
ngmedici
ne? .
heswal
lowedbef
oreanswer
ing.
Songz:imanageitverywellwenaHlal
umi,beinga
DJont hesi
deit
shavingapar tt
imejob.andi
thi
youcanbeatschoolatmi ddayt
henbeatworkat
night?soit
ski
ndalikethatimanagemna.
wenoded.
Omu:howaboutyouLJ.
Lwazi:l
ikeSongzsaidbei
ngaDJit
slikehavinga
par
tti
mej ob,j
ustafame.bei
ngacelebri
tyand
wel
lknownwon' thel
pyouint
hel
ongrunbcsyou
dosomet hi
ngbadyourf anstur
nedt hei
rbackson
youandkuphelil
engawe.somyst udiescomes
fi
rstkum bcsbeingaDJwon' tt
akemeanywher eso
imanagemyt i
mewheni tsti
mef orschoolif
ocus
andwheni t'
sti
mef ort
heclubidot hesame, i
nall
thatbei
ngaDJi sjustahobbykum not hi
ngmor e.
wenoded.
Omu:ihearyou.
yazthere'
snothingattr
activet hanaguywhoknows
whathewant s,whoknowswhatwi llhel
phimi nthe
l
ongr un.Lwazibeingallfocussedonhi sstudi
es
andknowswhathewant sisj ustaturnon!it
makeshi m moreattr
activet ome.bcsyoucan
havegoodl ooksandani cebodyshapebuti fyou
havenogoodment al
ityort hewayyout hi
nkit'
sjust
bad,youbecomeugl ytomef inal.
wecont i
nuedeatingandhavingsome
conversat
ionslaughi
nghereandt her
e.Songezo&
Lwaziaresmar tpant
sbehindthosebadboylooks,
theyareveryfocusedandint
ell
igentil
iket
hatabout
them .Theyknowwhatt heywant.
Lwazi:t
heGent
sar easki
ngtoj
oinuswi
tht
hei
r
gi
rl
s, ar
eyoul
adiesokaywit
hthat?.
Omu:yeahsur
e,Hl
alu?.
me:i
t'
scool.
Lwazi:al
ri
ghtt
hen,
they'
reont
hei
rwaynow.
wenoded.
me:i m goingt otheladies,iwillbeback.Lwazi
peckedmyl ipsiwalkedaway.idi dmybusi nessin
thebathroom t henwashedmyhandst henheadout.
iwentbackt othetablewher eitwasnowoccupi ed
with3guysand2gi rl
s!mychai rwasalreadytaken.
igottothet abletheyalllookedatme.icl earedmy
thr
oatthey'remaki ngmeshynow.
me:heyguys.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
Lwazi:comeandsi
tont
opofmebaby.
iwenttosi
tonhi
slap, t
hegir
lswer
egi
vingme
weir
dlooks.t
heotherguyspoke.
Guy1:sot
hisi
sthef
amousHl
alumi&Omuhl
e?.
Omu:yeahiguess.
Guy2:whatar
eyougir
lsf
eedi
ngourbr
os?bcs
t
heyarehel
lawhi
pped!.
wel
aughed.
Songezo:voet
sekAt
hi.
ohhe'
snamei
sAt
hi.
Lwazi:sor
ryl
adies,theseareourfr
iendsAt henkosi
,Andil
eandLiyabonat hent
heirgi
rl
sOt hal
iveand
Lul
ama.Gentst hi
sNganenhlebutHl al
umit oyou
andOmuhleourGirlf
riends.
weexchangedgreet
ings,
thi
sAndi l
edudehasbeen
st
ari
ngatmemaki ngmet ot
all
yuncomfort
abl
ewith
hi
sgazebcshe'snotevenbli
nking.
Otha:hayboLJ!idi
dn'
tknowt
hatyoudat
ehi
gh
schoolgi
rl
snow.
Zi
ngcaChuckl
ed,
ijustr
oll
edmyeyes.
Lwazi:whatidowi
thmyl
if
edoesn'
tconcer
nyou
Othal
ive.
iguesst
hesegir
lsal
sohaveCr
ushonLJj
udgi
ngby
thewaythey'
rel
ooki
ngathi
mli
kehe'
ssor
tofa
meat.
Omu:somepeoplebelust
ingoveryourman
knowi
ngexact
lyt
hathe'
staken,somepeoplewon'
t
gotoheaven.
weallbur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
trustOmuhl
etosay
somethi
ngsostupi
d.
Songz:(l
aughi
ng)ut
shobaby?.(Real
ly)
shenoded.
Omu:ndakxel
ela.(i
mtel
li
ngyou)
weal
llaughed,
thegi
rl
swer
eannoyed.
Lul
ama:soHlalumibabygi
rl,
areyout
hemai
n
chi
ckoroneofhisf
loozi
es?.
sheaskedpoopi
ngsomebubbl
egum .ichuckl
ed.
me:i
mthemai
nchi
ckl
ove.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Lul
ama:r
eal
ly?you?t
hemai
nchi
ck?l
ol.
me:j ongaloveifyoudon'thaveanythi
ngtosay
justkeepyourmout hshutbcslemibuzoungibuza
yonaar epoint
less.idon'
tevenknowhowLwazi '
s
businesshast odowithyou, pl
easelet
'sr
espect
eachot her!umdalaungakafortryi
ngsomesor tof
beefwi t
hmej ustbcsofamant hati
snoteven
yoursndakcela.
Li
yabona:YHO.
wejustburstoutl
aughi
ngatt
hewayhesai
dt hat'
YHO'.mi ssLulamaandherf
ri
endj
ustt
ooktheir
thi
ngsandst or
medout.
Athi:t
hankyouver
ymuchwenaHl
alumi,
they'
reso
for
ward.
igi
ggl
ed.
Li
yabona:she'
ssomat
uredf
orherage,
itsl
ikeshe
i
nher20s.
Songezo:youbet
terkeepherbr
o.
Lwazi:iwi
lldoaxact
lyt
hat.
hepeckedmyl
ips.
t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
38] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FI
VE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

"il oveyouLumi, ireall

ydoi hopeyouwon' tfor
get
that".saysZi ngcatomewhi lstpl
ayi
ngwi t
hmy
dreadl ocks,wewer eatthebeachenj oyi
ngeach
other '
scompany.af t
erthatdoubl edatewit
hhi s
friendsal sowedepar t
edbuti nsteadoftaki
ngme
homehebr oughtmeher e!t hisdudeisseri
ously
tryingt ogetmeint r
oublewi thuBabu'Nkabindebcs
oncehef indoutthatim dati
nghe' sgoingto
retaliate.inhi
seyesi m st
il
la5yearol dPri
ncess
heseemst ofor
gotthatI'm 17year soldandihave
al
if
etoo.
me:youknowmosil
oveyout
oo.
hepeckedmyl
ipsandhel
dmyhands.
Zi
ngca:youhavesof
thands.
ismi
led.
Zi
ngca:howar
eyourst
udi
essof
ar?.
me:sofarsogoodyouknow,sincewehaven'
t
st
art
edonexams.whataboutyou?.
hesi
ghed.
Zingca:var
sit
yishar
dNganenhl ever
yhard,i
t
needssomeonewho'sfocussedanddetermi
ned
andwho'sseri
ousaboutthei
rstudi
esbcsschool
worktherei
stwiceashardit
snotawal kont
he
park.
me:yhobutthenitsal
lwor
thiti
ntheend!bcsyou
wil
lfi
ndastablej
obwithabi
gcheckincomeyou
see.havi
ngnicel
ife.
Zingca:yeahtruet
hatbutyouhavet
owor khar
d
foralloft
hatgoodli
feyou'
ret
alki
ngabout!
kuyanyi
wapha.(i
tsdamnhar
dther
e).
igi
ggl
ed.
me:I
m notr
eadyf
orvar
sit
y!
wel
aughed.
Zi
ngca:youwi
llneverber
eadymyl
ove.
wef
elli
ntoacomfort
ablesil
ence.wi
thmel
ist
eni
ng
t
ohi
shear t
beat,
itsj
ustsoothi
ngmaan.
me:baby?.
Zi
ngca:mh?
me:yourf
ri
ends,
whatki
ndofpeopl
ear
ethey?
.
Zingca:myfr
iendsarecoolandsupport
ivepeople.
they'
rear
esuchbrothersineverhad!wefi
ghtalot
butweevent
uallysorti
tout.
me:soyouneverf
oughtaboutgi
rl
sandst
uff?.
Zi
ngca:no,
nott
hatiknowof
f.whyar
eyouaski
ng
?.
Ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.
me:not
hing,
imj
ustaski
ng.
thatf
ri
endofhiswhat'
shisnameagai
n?...
umh
Andil
e!yeahhi
m .thatdudegi
vemecreepsreal
ly,
thewayhewasstaringatmemademer eal
ly
uncomfort
abl
e.ifel
tasoftki
ssonmylips.
Zi
ngca:whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout?.
me:not
hing.
Justt
henmyphoner
angi
tsOmu.
me:l
over?.
Omu:mal
ovi
sto,
Sakhi
lewasher
elooki
ngf
oryou.
ir
oll
edmyeyes,
Sakhi
ler
eal
lyneedt
ochi
ll.
me:ebef
unani?.
(Whatdi
dhewant)
.
Omu:hewasaskingaboutyoudummy!wher
ear
e
youit
houghtyouwenthome.
Me:I
'
m att
hebeach.
Omu:beach?whatar eyoudoingt
here?youknow
whatdon'
tanswer!Justgohomebeforeyourdad
comesgunblazzi
ngonmesi nceyousaidyou
goi
ngtothemallwit
hme.youknowhow
over
prot
ect
iveyourdadcanbe.
isi
ghed.
me:okayIgeti
tOmuhl
eyho,
thankyouanywayi
m
onmyway.
shehungup.
me:ihavet
ogobaby.
Zi
ngca:okay.
iwipedt
hesandofmyfeetandworemysneakers
thenwewal
kedtothecar.heopenedt
hedoorfor
meandgotinsi
de,wedroveoff.

Zi
ngca:we'
reher
e!.
hesai
dpar
kingt
hecarf
ewhousesawayf
rom my
home.
me:ihadagr
eatdaywi
thyout
oday,
thankyou
ver
ymuch.
Zi
ngca:youdon'
thavetothankmeNganenhl
eit
s
myjobasyourboyf
ri
endtomakesureyou'
rehappy
al
lthet
ime,ihadagreatdaytoo.
wehuggedandki ssedthenbidgoodbyest
oeach
other.igotoutofhi
scarandwalkedaway, iwaved
athim .hehootedanddroveaway.

igothomeMom wasal
onei
nthehouseidon'
t
knowwhereDadandmyannoyi
ngbrot
herswent.
me:heymoms.
iki
ssedhercheek.
Mom :heybaby,
howwasyourdaywi
thboyf
ie?
.
ichuckl
ed.
me:iwasnotwi
thLwaziMama,
iwaswi
thOmu.
Mom :Hl
alumidon'
tfor
gett
hatiwasonceyourage
neh,
soyouwon' tf
oolmesisi.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:(l
aughi
ng)byema!
iranupstai
rsl
eavingmom laughingbehi
ndme, i
passedSakhil
e'
room i
twasopenhewasl ayi
ngon
hisbedlooki
ngli
kehe'sdeepinthoughts,iwent
insi
deandsatnexttohim !hejumpedinfri
ght.
Sakhi
le:j
eezhl
alumiyouscar
edme!.
il
aughed.
me:sor
rybr
o.
Sakhi
le:yeahsur
e,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?.
me:i
tisacr
imet
ocomeandseemybr
other?.
Sakhi
le:idi
dn'
tsayt
hat.
me:so?anywaysicametocheckonyousi
nceyou
l
ookedl
ikeyou'
redeepi
nthought
s,ar
eyouokay?
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:i
mfi
ne.
me:youcant al
ktomeyouknowthat!imaybea
chi
ldbuticangivesomeadvi
ces.
Sakhil
e:youshoul
dbecomingt
omef
oradvi
ces
nottheot
herwayaround.
iscof
fed.
me:don'tpul
lthatcardonme,younott
hatold
you'
re4yearsolderthanme,
sotalkwhat
'seat
ing
youup.
hesi
ghed.
Sakhi
le:i
sitagoodthi
ngtohaveacrushon
someonewho's4yearsyoungert
hanyou?.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:ohwbhut
i!youhaveacr
ushonsomeone?.
Sakhi
le:yabonake!.
(yousee)
.
me:okaysor ryt
hen, ofcour
seitsagoodthing,
andit
higir
lscanalsodateguyswhoar eol
derthan
them andit
sokay, aslongyouguysloveeach
otherit
sfi
nejustshootyourshotnj
ewena!
Sakhil
e:youdon' tunder
standHlal
umi!t
hisgi
rl
seesmel ikeherolderbr
other,
andmanypeople
won'tacceptthi
st hi
ng.
me:bhut iwhocar esaboutwhatpeopl
ethi
nkor
whatwilltheydoaboutyourunion?ifyou'
rehappy
andloveeachot heryoucanconqueranyobstacl
e
thatcomesyourway.
hesighedandr ubbedhisf acefustr
ated.inever
thoughtiwouldseemybr otherli
kethisaboutagirl,
bcsthisoneisapl ayerhebr eakshearts.isal
ute
whoevert
hisgi
rli
sbcsshegotmybr
otherbyt
he
bal
ls.
me:whoi
sthi
sgi
rl?doiknowher?
.
henodedandsi
ghed.
Sakhi
le:pr
omi
semet
hatyouwon'
tgoal
lcr
azyon
me?.
me:hawuSakhi
-
Sakhi
le:pr
omi
seHl
alumi.
me:okayf
ine,
ipr
omi
sed.
het
ookadeepbr
eat
hwi
thhi
seyescl
osed.
Sakhi
le:i
tsOmuhl
e.
wai
twhat?.
me:what?.
i
tcameasawhi
sper.
me:Omuhl
easi
nmybestf
ri
end?.
henoded.
me:ohmyGod!NoSakhi
leyoucan'
thaveher.no
ir
efuse.
Sakhi
le:butHl
alui
loveher.
ishookmyhead.mybrotherisapl
ayerofthem al
l
he'
sgoingt
obreakOmu'sli
ttl
ehear
ttopieces.
me:bhut iasmuchasil oveyoubutyoucan' tdate
myf r
iend, yougoi
ngt obreakherheart.iknowhow
yougetwhenyouseegi r
ls!Omuwon' tbeabl eto
dealwithyourcheatingassbesidesOmuhl ehasa
boyfr
iendwhol ovesherver ymuchunlikeyou.you
don'
tloveheryouj ustwantapieceofherandi
won'tletyoudothatt oher.soyoubetterstayaway
fr
om her.
hesi
ghed
Sakhi
le:ihearyou.
me:good.
iwalkedtomyr oom .Sakhi
lecan'
tdatehi
m,
Sakhilecan'
tcontr
olhimsel
fwhenhesaysgi rl
she'
s
adiplomaticpl
ayerwit
hadegr eesoican'
tletomu
gothatway.

t
odayi
t'
sMondaymor
ningandi
m goi
ngt
oschool.
Si
gh
idon'tfeell
ikegoi ngyazeventheweat herdoesn't
agreei t
srainingcatsanddogsi tsverycold.i
slowlygotof fthebedandopenedt hecur t
ainsthen
mademybed.iwentt othebathroom itookahot
showert henl ot
ionediworemyuni form wit hmy
stockingsthent iedmydreadlocksneatlyand
appli
edmyper fumeandl i
pbalm .igrabbedmy
schoolbagandphonet henheaddownst ai
r s.i
foundmom anddadwear i
ngpyjamaswhi lsteat
ing.
me:andt
hen?ai
n'tyouguysgoi
ngt
owor
k?.
Dad:goodmorni
ngpr
incess,
wesl
eptwel
lwena
howdidyousl
eep?.
igi
ggl
ed.
me:i
m sor
ryguys.
ij
ustt
ookanappl
e.
Mom :ai
n'tyougoi
ngt
oeat?.
me:noi
mfi
ne.
iwal
kedout,
Igoti
nsi
dethecarandJoedroveof
f.
hedr
oppedmeatSchoolandl
eft!igoti
nsi
de
schoolpremi
sesandheadst
rai
ghtt
omycl ass.i
gotther
eOmuwassi t
ti
ngwithMabuthoiwalkedt
o
them .
me:heyguys.
iki
ssedOmu'
scheek.
Omu:heyl
over.
Mabut
hodi
dn'
tgr
eethej
ustst
oodup.
Mabut
ho:Omunzokbonaneh,
shar
p.(iwi
llsee
you).
hewal
kedaway.
me:andt
hen?.
Omu:idon'
tknow,
youshoul
daskhi
m.
iputmyschoolbagdownandranaft
ermabut
hoi
foundhi
m att
hedoorofthebat
hroom .
me:mabut
ho,
wai
t.
hedoesn'
tstophej
ustgoti
nsi
det
hebat
hroom i
fol
lowedhi
m.
me:mabut
ho?
Mabut
ho:yiniHl
alumi,
ufunani?.
(what?,
Whatdo
youwant)
.
isi
ghed.
me:mabut
howhatisit?whyar
eyousocol
d
t
owar
dsme, whatdi
dido?.
hescof
fed.
Mabut
ho:l
eavemeal
oneHl
alumi.
if
oldedmyar
msandl
ookedathi
m.
me:notunt
ilyout
ellme,
whatdi
dido.
hechuckledandwal kedtowardsmelooki
ngall
sortsofseri
ous,iwalkedbackwardsunti
licamein
contactwit
hawal l!hestandsinfr
ontofme
l
ookingstrai
ghtintomyeyeswi thhi
swarm breat
h
fanningmyf ace.hesmellsgoodthough.
Mabutho:you'r
edatingthatmotherf
uckernow?
huh?afterit
oldyouhowif eelaboutyoubutyou
di
dn'
twantt odatemebutheappr oachedyouthen
boom youdatehim Hlal
umi.doyouknowhowt hat
makesmef eelhuh?doyou?Answermedammi t?
!!
.
ij
umpedinf
ri
ghtasheshoutatme, i
tsmyfi
rst
ti
meseei
ngmabuthol
iket
his.ichuckl
ed.
me:listenher
emabut hofirstofallyoudon'tshout
atmewheneveryouwanti m notyourf uckenchild
orevenyourfri
endf orthatmat t
er,ungandiqheli
amasimbamna!whoiagr eet odatewithdoesn't
concernyou.yout hinkiwasgoi ngtodateyourass
?reall
ymabut hohaveyouf orgott
enhowyou
changegirl
sli
keyou' rechangi nganunder wear?
andyout hi
nkim goingt odat esomeonel i
ket hat
j
ustforgeti
tmyl ove, idon'twantanydi seases
mna.(Don' tf
uckwi thme).
icl
ickedmyt
oungeandwal
kedaway.

°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

meandtheGentswereatthecafet
eri
ahavi
nglunch
whi
lstt
alki
ngaboutt
hingsyouknow.inoti
cedthat
somethingisoffaboutAndil
ehe'sawfull
yqui
et
today,yeshe'
saqui etkakadebuttodaysomet
hing
i
sdef i
nit
elywrong.
me:Andi
lear
eokaydude?.
theyallst
oppedtal
kingandl
ookedatAndi
le.he
clear
edhisthroat.
Andi
le:yeahi
mfi
ne,
whyar
eyouaski
ng?.
me:you'
vebeenawf
ull
yqui
etmaan.
hechuckl
ed.
Andi
le:don'
twor
ryi
mfi
ne.
me:i
fyousayso.
weconti
nuedeat
ingandtal
kingunt
ilourl
unchwas
over,
wepackedourstaf
fthenwentoursepar
ate
ways.

afterschoolwewentstrai
ghtt
otheclubsince
Sizweourmanagercal l
edusthere,i
t'
smeand
Songz.wear r
ivedt
hereandheadinsi
deSizwe
camet oussmi li
ngli
keanidi
ot!hissmil
emeans
onl
yonet
hings,
Goodnewsonl
y!
Si
zwe:si
tdownboys.
wesatdown.
Sizwe:solastni
ghtirecei
vedacallf
rom DJ
Londonallt
hewayf r
om Johannesburg.
Songezo:di
dyousayDJLondon?.
henoded.
Si
zwe:yeah.
me:wow.
Si
zwe:sohesai
dthathewant
syouguyst
ohave
gi
gwit
hhim.
me:what?Nof
uckenways!
Si
zwe:yesf
uckenways.

ican'
tbel
ievethi
s!DJLondonisoneofthemost
famousDJi nJohannesbur
g.I
'
vealwayswantedt
o
meethim.
Songezo:sowheni
sthi
sgi
gtaki
ngpl
ace?.
Si
zwe:t
hisweekend.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
38] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SI
X.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"What?Noways.
"
Si
zwe:yesways, nowlist
enboysbythetimethe
weekendsmakesur eever
ythi
ngissor
ted;idon'
t
wantl
astminutet
hingsbcsDJLondoni san
i
mpati
entperson.
wenoded.
Si
zwe:Good,
seeyouonFr
iday.
hewal
kedaway.
Songz:wowican'
tbel
ievet
his!.
me:nei
therdoi,
thi
sisabiggig.I
'veal
ways
want
edtohaveagigwit
hthatdude.
Songezo:imeanwhowoul
dn'
t?t
hatdudei
sgood
atwhathedoes.
Me:t
ruet
hat,
ican'
twai
tforFr
iday.
Songezo:yeahmet
oo,
let
'sgo.
wewal
kedout,
wegoti
nsi
demycaranddr
oveof
f.
Songezo:Andi
lewasn'
thi
msel
ftoday,
iwonder
wassupwithhi
m.
me:inoti
ced,
eventhoughhesaysi
tsnot
hingbuti
canseesomet
hingi
sbother
inghi
m.
Songezo:iwi
llt
ryandt
alkt
ohi
m.
me:yeahdot hat,butifhedoesn'twannat
alkl
eave
himli
kethatbcsit
'sclearthathedoesn'
twantt
o
tal
kaboutit.
Songezo:ihearyou.
thenhisphoneranghesmi led;i
m sureit
sOmuhle,
ifocussedondrivi
ngwhi l
sthe'
sonthephone.ist
il
l
havet otel
lLumiaboutthi
sbcsim goingawayf
ora
wholeent i
reweekend.idroppedSongzathi
scri
b
andi drovehomestrai
ght.

iarr
ivedathome,mywhol
efami
lywassi
tt
ingon
thedinnert
abl
e.mom wasdi
shi
ngup.
me:f
ami
ly.
t
heygr
eet
edback,
isatdown.
mom :yourbrotherheresaysthatyou'
resneaki
ng
outatni
ghtcarryi
ngchocolatesandflowersandbe
backduri
ngmi dnight,
babyar eyoudati
ng?.
OhsweetLord,il
ookedatZukowhowassi
lent
ly
eat
ing.he'
ssuchapimp.
me:yesMa,
im dat
ing.
shescreamedcl appingherhands,mydadwas
smil
ingli
keani diot;imental
lyr
oll
edmyeyesthese
peopleareexaggeratingi
tsnotl
ikei
m get
ti
ng
marri
edorsomet hi
ng.
Mom :(exci
ted)ohwmybabyi
sfi
nal
lygr
owi
ngup,
iwantt
oseeher.
me:Madon'
tpushi
t,i
tsst
il
lnew.
Ma:so?haywet huizanayesi
funu'
mbona
andit
shobaby?.(youmustbri
ngherher
e,wewant
toseeherri
ghtbaby?).
Dad:yourmom isri
ghtwewantt
oseeourmakot
i,
i
m proudofyou;youaresl
owl
ybecomi
ngaman.
iscof
fed.
me:yeahr
ight.
Ma:what
'shername?.
ismi
led.
Ma:mhl
ookatyoual
lsmi
tt
en!whoi
sshe?.
ismiledlooki
ngaway,ican'tshowhert
hati
m
blushingbcsiwon'
theartheendofit.
me:hernamei
sHl
alumi-
thenmyphonerangit
ooki
touti
tsLumiismi
led
befor
eanswer
ing.
me:Nganenhl
e.
Lumi:heyZi
ngca,
howar
eyou?.
igotupandwal
kedt
omyr
oom .
me:i
mfi
nebaby,
howar
eyou?.
Lumi:i
mfi
ne,
ijustmi
ssyout
hat
'sal
l.
myhear
tmel
ted,if
oundmysel
fsmi
li
ng;t
hisgi
rli
s
dr
ivi
ngmei
nsane.
me:(sof
tl
y)r
eal
ly?imi
ssyout
oost
handwaSam.
shegi
ggl
ed,
causi
ngmyst
omacht
ofl
ip.
Lumi:canit
akeyououtt
hisSat
urday?.
ichuckl
ed.
me:you?t
aki
ngmeout?l
ol.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi:yebohawuikhonainki
ngangal
okho?
(yes,
what
'swrongwit
ht hat).
ismil
ed,IlovewhenshespeaksZulu.shecan
speakXhosabutwhenshespeaksZulushesounds
sexywothhersweetvoi
ce;thi
sgir
lisa
mast
erpi
ece.
me:akhont
ofondi
ni,
imj
ustshocked.
(Not
hing).
shescof
fed.
me:iwoul
dlovet
ogooutwi
th-ohf
uck!
ir
emember
edt
hatI
'
m goi
ngt
ojobur
gthi
sweekend.
Lumi:whati
sit?.
me:im sor
rybaby,
iwon'
tbeavai
labl
ethi
s
weekend.
Lumi:ar
eyougoi
ngsomewher
e?.
me:yeahmyl
oveihaveagi
ginJobur
gwi
thDJ
London.
shegaspovert
hephone.
Lumi:(exci
ted)youmeant
hef
amousDJLondon?
.
ichuckl
edshesoundsexci
tedt
omysur
pri
se.
me:yeahhi
m.
shescr
eamed.
Lumi:ohwi
m Happyf
oryoubabe,
goandenj
oy
yoursel
f,uhambani
ni?(whenar
eyougoi
ng).
me:t
hisFr
iday,
soyou'
renotmad?.
shechuckl
ed.
Lumi:mad?nodar lingiwi
llneverbemadatyou
forenj
oyi
ngyourlif
eandmeet ingyourrol
emodel,
i
m notsel
fishbutpromiseyouwi l
lcal
lmeever
yday
.
ismiled,
seewhyil
ovehert
hismuch?she'
sar
are
breed,adime.
me:ipr
omi
se.
Lumi:okaybaby,ihavet
ogonow;ngi
yakt
handa
yezwa?.(iloveyou).
ibl
ushed,
DamnyouHl
alumi!
!
me:ndakt
handanam ,
bye.
shemadethosekissi
ngsoundst
henhungup,yah
nehiminl
ove.iputmyphoneonmypocketthen
headdownst
air
s.
Mom :t
hatwasl
ong.
me:mom pl
ease,
anywaysihavesomet
hingt
otel
l
you.
Dad:we'
rel
ist
eni
ng.
me:t
hisweekendi
m goi
ngt
oJobur
g,Ihaveagi
g
wi
thDJLondon.
Zuko:DJLondonasi
nthef
amousDJLondon?.
inoded.
me:t
heoneandonl
y.
Zuko:congr
atul
ati
onsl
it
tl
ebr
o,i
m pr
oudofyou.
hesi
de-huggedme.
me:t
hanksbr
o.
mom :i
m happyf
oryoumybaby,
youdeser
vei
t.
me:t
hankyouMom .
Dad:congr
atul
ati
onsson;youknowidon'
tli
ket
his
ofyour
sbutthi
sisgoodnews!im pr
oudson.
me:ndi
yabul
elat
ata.(Thankyoudad).
Wow, ididn'
texpectthi
sfrom mydad,it
houghthe
wasgoingt or
etali
ateorsomethi
ngbuthe
di
sappointedme.
Ma:whenar
eyougoi
ng?.
me:t
hisweekend.
Ma:okay,
iwi
llpackyourbagsf
oryousol
ong.
me:t
hanksmom .
shesmi
led,
isi
lent
lyat
emyFood.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

whatmabut hodidreall
ypissedmeof f,imeanwho
doeshethinkheist oshoutatmelikethat?
di
ctat
ingmewhot oandnott odate?imeanhe' s
notmyfatherforthatmatterandim nothi
sfri
end
soidon'
thavet oexplai
nmysel ft
ohim.
Si
gh.
he'
sreal
lycr
azyt
ot hi
nkthatiwi
lldat
ehi
m, never
eveni
fhewasthelastpersononEart
hiwould
never.notinabadwayt hough!mabut hois
handsomeandneat, mostgi r
lswanthi m butnot
me;t hatguyisadiplomat i
cplayerhechangesgi r
ls
l
ikethere'
snot omorrow, hesleptalmostthehalfof
theschoolgirl
sandheexpect smet odat
ehim
whenhe' sli
kethat?yhohay.ist i
llval
uemyl i
fe
mnaidon' twantanydiseases.i m notsayinghe
hasadi seasebutthenyouwi llneverknow.

sonowi m atOmu' shousef orasl eepover,her

parentswentt oherGr andmot her'
shousebcs
there'
sar it
ualt hatishappeningsot heywillbe
backFr i
day, sowe' r
ealoneher eint hehouse.Omu
i
sbusybl abber i
ngaboutshespendedherl ast
weekendwi thSongezoathi shouse, j
udgingbythe
wayshe' stelli
ngmet hisitwasf unsher eally
enjoyedher self,ididn'
tknowt hatSongezocanbe
sor omant i
c.

Omu:didLJtol
dyout
hatt
hey'
regoi
ngt
oJobur
g
t
hisweekend?.
me:yeahhet ol
dme,i
m sohappyf
ort
hem even
t
houghim gonnami
sshim.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:yeah, i
m gonnamissSongezot
oo;di
dyou
seehowthatdudewaslooki
ngatyouatt
hedoubl
e
dat
e?
me:whi
chdude?.
Omu:t hedar
kski
nnedhandsomeonef
rom LJ'
s
fr
iends.
me:ohthatAndi
ledude,
yeyuBr
other
sgi
veme
cr
eepsman!.
shel
aughed.
Omu:yhot hatdayhewasl
it
eral
lyst
ari
ngatyou
wi
thoutevenbli
nking.
wel
aughed.
Omu:maybehe'
scr
ushi
ngonyou?
if
rowned.
me:hecan'
tdot
hat,
im hi
sfr
iend'
sGi
rl
fr
iend.
Omu:ohyeshecan.
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN.

(Shor
t)
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.

sotodayit
sthedaythatZingcaandSongzare
goi
ngt oJobur
g,tobehonestim sadthathe'
s
goi
ng, iwi
llmi
sshim somuch.Buti m Happyfor
hi
mt hathe'
sfi
nall
ymeetinghisrol
emodelin
per
sonandhaveagi gwithhimim soproudofmy
baby!ijusthopet hathebehavest hereitslikeim
i
nsecurenoi m notitrustZi
ngcabutt hent hisguyis
goingt
oJobur gthecityofgold,tempt at
ioni stoo
muchther ebutanywaysiwon' tdwellont hatit
sup
tohimtoent er
tainorignorethetempt ati
onhemust
knowthathel eftagirl
fri
endwhol oveshi m so
muchbehi nd.

soanywayst heyaskedOmuandit oaccompany

them t ot heai
rpor
tjusttosaygoodbyebcst hey'
re
goi ngt obeawayf rom ust heentireweekend.so
webr ibedjoesothathecoul dfet
chusf r
om t here
sincewegoi ngwitht hem totheai r
port.lastnight
wesl eptaround3am i nthemor ningbcswe' vebeen
talkingt hewholenight,mybabywasact ual ly
ner vousaboutt hi
st r
ipimeanwoul dn'
twhenyou
aboutt omeetyourr olemodelf orthefir
stt i
mei n
yourl ifeyouonlyseenhi m oni nt
ernet.soiwoke
upar ound10am int hemor ningsincewedi dn't
haveschoolt oday, i
tsaspor tdayt obeexactsi nce
Idon' tplayanyspor tsididn'
tgot oschool.imade
mybedandopenedt hecurtainsthenheadt othe
bathr
oom ir
insedmyfacethenbrushedmyteet
h,i
wentdownstai
rsigott
heredadwashuggingmom
fr
om behi
ndithinkhe'
swhisper
ingsomethi
ngto
her
bcsshe'sgiggl
ingnonestop.ir
oll
edmyeyes
coul
dn'ttheybeloveydoveyi
nthei
rbedroom bcs
someofusourmanar egoingtoJobur
gf ora
weekend.
Wi
nk.
Suchabummer.
me:t
her
e'sachi
ldi
nthehouse.
t
heybot
htur
ned.
Dad:sor
rypr
incess.
Mom :whi
chchi
ld?you?Theonewho-
me:mom !
Mom :sor
ryt
hen.
Dad:achi
ldwho'
swhat?.
me:not
hingdaddy,
rightmom ?.
shel
aughed.
Mom :yeahi
tsnot
hingmyl
ove.
dadchuckl
ed.
Dad:i
m wat
chi
ngyouHl
alu.
hewal
kedaway,
mom bur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Mom :(l
aughi
ng)Oopsial
mostt
oldhi
m your
secr
et.
Me:yousuchaf
akemot
her!
sheroll
edhereyesandwalkedupst
air
s.imade
cer
ealformyselft
henate.aft
ereat
ingir
insedt
he
bowlthenranupstai
rs.ir
ecei
vedacallf
rom Omu.
me:Beaut
if
ulone.
Omu:mal
ovi
stoar
eyour
eady?
.
me:noihaven'
tshower
edyet.
Omu:haybohl
alumi!.
ir
oll
edmyeyes,
she'
ssopunct
ual.
me:iwi
llber
eadywi
thi
n30mi
nut
esdon'
twor
ry.
Omu:hur
ryup.
shehungup, iputmyphoneawayandgoti nsi
de
theshower,af t
ershower ingiloti
onedthenwor e
mysweat pant, aoversizedhoodiewi t
hmyname
onthefrontthenmyVanst akkie.it
iedmy
dreadl
ocksthenappl iedmyper f
umeandl ipgl
oss
thengrabbedmyphoneiheaddownst air
sagain.i
bumpedi nt
oj oeont hedoor.
me:j
oe-j
oeI
'
mready.
hechuckl
ed.
Joe:idon'
tli
ket
hatname.
Igi
ggl
ed.
me:butil
ovei
t.
her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Joe:what
everHl
alu,
let
'sgo.
wegotinsidethecaranddr ovet
oOmu'shouse,we
arri
vedther
eandhoot ed!shecameoutwearingher
tr
ackpantwithahoodieandhersneakers,
her
brai
dsti
edup.sgegoti nsidethecar.
Omu:j
oe-j
oe,
lover.
sheki
ssedmycheek.
Joe:hiOmuhl
e,wher
etof
rom her
e?.
Omu:ai
rpor
t.
henodedanddr
oveof
f.
Omu:i
m goi
ngt
omi
sshi
m shame.
me:met
ooyouknow.
wefellint
ocomf or
tableallthewayt otheairport.
wearrivedthereandgotoutt hecar,wesawt hem
si
tt
ingoutofZi ngca'sredPol ovivowhil
echat ti
ng.
Songezowast hefi
rstonet oseeust heyallturned
ourway, Zingcasmi l
edwhenhesawmeiswear
mykneesgotweakatt hatinstant!Wegott othem .
Us:heyguys.
t
heygreet
edback,
Zingcahuggedandki
ssedmy
l
ips.
Zi
ngca:heybaby.
me:hiboo,
areyougood?.
Zi
ngca:i
m absol
utel
ygood,
justal
it
tl
ebi
tner
vous.
inoded.
me:iunder
stand,
youl
ookgood.
Hesmi
led.
Zi
ngca:t
hankyoubaby,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ulwena.
me:I
'
vebeent
old.
her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Zi
ngca:ai
n'tweconf
identmuch?.
Igi
ggl
ed.
me:(sul
king)ican'
tbel
ieveyoul
eavi
ngmef
ort
he
ent
ir
eweekend!
hesi
ghedandhuggedme.ii
nhal
edhi
sscenthe
smel
lsreal
lygood.
Zingca:don'
twor
rybaby,
iwi
llbebackbef
oreyou
knowit.
hepeckedmyl
ips.
me:behavet
her
e.
Zi
ngca:don'
tyout
rustme?.
isi
ghed.
me:idotr
ustyoubutthi
sisJoburgwe'
ret
alki
ng
aboutt
emptat
ioni
stoomucht her
e.
heal
sosi
ghed.
Zingca:don'twor
rymylove,
idon'thavetimefor
Joburgskir
tswhil
eihaveagi
rlf
ri
endt hatil
ove
wholeheart
edly.
ibl
ushed.
me:youknowil
oveyout
oo.
wehuggedandstayedl
ikethatf
orawhi l
eunt
ilthei
r
f
li
ghtwascal
ledisweartearswereal
readyst
inging
i
nmyeyes.
Zi
ngca:don'
tcr
yboo.
heki
ssedmyl
ipsandhuggedme.
me:(tear
y)i
m gonnami
ssyou,
takecar
eof
your
sel
f.
Zi
ngca:Im gonnami
ssyout
oo,
ndakt
handa
Nganenhl
e.
me:ngi
yakt
handanamiZi
ngca.
weki
ssed,
het
ookhi
sbagsandwavedatmet
hen
walkedtowardsthenplane.Omucametomet hen
weheadt othecar,hereyesar
eredi
tsl
ikeshe'
s
beencryingtoo.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EI
GHT.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

i
ml ayi
ngonbedi ntheguesthouse, Songzisi
nthe
ki
tchenfi
xingsomethingtoeatwhileblast
ingWoza
mylovebyBl aqdiamond.thissongmakesme
missmygi rl,
wear r
ivedyest
erdayherebutI
al
readymissinghercuteface,hersmileand
l
aughter,l
iter
all
yeveryt
hingabouther.inever
thoughtthatiwouldfi
ndl oveliket hi
s,inahouse
schoolgirlt
obeexactbutt henl ifehadot herpl
ans
forme!I m notcomplainingt houghbcsundi phethe
kahleudali;il
oveHlalumisomuchihopeidon' t
messupordoanyt hi
ngt hatwi llbreakusupbcsi
don'tknowhowiam goi ngt omoveonf rom that.

wearri
vedyester
dayhereatJoburgandimustsay
thi
sisbeaut
if
ulanditisbusy!peoplegoi
ngupand
downdoingwhatever.wehaven'tmetwithDJ
Londonwearemeet i
nghimt odayandhisclub,
he'
sgoingtosendadr i
vertocomeandpi ckusup
l
ateron.myphoner angit
smot her.
me:Ma?
Mom :heyboy,
unj
ani?.
(Howar
eyou).
me:i
m okaymama,
wena?(you)
.
mom :i
m goodmntanam ,Iwaschecki
nguponyou
;ut
yil
e?.(haveyoueaten).
me:eweMa.(Yesmom )
mom :okaykebaby!il
oveyou.
me:il
oveyout
ooma.
shehungup.ij
ustcal
ledmybaby,
sheanswer
ed
onasecondri
ng.
Lumi:babyboo.
ismi
led,
imi
ssedhersweetvoi
ce.
me:Nganenhl
e,imi
ssyouhaybo!
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi:imi
ssyoutoomylove,how'
sJobur
g?i
hear
dmanystor
iesaboutt
hatpl
ace.
ichuckl
ed.
me:fr
om whatisawmnat
hisplacei
sbeaut
if
ul
shame!Andi
tsbusymannot
hingmuch.
Lumi:ohokay.
.haveyouseenDJLondon?.
me:noihaven'
t,iwi
llseehi
mlat
er.
Lumi:ai
n'tyouner
vous.
me:iam st
handwaSam hyo.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi:don'
twor
ry,
yougott
his;ihavef
ait
hinyou.
ismi
led.
me:enkosimyl
ove.
Lumi:noneedtothankmel
over,
justbeyour
sel
f
ther
eandnailt
hisgi
gokay?.
inodedl
ikeshecanseeme.
Lumi:st
opnodi
ngyourbi
ghead,
ican'
tseeyou.
wel
aughed.
me:what
ever,
iwi
llst
handwa,
ndakt
handaneh?.
Lumi:ndakt
handanam baby.
thedoorf
lewopen,
Songezogoti
nhol
dingt
wo
plat
es.
me:li
stenbabyigott
ogoneh,
iwi
llf
acet
imeyou
l
it
tl
elat
er.
Lumi:okaybye.
shehungup.
Songezo:im suchabadboyf
ri
endihaven'
tcal
led
mygirl
fr
iend.
ichuckl
ed.
me:youbett
ercal
lherdudebcsomuhl
eisn'
t
chi
ll
edl
ikeLumi.
henodedandhandedmet
hepl
ate.
me:danki
ebawo.
Songezo:sho.
wedi
ggedi
n.

l
at erthatdaywewer egettingreadyf orgoingtothe
club, wef ini
shedshower i
ngandwor eourclothes
sincet heweat herwaslitt
lebitchi
ll
y.af terwegot
i
nsi det hecaranddr ovestraightt
ot heSpot l
ight
club.wear r
ivedther
eandgotoutt hecart henhead
i
nsi de, theplacewasamazi ngandi twasf ul
ltoo;
theot herdudet ookust oLondon'sof fi
cehe
knocked.
"Comei n."adeepbari
tonevoiceshout
edf r
om
i
nsidewegoti n.Londonwasseatedbehindabi g
glasstabl
e!hestoodupandwal kedtowardsus.
Everyt
hingaboutthi
smanscr eamsMONEYi ts
expensive.
DJ:wel
comeboys,
youmustbeDJSongz&DJLJ.
wenoded,
im nervousican'
tbel
ievei
minfr
ontof
myrol
emodel.thisman'saurademandsat
tent
ion.
London:r
ight,
let
'sgetdownt
obusi
ness.

t
obecont
inued.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NI
NE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

yanehimustsayt hi
sLondondudeisfuckedri
ch
andpower f
ulalongsidewithhi
swife,t
hatare
goals;thepowercoupleifimustsay.soaft
erwe
i
ntroducedourselveshegaveusacontractt
oread
throughitandsign, i
tsayshereafterthegigwe'r
e
goingt opayed7keach.i m shockedtobehonest
bcst hegigweusual l
ydoweget3konl ybutnow
wesai li
ngwithbigdogsoft hi
sgame-aboDJ
London.Hei nt
roducedustohi swifeNandeand
hisdaughterSiba,she'sverybeautif
ulshameand
bubbl y.

afterallt
hatheofferedusdrinksinthemeant ime
bcsourgi gstart
sat9pm sowesati ntheVIP
sectionwhileSongezowaschat ti
ngtoSibaandher
fri
ends;iwasbusywi thmyphonechat t
ingwi t
h
Lumiont heGreenappwhi l
esi ppi
ngonmyci der.
afterawhi l
eistoodupandheadt otheBathroom
sinceiwaspr essed.Afterdoingmybusi nessi
washedmyhandsandgotoutibumpedi ntoSibaat
thedoor.isaidsor r
yandwal kedpassedher.
"LJ?.
"shecal
ledoutit
urned.
me:yes?
shecamecl
osert
ome.
Si
ba:
ili
keyourshi
rt.
ichuckl
ed,
didshecal
ledmef
ort
his?.
me:t
hanks,
canigo?.
i
nabli
nkofaneyeshepi
nnedmeagai nstt
hewal
l
andki
ssedmehungr
il
y,igent
lypushedher.
Si
ba:
don'
tfi
ghtt
his!iknowyouwantme.
shesai
dtr
yingt
oki
ssmeagai
nbutipushedher
agai
n.
me:Sibawait,
im sorr
yican'
tdot
hiswi
thyou;i
haveagir
lf
ri
endthatil
ove.
sherol
ledhereyesandchuckl
ed.shehasan
att
it
ude!
Si
ba:you'
ret
ell
ingmeaboutaki
d?ahi
ghschool
ki
d?ohcomeonLwaziyoucandobet
tert
hanthat.
iscof
fed.
me:l istenSibaidon' twanttohurtyourfeel
ings
neh, butmnt asekhayaim notint
oyou, i
m not
att
ract edtoyou.Thatki d?t hehighschoolkid
you'r
et al
kingaboutistheonl ygi
rlil
ove.
shebi
teherl
owerl
i
p,t
ryi
ngt
ost
ophersel
ffr
om
cr
ying.
Si
ba:
whatdoesshehavet
hatidon'
t?.
ichuckl
ed.
me:mat
uri
tyandsel
flove,
that
'swhatshehave.
t
oodl
es.
iwal
kedaway.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI
.

trut
hbet oldimissZingcalikehell,ineverthought
thathim beingawayfrom mel ikethiswouldhur t
l
ikethis;yeshecal l
smebutnoi tsinotthesame.i
wanthi m heretohugme!iwantt oinhalehis
cologneandki ssedhissoftli
ps-imeanican' teven
seehim bcshe' satJohannesbur g.iheardlotof
scarythingsaboutthatplaceandIdon' tevenwi sh
tobet here.
Omuhl ehasbeenmoodysi nceSongezol eft,ican
seet hatshemi sseshermanl i
keidobutt here'
s
nothingwecandoot hert hanstayingherewai t
ing
forthem t ocomebackf rom Johannesbur g.so
ri
ghtnowi ml ayingi nbedaf tershower i
ng-i m
chat t
ingwi thZi ngcaonWhat sApphesayshe' sat
thecl ubcal l
edTheSpot li
ghtownedbyDJLondon
andhi swife, suchapowercoupl ei fyouaskme.
butZi ngcasuddenl ywentof fli
nemaybet heirgigis
aboutt ostartsoit urnedof fmyphoneandwor emy
sleeper sthenheaddownst ai
rs, mypar entsar enot
heret heywentt oabusi nesst r
ipinCapeTownwi t
h
Sandi lesoi ml eftwi t
hSakhi l
e;speaki ngofSakhi l
e
hej ustwal kedi nhol di
nghandswi thabeaut i
fultal
l
l
ady, shel ookedl ikeshe's19andshel ooked
fami l
iar.
i
mjustsi
tt
ingonthebarstooli
nthekit
chen
wat
chi
ngthem t
alki
ng-theydon'tseeme.
Sakhil
e:goandwar m somethi
ngtoeatinthe
ki
tchenyouwi l
lfi
ndmeupst ai
rs.t
heladynoded
andwal kedt
owardstheki
tchen,shestoppedather
t
rackswhenshesawme.
"Whatar
eyoudoinghere?."sheaskedwi
thso
muchatt
it
ude-haybo.ichuckl
ed.
me:hel
lot
oyout
oo.
"ain'
tyoutiredhuh?f ir
stlyyoutookLwazifr
om me
nowyouwannat akeSakhile!unyil
ethist
ime
around."ijustburstoutlaughing,can'
tsheseethe
resemblancebetweenSakhi l
eandi?, cametothi
nk
ofitshewaswi tht hegi
rlswhoi nsul
tedmeatthe
cafe,theonewhowasdat ingLwazi .
me:yazl ove,andi
yit
handiDr
ama;sot ake
whateveryouwantedtotakeandgetoutofthe
ki
tchen.(idon'
tli
kedrama)
shechuckl
ed
"your
egrett
his,
Lwaziwi
llgett
ir
edofyouand
comebacktome.Wherehebelongs.
iscof
fed.
me:justl
ikehowhegottir
edofyou?jongalove
st
opthis.stopembar
rassi
ngyoursel
fli
kethi
s;
ungumntuyoumustacceptdef
eat!Dustyoursel
f
andmoveon, Lwazingcadoesn'tloveyouanymore
-stopholdi
ngintohim bcsyouwi llonl
ygethur
t.
Lethim goandfocusonSakhi l
e!Lwazi i
smine
nowandhe' sdefi
nitel
ynotgoi nganywhere.so
wenadoyourpr ettysel
faf avourstopfi
ghti
ngme
bcsofamanwhodoesn' tevenloveyoubcsim not
anenemi eher
ehei sanywayskusekhayaapha;
Sakhil
eismybr otherstopassumi ngshit.
wi
tht
hatsai
diwal
kedaway.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI
.
soyest erdayir eceivedacal lfr
om mymanst ell
ing
met hatthey' r
el andingt oday!t heywayi m so
happyicoul dn'
tevensl eepyest erday;don'tlookat
mel i
ket hatimi ssedt hathandsomesoulhyo.i
wasst artingtobehavel i
keacl ingyGirlf
ri
endnow
buthedi dn'tcompl ainbcshemi ssesmet oo.
anywaysiwokeupar ound10am andmademybed
thenopenedmycur t
ainsandwi ndowsf orfreshair
thendisappear edt ot hebat hroom ;ibrushedmy
teet
ht henwashedmyf ace.af terthatiworemy
gownandsl eeperst henheaddownst air
s.igot
ther
eSakhi l
eandhi sgi rl
fri
endwer ebeingalllovey
doveyi ntheki t
chen.ir oll
edmyeyes.
me:mor
ningl
ovebi
rds.
Thegi
rl
fr
iendr
oll
edhereyes,
idon'
tevenknowher
name.
Sakhi
le:heysi
s,yousl
eptwel
l?.
me:yes,
you?.
Sakhi
le:isl
eptgood.umhHl
alut
hisAsemahl
emy
gi
rl
fri
end.Mahlethi
sHlal
umybabysist
er.
Ohhernamei
sAsemahl
e,shegavemeaf
ake
smi
le.
me:ni
cet
omeetyouAsemahl
e.
Asemahl
e:(mumbl
ing)t
oobadican'
tsayt
he
same.
ichuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:Asemahl
ebehave.
hesaysst
ernl
y.imadecer
ealf
ormysel
fthenat
e.
Asemahl
e:caniuset
hebat
hroom ?.
Sakhi
le:sure,
godownt
hepassageseconddoor
onyourlef
t.
shenodedandl
eft.Sakhi
lel
ookedatme.
Sakhi
le:doyouknoweachot
her?.
ishookmyhead.
me:no.
Sakhi
le:i
tdoesn'
tseem l
iket
hatt
ome,
itl
ooksl
ike
youstol
eherman.
ichockedonmyf
oodandcoughed.
Sakhi
le:ar
eyouokay?.
Inoded.
Sakhi
le:soam ir
ight?di
dyoust
ealherman?.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
me:no!idon'
tevenknowherman.
her
aisedhi
sbr
owl
ooki
ngatme.
Sakhi
le:don'
tli
eHl
alumiihear
dyouyest
erday
sayi
ng'Lwaziismi
nenow' .
hesai
dmi mi
cki
ngmyvoi
ce,
ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhil
e:(st
ernl
y)uyahl
eka?iyahl
eki
sal
endaba
Hlal
umi?.(you'
rel
aughi
ng?thisMatt
eri
smaking
youlaugh)
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
me:ofcour
senot.
Sakhi
le:t
henexpl
ain.
isi
ghed.
me:okayt
hen,
yesSakhi
lei
m dat
ing.
Sakhi
le:whoi
she?i
sheMahl
e'
sex?.
me:hisnameisLwazibutever
yoneknowshi
m as
djLJandyeshe'
sMahle'
sex.
hi
smout
hhangopen.
Sakhi
le:you'
redat
ingLJ?.
inoded.
Sakhi
le:wow!
igi
ggl
edathowshockedhei
s.
Sakhi
le:dadi
sgoi
ngt
oret
ali
atewhenhef
indout
aboutthi
s.
me:don'
tevent
hinkaboutt
ell
inghi
m orel
sei
m
goi
ngtot
ellMom t
hatyouhaveacrushonOmu.
Sakhi
le:hawuHl
alumi!iwasnotgoi
ngt
otel
lhi
m.
me:iwil
lneverknowwi
thyou,anywaysyoubet
ter
takeMi
ssMahlehomebeforemom anddadcomes
back.
irantomyroom .igotther
eandt ur
nedonmy
phoneihadami ssedcall
sfrom OmuandZi
ngca.i
call
edOmuf i
rst.
Omu:f
ir
stl
ove.
me:Beaut
if
ulone,
howar
eyou?.
Omu:im ver
ymuchgoodmyfr
iend!Mymani
s
comi
ngback;howareyou.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:im okay,isawyourmissedcal
lbuzot
hini?
(whatwereyougoingtosay).
Omu:ohiwasgoi ngtoaskwhatti
mearewe
fet
chi
ngthesedouchebagbags?ifor
gott
oask
Songezo.
me:idon'
tknowl
overbuti
m goi
ngt
oaskZi
ngca
now.
Omu:okay,
dot
ell
neh?
me:wi
lldo.
Omu:sho.
ihungupandcal
ledZi
ngca.
Zi
ngca:mabhebheza,
fede?(howar
eyou)
me:youdon'tt
alkt
hatl
anguagewi
thmel
wazi,
do
youunder
stand?.
hechuckl
ed.
Zi
ngca:sor
ryke.hist
handwaSam .
igi
ggl
ed.
me:t
hat
'smor
eli
kei
t.heyl
ove;howar
eyou?.
Zi
ngca:i
m goodbaby,
howar
eyout
hismor
ning?
me:I
'
m okay,
isawyourmi
ssedcal
l.
Zingca:yeah,
iwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatwe'
rel
andi
ng
at1pm neh.
me:ohokaylove,qagel
aukut
hii
Exyakhoi
jol
a
nobanimanj
e?.(Guesswho'
syou'
reexdat
ingnow)
Zi
ngca:AiHl
alumi
ihavemanyex'
smna!sot
alk
si
s.
il
aughed.
me:i
mtal
kingaboutAsemahl
eyousi
ll
y!.
Zi
ngca:ohwhoi
sshedat
ingnow?.
me:youweresupposedtoguessf
ondi
ni,
anyways
she'
sdat
ingmybrother.
Zi
ngca:saywhat?she'
sdat
ingSandi
le?.
il
aughed.
me:noman,
she'
sdat
ingSakhi
lemyot
herbr
other.
webot
hlaughed.
Zingca:yhoithoi
yshewasdat
ingSandi
le,
imean
thedudeisoldenough.
me:yeahneh,
babyl
ookihavet
ogoneh!seeyou
l
ater.
Zi
ngca:sho.il
oveyou
me:Il
oveyout
oo.
ihungup, itookmyToi l
etr
iebaganddisappeared
tothebat hroom ;itookashoweraft
ershoweringi
lot
ionedt henwor emyclothesthent
iedmy
dreadlocks.iappliedmyper f
umeandl i
pglossthen
tookmysl i
ngbagandphoneiheaddownst ai
rs.

JoedrovetoOmu' shouse, wegotthereandhoot

ed
shegotoutlooki
ngal lsor
tsofBeauti
ful.shegot
i
nsidethecargreeted.
Omu:j
oe-
joepl
easepassbyMcDonal
d's.
henodded.
me:youl
ookbeaut
if
ulg.
Omu:iknow,
Iknow.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:we'
reconf
identmuchnowar
ewe?.
Omu:imeanduh!.
webothlaughed.west
oppedatmcDonal
d'sand
boughtburger
sandchi
psthenwedr
ovest
raightt
o
theai
rport.
Joe:shoul
diwai
tforyouguys?.
me:nowj
oe,
youcango.
henoded,wegotoutthecarandJoel
eft;we
spot
tedZi
ngca'
sfr
iendsandwewenttot hem .
Omu:higuys.
At
hi:l
adi
esmant
ombazane!
asal
wayst
hisAndi
ledudewasst
ari
ngatme.
Omu:ni
njani?.
(howar
eyou)
Li
yabona:we'
regoodchomam ,
youguysl
ookcut
e.
ismi
led.
Omu:t
hanksguys.

Omukeptont
alki
ngandl
aughi
ngwit
htheseguys,
whil
emnaiwasbusyonmyphonepl
ayingcandy
cr
ush.
"awut
hul
eHl
alu"
.il
ookedupi
tsAndi
le.ichuckl
ed.
me:il
ikebei
ngqui
et.
Omu:she'
sli
ket
hatguys,
youwi
llgetusedt
oher.
t
heychuckled.il
ookedatt
heti
meonmywr
ist
wat
ch,im gett
ingi
mpati
entnow.
me:i
m goi
ngt
othebat
hroom guys.
Omu:shoul
diaccompanyyou?.
ishookmyhead.
me:noiwi
llbef
ine.
shenoded,iwenttothebat
hroom anddi
dmy
busi
nessthenwashedmyhands.iwentbackto
theguysigott
hereandspott
edZingca.ir
ant
ohis
armsandj
umpedonhi
m .Ohhowimi
ssedt
his
soul.

t
obecont
inued.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

iwatchedherassherunningtowar
dsmeand
jumpedonme, icatchedherwhil
elaughing!Howi
missedthi
sbeauti
fulsoulher
e;ikissedherand
huggedherti
ght.
me:(whi
sper
ing)i
missedyou.
Lumi:Imi
ssedyout
oobaby.
wehuggedf
orawhileunti
ltheGent
scompl
ained,
i
huggedmyBrosandfi
stbumpedwitht
hem .
me:Gent
siwi l
lseeyoul
aterneh,
ineedsomet
ime
wi
thmygirl.
theynoded.it
ookLumi
'shandandledhertot
he
car;iopenedt
hedoorf
orherandgotinsi
de.
me:unj
animyl
ove?(howar
eyou)
Lumi:i
mfi
nebooyou?.
me:i
m good.
shenoded.
Lumi:sohowwasj
ozi?.
me:itwasgood,not
hingmuch!besi
desLondon'
s
daught
ert
ryi
ngtoseduceme.
Lumi:(gaspi
ng)what?youl
ie!
me:i
m ser
iousbaby.
Lumi:ihopeyoudi
dn'
tent
ert
ainher.
me:haybobaby,
howdoyout
akemef
or?.
sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
Lumi:youwi
llneverknowwet
hu,
sowhatdi
dyou
dowenakuGi
r l?.
sheaskedl
ooki
ngamusedbyt
his.
me:yhobaby!shel i
teral
lycri
edndakxel el
e.it old
herthatim notat
tr
act edtoherihaveagi rl
fr
iend
thatilovebackathome;yhoshewasl ike'
Girl
fri
end?youcal lthathighschoolgi r
lagirl
fri
end?
ohcomeonLwaziyoucandobet terthanthat';
thensheaskedmet hatwhati sitthatyouhavet hat
shedoesn'thave.i saidit
sselflove, yhoiregretted
sayingthatbcsshej ustbursti
ntot ears.
shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lumi:r
haaat
hener
ve!
me:imaginekengoku,
she'
sver
ybeaut
if
ulf
ort
hat
behavi
or.
shegavemeadeat
hst
are.
me:awcomeonbabe,
imj
ustst
ati
ngf
act
s.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Lumi:what
ever.
me:comeher
e.
ibroughtherclosertomeandlai
dherheadon
chest.wef el
lint
ocomf ort
abl
esi
lence;wi
thme
playi
ngwithherdr eadl
ocks.

Lumi:baby?
me:mh?
Lumi:whatki
ndofaper
sonAndi
lei
s?.
if
rowned,
whyi
ssheaski
ngmet
his?.
me:whydoyouask?.
Lumi:i
tsj
ustt
hatt
hedudei
sgi
vingmewei
rdvi
bes
.
me:wei
rdvi
bes?how?.
shesi
ghed.
Lumi:he'
sal
waysst
ari
ngatLwazi
,mor
eli
ke
maki
ngmeuncomfort
able.
me:whendi
dhest
artdoi
ngt
hat?
Lumi:att
hedoubl
edat
e,whenwef
ir
stmetyour
f
ri
ends.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

he'squit
eallofasudden, idon'tknowwhat '
sgoing
oninhisheadandican' tevenseehi sfacebcsim
l
ayingonhi schest.ideci
dedt otellhi
m bcsican't
standthatdude'
sSt ar
eseriousl
y.
Lwazi:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?.
me:it
houghti
twasnot
hingser
ious.
henoded.
me:canyout
akemehome?
l
wazi:okay.
hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.it
ext
edOmu.

*youl
eft?.
*
*yesl
over,
im onmywayt
oSongezo'
shousenow
.*
*Okayl
over,
seeyout
hen.
*

il
ogedoutonWhatsAppandfocussedont
heroad.
il
ookedatLwazihel
ookedangr
yorsomethi
ng.
me:ar
eyouokay?
l
wazi:whywoul
dn'
tibe?.
Yho.t
her
ewasnoneedf
orhi
mtober
ude.
me:t
herewasnoneedt oberudeLwazi
ngca,
it
wasj
ustani
nnocentquesti
on.
Lwazi:j
ustkeepqui
etHl
alu.
l
etmejustshutmymouthnow.wedr
ovei
nsi
lence
.heparkedi
nmystreet.
me:t
hankyouf
ort
aki
ngmehome.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:i
m sor
r-
me:don'
t.
iopenedthedoorandgotout,
igavehi
mthe
McDonald'spaperbagandwal
kedaway.
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°
(Shor
t)

HLALUMI
.

yazidon'tunderst
andLwaziseri
ously,imeanwhy
i
sheangr yatmenotathi sfr
iend?dididowrong
bytel
li
nghi m whathi
sfr
ienddoes?oriwas
supposedtohi dei
tfr
om him ?ti
llt
hatdudedo
somethingtome?
Si
gh.
ir
eal
lydon'
tgethi
m shame.he'
sbeencal
li
ngme
eversincehedroppedmeof fathomebutidon'
t
answerhiscall
s,he'sangryatmemossowhyi she
call
ingmebesidesidon'twannatal
ktohimfort
hat
matter.
"maybeyoushoul
danswerhi
ml over.
"saysOmu
l
ookingatmyri
ngi
ngphoneisi
ghedbefore
answeri
ng.
me:yes?.
heexhal
ed.
Lwazi:f
inal
lyyouanswer
ed,
whyar
eavoi
dingme
baby?.
me:wasisupposedt
ojumpwhenyoucal
l?huh?
ar
eyoumyf at
her?.
hescof
fed.
Lwazi:Hl
alumiwhat
'sgoi
ngwi
thyou?whyar
eyou
l
iket
his?.
me:am li
kewhat?bei
ngmoodyoutoft
hebl
uej
ust
l
ikeyou?.
l
wazi:Lumi,i
m sorr
ybaby;iknowiwaswr
ongf
or
snappi
ngatyouit
'sj
ust
-
me:ha. al
wazi!don'
tpl
aythatcardonme;iknow
thatyouar
eangryatyourfr
iendbutthatdoesn'
t
giveyouanyri
ghttosnapatmef orsomethingi
didn'
tdo.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:canicomet
oyousot
hatwecant
alk?
pl
easemyl ove.
isi
ghed.
me:f
ineLwazi
ngca,
comeabout6pm .
l
wazi:okay,
iloveyouneh.
ismil
ed,
howcani
staymadatt
hischar
ming
per
son?mxm.
me:il
oveyout
oo,
bye.
ihungup.
Omu:andthen?whyareyousmi
li
ngnow?i
t
houghtyouwer
eangr
yathim ?.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
me:fuckof
fOmuhle.youknowhowsmoot
h
t
alki
ngLwazicanbe.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:iknow,
soyou'
remeet
inghi
mlat
er?
inoded.
Omu:yougonnal
eavemehereal
lal
one?whatam
igoingt
osayt
oBul
iwhenshecameherel
ooki
ng
foryou?.
me:yhohayOmuhl
e!youwi
llt
hinkofsomet
hing
wet
hu.
sheshookherheadchuckl
ing.
me:l
et'
ssl
eep.
wegotunder
cover
sandsl
ept.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

"thankyouforagreei
ngt
oseeme.
"saysLwazihas
igetinsi
dehiscar.
me:makei
tsnappy,
ilef
tOmuhl
eal
one.
her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Lwazi:f
ir
stofal
l,myki
sskal
oku.
ichuckl
edandpeckedhi
sli
ps;hesmi
led.
me:sowhyam iher
e?.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:im sor
ryHlal
umi, i
mr eall
yam .iknowhow
youhat ebei
ngshoutedat;itsj
ustt hatthi
sisnot
thefir
stti
meAndiledoingthis,he'
sal ways
crushingonmygirlf
ri
endsorsomet hingbuti
thoughthegrownoutofitsincehehasn' tdoneitin
awhi l
ebutiguessim wrong.butt hatdoesn'tgi
ve
meanyr i
ghti
m sorr
ysthandwaSam .
isi
ghed.
me:i t
sokaymyl ove,iforgavebutpromiseyouwil
l
neverdoitagai
nbcsi m nottheonewhot ol
dAndi
le
tostar
eatme;andyoushoul dal
sowor konyour
angerbcsiwon'twalkoneggshel l
sar oundyou
mnawhenit oldyouaboutsomet hingthatmakes
youmadanzokwazit usana.
heki
ssedmyhands.
Lwazi:ipr
omi
sebabyiwon'
t,soam if
orgi
ven?.
me:yesyouar
e.
hesmi
ledandpeckedmyl
ips.
Lwazi:t
hankyoubaby.
me:sur
ethi
ng.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
39] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-THREE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

(MONTHSLATER).

LWAZI
NGCA.

"comeonbaby,
youwi
llbef
ine."isayt
oLumi
tal
kingtoheroverthephone, she'snervousabout
thebraaiwehadwi ththeguyssowei nvit
edour
gir
lstocomeandchi llwithus.it
'ssuchasmal l
thi
ngnot hi
ngbigwewi l
ltal
k,danceorl i
stent
o
musi candallt
hatstuff.
Lumi:al
ri
ght,
sowhatmustiwear?.
me:what everyoucomf ort
abl
einmylovei
t'
sokay,
r
emembert hisisnotapart
yit
sjustabr
aaimor
e
l
ikechi
ll
ingt ogetherneh?.
shesi
ghed.
Lumi:okaybabe,
ihavet
ogoneh.seeyoul
ater.
me:okay,
iloveyou.
Lumi:il
oveyout
oo.
ihungup.
it
sbeen5mont hsnowsi nceI'
vebeendat i
ngLumi,
imustsayI '
veneverbeenhappyl iket
hisina
rel
ationshi
pbef ore;Hlal
umimakesmehappy
withouteventrying.she'sthepieceandhappinessi
needi nmylif
e.ever ythi
nghasbeengoi ngsmoot h
betweenus, ofcour sewehadf ightsl
ikeother
couplesoutt
herebutwedon'
tsleepwithoutf
ixi
ng
them eveni
fihadtodri
veatmidnightt
oherhome
sothaticoul
dseeheridoit.

ijustlovethewayourr el
ati
onshipissoheal thy,i
justlovethewaywel oveeachot her;ijusthope
nothingcomesbet weenusevenpeopl eli
keAndi l
e
don'tcomebet weenus.speaki ngofAndi lei
haven'tseenhi minagesitsl
ikehejustdi sappear
ed
intothinairidon'
tknow.

anywaysmymom haspest eri

ngmeaboutwant ing
toseeLumi, imeanumamawhat 'stherushshe
hasthewhoent ir
eli
fetoseeherbcsshe' snot
goinganywher eshe'sgoi
ngt obemywi fe,shewi l
l
seeherbutj ustnotnow.sonowt heti
mei s5pm
andt hebraaistar
tsat6soihavet ogetreadyand
gopickupHl al
umi.soitookashowert hen
l
otionediwor emybl ackPoloneckwithmybl ack
ri
ppedj eansthenmysneaker s,iworemyj ean
j
acketwi thachain;iroughenmyf adethenapplied
cologne.igrabbedmywal let,phoneandcarkeys
thenheaddownst ai
rs.igotthereZukowaswi t
hhis
Girl
fri
endNal edi,
yeahitturnsoutmybr otheri
snot
gayact ual
lyhehasagi rl
fri
endt hey'
vebeendati
ng
for2year snow;wedi dn'tknowbcsZukohasbeen
l
owkeyabouthi sthi
ngs, heloveshispri
vacy.
me:mol
weni.
theygr
eet
edback.ibi
dGoodbyest
othem and
headout.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

yahnei t
'sbeenmont hsofHappi nessandpeacein
myl i
fe,imeani happygi r
lyenu.Lwazi issucha
sweethear tnina;he'
sbeent reati
ngmegoodimust
proudlysayt hatidon'tregretgivi
nghim achance
hemadei twor t
hmywhi leyho.anywayst oday
we'rearegoi ngtoabr aaihisFr i
endshosted.it
s
notapar t
yi t
sj ustsomet hingsmal l;soI'vealready
toldmymom aboutt hi
sandsheagr eedt hatshe
wi l
ldistr
actmydadabi tsothaticoul dbeabl eto
go.soaf tera30mi nut
esofl ookingforsomet hi
ng
towearichoset owearmywhi teturtl
eneckwi th
mybl ackmi niski r
t,ablackkneel engthheelboot
wi thmydeni mj acket;iletmydr eadlocksl oose
thenwor emybuckethatandsomeear r
ings.i
appl i
edmyper fumeandl i
pglosst hentookmy
slingbagandi nsertedmyphone, sunglasses,
ti
ssuesandmyl i
pglossthenheaddownst air
s!no
onewasi nsi ght, myphonebeepsi t
samessage
from Lwazi.

*Comeoutl
ove,
im her
e.*

iqui
cklytext
edmymom thati
m goingthenwalked
out.hegotoutmeet
ingmehalfway, helooked
real
lygoodandsmel
ledgoodtoo.
me:tsimar
ora,thesonofnant
sika!awumhl
ebaby
.(youl
ookhandsome)
hesmiledl
ooki
ngaway,he'
sbl
ushi
ngbuthe
doesn'
twantmetosee,
hehuggedme.
Lwazi:youknowkaloku,
ineverdi
sappoi
nt.you
l
ookgor geousmybaby.
ismi
ledandki
ssedhi
m.
me:t
hankyoul
ove,
let
'sgo.
wegotinsi
dethecaranddroveof
f,it
ookmy
sungl
assesandworethem .
Lwazi:tsimadoda!awubawel
isi
ji
kelove?(Damn
br
os, don'tyouwantust
otakeaU-tur
n)
igi
ggl
ed.
me:ha.
ababy,
masambe.
(nobaby,
let
'sgo)
hescof f
ed,heplayedsomemusicwhilewedr ove
there.wearri
vedthere,t
her
eweremanycar son
thedriveway,wegotoutthecarandwalkedinside.
theyalll
ookedatusandwhistl
edother
sare
screaming,ohGod.

°
°°°
°°°
°
Ngabisonosamiyi
nil
aph'
emhlabeni,
abaphezul
u
ezi
hlal
weniezi
nkul
uzasemhl
abeniabavumi
♪♪♪

Ngabisonosamiyi
nil
aph'
emhlabeni,
abaphezul
u
ezi
hlal
weniezi
nkul
uzasemhl
abeniabavumi
♪♪♪

Nobakwenyukelaindlelaibanzingi
fi
saukuyekel
a,
keph'
ubawoemazul wi niuthimntanam kant
i
ukhal
elaningobaekhayaemazul wi
nibavumil
e
.♪♪♪

bayabuzaabant
u,bayabuzaabant
u

Bayabuzaabant
u,bayabuzaabant
u.♪♪♪

t
heybr
aaihasbeenamazi
ngni
cemusi
c,guyswer
e
braaingthemeatout sidewhi l
emeandt heot her
girl
swer eintheki tchenmi xingsal ads, thegirl
s
wer eOmu, Zinhle(at hi'
sGi rlf
riend), Kungawo
(Songezo' scousi n), Lethu(Li yabona'sGi r
lf
ri
end),
Amahl e(Andi le'
sGi rlfr
iend)andSet hu
(Asemahl e'sbestf riend)whohasbeengi vi
ngme
weirdlookseversi nceigoti nher ebutthenidon' t
havet i
mef orher.sosi ncet heguyswer est il
lbusy
withthemeatZi nhlecamewi t
hat opi
ct hatwe
discussedasgi r
lswhi l
esi ppingonourci der
s.we
wer etal
kingaboutl ove, relati
onshi pandsexal l
thatstuff.it
'ssuchani nteresti
ngt opicformebcsi
gettoknowonot herper son'ssexopi nionyouknow
sinceim avi r
gin.
Kungawo:buthonest
lyguys, wheni
sther
ightt
ime
t
ohavesexinanewr elat
ionship?.
Omu:somegi
rl
spr
eferusi
ngt
he90dayr
ule.
Zi
nhl
e:t
ruet
hat.
me:butguysmnaonmyopi nionisay,icanhave
sexwithaguyonourfi
rstdate;youarenotbeinga
hoethere'
snot
hingwr
ongaboutt hat.imeanifa
guywantedtoleaveyouaft
ersexhewil
lwhether
yougavehimthecookieaft
er3monthsorthefir
st
dat
eheisstil
lgoingtol
eaveQha.
Omu:yeahHl al
uisri
ght,boysaredecei
vingnow
days;it
shardtobeli
evewhethersomeoneis
si
ncereorhejustwannagetinsi
deyourpants.
Set
hu:wenahowdidyouknowthatLJdoesn'
t
wannageti
nsi
deyourpant
sandleaveyou?.
me:yabonamnt asei m notsayi ngt hatLwazi won'
t
l
eavemeorsomet hingbutwhatiknowi sthat
Lwazil ovesme, imeanLwazii swel lknownhei sa
DJwhoi swel lknownandhecangetanygi r
lhe
want swheneverhewant s;buthechoset orun
afteraschoolgi r
llikeme!hel eftvarsitygirl
swho
reachhi sstandar d.gi rl
swhodr i
vecar sandappl y
fancymake- upbuthechoset or unafteramer e
plainJanegi rlli
kemewho' sstil
lingrade11.even
i
fhewant edsexhecoul dn'tgetitbcsit oldhim
beforeigoti ntorelat i
onshi pwithhi mt hatmy
fami l
yisver ytraditi
onal!youhavet or each21
yearsst i
llavirginsosexi snogoar eabuthe
stayedwi thme, ndi kxel
elanj ewe' vebeendat i
ng
for5monthswithnosexatall.t
oansweryour
quest
ionkemydar l
ingiknowandim sur
ethat
Lwazi
ngcalovesme.
Zi
nhl
e:wow!.
welaughed,
andcont
inuedt
otal
kaboutal
lthose
t
hings.

Amahl
e:evennal ant
oyonikaaguyyournumber
andgi
vehimf al
sehopethatther
e'sachancekant
i
awumfunii
t'
swrongshame.
Me:yazmnawhenigi veyoumynumberi tsbcsim
will
ingt ogiveyouachance, goingonadateisjust
aconf irmationthatwear eon;butsometimesaguy
canbeal lcharmingandsweetwhi l
easki
ngyouout,
thenyougoonadat ewi thhim andhavea
conver sati
onaboutlifeandyouf oundoutthatt
his
personi sjustawast eoflookswi t
hnobrain,what
i
mt r yi
ngt osayi smnail i
keguyswhoknowswhat
theywanti nli
feyousee.
Omu:yeahyou'
reri
ght,ther
earemanyguysout
t
her
ewhoar enotser
iousaboutl
if
eatal
l,t
hey'
real
l
aboutal
coholandgi
rl
sthat
'sal
l;guysl
iket
hatar
e
suchaturnoffr
eal
ly.
Zinhl
e:yeahsomet hinglikethathaseverhappened
tome, t
herewast hisguywhowasf amousat
school;hi sfamilywasver yrich.everygir
lat
schoolwasf all
ingathi sfeet,mnaiwasj ust
crushi
ngonhi m .sooneni ghtwemeetatVer sace
Clubitwashi s21bi r
thdaysohei nvi
tedeveryone,
mycousi nandherf riendswewentt here.Tocut
thestoryshorthenot icedmeandaskedmeona
datethedayaf tersoiagr eedandwentt othedat e
withhim allt
ofindoutt hatthispersonissucha
wasteofl ooks!he'snotser i
ousaboutl i
featall.
he'sallaboutgirl
sandal coholndaqombayhuha. a
sana!ighost edhim andineversawhi m againrhaa.
weburstoutlaughi
ng,wecont
inuedtotal
kabout
t
hingsunti
ltheguyscal
ledusi
ntheloungesayi
ng
t
hemeati sready.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
40] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

i
m wokenbybangi ngheadacheandadr ythr
oat,i
wincedi npai n!islowlyopenedmyeyesandl ooked
around;i mi nar oom itl
ooksmasculineevent he
coloursi nherescr eamsmascul i
ne.islowlysatup
straighttryi
ngtor ememberwher eam i...Ohmy
God!iwasatt hatpartyyester
dayandidi dn'
tgo
home;mywor dmydadi sgoingtokil
lme.iqui ckl
y
gotof fthebedJesusi m notevenwearingmy
clothes!wher ethef uckisLwazingca?ican'teven
seemyphone.iopenedt hedoorandrun
downst airs.igott her
elwaziwasi nt
heki t
chen
l
isteningt omusicwhi lestir
ri
ngsomethingont he
pot.
Me:l
wazi?.
Het
urnedandsmi
ledatme.
Lwazi:heybaby.
Me:heybabymyl ef
tfoot,whydidn'
tyout
akeme
home?whydi dyouletmesleephere?mydad
mustbegoingmadathim !ohwlwazihowcoul
d
youdothi
stome?.
iwasalr
eadycr yingandpanickingnow,iknowmy
dadisunpredictabl
e.youwon' tknowwhathe'
s
goi
ngtodonext;hewi l
lbeatmeupandmom won' t
cometomyr escue.Lwazicamet omeandcupped
myfacethenpeckedmyl i
ps.
Lwazi:heyheycal
m downwi
llyou?
iscof
fed.
Me:calm down?you'
ret
ell
ingmetocalm down?
doyouknowmydad?huh?don' tbul
lshi
tme
Lwazi
ngcaplease.
Lwazi:ha.
afondi
nimasingaqhelanikaloku,am i
theonewhosaidyoushoulddrinkuntilyoucan'
t
standbyyourt
wof eet?huh?howam was
supposedt
otakeyouhomeunj
alo?
sundi
phambanel
aHlal
umipl
ease.(nobr
o,don'
t
fuckwit
hme)
wit
hthatsai
dhet
ookof
ftheapr
onandwal
ked
upst
air
s.
Me:wher
e'smyphoneke?.
heignor
edmeandcont i
nuedtowal
kaway.isat
downont hecouchdef
eated.
Me:(t
ear
y)Omgiam adeadmeatr
ightnow.
howam isupposedt
ogethomenow?i
tseven
rai
ningcat
sanddogsout
side.
Si
gh,
istoodupf rom thecouchandheadupst air
s, ineed
tobegt hisbigbabyofmi nenow.idi dn'tevenget
thechancet otourthehousei t
sBeauti
fulit
sl ooks
li
keaf ami l
yhome!i thast hathomelyfeeli
ngabout
it.iwalkedthroughthepassageandgeti nsidethe
room iwasi n;lwaziwasl ayingontopoft hebed
looki
ngupij umpedontopofhi m.
Me:boo?
Si
lence.
Me:Lwazi?
.
Si
lence.isi
ghed
Me:uxololwazi, i
m sor r
ythatisnapatyouneh!
i
t'
sjustthatineversleptoutbesidesOmu'shome
ofcourse;evenwor seididn'tt
ellt
hem wher
eiam .
uxol
obabypl easeforgivemekal oku.
Hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:sho.
Me:hehakel
wazi.
Lwazi:heemanuf
unandit
hinihuh?youapol
ogi
sed
fi
neiforgi
veyou.
(Whatdoyouwantmet osay)
Me:idon'tknowwhatt
osayordoanymor
esana;
haven'
tyouseenmyphone?.
heshookhi
shead,
andbr
oughtmecl
osert
ohi
s
body.
Me:kodwaLwazi,ihavet
ogohome;mypar
ent
s
mustbewor
ri
edsicknow.
hej
ustshutmeupwi
thapassi
onat
eki
sst
hatl
eft
mepant
ingandbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
Lwazi:l
et'
ssl
eep,
youwi
llgohomewhenwewake
upokay?.
inoded,il
ovet
hisbutst
il
lIlhavet
ogohome;he
broughtmecl
osertohi
sbodyandcuddl
edme.i
fel
lint
oadeepsleep.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

"Lumi?.
"
if
eltsomeoneshaki
ngmesof
tl
y.
"Nganenhl
ewakeup!."isl
owl
yopenedmyeyes,
i
m metbyLwazi'
shandsomeface!ismi
led.
Me:hey.
hepeckedmyl
ips.isatupst
rai
ghtr
ubbi
ngmy
eyes.
Me:whatt
imei
sit?
Lwazi:i
ts7pm .
Me:what?OhwLwazi
ngca.
Lwazi:Omuhlehasbeencal
li
ngnon-stop,she
sai
dyourparent
swerelooki
ngforyouatherhome.
iquickl
ygotof fthebedandr ant
ot hebathroom ,
i
washedmyf acet henri
nsemymout hwithamout h
washt hatwast herethenheadtothebedr oom
again.Lwazigavemehi ssweatpant sandahoodie
;hegavemeasmal lbagtopackmycl othesiwore
thepreviousnight.
Lwazi:Hl
alumi
.
Me:mh?
Lwazi:don'
twor
rybaby,
youwi
llbef
ineokay?.
inoded,it
ookmyt hingst
henweheadout.wegot
insi
dethecaranddroveoff.

wear
ri
vedatmyst
reetandpar
ked3housesaway.
Si
gh.
Lwazi:shoul
digoi
nwi
thyou?
ishookmyhead.
Me:iwi
llbeokay.
Lwazi:iwi
llcal
lyoubef
orei
got
osl
eep,
iloveyou.
hepeckedmyl
ipsandhuggedme.
Me:il
oveyout
ooboo.
wekissedonemor eti
methenigotoffthecarand
rantowardsmyhome.iopenedt hegate.they
weremanycar sonthedri
veway, t
hixowam .iran
towardsthedoorandopened!icoul
dheart he
noisefr
om outsi
de!whenigetinsi
detheloungethe
room wentquit
e..

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

af
terdroppi
ngLumioffatherhomeidroveaway.i
ar
rivedathomemypar ent
'scari
sonthedriveway
whichmeanstheyar
ebackf rom t
het
rip,iget
i
nside.
Me:mol
weni.(Gr
eet
ings)
theygreet
edback.ij ustranupst ai
rs;igoti
nsi
de
myr oom !Hl
alu'sscentisallovertheroom
special
lyonmybedi tj
ustsmel lsli
keher.it
ookmy
booksandstartedwithmyassi gnments.

bythetimeifi
nishediwassof amished, ipacked
mybooksandwor emysl eepersthenhead
downstair
s.Everyonewassi tt
ingont helounge
watchi
ngamovi eijustpassthem andwentt ot ake
myphoneont heovent henwentt othelivingroom ;
isatnexttomom anddi ggedinonmyphone.
Mom :Yi
ntokabanl
e?.
sai
dmom wavi
ngHl
alu'
st-
shi
rtont
heai
r.Fuck!
..

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
40] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-FI
VE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI.

alleyeswer
eonmenow, Omu'sparent
swer eeven
here;dadistheonewhosprunguponhi schai
r
andchargedtowardsmehol
dinghisbelt.i
screamedandhidebehi
ndmom .
Dad:(shout
ing)wher
ethehel
lhaveyoubeen
Hlal
umi?!!
Me:(cr
ying)i
m sor
ryDaddy.
Dad:ubukephiHl
alumi?heeeusuhambu'
l
ala
manje?awubuyiekhaya?.(Wherewer
eyou
Hlal
umi?youdon'tsl
eepathomenow?)
hegr
abbedmebehi
ndmom andbeatt
hehel
loutof
me,iwasscr
eami
ngli
kecr
azy.
Me:(cryi
ng)ngiyaxoli
sababa,
ngekengi
saphi
nda
f
uthi.(I
m sor
rydad, iwon'
tdoi
tagai
n)
Dad:vel
e, you'
reevenweari
ngaboy'scl
othes;
Hlal
umisuyadelel
amanje?(Ofcourseyouwon't,
you'
redi
srespecti
ngyourel
dersnow)
hecont
inuedt
obeatmeupunt
ilihadnost
rengt
h
tocr
yanymore.
Mom :ENOUGH!
!!.
mydadst
oppedbeat
ingmeandl
ookedatdad.
Mom :st
opthisNkosinat
hi,youdidn'tevengivea
chi
ldachancetoexplai
nukuthiuvelaphi
sowumbetha;phakamaHl al
umisambe. (where'
s
she'
scomingfrom ?You'
realreadybeatingher.
Let'
sgoHlal
umi ).
shepickedmeup, iwincedi
npainbutshei
gnored
me;wehear dupstair
s.sheputmeinsidet
he
batht
ubt hati
sfullofhotwat
er!ij
ustlai
dbackand
soakedmybody.

af
terbat
hingigotoutanddrai
nedthewaterand
cl
eanedthebathr
oom thenwrappedatowelaround
mybody, il
ookedatmyselfi
nthemirr
orihad
bruisesthatar epurplesi
nceIml ightskinned.if
elt
tearsthreateningtocomeoutij ustblinkedrapi
dly
tryi
ngt ostopt hem .iwentbackt otheroom -mom
wasseat edont opofthebedhol dingagl assof
waterandpi l
ls.
Mom :her
e.
shehandedmet heglassandt
hepi
ll
s,ithi
nkt
hey
arepainkil
ler
ssincemybodyhurt
s!iwipedmy
bodyandl oti
onedthenworemypyj
amasigot
Undercovers.
Me:i
m sor
rymama,
iknowyou'
redi
sappoi
ntedi
n
me..
Mom :it
sokaybaby,iunderstandperf
ectl
ybcsi
wasonceyouragenam sodon' tmindyourdadmy
l
ove;inhiseyesyou'
rest
il
lthelit
tl
eHlalumi.you
gr
owinguplikethi
sdoesn'
tsitwellwit
hhim.
inoded.
Mom :buti
m notencouragi
ngyoutosleepout
moreoft
enneh?it'
sjustaonceofft
hing,sowher
e
di
dyousleep?
Me:atLwazi
'
shome.
Mom :hayboHl
alu!wher
ewashi
spar
ent
s?
Me:t
heywer
enotar
ound?
shenoded.
Mom :getsomesl eepiwi
llwakeyouupsot
hatyou
coul
deat,iloveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
ooMom .
sheki
ssedmyforeheadandwal
kedout.ipul
led
thebl
anket
sovermyheadandslepti
mmediatel
y.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"Lwazi
ngcawhoset -
shirti
sthis?bcsiknowthi
sis
notNal
edi'
s;didyoubringsomeonehere?."she
asksl
ooki
ngatmewi t
hast rai
ghtf
ace,mymom
canbeint
imidat
ingatti
mesandshecanbeatt he
shitoutofme.soidon'
tknowwhet
herishoul
dtel
l
thetrut
horshoul
dideny.
Ei
sh.
Me:ei
shMama,
okayi
t'
smi
ne.
Mom :your
s?I
tsgi
rl
'st
-shi
rtnj
e.
isi
ghed.
Me:ngekaHlal
umimama,cel
aundi
nike.(I
ts
Hl
alumi
's,pl
easegi
vei
ttome)
Mom :Hl
alumiwasher
e?.
inoded.
Mom :Lwazi
ngca?
Me:ma?
Mom :who'
shousei
sthi
s?
Me:your
s?
Mom :t
henwhyar
eyoubr
ingingyourGi
rl
fri
ends
her
e?andsl
eptwi
tht
hem undermyroom !.
iopenedmymout
htosaysomet
hingbutideci
ded
againsti
t.
Me:i
m sor
ryma.
Mom :don'
tyoueverLwazi,
askyourdadtobuyan
apart
mentorsomethi
ng.iwon'
ttol
erat
eshitf
rom
youneh?that
halentouhambenayo.(t
akethi
s
thi
ngandgoawaywi thi
t)
itookthet
-shi
rtandrantomyr oom ,if
oldedit
nicel
yandputitonmycl oset.il
aidi
nbedt hen
call
edLumibutitranganswered.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

mom call
edmedownst air
st oeatdinneraftermy
nap,iwashedmyf acethenbr ushedmyt eeth!my
bodywaslit
tl
ebitsawyhomydaddi danumberon
me.iworemygownandsl eepersthenhead
downstai
rs;fami
lywasal r
eadyseat ed!
Me:sani
bonani.
(Gr
eet
ings).
t
heygr
eetedbackbutDaddidn'
t.Mom di
shedup
f
ormethensheprayedthenwedigged.
Dad:Hl alumiidon'
tli
kewhatyoudid,you
disappearedthewholenightwi
thoutt
ell
ingwher
e
youar ethenthenextdayubuyango7;Hl al
umi
ngumuzikabanl o?(Who' shouseist
his)
Me:i
tsyour
sdad.
Dad:good,
nowanswermewher
ewer
eyou?.
ilookedatmom whowasal
sol
ooki
ngatme,
now
im goingt
oli
eseri
ousl
y.
Me:umhyest erdayiwentt othepartyofmyfri
end
atschool,sheinvit
edmet here.Sinceitwasgoi
ng
toendatmi dnightsoshesuggest edthatweshould
sleepther
e;im sorrythatididn'
tletyouguysknow
i
t'sthatmybat t
erydied.
Sandi
lewaslooki
ngatmeallt
hist
ime,
heknows
i
ml yi
ngbutidon'
tcar
eatt
histi
me.
Dad:Hlal
uminextti
meyou' r
egoingt
ot hepar
ty
you'r
egoi
ngtotel
lmest r
aightup!i
fim not
agreei
ngyou'
renotgoi
ngtoyourmot heryouwil
l
stayher
eathome.andifsomethingl
iket
his
happensagaini
m goi
ngtosendyouatemadadeni
toyourGrandmaareweclear?.
inoded.
Me:cr
yst
al,
canigoandsl
eep?
Dad:sur
e.
igotupfrom mychai
randheadupstai
rs,wheni
gotther
emyphonewasr i
ngingi
t'
sLwazi idon'
t
wannatalktohi
m now.ij
ustgotundercover
sand
sl
ept.

i
m wokenupbyaknockonmywi ndow,ichecked
thet
imeits2:
30am .ist
art
edt
ogetscar
edwho
coul
dthatbe?.
"Lumi?."thepersonwhisper
edont heot herside,
whatthehelli
slwazidoi
nghereatthistime.igot
offt
hebedcar ef
ull
ysothatiwon'thurtmysel fthen
woremygown!iopenedt hewindow.t herehewas
weari
nghispyjamas.
Me:(whi
sper
ing)whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e
Lwazi
ngca?Huh?doyouhaveadeat
hwi
sh?.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:Lumij
ustl
etmei
n.
Me:no,
gobackhome.
heshookhi
shead.
Lwazi:no.
Whatdoeshemeanno?.
Me:l
wazidoyoul
ikeget
ti
ngmei
ntr
oubl
ehuh?.
iputthehandovermymout
hbcsij
ustr
eal
izedt
hat
ishouted.
"Hlaluwhoareyout
alki
ngther
e?."saysSandi
le
behindthedoor,
ohJesusChri
st.
.

Tobecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
40] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
SIX.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

"Hl
alu?.
"hesai
dknocki
ngsof
tl
yont
hedoor.
Me:i
m pr
ayi
ngbhut
i.
"Att
hist
ime?.
"
Me:yes.
"Ohokay,cont
inuethen."ihear
dfoot
steps
walki
ngawayisighed,Lwaziwasbusylaughi
ng
si
lent
lyi
nthewindow.
Me:t
hisi
sal
lyourf
aul
t.
Lwazi:mi
ne?Haycc;l
etmei
n.
ir
oll
edmyeyesandopenedt
hewi
ndowf
orhi
m .he
goti
nandl
ookedaround.
Lwazi:il
ikeyourr
oom ,
itswar
m andi
tsmel
lsl
ike
you.
ichuckl
ed.
Me:ar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
andt
her
eandnotcomet
o
bed?.
hewal
kedoverandwegotunder
cover
s.
Lwazi:comeandl
ayont
opofme.
Me:noi
mfi
ne.
Lwazi:i
zababy.(Comebaby)
isi
ghedandgotont
opofhi
m iwi
ncedi
npai
n.
Lwazi:ar
eyouokay?.
Inoded.
Lwazi:noHl
alumiyou'
renot,
what
'swr
ong.
Me:not
hingi
sLwazi
ngcal
et'
ssl
eep.
hescof
fed.
Lwazi:t
akeof
fyourpyj
amat
op.
Me:masilal
etor
hwanal
wazi.(Let
'ssl
eeppl
ease
Lwazi).
hedidn'
tli
stent
ome, hej
usttookoffmypyjama
topandlookedafmybody.ihadbruisesal
lover
bcsoft
hebeltandthebrui
seswer
epur
plenow
si
nceimli
ghtskinned.
Lwazi:i
m sor
rybabyidi
dn'
tknowt
hatt
hiswi
ll
happen.
ihuggedhi
m.
Me:i tsnotyourfaul
tlove,imt heonewhogot
drunkkaloku;evenifyoubr oughtmehomeiwas
sti
llgonnabebeat enupbcsi m drunk.sodon'tbeat
yourselfabouti
tiwillbefi
ne;ihavepai nki
ll
ers.
Lwazi:st
il
lif
eelbad.
Me:don'
tbe.
ipeckedhi
sli
ps.
Me:il
oveyou.
isaidplayi
ngwi
thhi
sbear
dhel
ickedhi
sli
ps;he'
s
justsexy.
Lwazi:il
oveyout
oo.
ipeckedhi
sli
pshet urneditint
odeepki
ss.helai
d
onthebedwithoutbreaki
ngt heki
ss;hi
shandwas
soft
lymassagingmyboob, helef
tmymouthand
kissedmyj awandal lthewaytomyneck, he
suckedont hesensiti
vespotcausi
ngmet omoan
softl
y!heki ssedallt
hewaytomybel l
ybuttonand
tookoffmyPyj amapantsandopenedmyl egs
slowly;iwasl eftwi
thmyunderwearonly.myheart
wasbeat i
ngwayt oofast.
Lwazi:r
elaxst
handwaSam ,
iwon'
tdosomet
hing
you'
renotcomfor
tabl
ewit
hokay?.
inoded.
Lwazi:Good.nowr
elax.
hesni f
fedmypant iesandmoaned, hetookitoff
andputi tonhi sGownpocket.hehel dmybut tocks
ti
ghtly!ifelthiswar mtoungecomi ngi ncontact
withmycooki eif el
tsoogood.her anhistoungeal l
overmycooki eibi temyl i
ppr eventi
ngmysel ffrom
moani ngoutl oudbcst hepleasureistoomuch,
andSakhi le'
sr oom i snextdoor.hesuckedandbi t
e
softl
yonmycl itcausingmet omoan.if eltmy
l
owerobnoment ightensandmyl egsstartto
tr
embl eifelttheneedt opeequi ckl
y.
Me:babyineedt
op.
..
pee!
Lwazi:l
eti
toutbaby.
ididn'
tneedtobetol
dtwiceiletitgo.butLwazi
didn'
tstopl
icki
ngme!ilaidtheretryi
ngtocatchmy
breath.Lwazibr
oughthi
sfacecl osertomineand
ki
ssedme;hi sli
pswereli
ttl
ebitsalty.
Lwazi:heyt
her
e,ar
eyoust
il
lgood?
.
ismi
led.
Me:hi.
Lwazi:yout
ast
esweet,
comel
et'
ssl
eep.
hebr
oughtmybodycl
osert
ohi
swar
m body.
Lwazi:il
oveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
heki
ssedmyf
oreheadt
henwesl
ept.

thenextmorningiwokewi t
houtLwazinexttome
i
ts6am schooldaySMH, il
ookedbesidesmether
e
wasapi eceofpaperhewasr emindi
ngmeabout
thedateandwi shi
ngagreatday;ismiledandgot
offt
hebed!Mybodywasbet t
ertodaysoimade
mybedandopenedt hecurt
ains.t hewindowwas
sl
ightl
yopened,iwenttothebat hroom iwashed
myf aceandandbrushedmyt eeth.il
ookatmyself
i
nt hemirr
orihadhickeysal
lovermyneckand
boobs.
Si
gh
FuckyouLwazi!nowihavet owearat i
etohidet
he
hickeysonmyneck.it ookashowert henworemy
schoolunifor
m, iti
edmydr eadlocksintoati
ght
bun;ineedt ogot othesalonandwashedmy
dreadlocks.ipuff
edmyper fumet henappli
edmy
l
ipgloss.igrabbedmyschool bagandphonet hen
headdownst air
s.
Me:mor
ningf
ami
ly.
theygreet
edback, imadeacerealf
ormyselft
hen
ate,af
terim doneeati
ngiwenttori
nsemymout h
thenappli
edthelipgl
ossagai
nt heheadout.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°
LWAZI
NGCA.

Cl
ari
tyi
scl
eart
osee
it
hinki
tst
imeweconf
ront
edt
hesi
tuat
ioni
nfr
ont
ofus
Andithi
nki
t'
sti
mewet
alki
toutandf
orgetal
lthe
fuss
Andifit
'sme,
I'
llhavet
ounder
standandI
'
llbeout
ofyourway
Nodr
amai
nvol
ved
Buti
fyoui
t'
sme,
ifyouf
eel
Imt
heone
You'
regonnahavet
omakeawayf
ormet
oseei
t
Butasf
ormeyou'
ret
heone
Andi
nmyhear
tourt
imewi
llcome
Ti
llt
heendi
mmaal
waysber
ightbyyoursi
de
Butasf
ormeyou'
ret
heone
Andi
nmyhear
tourt
imewi
llcome
Ti
llt
heendi
mmaal
waysber
ightbyyoursi
de
iknowyou'
ret
heone
Iknowourt
imewi
llcome
If
eelyoui
nmyhear
t
Iseeyoui
nmydr
eams
Ikeepyoui
nmypr
ayer
s.

wewer einthehavingal atenightpicni

cwhilest
ar
gazing, Lumiwaslayingont opofmewhi l
eim
playingwithherBeautif
ulsof thands;ihaveahand
fett
ishandLumi '
shandsar emyf avori
te.wewere
i
ncomf ortabl
esil
encelisteni
ngt othissong.
Me:baby?
Lumi:mh?
Me:nextmont
him goi
ngt
oCapeTown,
canyou
pl
easecomewit
hme?.
shet
ri
edt
ost
andupbutihol
dhert
ight.
Lumi:capeTown?whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
her
e?
.
Me:ihaveagigther
ealonenotwi
thSongzt
his
t
imesoithoughtyoushoul
dcomewithme?.
shesi
ghedandhel
dmet
ight.
Lumi:whatam igoi
ngt
osayathome?.
Me:i
fawuzokwazii
tsokaybaby.
Lumi:iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t.
inoded.
Me:iloveyouHl
alumi,
ihopet
hingsst
ayt
hisway
f
orever.
shepeckedmyl
ips.
Lumi:don'
twor
rybaby,
im st
uckwi
thyou.
ismil
edandki
ssedherl
ips,
she'
sal
lieverneeded
not
hingel
se.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
40] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
SEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

Lwaziissuchasweet heartguysnolies, theguy

makesmehappyser i
ously!ineverthoughtdat i
ng
woul dbethisnice.Lwazial wayswant stoseeme
happy.thel i
tt
lethingshedomakesmef alldeeper
i
nlovewi t
hhi m !Thet ri
ptocapeTownt hi
ngyhas
beenonmymi ndsincet hatday.I'
vebeent r
yingto
crackaliethatim goingt osellt
omyf ami l
ysot hat
theycouldletmegobcswehave2weeksnow
beforewego.i m superexci t
edbcsI'veneverbeen
toCapeTownbef oresoi m hopi
ngthatt hisroadt r
ip
willbeworthit.ifeltsomeoneshaki ngmei
snappedoutofi t, i
tsOmu.
Omu:i
'
vebeencal
li
nghaybo,
youseem f
arwassup
?
isi
ghed.
Me:ineedapl
an!
shef
rowned.
Omu:apl
an?pl
anf
orwhat?
Me:umhLwaziaskedmet
oaccompanyhi
mto
capeTownf
oraweekend.
hereyeswi
deni
nshockandshehal
f-
scr
eamed.
Omu:what?OMGl over.t
hisi
samazi
ng!soyou'
re
goi
ngonabaecat
ion?.
il
aughed.
Me:(laughing)nomanOmuhle!i
t'
snota
baecat
ion;hehasagigi
ncapeTownsoimjust
accompaninghim.
shenoded.
Omu:soyouneedapl
anf
orwhat?.
ir
oll
edmyeyes,
shecanbesl
owatt
imes.
Me:ican'
tjustdi
sappear
edomuhle,ineedtotell
t
hem wher
eam goi ngandyouknowican'tt
ellt
hem
t
hati
m goi
ngwi
thLwazi.
Omu:yeahyou'
rer
ight.
Me:t
hat
'swhyineedapl
an.
sheseemst
obet
hinki
nghar
dthenshesmi
led.
Omu:it
hinkihaveani
dea.
Ismi
led.
Me:comenow,
outwi
thi
t.
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:si nceyou'
reaprefectatschool,j
ustt
ellyour
parent
st hatt
heschooll
eadersaregoingonat ri
p
tocapeTown!
iscr
eamed.
Me:you'
reasmar
tass.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Omu:don'
tst
artwi
thme.
Me:t
hat'
sact
ual
lyagr
eati
deabutwe'
regoi
ngt
o
t
hetr
ipt
odowhat?
shesi
ghed.
Omu:ei
sh.
Me:iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t.
Omu:butyouhavet
otal
kwi
thMr
sSmi
thyouknow
.
Me:f
orwhatnow?
Omu:subaDom hl al
umi,youknowhowyourdadi s
;he'sgoi
ngt ocalltheschoolandaskaboutthi
s
st
upidtri
pandwenayouhavet omakesurethat
MrsSmi t
hi stheonewhoanswer stheschool
phonesot hatshecouldtalkt
oyourdad.
Isi
ghed.
Me:ohGod,
thi
sismessedup.
Omu:l
et'
sgonowt
oMr
sSmi
th'
sof
fi
ce.
Me:now?
Omu:yeshl
aluminow,
asambe.
isi
ghedthenweheadtoMrsSmit
h'sof
fi
ce.iwas
sonervousevenmypalmswer
esweaty.we
knockedther
e,shet
oldust
ocomein.
Me:Goodaf
ter
noonMr
sSmi
th.
shel
ookedupandsmi
led.
MrsS:Goodaf
ter
noonFut
ureLeader,
howar
eyou
doi
ng?
Me:i
mfi
net
hanksMr
sM ,
howar
eyou?
Mr
sS :i
m good,
whatcanidof
oryou?
.
isatdownont
hechai
randr
ubbedmyhands
toget
her.
Me:umhineedyourhel
pMr
sM .
sher
aisedherbr
owl
ooki
ngatme.
Mr
sS:hel p?whatkindofhel
p?somet
hingt
odo
wi
thschoolorper
sonalst
uff?.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
Me:per
sonalst
uff.
shenoded.
Mr
sM :i
m al
lear
s.
Me:umhMr sSmi t
hnextweek,
myfri
endandi
we'
resomewhereandidon'
twantmypar
entst
o
f
indoutaboutt
his.
Mr
sS:okayihearyoubuthowt
hathast
odowi
th
me?wher
edoIhelp?.
isi
ghed.
Me:im beggi
ngyoutowri
tealet
tert
hensenditt
o
myparentssayi
ngt
hatthel
eadersoft
heschoolare
goi
ngonat ri
p.
MrsS:letmegett
hisst
rai
ghtyouwantmet
oli
eon
yourdad?
Me:notexact
lyl
iebutyouknow.
Mr sM :Nkabindeyouknowthatifsomet
hing
happenstoyouguysiwi l
lbeheldaccount
ablef
or
that,
im goingtobeinbigtr
oublefort
hat.
Me:iknow, Iknowmr sSbutiwoul
dn'
thavecame
her
eifiwasn'tdesper
ate.
shesi
ghed.
Mr
sS:whoi
sthi
sfr
iend?
Me:umhi
t'
s..
.Omu!yesOmuhl
e.
shechuckl
ed.
Mr
sM :Hl
alumii
fyouneedmyhel
pyouhavet
obe
honestwi
thmeandtel
lmeever
ythi
ng,bcsthi
s
st
oryyoutel
li
ngmedoesn'
tmakesenseatal
l.
isi
ghed.
Me:okayfi
neyougotmeMr sSmith,umhmy
boyf
ri
endandiwear egoi
ngtoCapeTownsoi
don'
twantmypar ent
stoknowandevenworset
hey
don'
tknowthatihaveaboyfr
iend;sopl
easeMr
sS
hel
pmeout.
shegi
ggl
ed.
MrsS:wow!t heyoungoft
oday,soHlal
umiyou
wanttodecei
veyourpar
ent
sthi
nkingt
hatyou'
rein
aschoolkant
iwenayou'
rei
nabaecati
on?Yho! .
shel
aughed.
MrsS:okayf i
ne,Hl
alumiiwillspeakt
oyourdad,
butpromisemeyouwillbecarefulont
hat
baecati
onofyour
s.wedon' twantaminiyouher
e.
il
aughed.
Me:t
hankyousomuchMr
sS.
Mr
sS:yeahwhat
ever.
ilaughedthengotout,
atl
eastsheagr
eedt
ospeak
tomyf ather.

Tobecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
41] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
EIGHT.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

wescr
eamedaswehugeachot
her.
Omu:ohwsheagr
eed?.
inoded.
Me:ican'
tbel
ievet
hati
m goi
ngt
ocapeTown.
Omu:(sul
king)i
mjeal
ousnowl
over,
whyar
eyou
l
eavi
ngmebehi
nd?.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:don'tworr
ymybeautif
uloneiwi
llbr
ingyou
somet
hingnicefr
om CapeTown,ist
il
lhavemoney
onmyallowancecar
d.
Shesmi
led.
Omu:r
eal
ly?.
Me:yes,
letgonow.
t
henmyphoner
angi
tsLwaziianswer
ed.
Me:Honeyboo.
Hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:someonei
sinagoodmoodt
oday.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:yeahki
ndof
.
Lwazi:wassup?
Me:ideci
dedt
ocomewi
thyout
ocapeTown.
Lwazi:r
eal
ly?t
hat
'sgoodnewsbaby,
thankyou.
ISmi
l
ed.
Me:it
sapleasur
emyl
ove,
anywaysigot
tagoneh;
il
oveyou.
Lwazi:il
oveyout
oobye.
ihungt
henf
oll
owedOmut
othecl
ass.

"Mom anddadcanit al
ktoyouboth?. "isai
dto
mom anddadastheywer ecuddl
ingont hecouch
watchi
ng,i
twasafterschoolnowluckil
ymy
par
entswer
ehome, soam abouttoli
enow.
Dad:whati
sitpr
incess?.
isatdownopposi
tet
hem .
Me:umhsi nceyouguysknowt hati
m apref
ect
mos, soatschoolnextweekwehavet hi
stri
pof
schoolfut
ureleadersthatwear
egoingto;soim
aski
ngforaper missiontogo.
Mom smi
led.
Mom :thi
sisgreatnewsbabyyoucango,gi
veme
yourt
eacher
'snumbersothaticant
alkt
oher.
inoded.Dadwasj
ustsi
tt
ingt
her
equi
tel
ooki
ngat
mesuspici
ousl
y.
Dad:t
hat
'
sgoodnewsbaby,
congr
atul
ati
ons.
Mom :tomorrowwe'
regoi
ngshoppi
ngf
ornew
cl
othes,pyj
amasect.
igi
ggl
edner
vousl
y.
Me:mom ther
e'snoneedf
ort
hat,
ihavel
otof
cl
othesher
e.
Mom :nonsense,
we'
regoi
ngshoppi
ngqha.
Me:okay.
ist
oodupandr
ant
omyr
oom andcal
ledOmu.
Omu:l
over?
Me:mypar
ent
sagr
eedf
ondi
ni!
shescr
eamed.
Omu:noweneedtogoforshoppi
ng,
youwi
llneed
somecost
umesandal
lthat.
Me:cost
umesf
orwhat?i
t'
snotl
ikewe'
regoi
ngt
o
swi
m.
shescof
fed.
Omu:youwi
llneverknowHl
alumi.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:okayshoppi
ngi
tist
hen.
Omu:got
tababyg,
mommydear
estneedsme.
Me:okay,
Iloveyou.
Omu:il
oveyoubye.
shehungup, ij
ustl
ayedinbed;ican'
tbeli
evei
m
goingt ocapeTownasinnextweekim super
excited.Myphoner i
ngsi
tsLwaziagai
n, t
hisone
can'tstayawayfrom me.ianswer.
Me:mi
ssi
ngmeal
ready?
hel
aughed.
Lwazi:youhavenoideamylove,canist
ealyouat
ni
ght?iwillbr
ingyoubackaround3am ?
.
Me:what?kodwaLwaziyoul
ikeget
ti
ngmei
n
t
roubl
e!
Lwazi:butbabydon'
tyouwannawakeupnextt
o
me?
ismi
led.
Me:ido.
Lwazi:t
hencomeonl
ove,
iwi
llbr
ingyouback
saf
eandsound.
isi
ghed.
Me:okayt
hen,
comear
ound10pm whenever
yone
i
sasl
eep.
Lwazi:al
ri
ghtbabe,
ndakt
handayeva?(il
oveyou
okay)
ibl
ushed.
Me:ndakt
handanam boo.(Il
oveyout
oo)
ihungup.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
i
fsomeonehast ol
dt hatatthist i
meiwi llbedeepl y
i
nlovewi t
hsomeoneiwoul d'velaughedatt heir
faceandsayt hei
rcrazyf orsure, forsomeonewho
didn'
tbeli
eveonlovei m soinl ove!Hl al
umimakes
mef eell
ikei
m ant eenagerwhoj ustfeelinl
ovewi th
hiscrushorsomet hi
ng, shemakesmedot hingsi
neverthoughtiwoulddoi nmyl if
et hi
ng;l i
ke
snoppingaroundlikekids, l
ikegettingintomygi r
l'
s
windowatni ghti
tsjustcrazybutf eelsgoodatt he
samet i
me.

i
mj usthappyt
hatLumiagr eedtocomewi thmeto
capeTown!im superexci
tedtobewi thherthe
wholeweekend,wakingupt othatBeaut
ifulf
ace
ever
ydayyouknow.
"LJ?."someonecalledoutbehi
ndmeitur
nedi
ts
Asemahle,ihaven'
tseenherinawhi
le.
Me:Asemahl
ehi
.
Ase:howar
eyou?youl
ookgood.
Me:t
hanks,
im okayyou?
sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.
Ase:i
m gett
ingt
her
e,soar
eyour
ushi
ng
somewhere?.
Me:yeswhy?
Ase:iwant
edust
ogr
abacof
feeandt
alk.
isi
ghed.
Me:someot
hert
imemnt
ase,
imi
nahur
ry,
iwi
ll
seeyou.
it
ookmybagt henwalkedaway,igoti
nsi
demycar
anddroveof
f!ist
artedatsparf
ir
stbcsiwant
edt
o
buysomegoodiesforLumi.

whentheclockhits10pm ,
ireceivedat
extf
rom
Lumisayingherparent
sareasleepiwokeupthen
putonmysneaker sandGownt henhead
downstai
rs.itookmycarkeysandgotout.igot
i
nsidemycaranddr ovetoLumi '
shome.myphone
ri
ngsit
'sher.
Me:babyl
ove.
Lumi:howf
arar
eyou?
Me:20mi
nut
esf
ardon'
twor
ryiwi
llbet
her
enow
now.
Lumi:okay.
shehungup.ipar kedmycar2housesawayand
gotout,irantowardsherhomet henj
umpedthe
fence.ichuckledshaki
ngmyhead;ican'tbel
ieve
i
m doingthis.iwalkedtowardsherwi
ndowsand
throwastone!sheopenedt hewindow.
Me:(whi
sper
ing)youneedt
ojumpst
handwaSam
.
Lumi:(whi
sper
ing)what?hel
lno!
il
aughedathowscar
edshel
ooks.
Me:comeonl
ove,
iwi
llcat
chyou.
shesi
ghed.
Lumi:f
ine.
shegotoutt
hewi ndowandjumped!icat
chedher
butwebothfel
l.shejustbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lumi:(l
aughi
ng)Thi
sisyourf
aul
t!
Me:whatno!i
t'
snotmi
nei
-
"What'
sgoingonher e?.
"sayssomeonebehi
ndus
hol
dingatorchl
ight.FUCK!!
!!

Tobecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
41] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERTHI
RTY-
NINE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

iswearipeedonmypant sseriousl
y,ican'tbel
ieve
thatmymydadi si
nfrontofushol di
ngat orchl
ight
.iwasshi
tscar
edican'tbel
ieveimintroubleagain
.
Me:(t
ear
y)Dad?
Dad:iaskedwhat'
sgoingonher
ehl
alumiwho'
s
t
hismotherf
uckerher
e?
igasp!i
tsaf
irstt
imeihearmydadsweari
ng.my
tear
swereal
readyst
reamingdownmyface.
Me:(t
ear
y)dadi
m sor
r-
hedidn'
tevenl
etmefi
nishhejustgr
abbedLwazi
byhiscl
othesmaki
nghim st
andup!hethrewa
punchonhim.
Me:(cr
ying)Dad!
!Pl
easedon'
tdot
hisi
m sor
ry.
hedidn'tanswermehejustcar
ri
edonbeating
Lwaziup, wit
hmescreamingmyl ungsoutunt
il
mom , Sandil
eandSakhi
legotoutrunni
ng.
Mom :Hl
alumi?what
'sgoi
ngonbaby?.
Me:Mom i
..
.i
m sor
ryi
-
icouldn'
ttal
kproper
lybcsiwascrying.Dad
draggedLwaziinsi
dethehousewithSandil
ewhi
lei
lef
tbehindwithMom andSakhil
e.
Mom :l
et'
sgeti
nsi
de.
wef
oll
owedt
hem i
nsi
de,
Lwaziwasseat
edont
he
couchl
ooki
ngbadlybrui
sed!Dadwaspaci
ngup
anddownlooki
nghell
aangry.
Mom :Nkosi
nat
hiwhat
'sgoi
ngonher
e?who'
sthi
s
youngman?.
Dad:askyourdamndaught
er!
!
hesnapped.
Lwazi:Mr
sNkabi
ndei
-
Dad:Shutupwenanj
a!!
Mom lookedatme,il
ookeddownpl
ayi
ngwi
thmy
f
inger
swhi l
esobbi
ngsil
ent
ly.
Mom :t
alkHl
alumi!
!
isni
ff
ed.
Me:hei
sLwazi.
Mom :whati
shet
ooyou?
Me:m.
..
myboyf
ri
endMa.
Dad:i
ni!
!?(What)
Sandi
le:boydi
dn'
tisayst
ayawayf
rom her?
Lwazidi
dn'
tanswer,
Sandi
lej
ustt
hrewapunchon
hi
m.
Mom :Sandi
le!
!Ever
yonest
op!
!weneedt
oseat
downshetal
kaboutthi
s.
Dad:t alk?tal
kaboutwhat?abouthowthey
di
sr espectedmyhousebysneaki
ngoutofthe
windowat10pm ?howHl al
umidisr
espect
edmeby
goingar oundwit
hboys?
Mom :Babycal
m down,
let
'ssi
tdownever
yone.
Wesatdown,
Lwaziwaslooki
ngdownal
lthi
sti
me;
meoniwascr
yingsi
lent
ly.
Mom :soHl
alumiyousayt
hisi
syourboyf
ri
end?
.
inoded,
DadChuckl
edbi
tt
erl
y.
Mom :sowhatwashedoi ngher
eatthi
stime?and
don'
tevent
hinkaboutl
yingbcsiwon'
tstopyour
dadwhenhewant st
obeatyouupsoyoubet t
er
speakup.
isni
ff
edandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:he...
hewasheretogetme,
iwasgoi
ngto
spendtheni
ghtathi
shomeandcomebackar
ound
3am .
Sakhi
lecl
appedhishandslaughi
ng,
dadgavehi
m
sstar
ehestoppedimmediatel
y.
Mom :Hl
alumi?
Me:Ma?
Mom :ar eyousleepi
ngoutnow?huh?youar e
busygalli
vanti
ngwi t
hboysatnight!whati
f
somet hi
nghappenedt oyouguys,whil
ewet hought
thatyou'
reasleepkantiyou'
rel
ayi
ngdead
somewher e.
Lwazi:Mr sNkabindeim sorry,t
hisisal
lmyf aul
t.
i
fidi dn'
taskLumit ocomeandsl eepatmypl ace
thisshouldn'
thavehappened;ndi cel
auxolo
kakhulubant uabadalaididn'tmeantodisr
espect
yourhousepl easeforgiveme!youcanpuni shme
allyoulikebutpleaseleaveLumioutoft hi
s-iwill
doanyt hingyouwantj ustleaveheroutofthis.
Dad:br
eakupwi
thherandl
eaveheral
one.
ilookedatDadwi
tht
ear
yeyesbuthewasn'
teven
fazed.
Lwazi:i
m sor
ryMrNkabi
ndebutican'
tdot
hat,
i
l
oveyourdaught
erwi
thal
lmyhear
t.
MyMom smi
ledatus,
dadscof
fed.
Dad:l
ove?whatdoyouknowaboutlove?Li
sten
her
eboyyouwil
lleavemydaught
eral
oneinone
pi
ecebef
oreimakeyoudoit.
Me:butdadyou-
Dad:shutupHl
alumi!
!iwasn'
tevent
alki
ngt
oyou.
Me:(crying)im sor
rymom andDad, idi
dn'
tmean
todi
srespectyouguysim deeplysor
ry;iwil
ldo
anyt
hingyouwantbesidesbr eaki
ngupwithLwazi
i
l
ovehim dadsomuchi -
Mom :what
'syoursur
nameLwazi
?.
Lwazi:i
m Lwazi
ngcaJol
aMa.
Mom wi
denhereyesi
nshock.
Mom :j
ola?Whati
syourf
ather
'sname?
sheaskedwi
thabr
eaki
ngvoi
cei
t'
sli
keshewant
s
tocr
y.
Lwazi:VusumziJol
a.
Mom j
ustbur
sti
ntotear
sanddadr
ushedt
oher,
i
wasst
art
ingt
opanicknow.
Me:dadwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
Dad:Sakhi
lebr
ingwat
erf
oryourmot
her.
Mom wasnowst
ruggl
ingt
obr
eat
h.
Dad:baby?Bul
i?Comeonl
ovedon'
tdot
his.
Hesai
dcl
appi
nghergent
ly,
mom j
ustf
aint
ed.
Dad:Sandi
lecal
lthef
uckenambul
ance!
!!

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
41] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.
we'vebeensi tt
ingont hesecol dbenchesf orhour s
nowst il
lnonewsonmymom ;i m soner vousabout
thisiactuall
yblamemysel f, t
hisisallmyf aultifi
didn'
tletLwazit ocomeandgetmet hisshoul dn't
havehappened.I '
m stil
lscar edabouttheboyf r
iend
sagamydadi sveryangryatme!hehasn' ttalked
orevent hrewagl ancetome.Hehasbeenpaci ng
upanddownmaki ngusdi zzybutiknowbet terto
tel
lhimt hat;it
's3am i nthemor ni
ngnowLwazi
wenthomear ound12mi dni ghtaft
erdadchased
him out.
Si
gh
myf at
herissodramat i
ctobehonestam ithef i
rst
girltohaveaboyf r
iendonEarth?Noim nott hefirst
orevent helastsohecouldjustst
opwiththe
tantrumsandf ocussedonwhatmademom t ofaint
i
tsqui testr
angebcsshef ai
ntedwhenshehear d
Lwazi '
sdadnamemaybesomet hi
nghappened
bet weenthem int
hepastorsomet hi
ngl
iket hat.
Sandi
le:t
hisi
sbul
lshi
t!!i
m goi
ngt
olookf
ort
hat
doct
or.
hesai
dwalki
ngaway,Sakhi
l
ecomeandsatnextt
o
methenembracedme.
Sakhi
le:ai
n'tyouf
eel
ingcol
d?
Me:noi
mfi
ne.
Sakhi
le:ar
eyousur
e?
inoded.
Me:i
t'
smyf
aul
tthatMom i
sher
e.
Sakhi
le:noi
tsnotHlal
ulu,youdi
dn'
tknowthat
mom isgoi
ngtofai
ntforsomeunknownreasons.
Me:butst
il
li-
Sakhi
le:noHl
alumi!st
opt
his.
ikeptmymouthshutt
henSandi
leandt
hedoct
or
appearedwest
oodup.
Dad:howi
sshedoct
or?what
'swr
ongwi
thher?
Doc:RelaxMrNkabinde,yourwifeisokayshe
faint
edbcsofshockandherhighbloodpressur
eis
high;soisuggestt
hatshestaysawayfrom
st
ressor
sandgetenoughr
est.
wesi
ghedi
nrel
ief.
Sakhi
le:whenar
eyougoi
ngt
odi
schar
geher?
Doc:i
nthemor
ning.
Me:canweseeher?
Doc:yeahsur
e,f
oll
owme.
wefol
lowedthedoct
ortot
hewar
d, wegotthere
mom waslyi
nginbedfaci
ngupl
ookingl
ikeshe'
sin
deept
houghts.
Dad:Bul
i.
Mom l
ookedatusandsmi
ledbuthersmi
lequi
ckl
y
f
adeswhenhereyesmetmygaze.
Mom :st
ayawayf
rom t
hatboyHl
alumi.
Me:Mom i
-
Mom :Hl
alumiiwon'
trepeatmysel
fdoyouhearme
?
if
eltt
ear
scomi
ngbutibl
inkedt
hem away.
Me:yesMa.
Mom :good.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

Si
gh
afterMrsNkabi ndef aint
edtheyrushedt othe
hospitalbutthenicoul dn'
tgotherebcsLumi '
sdad
chasedmeoutaf t
ert heybeat
enmeup.iseet hat
they'r
ealreadyhat emef ordati
ngt heirdaughterbut
theni l
oveHl al
umi, iloveherwithal lmyheartiwill
takewhat evercomesmywayf orherevent hough
herdadt hrowmeanpunchesiwi lltakethem onas
manshoul dfortheirwoman.
Si
gh
iwonderwhatmadeherfai
ntwhensheheardmy
father
'snames,imeanmyfat
herhasmanypeopl e
thathedoesn'
tgetal
ongwi
thbutihopethatt
he
Nkabinde'
sarenotpar
toft
hatbcsift
hey'
reishoul
d
ki
ssmyr elat
ionshipwithlumigoodbye.iarri
vedat
homeinmemi dnightandmypar entswerealready
asl
eeplongtimeimademywayupst ai
rsandtooka
showerthengotunder cover
s,icall
edLumibuti t
wentstr
aighttovoicemail.idr
inkpainki
ll
ersthen
sl
eptimmediately.

I'
m wokenupbymyr ingi
ngphonemakinghel
la
noiseigroaned!myheadwast hr
obbingashelli
ts
l
ikeitwasgoi ngt
ospliti
nbet
weenireachedformy
phoneundert hepi
ll
owandanswereditwit
hmy
eyesclosed.
Me:yeah?
Si
lence,
theper
sonwasj
ustsni
ff
ing.
Me:hel
lo?
"Lwazi"
.Fuck!I
t'
sLumi.
Me:heybabywhyar
eyoucr
ying?okayyouokay?
what
'swr
ong?
iwasal
readypani
cki
ngnow.
shebur
sti
ntot
ear
s.
Me:baby?st
handwaSam don'
tcr
ymyl
ove.
Lumi:theysayishoul
dst
ayawayf
rom youbutI
..
..
I
can'
tbaby.
isi
ghedandr
ubbedmyf
acef
rust
rat
ed.
Me:iloveyouHl
alumi,
ican'
tst
ayawayf
rom you
l
iket
heywant.
Lumi:il
oveyout
ooLwazi.
shehungup, nowireal
lyneedtotalktoDadsot hat
hecanexpl ainthi
stome.igotoffthebedand
madei tthenopenedthecurtai
ns-afterthatihead
tothebat hr
oom iwashedmyf acethenbr ushedmy
teeth.iworemysweat pantandvestthenmy
sleepersthenrandownstai
rs.igottheremom was
withdadi nthekit
chenl
aughingaboutsomet hi
ng;i
greeted.
Mom :hayboLwaziwhathappenedt
oyou?
Me:not
hingican'
thandl
eMa.
Mom :ar
eyoui
npai
n?
shesai
drunni
ngherhandsal
lovermyf
ace,
i
shookmyhead.
Me:noi
m not,
Dadcaniaskyousomet
hing?
Dad:okay?
Me:howdoyouknowt
heNkabi
nde'
s?
Mom chockedonhert
eaandcoughed.
Mom :whydoyouaski
ngaboutt
hatf
ami
ly?
iscof
fed.
Me:itsmygir
lf
riendsf amilyMama,yest
erdayMy
Gir
lf
ri
endsmom f ai
ntedwhenshehear ddad'
s
nameandtheytoldHl alumitost
ayt
hehellaway
fr
om me!Dadwhat 'sgoi ngon?.
Dad:t
hey'
rer
ightson,
stayawayf
rom eachot
her.
Wi
tht
hatsai
dhewal
kedaway.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
41] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-ONE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

il
ookedatMom whowasavoi
dingmygaze.
Me:Mom ?
Ma:Lwazi?
Me:what '
shappeni
ng?whatdi ddadmeanwhen
hesaysthey'
reri
ghtishouldst
ayaway?huh?How
canist
ayawayf rom someoneilovethi
smuch?
j
ustbcsofthedramabet weenourfamil
ies?.
ifel
ttear
ssti
ngi
ngi
nmyeyes.Mom st
oodupand
camet ohugme.
Ma:im sorr
ymnt anam ,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbeal
ri
ght
j
ustf
orgetaboutthegir
landmoveon;ther
eare
manygirl
soutthere.
Me:that'
stheprobl
em Mama, idon'
twantanot
her
gi
rl,
iloveHlal
umionly!she'
stheoneforme.
Shesi
ghed.
Ma:t
her
e'snot
hingicandobaby,
im sor
ry.
ijuststoodupandheadupstairstomyr oom .ij
ust
threwmysel font
opofthebedandsi gheddeeply-
thisthingi
sweighi
ngmedown, t
hethoughtof
loosingHlal
umiisdrai
ningmehonest yican'
t
imagi nemebeingawayf r
om herorbreakupwi t
h
her.
Si
gh
Thenmyphoner
ingsi
tsanunsavednumberi
answer
ed.
Me:LwaziJol
a.
"Goodmorni
ngMrJola,
thi
sisShar
onf
rom Musi
c
festi
nCapeTown;I
'
m
call
ingyout
otheyouthateveryt
hinghasbeen
f
inal
izedsoweexpectyouherebyFriday.
"
Me:okayt
hankyouMi
ssShar
onf
orl
ett
ingme
know.
ihungup.
j
ial
readyfor
gottenaboutthist
hisgigi
nCapeTown,
maybeishouldgoandr eleasestr
essthere.maybe
iwil
lbebackfreshminded.iwonderLumii ssti
ll
consi
deri
ngofgoi ngwit
hmet her
e!itookmy
phoneandtypedamessagef orher.

*thosepeoplefrom capeTownjustcall
ed,
Everyt
hingisfi
nali
sed.im dr
ivi
ngthereinFriday-
areyoustil
lcomingwi t
hme?iwi l
lunderstandif
awuzokwazi.*ipressedsend.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

i
t'
sbeen2dayssi nceMom camebackf r
om the
hospi
tal,
shedoesn'ttalktomethatmuchl i
keshe
usedto!Nottomentiondadhedoesn' tt
alktomeat
al
l.nowim st
art
ingtot hinkt
hatthi
sisnotabout
mebringi
nglwazioveritsmorethanthat,i
thas
somet hi
ngt odowi t
hLwazi'
sf amil
yforsure-but
whateveritisthathappenedbetweenthem they
shouldn'
tinvolveusbcswewer enoteventhereat
thatt
imeandweknownot hingaboutitsoidon't
knowwhyt heynotallowi
ngust odate.
Si
gh
Tal
kaboutFor bi
ddenlove,bcsourlovei ssur
ely
for
biddensana;im sohurtt
hatican'ttalktomy
Lwaziwheneveriwantbcsim bei
ngwat chedli
kea
hawkt hatidon'
tdosomethi
ngthathasLwazi i
n
between.myphonebeebsi t'
satextfrom Lwazi.
SI
GH
I'
veevenf or
got t
enaboutt hi
sdamnt ri
ptocape
Townhonest lyandLwazii sgoingin3dayst i
me
andim notsur eifim goi
ngornot!Maybeishould
goandbeawayf rom thedramaforawhi l
e,and
haveabr eat
herf rom capeTownyouknowiwoul d
dogoodf ormysani t
y.inthishouseim bei
ng
watched24/ 7andi tsgoingtodri
vemecr azy
honestl
y.itookmyphoneandt extedLwazi.
*Meetmeatt
hebeachi
nanhour.
*
iturnedmyphoneof fandlayedinbed.im not
goingtoletourpar
ent'
sconf l
ict
sgetbetweenus,
wehadnot hingtodowiththewhat evert
heyhad!i
loveLwazisomuchandi tshar dtostayawayfr
om
him.

t
obecont
inued.
.

IKNOW I
TSSMALLBUTI
TSSOMETHI
NGSI
NCEI
M
BUSYATTHEMOMENT.
[
02/
18,
19:
42] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.
ibeggedbr aJoetotakemetothebeachsi
nceim
meetingLwazithere,iwor
emyhoodi eand
sneakersthensneakout;igoti
nsi
dethecarbr
a
Joedr oveoff.
Me:t
hankyouf
orhel
pingmebr
aJoe.
hesmi
led.
Joe:i
t'
sOkayHl
alu.
wedr
ovei
nsi
lencej
ustt
her
adi
opl
ayi
ng.
Si
gh.
ican'tbelievethatmypar ent saredoi ngthis,
maki ngmet ost ayawayfrom t heloveofmyl if
e,
theper sonwhol ovesmewhol ehear t
edly;theonly
personwhobr i
ngsoutt hebesti nmeexpectf or
Omu.t hisisthehar destt
hi ngieverhadt odoi t'
s
noteasy.ican' tstayawayf rom Lwazihonest l
yi
can't,it'
slikethemor eitr
yt ostayawayi st hemost
ifal
linl oveandmi sshim .mypar entsseem to
under standhowt oinl
over eall
y.theiractions
speaksanot herlanguage-dot heyknowhowhar di
t
i
snottotal
korseeyourloveofyourl
if
e?weeks
goingbywi
thoutseei
nghim ?i
tsli
keyouar
egoi
ng
crazy.
.
Joe:wear
eher
e.
Me:t
hanksbr
aJoe.
igotof
fthecarthenJoedroveof
f.isawLwazi's
carbytheparki
ngspothegotoutthecarirant
o
him,hepickedupandheldmet i
ght-tear
swere
alr
eadymakingthei
rwayout.
Me:(cr yi
ng)whyar
etheydoingusliket
hisbaby?
can'
ttheyseet
hatweloveeachother?.
hesni
ff
ed.
Lwazi:idon'
tknowbaby,
andi
yazist
handwaSam .
hekissedmyf oreheadthenwal
kedtohiscarwhil
e
holdi
ngme;heopenedt hedoorandputmeont he
passagerseatandclosedthedoort
hengotinsi
de
hi
ssi de.heleanedoverandwekissed.
Lwazi:Mol
obaby.
Me:hil
ove.
Lwazi:ar
eyougood?
inoded.
Me:I
'
m get
ti
ngt
her
e,wenahowar
eyou?
.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:notsogoodbabybutiwi l
lbefi
ne;iasked
mydadaboutwhat 'sgoingbet
weenthetwo
famil
ies,hejustsaidthey'
reri
ghtst
ayawayfrom
eachother.idon'tknowwhatt odoanymore.
hesai
ddef
eat
ed.
Me:I
'
m sor
rybaby.
Lwazi:t
her
e'sevent
hiscapeTownt
hingyi
m not
Sooreadyf
orit.
Me:l
et'
sgot
oget
her.
hel
ookedatme.
Lwazi:Hlal
umiwithal
lthi
sdramahappeningidon'
t
thinki
t'
swisef
oryoutogo.notthatidon'
twanna
gowi t
hyouorsomethingqhandi
cingel
awena
sthandwasam ;youknowhowyourdadcanbe.
isi
ghed,
he'
sri
ghtt
hough.
Me:you'
rer
ightbutineedsometi
meawayf
rom
t
hisdr
ama,ineedabr eat
heryouknow.
hehel
dbot
hmyhandsandki
ssedt
hem .
Lwazi:okaywewi
llgot
hen.
ihal
fscr
eamed,
hej
ustchuckl
ed.
Me:(exci
ted)ican'
tbel
ievei
m goi
ngt
ocapeTown
!
Lwazi:youbet
terbel
ievei
tkebaby.
Me:ineedsomet
oil
etr
iesandnewpyj
amasyou
know.
Lwazi:don'
twor
ryyourmangotyou.
hewi
nkedatme.
Me:ohreal
ly?thanksbutnot
hanksihavemoney
t
obuythosethi
ngs.
Lwazi:ohcomeonbaby,
letmespoi
lyou.
ismi
led.
Me:f
ine.
hesmi
ledandki
ssedmyl
ips.
Lwazi:il
oveyoudamnmuch.
Me:il
oveyout
oobaby.
hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
Me:si
yaphi?(Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng)
Lwazi:eMal
l.
inoded.hepl ayedsomemusi c,Freyar i
dings-lost
wi t
houtyou.he' shol di
ngont othest eeri
ngwheel
wi t
hhisonehand, theotheroneishol dingmyhand
!iloveeverythi
ngaboutt hi
sguy, thewayhe' sso
sexywhenhe' sdr i
ving.he'sbeautifulthi
nf i
ngers
thathasr i
ngs.t hewayhe' sholdi
ngt hesteer i
ng
wheel.He' sjusthandsomeman.ILOVEHI M .my
parentswi l
lforgivemeican' tbreakupwi t
ht his
Genther e,he'smypeaceandyeshe' snotper fect
bcshehashi sf ault
sbuthe' sagoodboyf ri
endt o
me.
Lwazi:(smi
les)whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
?.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:i
mjustadmi
ri
ngyourhandsomeness.
hesmi
rked.
Lwazi:yout
hinkI
'
m handsome?
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:ohpl
ease,
iwasj
oki
ng.
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:(l
aughi
ng)voet
sekLumi.
igiggl
ed,
wear r
ivedatt
hemal
lhepar
kedt
hecar
thenwegotout.
Lwazi:sowher
eto?
Me:l
et'
sgot
ocl
icksf
ir
st.
Lwazi:okay.
heputhi
sar
m ar
oundmyshoul
dert
henweheadt
o
Cl
icks.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
"HayhayHlal
umi,imtir
edngoku."isaidsitt
ing
downinoneofthebenchest
here.shest oppedand
l
ookedatmewi t
hherhandsonherwai st.
Lumi:Lwazi
ngcamasambe,
thi
sist
hel
astshop
we'
regoingt
o.
ishookmyhead.
Me:youhaveenought
hingsmos.
Yhohay, she'
sbeengetti
ngineveryshopshe
camesaroundt oanddragmet her
e.nowi mtir
ed
rhaabutshesti
llwant
st ogotoanothershopsSMH
forl
eGender.
Lumi:ineedsomesungl
assesandbuckethat
s
baby.
Me:ihavet
hose,
uzot
hat
haezam Hl
alumi
masambe.
ihol
dherhandandl
edhert
othecarshegoti
nsi
de.
Me:st
ayher
eim goi
ngt
ogetusf
oodokay?.
shenoded,
ipeckedherl
ipst
henheadt
obuyf
ood.
"ihadagreatt
imewit
hyoubaby, t
hankyouver
y
much."shesai
d,ipeckedherl
ips.
Me:ihadagr
eatt
imet
oobaby.
iwaspar
kedf
ewhousesawayf
rom herhome.
Lumi:Goodbyesl
ove,
iloveyou.
Me:Byest
handwa,
iloveyoumor
e.
shepeckedmyl i
psonemor ethengotoutthecar
andwalkedaway, shetur
nedaroundandwavedi
hoot
edthendrovehomest rai
ght.Nothi
ngour
fami
li
eswilldoorsaythatwil
lmakeusbr eakup,i
meannothing.ILOVEHER.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
42] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-THREE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

roadtri
pswi t
htheloveofyourlif
eslapshard,i
don'tcar
ewhatanyonesaysbutopenr oad,soft
musi cpl
ayingandt hewomanyoul ovenexttoyou
willal
waysbet optieri
nmyopi ni
on.At8h30i n
Fri
daymor ningwewer edri
vingoff;mywoman
nexttomewasner vousshewasbusybi ti
ngher
nailsandheavysighingher
eandt here-ihel
dher
handshel ookedatmeandsmi l
ed.
Me:r
elaxbaby.
Lumi:iam r
elaxed.
ichuckl
ed,
iwon'
tar
guewi
thher.
Me:il
oveyou
Lumi:il
oveyout
oo.
sheworehersunglassesandputherl
egsonthe
dashboar
dthenincreasedthevol
umeofthesong.
♪ ♪ ♪ iputyourpi
ctur
eonmymi
rr
or
st
artt
obl
ushwhensomebodysaysyourname
i
nmyst
omacht
her
e'spai
n
Seeyouwal
kingmydi
rect
ion,
igott
heot
herway
ist
artt
ost
utt
erwhenIspeak
Tr
ytost
and,
butmykneesgoweak
What
'shappeni
ngt
ome
Anybodycanyout
ellmewhati
tmeans
Il
aymyheadonmypi
ll
ow
St
arr
ingoutt
hewi
ndow
Wi
shonast
arf
orasi
gn
Babywheniseeyou
Wheniseeyou.
♪♪♪

westoppedatthefi
rstgar
agesot
hatwecango
andrel
easeoursel
vesandbuysomesnacksand
dri
nksfort
heroad.
Me:masambebaby.
(Let
'sgobaby)
Lumi:wai
t,iwi
llst
artatt
hebat
hroom f
ir
st.
Me:okay.
shewenttot
hebathr
oom whi
leiwai
tedforher
out
side.myphoneri
ngsi
tsMom ianswered.
Me:Mama.
Ma:heybaby,
sti
llgoi
ngwel
l?
Me:yesMai
m st
il
lfi
ne.
Ma:okay,
iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou-il
oveyou
.
Me:OkayMa,
iloveyout
oo.
Ma:bye.
shehungup,
thenLumicame.
Lumi:Omuhl
ej ustcal
led,
shesaysishouldbuy
herabraf
rom capeTownsinceil
eftherbehi
nd.
il
aughed.
Me:she'
scr
azy.
shegi
ggl
ed,
shej
umpedonbackandipi
ggybacked
her
.
Me:uyasi
ndar
haa.(you'
reheavy)
shel
aughed.
Lumi:haska(what
ever)
wewalkedi
nsidethegar
ageandboughtever yt
hing
wewantedalsoapetr
olforaroad,
aftert
hatwe
headbackt
ot hecart
oeatthenwehittheroad
agai
n.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI.

theroadtr
iptocapeTowni sveryfar,we'vebeen
dri
vingsi
ncemor ningat8h30til
lnowit'
s2pm now
i
nt heaft
ernoon.Lwazisayswe'renearnow-we
keptmakingstopstoeverygaragewecameacr oss
andbuyener gydri
nksandsomemor esnacks!i
wasnotevenf eel
ingsleepysi
nceLwazi keptme
companywhi l
edrivi
ngwithhis'notsotrue'st
ori
es
andallthat.we'vebeenlaughingandchatti
ngit
's
fun;ineverthoughtthatroadtri
pswithyourbaby
canbet hi
sf unwithsoftmusicplayi
ngandbonding
witheachotherit'
sfun.
Si
gh
Butim alsowor r
iedaboutmyf amil
ybackhomebcs
ididn'
ttellanyonet hatI'
m goingbesidesOmu, il
eft
homeear l
yint hemor ningandisneakedoutoft he
window.iknowmydadwi l
lgocrazywhenhe
doesn'tfi
ndmeathomeandmyot hercl
othesare
gone!i m worriedaboutmymom andherhi gh
bloodpressur eyouknowbutt hisisthei
rfaulti
f
theydidn'twantt obreakusupweshoul dn'tbe
sneakingar oundoronourwayt ocapeTownr i
ght
now-it rail
edoutofmyt houghtswhenifeltLwazi'
s
coldli
psonmi neismi ledathim.
Lwazi:whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout?
idi
dn'
tevennoti
cet
hatt
hecarhasst
oppedont
he
si
deoftheroad.
Me:not
hingi
mpor
tant.
Lwazi:uyaxokaHl
alumi.
(you'
rel
yingHl
alumi)
isi
ghed.
Me:okayfine,i
m worr
iedhowmyf
ami
lywi
llr
eact
whentheynoti
cethati
m gone.
Hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:ar
eyouhavi
ngsecondt
hought
s?
Me:nononoi
m notj
ustt
hat-never
mind.
henodded.
Lwazi:Hl
alumibesur
ethatyouwannadothi
sbcs
andi
funu'
fi
kaeCapetownwenasowufunu'
goduka
makeupyourmi ndpl
ease.
inoded.
Me:im nothavi
ngsecondt
houghtsbabykal
oku,
I'
mjustworri
edbcsiknowhowcrazymydadcan
be.
Lwazi:icanbookyouat
icketbackhomei
fyou
want.
Me:hehakeLwazi
ngca,idi
dn'
tsayiwannago
homemna!subanedramafondi
ni.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:masambeHl
alumi,
it'
sget
ti
ngl
ate.
Hestar
tedthecarthenwedr oveof
f.il
eanedmy
headontheseatthenfel
lint
oadeepslumber.if
elt
someonegentl
yshakingme.
"Baby?.
"
"Mh?.
"
"Vuka,
we'
reher
e."

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
42] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-FOUR.

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°

NARRATED.
ATTHENKABI
NDEHOUSEHOLD.

theNkabi ndeswer esit

ti
ngar oundthetabl
ehaving
breakfastalsowaitingforHlalumitocomedownso
thatshecoul deatbcsshewassupposedt ogowit
h
hermot hertothecaf esinceshe'snolongergoi
ng
totheschoolt r
ipitwascancel led.
"Wheret
hehelli
st hi
schil
d?"MrNkabi ndeasked
l
ooki
ngathiswristwatch-nomat t
erhowangr yhe
i
sathispr
incesshewi l
lneverl
etherst
arve,the
l
ovehehasforheritstoomuch;she'shishearti
na
humanfor
m.
"Sakhilegoandcheckonyoursi ster".says
Hlalumi'smom , Sakhi
leranupstai
rstocheck
Hlalumionherr oom butwhenhegott herethebed
wasneat l
ymadeandHl al
umiwasnowher etobe
seenwhi chconfusedSakhi l
e.hewentt ocheckt he
bathroom butshewasnott hereal
so-henot i
ced
thatherclosetdoorisnotclosedsohewentt o
checkt here!Someofhercl otheswerenott herehe
tookouthisphoneandcal
ledHl
alumibuti
twent
strai
ghtt
ovoicemail
.
"Dammi tHlal
umi!
!"heexclaimedashe'st
ryi
ngto
reachHlal
umibutitwentstrai
ghtt
ovoicemai
lagai
n
;her anbackdownstai
rstohisparent
s.
"Awwher eisshe?."askedHlal
umi'smom asshe
sawhersoncomi ngdownt hest
aircasewi
thout
herdaughter.
"she'
snott
her
eMa"saysSakhi
lebr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
"Whatdoyoumeanshe'
snott
her
e?"MrNkabi
nde
askedt
ryi
ngnott
opani
c.
"Exactl
ythatBaba,evensomeofherclot
hesar
e
notther
eevenhertoil
etr
ies"hesays.
"WHAT? .
"theyallsai
dthatatt
hesametime,
Sakhi
lenodded!MrNkabi ndeHeadupst
air
sto
checkforhimsel
f
"haveyoutr
iedherphone?."Bul
iaskedtr
yingso
hardnott
othinkaboutnegat
ivet
hings.
"YesMa,
herphoneheadt
ovoi
cemai
l."
"Oht
hixowam!
"shesaysdef
eat
edandsatdown;
Sandil
ewaspacingupanddowncal l
inghisfr
iend
whoisanI Tspeci
ali
stsot
hathecouldtr
yandhack
Hlal
umi'sphone.MrNkabi
ndecamedownt he
st
air
s.
"iswearifil
aymyhandsonHlal
umiiwil
lsur
ely
hospit
ali
zeher;she'
ssl
owl
ybutsur
elyget
ti
ngout
ofli
nenow. "hesai
dfummi
ngwithAnger.
"let'
sallcalm downboNkabi
nde,sothatwecan
thinkofasol uti
ont
othi
smat t
er"saysBulit
ryi
ngt
o
calm everyone.
"whydon'
tyouguysgoandcheckHl
alumionher
boyf
ri
end'
shome."saysSakhi
le.
"yeahyou'
rer
ightson,asambeBul el
wa."says
Hlalumi
'
sdadal r
eadyheadingout-Hlal
umi'
smom
fol
lowedhi
m ;theygoti
nsidethecaranddroveof
f
totheJol
ahousehold.

theyarr
ivedatt
heJolasandknockedont hedoor;
Mr sJol
aopened-shewasshockedt oseethe
Nkabindesatherdoorstepaf
terwhathappened
betweenthetwofamili
es.
ni
bekwayi
ntoaphaBul
elwa?.
"sheaskedHl
alumi
'
s
par
ents
"wewantourdaught
erwho'
sher
ewi
thyourson.
"
saysHl
alumi
'smom .
"she'
sher
ewi
thmyson?Butmysoni
sincape
Town."
"youbetterpr
ayhardthatyourbast
ardsondidn't
gowi t
hmydaught ert
ocapeTownorel se!!"says
Hlal
umi '
sdadandwalkedtohiscar;Bulel
wa
cl
ickedhertongueandfoll
owedherhusbandt othe
car.
"Hlal
umiisgoingtogi
vemegr
eyhai
r."hest
art
ed
thecaranddroveoff.

I
NCAPETOWN.

i
tsbeenahoursi ncethelovebir
dsarri
vedatthe
motherci
ty,itwasal r
eadyatnightnow-Hlalumi
wasstunnedathowbeaut i
fulcapeTownlookedat
ni
ghtwiththosestreetsl
ightsandallt
hati
twasjust
beaut i
ful.theybookedahot elthattheyar egoi
ngt o
stayinf ortheweekendandLwazipr eparedabath
forthem andor deredsomeroom ser vicefort
hem .
Hlalumiseemedt obedeepinthoughtandLwazi
noticedt hattheloveofhisl
ifeisnotokayshe' s
wor ri
edabouthowherf ami
lyisgoingt or
eactwhen
theynot icethatshe'sgone;shewaswor ri
edabout
awai t
sf orherbackathomeatshegoesback-she
knewhowherf atherisli
kewhenhe' sangr yshitj
ust
hitsthef an.Lwaziwentt oherandki ssedhersoft
l
ipsmaki nghert osnapoutofit.
"ar
eyouokay?.
"shenoded.
"i
mfi
nebaby"Shesays.
Lwazi:okayI
'
vepr
epar
edabat
hforusso
masambe.
Lwazipi
ckedherupandheadt
othebat
hroom wi
th
her.
Hlal
umi:ican'
tbel
ieveyou'
reaboutt
oseeme
naked!
shesaysshyl
ywhi
chmakesLwazi
smi
led.
Lwazi:i
tsnotineversawnakedwomanbef
ore.
Hlalumigiggl
edandtookofhercl
othes;Lwazi
cursedunderhisbr
eatheashesawHl al
umi
beautif
ulbody.
Lwazi:it
hinki
m goi
ngt
oneedacol
dshowernow.
Hlal
umi:hayLwazi
ngca!wear
egoi
ngt
otakea
bathtoget
her.
Lwazihuf
fedi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.
Lwazi:f
ine.
theygoti
nsi
dethebat
handHl
alumil
ayedherhead
onLwazi'
schest.
Hl
alumi:baby?
Lwazi:mh?
Hl
alumi:xasewuci
ngawhathappenedbet
weenour
f
amili
es?
Lwazisi
ghed.
Lwazi:t
obehonestihavenoideast
handwasam ,
andi
yazinyanbutwhat
everi
tisit
sbi
g.
Hl
alumi:butwhytheyarenotall
owingustodate?
weknownot hi
ngaboutwhateverhappenedandwe
wer
enotevent her
e-haythi
sisnotf ai
r.
heki
ssedherf
orehead.
Lwazi:don'
tworr
yaboutl
ove,wewon'
tbr
eakup
j
ustbcsofthei
rpett
yfi
ght
syevha?.
shenoded.
Hl
alumi:ihearyou.
Lwazi:il
oveyou
Hl
alumi:il
oveyout
oo.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
42] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-FI
VE.

°
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°
HLALUMI
.

ididn'tknowt hatcapeTownwast hisbathong!

speci all
yatni ght;thest reetlightsandal lthati
t'
s
justamazi ng-ist il
lcan' tbelieveimi ncapeTown
seriouslyial wayswant edt ocomeher ebutnowi m
hereI 'm goingtoenj oymysel fwithoutwor r
ying
aboutmyf ami l
ybackhome.butt henagai nican'
t
bcsiknowwhatmydadi slike!hesur el
ygoi ngto
puni shmeunt ilir
egr etcomi ngher eandt hatwanna
meshi tsonmysel f
.soyest erdaywear r
ivedat
nightandwecoul dn'thaveagr eatviewofcape
Townwej ustbookedi ntot hehot el,tookabat h,
eatt henslept.

thisMorningwewokear ound9am i nt
hemor ni
ng
sincewewant edt oscr
ollaroundthemallchecki
ng
capeTownsi ncet hepartyhe'
sgoi ngt
odeejayi
ng
atstart
sat7pm i ntheeveningsowehavewhol e
dayt ooursel
vesandsi ncewehadmoneyonuswe
willbuysomethingsont hemal lj
ustnj
e.whenwe
wokeupt heweatherwasbeaut if
ulout si
de;itwas
sunnysowebat hedandourcl othesthenweat e
thenheadt othemal l.west ar
tingget t
ingshopst o
shopsj ustwi
ndowshoppi ng!iboughtsungl asses
andbuckethatf orOmut heniboughtmysel f
sandlesandahoodi ej ustnjetohavesomet hing
from capeTownyouknow.Lwazi hasbeent aking
pict
uresandvi deosofmenon- stop!t hensome
self
iesofbothofus;i twasgreat.t henaf t
erallthat
weheadt osomer estauranttogetsomet hi
ngt oeat
..

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

BULELWA(hl
alu'
smom )

evenfrom thegraveXol
anii
stormenti
ngme,didn'
t
hetraumat i
zemeenoughwhenhewasst il
lal
ive?
he'
sst i
lldoi
ngitevenfr
om af
terl
ikeandt
hisi
s
comingwi thmydaughteri
nbetween.
Si
gh
XolaniJolawasmyboyf ri
endwheniwas23year s
oldinvarsity-imethi m att hepartyatmyf r
iend's
placehewaswi t
hhi sbrother(Lwazi '
sdad)andhi s
fri
endNkosi nathi(myhusband)t hatni
ghtwhenhe
sawmeandaskedt ot alktome.Si nceiwasagi r
l
from Eastercapeidi dn'thaveanyboyf ri
end
growingupihadst rictparent sandwheniwentt o
KZNIhadf reedom .west artedbybeingfri
ends
thenonedayheaskedt obehi sgi
rl
fri
endandke
sinceidevelopedt olovehi m iagreed;wedat ed
maybef orsixmont hsthenhechangedaf terItol
d
himt hati
m avi rgi
nandican' tsl
eepwithhimim not
ready-heact edli
keheunder standsmeandhe' s
notgoingf orcedmekant ino.
Si
gh
onenightiwasgoi ngsleepoverathisplaceand
yenahewasatt hecl ubwithhisfri
endsandbr ot
her
sincei
twasFriday-icookedf orhimt hatFri
day
theniheadtosleepat3am i nthemor ni
nghecame
backdrunk!hest art
edsayingt hi
ngsthatieathi
s
food,sl
eepathisbed, eathi
smoneywhi lei
m not
givi
nghi m anythingi nreturn!andhesai doneday
i
sonedayhe' sgoi ngtotearmeapar t.hel ast
wor dssendedshi versdownmyspi nebutideci ded
toletitsli
debcsIlt houghthe'ssayingbcshe' s
drunkil ethim be;eveni nthemor ninghedi dn'tsay
anyt hi
ngaboutl astni ghtsoikeptquiettoount i
lhe
startedbeingcont roll
ingandabusiveheusedt o
dictatewhatIm shoul dorshouldnotwear, who
mustichi l
lwit
hwhomustnot!whenit hreatenedto
l
eavehi m hewoul dpoi ntmewi t
hagunsayi ngno
onel eaveshim iwi lll
eaveinacof f
in.heusedt o
beatbl ackandbl ueever ydayandlockedmeupi n
hisr oom fordayswi t
houtfoodandcamebackaf t
er
2daysor3.
Si
gh
isti
llr
emembercl earl
yt hatdayhevi olat
edme!i t
wasaSundayeveni ngiwasathi shouse;hewas
withhisfr
iendsi nthelivingroom whi l
eiwasinthe
bedroom sleeping-whi leiwasst i
llsl
eepinghe
burgedint
ot heroom fummi ngwi thAngerholdi
ng
hisgun!idi dn'tevenscr eam bcsiknowbet t
erto
doso;heaskedmewhyi mfli
rti
ngwi t
hhowf ri
ends
sincehesawmet alkingwi thNkosi nathiinthe
kitchen, hewasl ooki ngagl assbutXol anithoughti
wasf li
rti
ngwi t
hhim .t hatdayhebeatmeupand
rapedmet hewhol edaywhi lehisbr otheris
downst air
s.hi sfriendswer ealreadyl eftbuthis
brot herremai nedbehi ndbutnotoncehecamet o
checkwhat 'sgoingon.icr i
edunt ilihadnot ear sto
cryt hatdayiwasver ynumbicoul dn'tevenf ight
him ij ustlethim be, her apedmeunt ilipassedout
iwokeupi nhospi talthef oll
owi ngdaywi t
hBr uises
allovermybody!t oonl yf oundoutt hatiwasout
for3weeks.Hel iedt ot hedoct orsandsai diwasa
breaki nandt hosecr imi nal sgangr apedme
imagi ne!t heabusekeptgoi ngonunt iloneday
Nkosi nathicameovert ot hehouseandf ound
Xol aniontopofmer api ngme!hedi dn'twastet ime
het ookXol ani'
sgunandShothi m 3t i
mesi nthe
headandt ookmest r
ai ghtt ohospi talonl ytofind
outt hatim pr egnant!ihat edever ything, ihatedt he
babyver ymuchsoideci dedt oabor tbcsicoul dn't
raisemybabyknowi nghowhe/shewasconcei ved
iwasgoi ngt ohateher/hi m soabor t
ionwast he
onl yopt i
on.Nkosi nathiwaswi thmet hroughi tall,
Hisbr
otherVusumzi foundabouthi
sbr
other
sdeath
andmademeXol aniandiarr
estedf
or6mont hs
butweeventual
lycameoutwe-
"babyareyouokay?. "saidNkosi
nat
hihuggi
ngme,
isobbedinhischest.thi
sissuebr
oughtback
memor i
esithoughtiburr
ied.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
43] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-SI
X.

°
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°°°
°

HLALUMI.

ir
eall
yenj
oyedmyday, ir
eal
lyhadfunwit
hLwazi;
heshowedplacesar
oundher
etryi
ngoutdif
fer
ent
restaurantforsomet hingtoeat!wi ndowshoppi ng
thewor ksitwasver yfunienj oyedmysel f.this
l
ooksmor elikeabaecat i
ont hanaccompani ng
Lwazitodohi sgig,ievenfor gotaboutmyf ami ly
foroncei nmyl if
eandenj oyedt hef unful
lmoment s
withmybabe.Wheni twast imet ogower edead
ti
redbcsLwazineededsomesl eepbef or
e7pm hi t
s
theclock;soonourwaybackherboughtGoodi es
andsomel ar gepizzaformesi ncei m notgoi ng
withhimt ot hepar t
yim stayingi ndoorssohe
boughtmet hi ngstomunchatsol ong.if i
nal l
y
turnedonmyphoneandYhoihadmanymi ssed
callsandvoi cemessagesf rom myf ami l
yandsome
messagesf rom Omuhl e.
Si
gh
myf amil
ymustbewor ri
edsi
ckbutthentheywil
l
getoveri
tim comingbackmossoihavet oenj
oy
myselfbcswe'regoi
ngbackhomet omor
rowi m not
soreadytofacemydad.soar ound4pm wehead
backtothehotel.
Lwazi:r
haaaasobe!(iwi
llneveragai
n)
hethr
ewhimselfont
hecouchtir
edashel l,
ijust
l
aughedandtook2bott
lesofwaterigavehim hi
s.
Me:i
m sor
ryidi
dn'
tmeant
ooverwor
kyou.
hesmi
led.
Lwazi:i
t'
sokayl
ove,
comeher
e.
hesai
dpat
ti
ngonhi
slap,iwentt
ositont
opofhi
m!
heki
ssedmeandir
espondedt
othekiss.
Lwazi:il
oveyouHl
alumi,
iwi
lldoanyt
hingt
o
makeyouhappy.
ismi
led.
Me:Il
oveyout
oobaby.
ilai
dmyheadonhi schestli
steni
ngtohi
sbeati
ng
fasthear
t;hewr appedhisarmsaroundmythin
body.west ayedli
kethatincomfort
abl
esil
ence.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
beingherewithLumii sjustamazing, i
tsso
peacefulwit
houtanyonewho' sagainstour
beauti
fuluni
on.ij ustwishwecoul dstayliket
his,
sleepi
ngandwaki ngupnextt oheritsheaven-
havingthosewarm cuddl es;shower i
ngwithher!
theoralsexwehaveher eandt her
e.iknowshe' s
notreadyforsexsoij ustthoughtishouldgiveher
somecl i
mpseofi t.
Si
gh
idon'tknowwhyourf amiliesdon' twantust odat e
kodwawel oveeachot her, imeanwewer enot
therewhenwhat evershi thappenedbet weent hem
andi t
'snotourf aultthatithappenedbutt hen
parentswillalwaysbepar ent s;butont hismat ter
theywi l
lhavet ogiveup!iwi l
lneverbreakupwi th
Luminever;t heywi l
lhavet ogi vemeoner eal
reasonbawhyishoul dbreakupwi t
ht heonlygi rl
thatilovewhol ehear t
edly!imeanf orMr sandMr
Nkabindedon' ttheywantt heirdaughtertobe
happy?t obel ovedbysomeone?Don' ttheywant
thatfortheirdaught er.Ar et heyseriouslyforbiding
theirchi
ldachancetoexperi
encelove?ar ealone
atthat?evenwithmypar ent
s;don'ttheywantme
tohavesomeonewhol ovesmer eal,
someonewho
bringsnothi
ngbutloveandpeacet ome?.t his
conspiracyoft
hem tryi
ngtobreakusupi t
stiri
ngto
behonest.

Lumiandihadf all
enasleepont hecouch, it
sbeen
awhi l
esincei m awakeI '
vebeenwat chingthis
gorgeousgi rl
fr
iendofmi ne!she'ssuchapr ett
y
Mamaci ta.t het i
mei ts5:45andt hatpar tystart
s
at7pm soihavet ogetever yt
hingreadysot hati
won'tleaveanyt hingbehindwheni tstimet ogo.i
tookfewpi cturesofLumiwhi leshe'ssl eepi
ngi
can'tl
etthiscut enessgot owast e.isl owlystoop
upandwal kedwi thhertot hebed-she' sdead
asleepshedoesn' tevenmove!she' sver ytir
ed, i
putherinbedandcover edherwi t
habl ankettheni
headst r
aighttot heshower.

Af
tershower
ingil
oti
onedandwor
emycl
othes!
andheadbackt ot hebedr
oom -mybabyissti
ll
sleepi
ngigetont opofthebedandpeckedherli
ps
repeat
edly,sheopenedhereyesslowlyandsmil
ed.
she'sbeaut
iful!
.shesatupstrai
ghtr
ubbingher
eyes.
Lumi:youl
ookhandsome,
areyougoi
ngal
ready?
inoded
Me:iwi
llcomebackar
oundmi
dni
ghtokay.
iki
ssedherl
ips.
Lumi:havef
unandbehave.
il
aughed.
Me:iwi
ll,
iloveyouneh.
Lumi:il
oveyout
oobaby.
ikissedherl
ipsonemor
etimetheniheadout,iget
insidemycarthenmybeepsi
tsmessagefrom
unknownnumber .

*YOUBETTERBRI
NGHERBACKHOMESAFELY
BOY!
!ORELSEYOUWILLREGRETLAYI
NGYOUR
EYEONHER*

ichuckl
ed,t
here'
soneper
sonwhol
ikesdoi
ngt
his,
it
sSandil
eNkabinde.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
43] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-SEVEN

°
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°°°
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°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

aft
erLwazil
eftt
othepartyicoul
dn'tsleepanymor
e
soiwokeupandwat chedsomeser i
esonhi s
l
aptopsi
nceim bor
edoutofmymi nd, maybei
shoul
dcallOmuyazimi ssher-idi
alledher
numbersheanswer
edi
mmedi
atel
yit
'sl
ikeshe'
s
beenwait
ingf
ormycal
l.
Omu:l
over!
!!
Me:l
ovi
est
o,isoomi
ssyou!
!
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:imi
ssyout
oo,
how'
scapeTown?
Me:yhomyFri
end!!t
hisplaceisbeaut
if
ulmaan,
i
l
ovebei
ngher
eit'
sm peaceful
.
Omu:unf
ort
unat
elyl
oveyyou'
recomi
ngbackhome
t
omorr
ow.
Me:don'
trui
nmymoodOmuhl
e,anywaysibought
yousomet
hingkesana.
Shescr
eamed.
Omu:ngempel
a?you'
resuchadar
li
ngphel
awena.
Me:iknowbabyiknow!
!
wel
aughed.
Omu:imi
ssyoumaan.
Me:imi
ssyout
ool
ove,
how'
smypar
ent
sther
e?
Shesi
ghed
Omu:yourf at
herisBreathingfi
rehl
alumi,
prepar
e
yourselfwhenyou'recomi ngbcssurel
yhewill
hospitali
zeyourcuteself.
Me:haymaanOmuhl
edon'
tsayt
hat.
Omu:i
m sorr
ylove,
idi
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyoubut
i
mtel
li
ngthetr
uth.
Isi
ghed
Me:iwi
llbr
acemysel
f,t
hankyouf
ort
heheads-
up.
Omu:nowor
ri
esbabe;igotyou.
Me:yahIknowandiappr
eci
atet
hat,
iloveyouso
much.
Omu:il
oveyousomuchmor
esweet
hear
t,bye.
Me:bye.
Shehungup.
..
..Isi
ghed.
i
m notsor eadytofacemyf amilyafterwhatI
've
doneandont opoft hatil
eftwithoutinf
ormi
ng
them .ihadabeautifulweekendwi t
hmybae
withoutanydist
ract
ionbutwe' r
egoi nghome
tomor r
owSMH;ij ustwishtostayherefor
everyou
knowbutt hen.im nolongerinthemoodf ort
hese
movi esbcsicanf eelt
hesleepcreepi
ngin,i
swit
chedof ft
hel aptopandgotUndercoversthen
fel
lintodeepslumber.i m wokenupbyLwazi'scold
handsonmyt highsifli
nched-hekissedmyneck.
Lwazi:sor
ryiwokeyouup.
hesayssoundi
ngdr
unk.
Me:ar
eyoudr
unk?
Lwazi:al
it
tl
e.
Me:okay,
let
'ssl
eep.
hetur
nedmearoundandmademel aymyheadon
hi
schest;heki
ssedmyfor
ehead.
Lwazi:il
oveyouHl
alumi.
Me:il
oveyout
ooLwazi
ngca.
heheldmeti
ghtthenwefel
lasl
eepi
neachother
's
arms-ourl
oveispure,
nothi
ngcangetbet
weenus
iassur
eyouthat
.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

fi
nallywe'regoinghomeaf t
eranamazi ngweekend
wehadt oget her,imjustexcit
edtobegoi ngback
butmyl adyher elooksotherwise-iknowshe' s
scaredofherf atherbackathomebcsshel ef
t
withouttell
inganymor ebesidesOmu.shesays
apparentlywhenshecomesbackherf atherwill
hospital
izeherandt hatseemedt oscaremybaby
off.she'
sbeenpacki ngherbagf orawhi l
enow,
she'spackingver ysl
owlyjusttodelaytimeiwal ked
towardsandhuggedherf r
om behind.
Me:Lumi?
Lumi:baby?
Me:don'
tst
ressaboutt
hisst
handwasam youwi
ll
bef
ine.
Shesi
ghed
Lumi:howcaninotst
ressLwazi
?youhear
dOmu-
he'
sgoingtohospi
tal
izemeandIknowmydadhe'
s
notbl
uffi
ng!
hervoi
cei
sshakey,
she'
saboutt
ocr
y.
Me:Hl
alumil
ookatme.
shel
ookedatmewi
thgl
ossyeyes
Me:iknowmyl ovethatyou'r
escaredbutLumi t
his
i
syourdadwe' r
et al
kingabouthewoul dn'
tmake
anydrast
icthingsbcsyou' r
est i
llhi
schil
d,sorel
ax
babydon'
tthinkaboutt histoomuchneh?il ove
you.
Lumi:Il
oveyout
oo.
ihuggedher,im soinlovewit
hher-whenshe'
s
aroundever
ythi
ngi sjustokay.

at5h30intheaft
ernoonwear r
ivedi
nourhome
Town;mybabyhasbeensl eepingt
hroughthe
j
ourneybackhomeandil etherbesinceshelooked
ti
red,ipar
kedinfrontofherhomest eadandgently
shookher.
Me:st
handwasam .
sheopenedhereyessl
owl
yandsmi
led.
Lumi:hey,
havewear
ri
vedyet?
inoded,
shequickl
ysatupst
rai
ghtl
ooki
ngscar
ed.
ihel
dherhands.
Me:don'
tbescar
edl
ove,
goi
n.Shesi
ghed.
Lumi:il
oveyoubye.
shet
ookherbag,
iki
ssedherl
ipst
henshegotout
andwal
kedhome.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
43] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-EI
GHT.

°
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°

HLALUMI
.
i
m shi tscaredr ightnow,im dreadinggoingt othe
house;i m scar edofthereacti
oniwi llgetfrom my
dad.Lwazil eft10mi nut
esagoI 'vebeenst anding
ont hisgatef orawhi l
enowi m scaredofgoi ngi n!
Mom anddad' scarishereandSandi le'smeani ng
thatthey'r
eal lhomewhi chmakesmemor escared-
maybeishoul djustgeti
nsideiftheypuni shmei
willgladyaccepti t.isawbr aJoepassi ngbyi
calledhimt oopent hegat
ef ormeandhedi d;i got
i
nsi detheyar d.
Me:br
aJoe.
Joe:hl
alul
u,wher
ehaveyoubeen?
isi
ghed.
Me:I
'
vebeensomewher
ebr
aJoe,
isever
yoneher
e
?
henodded.
Me:okayt
hen.
iwal
kedpassedhim andheadst
rai
ghtt
othedoor
andopenedi
tslowl
y.iheardnoi
secomingfr
om
theki
tchen,i
tsSakhi
le'
svoi
ce.it
ookadeepbr
eat
h
befor
egoingther
e.
Me:sani
bonani.(gr
eet
ings)
theyal
ltur
nedt
olookatme,
mom r
ushedt
ome
andhuggedmetight.
Mom :ohwmybaby,
areyouokay?
Me:i
mfi
neMa.
Dadl
ookedatmeandcli
ckedhi
stongueand
wal
kedoutij
ustsi
ghed.
Sandi
le:wher
ethehel
lhaveyoubeenHl
alumi?
il
ookeddownandf
iddl
edwi
thmyf
inger
s.
Sandi
le:i
mtal
kingt
oyou!
Me:i
m sor
rybhut
i.
t
ear
swer
eal
readyt
hreat
eni
ngt
ocomeout.
Sandil
e:you'
resorr
y?huh?doyouknowhow
worri
edwewer eaboutyoukantiwenayou'
re
gal
li
vanti
ngaroundwithboys?
idi
dn'
tanswerhi
m.
Mom :Hl
alumi?
Me:Mama?
Mom :whatHappenedt
oyou?
isni
ff
edandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Mom :youwereneverli
kethi
s,youdon'
tli
stent
o
whateverwet
ellyou;yougoi
ngtocapeTown
behi
ndourbackwi t
hboys-you..
shesi
ghed.
Mom :idon'
tknowwhatt
odowi
thyouanymor
e.
Sandi
le:youwi
lll
eavet
hatboyal
oneHl
alumido
youhearme?
ikeptmymout
hshut.
Sandi
le:uyezwa?(doyouhearme?
)
Me:butbhut
i..
Sandi
le:Hl
alumi
!
Me:No!noiwon'
tbr
eakupwi
thLwazi
iwon'
tdo
t
hat!
Mom :Hl
alumi!
shewar
ns.
Me:noMa!i mt i
redofyouguysdi ct
ati
ngmyl i
fe
l
iket
his,I
'm 17yearsoldforheaven'
ssake.ilove
l
waziandhel ovesmetoo-iwon' tbr
eakwithhim
j
ustbcsyouguyssayssoiwon' tdothati
mt i
red-
ididn'
tf i
nishmysentence,
Sandil
ejustcl
appedme
ont heface!igasplooki
ngathi
m shocked-didhe
justclappedme?
Mom :Sandi
le!
!!
Sandi
le:Hl
alumiisdir
espect
ingusnow, she'
s
sl
owlybutsurel
ygett
ingoutofcontr
ol!!eversi
nce
she'
sseei
ngthatJolaboyshe'sdoesn'
trespectt
hat
.
wi
tht
hatsai
dhewalkedaway,Sakhi
lef
oll
owed
hi
mthenMom .ij
ustsatont
hefl
oorandcri
ed.

°
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°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.
I'
vebeenwor ri
edaboutHlalumi,i
tsbeenanhour
sinceidroppedheroffatherhousebutshehasn't
call
edme.it ri
edcall
ingherbutshedoesn'tpick-
upmycal lsorshedoesn'tr
eplytomyt extidon'
t
knowwhat 'sgoi
ngonwi thherandthatshitworri
es
met oomuch.ij ustwantstoknowthatifshe's
alri
ghtorwhat..
si
gh
maybeishouldgivehersomet i
meyouknow,
maybeshe'sbusytalki
ngtoherfamil
yabouther
di
sappear
ingandi m busydi
stur
bingher.it
sbeena
hoursi
nceigothereandmypar entsarenotaround
.itookashowerandwor emycomf ortabl
eclothes
andlai
dont hebed.
"LWAZI NGCAJOLA! !"mydadyell
edfrom
downstairs,whenevershecall
smewi thmyful
l
namej ustknowthatI'vedonesomethi
ngwrong.i
gotupandwor emyshoest henheaddownstai
rs.i
gotthereDadwaspaci ngupanddownwithMom
tr
yingtocalm him down.
Me:Tat
a?
her
ushedt
omeandpunchedmer
ealhar
d.
Mom :Vusumzi
!!
Dad:kwedi
nidi
dn'
tisayl
eavet
hatNkabi
ndegi
rl
al
one?
Me:youdi
d.
Dad:thenwhydi
dherpar
ent
scameher
elooki
ng
forher?
Me:idon'
tknow.
Dad:Lwazingcayouwentt ocapeTownwi t
hthat
gi
rlwi
thoutherparentsper
mission!uphambene
kwedi
ni?(areyoucr azyboy)
Me:Tat ait
oldyouthatiwon'tl
eaveHlalumialone,
weloveeachothertoomucht odothat-whatever
dramayouhavewi t
hherf ami
lyyoubettersortit
outorsuckitupbcsHlalumiandiarenotbreaking
upfini
sh!!
Dad:iwon'
tacceptt
hedaught
erofmybr
other
's
ki
ll
eri
nmyhousenever!!
wai
twhat?.
.
Me:wait..
.Whatdoyoumeant
hedaught
erofyour
br
other
'ski
ll
er?
hechuckl
ed.
Dad:imeanexact
lyt
hat!l
eavet
hatgi
rlal
oneboy.
wit
hthatsaidhewalkedawaywi
thMom ,
ijustsat
downont hechai
rdefeat
ed.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

HLALUMI.

ican'tbel
ievemyf amil
yisli
kethi
s!t heywantme
tobreakupwi t
hsomeoneilove;iloveLwazingca
somuchbr eakingupwithhi
m wil
ljustbreakmy
hearttothousandpieces.whycan'tthey
understandthatweloveeachother?havet hey
neverbeeni nlovebef
ore?Don'tt
heyknowhowi t
feel
st obeinlove.
Si
gh
Lwazi ngcahasbeencal li
ngandt extingmeever y
mi nuteican' ttal
ktohim whil
eiml iket his;iknow
Lwazihewi llwantt ocomeher eandcausemy
par entsmor eangr yevenSandileheevencl apped
me!somet hingheneverdi d-imeantwhatisai di
willneverbr eakupLwazibcsoft hem never, t
hey
shoul djustletusdat einpeacebcst heyare
wast ingtheirenergytryi
ngtobr eakusupbcshe' s
goingnowher e.aft
erawhi l
eofsi t
tingont hisfloori
stoodupandheadupst ai
rs,thehousei sempt y
ever yonehasgoneoutidon' tknowwher e.igotto
myr oom andputmybagont heclosett henheadt o
takeashower.

aft
ershoweri
ngiwrappedat owelar
oundmybody
andheadbacktothebedroom whenigotstar
tl
ed
whenisawmydadsi tti
ngonbedhol di
ngabelt.
myheartstar
tedbeat
ingfast-iknowshiti
sabout
togetr
ealnow.
Me:dad.
..Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Dad:t
hisi
smyhouseHl
alumi,
igetwher
everi
want.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
Dad:Hl
alumiwher
edi
dwegowr
ongwi
thyou?
Me:i
m sor
rydad
Dad:whyar
eyounolongerr
especti
ngus?i sthat
boy'
sdi
cksogoodt
hatyouevenlostrespectt
ous?
.
idi
dn'
tanswerhi
m.
Dad:Hl
alumii
mtal
kingt
oyou!
!
hesnapped,
ijumpedal
it
tl
e.
Me:imreal
lysor
rydad,
idi
dn'
tmeant
odi
srespect
youl
iket
hat.
Dad:todayi
m goi
ngt obeatthatdisr
espectoutof
you!andyouwil
lleavethatboyalone.
hesai
dwal
kingt
owar
dsme,
ibegant
ocr
y.
Me:(cr
ying)i
m sor
rydad,
pleasef
orgi
veme.
doyout
hinkhel
ist
ened?nohegr
abbedmyar
m
andbeatmeup.
Me:(cr
ying)dadpl
ease.
..I
m sor
ry.
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
43] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFOURTY-NI
NE.

°
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°

HLALUMI.

"Hlalulu?"mom call
edf ormebehindt hebathroom
door, she'
sbeenknockingforawhi l
enowi m not
goingt oopen.I'
vebeencoopedupi nt his
bathroom foranhournowsi ncemydadhasdone
beatingmeup-mybodyhur tsl
ikehell;ihave
bruisesallovermybody.
Mom :Hl
alumipl
easeopenbaby,
iwannat
alkt
o
you.
isni
ff
edandwi pedmyt ear
s,whycan'tt
hey
under
standthatLwazi&Iloveeachot
her?why
can'
ttheyl
etusbe?don' tt
heywannaseeushappy
?.
Me:l
eavemeal
oneBul
elwa!
Mom :iwannat
alkt
oyoubaby,
pleaseopen.
isi
ghedbef
orest
andi
ngupandopenedthedoor,
shegaspwhenshesawmybody.im st
il
lnaked.
Mom :(t
ear
y)ohwmybaby,
im sosor
ry.
shet
ri
edt
ohugmebutibackedaway.
Me:seewhatyourhusbandhasdone?Mama
what
'sgoi
ngon?What '
shappeni
ngbetweenyou
andt
heJolas?
shesi
ghedandt
ookmyhandandl
edmet
othebed,
wesatdown.
Mom :hl
alul
umyl ove,im sor
ryst
handwasam i
r
eal
lyam .whathappenedbetweent het
wofami
li
es
i
ssomethingtobediscussedbyeldersi
-
Me:Mom please,whathappenedbetweenyou
guyshavenot
hingtodowithus;wewer enotther
e
andweknownot hi
ngaboutit
!sowhyar eyou
agai
nstusdati
ngeachotherl
ikethi
s?
shesi
ghedandwi
pedhert
ear
s.
Mom :youwon'tunderstandbaby,
tal
kingabout
whathappenedisbri
ngingmebadmemor i
esthati
bur
ied.
Me:t al
kingaboutthi
sispoint
less, bcsit
'scl
ear
thatyou'r
enotgoingtoli
stentomeandconsi der
myf eel
ings-j
ustknowt hati
m notgoi ngtobreak
upwi t
hLwaziuntilyougivemet angibler
easonto
doso.
Mom :Hl
alumil
is-
Me:hayMama, i
m donetal
kingaboutt
his,you
cansendyourhusbandtobeatmeupagai ni
m not
breaki
ngupwit
hLwazifini
shandklaar!
wit
ht hatsaidigotUndercover
sandcr i
edsi
lent
ly.
i
mt i
redoft his,i
mt ir
edofthem di
ctat
ingmylif
e
l
ikethis.ourloveisbeingtest
edlef
tri
ghtand
cent
er-t hey'
reagainstourUni
on.
Si
gh

Tal
kaboutf
orbi
ddenl
ove.
..

Lateroni m wokenupbySakhi lesayi ngt hati

m
want eddownst air
s, hehadapi tylookonhi sfacei
don'twhy.igotupandheadt ot hebat hroom to
washmyf acethenbr ushedmyt eeth.iwor emy
warm pyj amasandar opet hensl eeper s.igrabbed
myphoneandheaddownst airs,Mi dwayt hestairsi
hearvoi cesfrom downst ai
rslooksl iket hey'
relotof
peopl ehere-iheadst raightt othel i
vi ngwhenigot
thereicoul dn'
tbeli
evei t!theycal ledaf amily
meet ingforme?wow.myGr andpar entsherefrom
myDad' sside,auntNat hi(mydad' ssi ster)and
uncleSi pho.thenuncl eLubanziandLubabal ofrom
Mom' ssidethenMom' ssi sterAuntVel iswa-wowi
can'tbelievethi
s.whent heysawmet heywent
quitelookingatme.
Me:Mol
weni.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
AuntV:you'
resogr
ownupHl
alu.
shesayssmi
li
ng,
she'
smyf
avour
it
eaunti
nthe
worl
d.
ismi
led.
Gr
andpa:si
tdownHl
alumi.
hesai
dwithhisdeepvoi
ce, myGrandf
atherhas
al
waysbeeninti
midat
ing,isatdownandplayed
wit
hmyfingers.
Grandpa:Hl
alumi
yourfat
herher
ecall
edmesaying
weshouldcomehereassoonaspossi
blet
otal
kto
you-
myphoner
ings,
itsLwazi.t
heyal
llookedatme.
Gr
andpa:yi
phendul
e.(answeri
t).
..

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.
Lumihasn' tansweredmycal l
sort ext,im gett
ing
wor r
iednow!ican'tsleepim worri
edabouther.i s
shest i
llt
alkingtoherfamil
y?itsbeenhour snow
si
ncewegotbackbutshe' ssti
llnotpicki
ngupher
phoneidon' twhattodoanymor e.imt hi
nkingof
goingtoherhomet olookforherbutican' tgether
i
ntomor etroublet
hanshe'salr
eadyi nyouknow
butineedt ot al
ktoherorseethatshe' sokaybcsi
can'tsl
eepwi t
houtconfi
rmingthatshe'sreall
yokay
.
Si
gh
whenar ewegoingt ohavepeacei nourr el
ationship
?i t
sprobl
emsaf t
erproblems, wedon' thavepeace
youknow.ourl oveistest ed!it
struewhent hey'r
e
saysoulmatesgot hroughl otofshitbeforewe
reachourheavenbuti t'
stoomuchal ready,our
famili
esareagainstus-t heyshouldbet heones
whoar eournumberonesuppor t
ersbutt hen. .

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
44] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERFI
FTY.

°
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°

HLALUMI.

theyarealllookingatmewai ti
ngformet oanswer
thephonebutiwon' tdothatLwaziwil
lfor
givemei
willcal
lhi
ml at
eron.ilookedatitri
ngingunti
lhe
gaveup, iturneditoffandputitonmypockett hen
clearedmyt hroat.
Gr
andpa:Hl
alumi
?
Me:mkhul
u?
Gr
andpa:whatisthi
s?what '
sgoi
ngonwi
thyou,
whyar
eyoudirespect
ingyourpar
ent
s?
Me:i m notsureif
ollowmkhul u,
ifir
emember
correct
lyididn'
tdi
srespectanymoreij
ustt
oldthem
thatiwon'tdowhattheywant edmetodobyf or
ce.
hewentqui
tef
orawhi
le.
.
Gr
andpa:andwhati
sthat?
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
Me:t
heywant
edmet
oleavel
wazi
alone.
Gr
andpa:whoi
sLwazi?whati
shet
oyou?
Me:myboyf
ri
end.
Uncl
eLuu:hayboHl
alumi!
!uyadyol
a?t
hixo.(ar
e
youdat
ing?Jesus)
AuntVel
il
eandAuntNathiwe'
resuppr
essi
ngt
hei
r
l
augh,GrandpashotUncl
eLuualook.
Gr
andma:boyf
ri
endHl
alu?howol
dar
eyouagai
n?
Me:17year
sGogo.
Gogo:andyout
houghtyou'
reol
denought
odat
e?
Me:iminari
ghtaget
odat
eGogo,
mom al
so
knowst
hat.
Gogocl
appedherhandsi
nshockedbymyanswer.
Grandpa:Nkosi
nat
hinaweVuyel
wawhat
'sgoi
ng
onbetweenyouandthi
sboy'
sfamil
y?
dadcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat.
Dad:t
hatissueneedst
obedi
scussedwi
thoutki
ds
i
nourpresence.
Gr
andpanodded.
Grandpa:Hl al
umi mychil
dyouhavet oli
stent
o
yourparentsanddowhatt heytel
lyoutodo, t
his
thi
ngofyour sdisobeyi
ngwhattheytel
lyouis
wrongandi thastoendnow!Nkosi nat
hiyouhave
totakeallherGadgetssothatshecannot
communi catewiththi
sboy.
il
ookedathi
m shocked.
Me:butMkhu-
Gogo:ThulaHlal
umi!you'
reevent
alki
ngback-
suchdi
respect
.
AuntNat
hi:sheneedstocomeandstaywit
hus
duri
ngholi
daysatthef
arm,shewil
llear
ntr
espect
ther
e.

what?hel
lno!i
m notgoi
ngt
her
e.
Aunt Veli
le:okayguyst hat'sbitextremedon' tyou
thi
nk?sendi nghert oli
vei nt hefarm ?ha. athat '
s
toomuch;butt henal soyouguysneedst o
under st
andt hatHl alumii sat eenagershe' s17
yearsoldshe' sboundt ohaveaboyf ri
end.ican
seei nhereyest hatshel ovest hisboyofher sand
there'snot hingyoucoul ddot osepar atet hem!nani
bant uyouwer eonceherageyouknowhowi tfeels
tobei nloveyoudocr azyt hingswi thyourl over;
naweVuyel wadon' tforgetthatyouwer eal sodoi ng
thesamet hingwhenyouwer eHlalumi '
sage.you
usedt osneakar oundwi thXol ani.spendsdays
withoutsl eepi ngathomeandnowi tsHlaludoi ng
soyouguyshaveapr obl em ?ha. aguysdon' tbe
hypocr i
tesapha, themor eyout ryingtobr eakt hem
upt hest r
ongert hel oveget s!andyouwi llr egretit
whenyouheart hatHl alumiel opedwi t
ht hatboy;
HlalumiCal lthatboyf ri
endofyour sineedt ot alkto
him.

t
hehousewentdeadqui
te.
..
.wel
lthatwentwel
l.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"Lwaziareyouokaymyboy?. "askedMom tal

king
aseatnexttome, i
sighedandrubbedmyfacein
fr
ust
rati
on.
Me:i
mfi
neMa.
Mom :noyou'
renot,
tal
ktoyourMom .
Me:Hlal
umiisnotanswer
ingherphoneMa,I
've
beencal
li
ngandtexti
ngt
hewholedaybutnot
hing;
i
tslat
enowbutstil
l.
shesi
ghed.
Mom :Lwazi
ngcamnt
anam ,
didn'
tyourf
athert
ell
yout
ostayawayfr
om t
hatgi
rlhuh?
Me:st
ayawayf
rom her?why?
Mom :i
tsf
ort
hebestLwazi.
Me:forwho?Bcsobvi ousl
ynotforme,Mamai
l
oveHlalumiwhycan'tyouguysansherf
ami
ly
under
standthat?don'
tyouwannaseemehappy?
Mom :idobabybut
-
Me:nobut sMa, Hlal
umimakesmehappy, she
makesmef eelalive.Sheunder st
andsmeand
l
ovesmebutyouguysar est
andinginthewayof
ourlovef orwhat?someusel essfamil
yhi story,we
werenotevent her ewhenwhat everhappened
betweent het wof amili
eshappened.i t
snotour
faultbutwhyar eyoupuni shi
ngus?wecan' tjust
turnoffthef eel
ingswef eelt
owardeachot her-we
can'tunloveeachot herMamabutyouguysexpect
ust obreak!somet hingthatwon'thappen, you
knowwhatf ucki tim goi
ngt oherhomer ightnow.i
needt otalktoher.
Mom :haybol
waz-
ii
gnoredherandt
ookmycarkeysandr
anout,
i
goti
nsidemycaranddr
oveoff.

iar
ri
vedatherhomeandpar
kedout
sidehergat
e
andcal
ledheragai
n-i
twentst
rai
ghtt
ovoi
cemai
l.
Fuck!
!!
fuckthi
sim goingin,idon'tcareaboutMr
Nkabinde'
smeanpunchesiwi l
ldealwiththem
onceisawmywomant hatshe'
sf i
ne.igotof fmy
carandwalkedi nsi
detheyar d.ther
ewer emany
carsonthedrivewaybutimademywayt hrough
thedoor,iknockedtwice.thedooropenedi t
s
Hlal
umi '
sbrot
herSakhile-hiseyeswi denwhenhe
seesme.
Sakhi
le:dudewhatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
if
rowned.
Me:whatdoyoumean,
im her
etoseeLumi.
Sakhi
le:wel
lyoucan'
tseeher.
Me:dudemovemaan!
ipushedhi
m asi
deandgoti
nsi
de.
Me:HLALUMI?LUMI?
ical
ledf
orherwhil
egoingtot
heli
vingr
oom wheni
gott
here-t
heyalll
ookedatme..
.Shit!
!
t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
44] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

i
m standingtallinthelivingr oom ,they'
real
l
gawkingatmewai tingf ormet oexplai
nwhatthe
hel
lam idoingher e.ther ear elotofpeopleher
e
l
ooksl i
ketherewasameet ingtakingplacebut
Lwazidecidedt oruinitgr eat..
.
Hlal
umiisseat edonthecouchlookingli
keshe'
s
abouttoshitonherselfi
fitwasanotherdayiwoul
d
belaughingatherbutnowi snottheri
ghtti
mei
havebiggerissuesathandjustl
ikethi
sone.
Me:Mol
weni.
theydi
dn'
tgr
eetback,
onl
yawomanlooksli
ke
Lumi'
smom greet
edot
her
sar
ejustst
arr
ingatme.
Lumi
'
Mom :Lwaziwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:i
m her
eforLumi,
ineedt
otal
ktoher.
Lumi
'
sdadchuckl
ed.
Dad:boyyouhavenor
espectneh?kahl
ekahl
e
awungi
boniwena!
hesai
dst
andi
ngup,
anot
herol
dmanhol
dhi
m
down.
"Calm downson, andwenawhoar eyouandwhat
areyoudoinghere?"hesaidl
ookingatmewitha
mur der
ouslookiswall
owedsweetnothi
ng-peopl
e
i
nt hisf
amilyar
eintimi
dat
ingmaan.
Me:ndinguLwazi
ngcaJol
aTat
a,i
mlooki
ngf
or
Hl
alumi.
"uyi
nikuHl
alumi
wena?"
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
Me:i
m herf
ri
end.
Lumi
'
smom :herboyf
ri
endyoumean.
"HayBulel
wa."t
hewomanwhol
ooksl
ikeHl
alumi
'
s
mom repri
mandsher.
"soyou'r
etheli
tt
leboyfr
iendthatmakesmy
Granddaught
ertodorebell
iousthi
ngs!whatki
ndof
aboyfri
endareyou?"Sayst heoldman.
Me:forgi
vemebant uabadalaididn'
tmeant
o
r
espectyourhouseli
kethis,icoul
dn'
tsl
eepij
ust
want
edt oseeifHl
alumiisokay.
Lumi'
sdad:nowthatyou'
veseenher,youmay
l
eaveweareint
hemi ddl
eofsomethi
nghere.
inodded.
Me:ndi
yabul
elakakhul
u,iwi
llbeonmywayout
now.
itur
nedawayandwalkedout,
ifel
tfoot
steps
comingitur
nedi
t'
sthewomanwhol ooksli
ke
Lumi'smom .
"waitther
eiwannat
alkt
oyou.
"shesai
d.iwai
ted
forher.
"hi,
howar
eyou?"
Me:i
mfi
net
hanks,
howar
eyouMa?
"i
m good,
im Vel
il
e;Hl
alul
u'sAunt.
"
Me:ohni cet
omeetyouMa, i
m Lwazi
ngcaJol
a
herboyf
ri
end."shechuckl
ed.
Vel
il
e:you'
rebr
avedoyouknowt
hat.
ismi
led.
Veli
le:ir
eall
yadmireyourbraver
y,itshowsthat
youreall
ylovemyniece!ihopeyouwon'thurtheri
n
thel
ongr unbcsicanalsoseethatshelovesyou
too.
Me:ilovehersomuchandi pr
omiseiwon'
thur
t
hereventhoughourpar
ent
sareagai
nstus.
Veli
le:iunderstand,Hlal
umi'
sdadi sverystubborn
youknow-i nhiseyesHl al
umiissti
llalit
tl
egi r
l;hi
s
pri
ncesssohe' sf i
ndi
ngithar
dt oacceptthathis
l
itt
legir
lisgrowingandshe'sdatingbutwor rynot
hewi l
lcomear oundjustcont
inuefight
ingforyour
l
ovewenasot hathecanseet hatyou'r
eser i
ous
abouthisdaught er.
inoded.
Me:okayt
hankyou,
igot
tagonow.
Vel
il
e:al
ri
ght,
dri
vesaf
elyandcal
lherbef
oreyou
sl
eep.
inoddedandwal kedaway.igotinsi
demycarand
drovehome!ijusthopeHlal
umiwi l
lanswermy
call
sthi
stimearoundidon'twannaf i
ndmysel
f
goingtoherhomeagain.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

HLALUMI.

ican' tbeli
evet hatLwazicameher eintheni ght
.he
shoul dn'thavecameher enowmyGr andpar ent
s
willsayhe' sdisr
especti
veandhe'snotwor t
hyt obe
myboyf r
iend!ishouldn'
thaveignoredhi scall
sin
thef i
r stplacenowhecameher egunbl azzi
ng
thinkingoft heworst.butthenhebettergetusedt o
itbcsTomor r
owmygadgetar ebeingt akeniwi l
l
gett hem whenschoolr eopensimagine!That '
stotal
tor
tur
emos.howam igoi ngt
ocommuni catewit
h
mybabynow?mypar ent
sarereal
lyunf
airshame,
theactl
iket
heywereneveri
nlovebonaor
somethi
ngcloset
othat.
Si
gh
aft
erthemeet i
ngwasdi smissediwentst r
aightt
o
bed,iwasn'tevenhungryij ustwantedtosleepi
hadal ongday.af t
ershower i
ngandgot
Undercoversitookmyphoneandcal ledLwazi,He
answer edonaf i
rstr
inglookslikehewasexpecting
mycal l
.
Lwazi:st
handwasam .
Me:heybaby,
uri
ght?
Lwazi:I
m okaymyl
ovewena?
Me:i
m get
ti
ngt
her
eyouknow.
Lwazi:isee,im sorr
yforburgi
ngint
oyourhome
l
ikethat-i
t'
sjustthatiwasworri
edaboutyouandi
neededtoseeyoubef oreigott
osleep.
isi
ghed.
Me:iunder
stand,
im sor
ryf
ornott
aki
ngyourcal
ls.
Lwazi:i
t'
sokayi
mjustgl
adyoucal
led.
Me:yeah,myparent
saregoi
ngtotakemyphone
sot
hatiwon'
tcommunicat
ewithyou.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:whyar
etheyagai
nstusl
iket
his?don'
tthey
wannaseeushappy?
Me:idon'
tknowmyl
ove,
ireal
lydon'
t.
Lwazi:butdon'
twor
rybabe,
iwi
llmakeapl
ant
o
seeyou.
Me:okay.
Lwazi:ndakt
handaHLALUMI,
wit
hever
yfi
beri
n
me.
ismi
led.
Me:il
oveyout
oowi
thever
yor
gani
nme.
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:voet
sek!

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
44] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

mydadr eall
ytookmyGadget s,it
sbeenaweek
sincehet ookthem andI'
m bor edtohell-ihaven't
talkedtoLwazisincethatnighticall
edhi m!imi ss
him somuchbutt henican'
tevengetoutoft his
room idon'twannaseemypar ent
sbcsi m madat
them atthemomentf ort
ryi
ngt obreakmeapar t
from theloveofmyl if
e.I'
vebeencr yingmysel fto
sleepeveryday.myeyesar ebl oodshedr edandmy
headhur tsli
kehell.il
ockedmysel fi
nt hisroom for
2daysnow;mybr ot
herSakhilehasbeenbr inging
mef oodeverynowandt henim sogl adthatihave
him onmysi de.
Si
gh
myGr andpar ent s, unclesandaunt sleft2daysago
afterdeci dingt hatim goi ngtospendmyDecember
holidaysi nt hef arm wi t
ht hem.t hewayicr iedthat
nightwast oomuch!idon' twannast ayont hefarm
mna.myGr andpar entsar egoingtoover wor kme
thereandevenmycousi nzamadoesn' tl
ikemet hat
much.Shesayst hatithinkim betterthant hem just
bcsmydadi sr ichorwhat soever.imeanwhy
woul dshet hinkt hat?i m notbetterthananyone
andshe' smycousi nil i
keherbutt henyenaAndazi.
myt hroatisscr atchyandmyheadi sthrobbinglike
hell-igotof ft hebedandmademywayt othe
bathr oom idr ankt hewat eronthesi nkandwashed
myf acewi thcol dwat erthenheadbackt othe
bedr oom .whenigott heremymom i ssitti
ngon
topoft hebedhol dingat raywithfoodandsome
j
uice-idi dn'tevengr eetherijustgotUnder covers
andt r
iedt osl eep.
Ma:mybaby.
i
gnor
edherasicl
osedmyi
tchyeyest
ight.
Ma:hlal
ului
m sosorr
ymybaby, pleaseforgi
veme.
iknowyoudon'
twannahearanythingf r
om usnow
butpl
easebabyt
rytoeatsomethi
ngsot hatyou
canhavesomestr
ength.
Si
lence.Shesi
ghed
Ma:Hlalumibreaki
ngyouupwi t
ht hatboyisbest
mntanam ,wedon'twantnot
hingthatli
nkesusto
t
hatfamily-youcandatewhoeveryouwantbutnot
t
hatJolaboy.

ohnoshedi
dn'
t.
Me:why?whycan' tidatehim Mama?can' tyou
andyourhusbandseethatidon'twantsomeone
el
se?iwantLwazingcaandonl yhim .what
'sgoing
onbetweenyouandhisfamily?Huh?
Ma:iwil
ltel
lyousomedaymybabybuti
nthe
meant
imet r
ytost
ayawayfr
om hi
m.
ichuckl
ed.
Me:im notgoi
ngt
otalkyouandyourhusbandunt
il
yout
ellmewhathappenedbet
weenthetwo
f
amil
ies,nowtakeyourbr
eakf
astandgetoutofmy
r
oom iwannasleep.
shebur
sti
ntot
ear
s.
Ma:(cryi
ng)Hlal
umychi ldpl
easedon'tmakeme
di
gupthememor iesiburi
edatthebackofmyhead
andi
don'twanttovisi
tthepast.
Me:goodf
oryout
hen.
ipul
ledt
hebl
anketovermyheadandsl
ept.
.
.
.
.
.

intheaft
ernoonim wokenupbySakhi l
esayi ngthat
ishouldshowerhe'stakingmeout.im notinthe
moodt obehonestbuticoul ddowit
hsomef resh
air-soitookashowerandwor emywar m cl
othes
thenti
edmydr eadlocksthentookmyphoneand
headdownst ai
rs.igotthereDadandSakhi l
ewe're
wat
chi
ngTV, whent
heysawmedadst
oodupand
wal
kedtowar
dsme.
Dad:pr
incess.
Me:idon'
twannat
alkt
oyoudad.
wit
hthatsaidiwalkedout.igoti
nsi
det
hecart
hen
Sakhi
ledroveoff.
Sakhi
le:howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
isi
ghed.
Me:idon'
tknow.
henodded.
Sakhi
le:i
m sor
ryf
oral
lthat
'shappeni
ngt
oyousi
s.
Me:i
tsnotyourf
aul
tmnt
ase.
hetookmyhandandkisseditwhilehisotheroneis
hol
dingt
hesteer
ingwheel.wear r
ivedat
McDonald'
sandwegotinside!Sakhil
efoundat abl
e
andwewenttositt
her
e. .

°
°°°
°°°
LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

tosayI 'vebeenokayi nt hesepastf ewdaysiwoul d

bebr utall
yl yi
ng.ihaven' tsleptindays, ilastt
alked
andsawHl alumiaweekago!imi sshersodamn
much.imi ssedhervoi ce, herscent, hersof t
hands!hersmi le;imissever ythi
ngaboutherand
thet hi
ngofhernothavi ngaphonemakest hi
ngs
wor sebcsican' tcommuni cat ewithheri nanyway.
i
m wor r
iedabouthersomuchiknowHl alumishe's
verysensi ti
veungaf i
kashe' scr yi
ngher sel f
everydayandnoteat i
ngandihat et hatabouther.
whenshe' shur tshedoesn' tcareaboutherwel l
being, shedoesn' tcarewhet hersheat eornot.
Si
gh
butnonet
hel
essimissmybaby,ijustwi
shicoul
d
seeheryouknowandki
ssedherthentel
lhert
hatI
l
ovehersomuch.
"youseem fari
nthought
s."sai
dSongznudgi
ng
me, isnappedoutofi
t.
Me:i
mfi
nebawo.
hesi
ghed.
Songz:st
il
lnot
hingonher?
inodded.
Songz:t
hisi
sfuckedup!
wewer eatMcDonald'
s,Songztookmeoutsayi
ng
thaticoul
ddowithsomefreshairt
hanbei
ng
coopedupathomei nmyroom thewhol
eday
feel
ingsorr
yformysel
f.
Songz:i
sn'
tthatHl
alumi?
hesaidpointi
ngbehi
ndme, iquickl
ytur
n-there
shewasl aughi
ngwithherbrother,howimissed
herl
augh.seeingherjustmademeemot i
onalyou
know.I'
vebeenyearningtoseeherbutnowisaw
herIj
ustwannacr y.
Songz:got
oherbawo.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroatandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hei
rtabl
e.
Me:Hl
alumi
.
shel
ookedupatmeandherr
edeyesbacame
gl
ossy,she'
samesslooksl
ikeshe'
sbeencryi
ng
her
sel
ftosleep.shel
ostal
it
tl
ebitofwei
ght-oh
mybaby.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
44] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-THREE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

seeingLwaziaf t
erawhol eweekofnotseei nghim
broughtt ear
sinmyowneyes, ij
ustfeltemotionali
couldn'tholdmyt ear
s-iwassomi serablethese
dayswi thoutseei
nghi m ;I
'vebeenyear ni
ngtosee
him butnohe' shereidon'tknowifishouldscr eam
andj umpedonhi ml i
keiusedt oorishoul dhug
andki ssidon' tknow, hel ooksl i
kehehasn' tslept
fordays!hi seyesar er edandpuf fyli
kehewas
crying-hel ooksbadhedi dn'tevencombhi sfade
hel ookslikeamess.idon' tknowwhyourpar ents
aret ort
uringusl i
ket hisir eall
ydon' t-i
tsli
ket hey
don' twannaseeushappy.t heirbeeforwhat ever
theyhavewi t
ht heJol asi saf fecti
ngmyr elati
onship
withLwaziandwer eallydon' tknowwhathappened
betweent hem bcsmypar ent sdoesn'twannat el
l
met heyjustsay"i tsael der sthingtodiscuss"i
meant hat'sutterbul l
shi t
!ifitinvolvesusitmeans
thatweshoul dknowwhathappenedbcst heycan' t
forbidourl ovef orsomet hatar eknownbyt hem
onlyt hat
'spur eevi l.

Lwaziandiwewer eathiscarnow, mybrotherwas

kindenought owaitformewhi leibondwi t
hLwazi
forthissmal ltimewehavesi ncewe'vebeen
mi serablewithouteachother.nowor dswer e
exchangedt owar dseachother, weweredeepi n
ourt houghtswewer ei
nacomf ort
ablesi
lenceonly
ther adiopl
ayi ng.weweresitti
nginamost
comf ort
ableposi tionatthebackseatonLwazi 'scar
.hewasl ayingf l
atont heseatwhi l
eiwasont opof
him withhisar mswr appedaroundmehol dingme
ti
ght.hewoul dki ssmyl ipsandf oreheadher eand
therewhilebr ushingmydr eadlocks.ijustwi shwe
couldstayliket hi
sf oreveryouknow-t hi
si smy
safeplaceinmyman' schest, if
eelatpeacewhen
i
m wi thhim!hi slovef ormespeaksvol umes
throughhisact ions, heshowshi sloveforme
throughhisact ionsandiappr eciat
ehimf orf i
ghting
forourloveitmeanssomucht omebuthewi l
l
forgi
vemef orwhataboutt osayr i
ghtnowbuti t'
s
forthebest.
Me:Loveofmyl
if
e?
Lwazi:myhear
t?
Me:doyout
hinkt
hisi
sal
lwor
thi
t?
Lwazi:huh?
Me:doyouthi
nkourl
ovei
swort
hit?isi
twort
hy
f
orustofi
ghtwi
thourf
ami
lyorl
osethem ?
hewentquitef
orawhi
le,
hishear
tbeati
tbeat
ing
fasticanf
eeli
fsi
ncei
mlayi
ngonhischest.
Lwazi:what
'st
hatsupposedt
omeanLumi?t
het
ha
i
ntoevakal
ayoHlal
umi.
hesai dwi
thhisbreaki
ngvoi ce,heknowswhati
meanqhahej ustwant stohearmesayi ngit.i
sniff
edandwipedmyt ears-thi
sishardformet oo
butihavetodoi tf
orthesakeofpeace, imt i
redof
fi
ghtinganendlessbattl
ebcswedon' tknowt he
reasonofwhywear efi
ghtingbcsourparentsdon'
t
wannat el
lus.
Me:i m sorr
yLwazibutwearef i
ghti
nganendless
battl
ehere,wearefighti
ngbcsofanunknown
reasonandmnai mtired.Il
oveyousomuchmy
l
ovebutt henwehavet ocal
litqui
tsim sor
ry.
..

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

mybodyfrozeaf
tershesai
dthosewords,i
tsl
ike
ai
rhasbeensuckedoutofmylungsistr
uggl
edto
breathf orsomet ime.t heheartacheif eltit
stoo
much!Thel oveomyl i
fesaysshe'stired, she's
ti
redoff i
ghti
ngf orourloveandsheseef i
tsto
dumpmeaf t
erthest r
uggleiwentt hrought r
yingt
o
fi
ghtf orourloveandshej ustgivesupj ustli
kethat
!
ican'tbelievethis..
..ithoughtHlalumil ovedme, i
real
lyt houghtshel ovedmebutiwasj ustf ooli
ng
mysel fhere, howcoul dshej ustendour
rel
ati
onshi psoqui ckly-wewer esupposedt ostand
togetherandf i
ghtforourlovenott hi
s.

myhear tiscrushed, itsli

keithasbeenst abbed
countl
esst i
mesunt ilitbleeds,thechestpainsif eel
arenothingtothepai nif eeli
nthisheartofmi ne.i
l
ookedatherasshe' sl ookingdownf i
ddli
ngwi th
herfi
nger s,whywoul dHl al
umihurtmel i
ket his
knowingverymucht hatil oveandneedherso
muchi nmyl if
e, she'stheonl yt
hingthatmakes
senseinmyl ifelat
elybutnayeshe' sthrowingaway
abeautifult
hingwehad.
Me:Hl
alumi.
hernamecameoutasawhi
speri
nmymout
h.
Lumi:i
m sor
ryLwazi
ngcapl
easef
orgi
veme.
Me:phumahl
alumi.
sher
aisedherheadandl
ookedatme.
Lumi:Lwazii
-
Me:ISAI
DGETOUTHLALUMI!
!!
iyel
led,
shej
umpedouti
nfr
ightandwi
pedher
tear
s.
Lumi:ihopeonedayyouwi
llf
orgi
veme.
wit
ht hatsaidsheopenedthedoorandheadout.i
j
ustbr okedown, ij
ustcr
iedsomuch-myhear tis
heavy!im hurtsomuch.ican'
tbeli
evet
hatthelove
ofmyl if
eistheonewhohur tmeli
kethi
s...

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
44] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-
FOUR.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

ileftLwazi'
scarwit
habr okenheart,hedidn'
tgi
ve
meachancet oexplai
nmysel fwhyim br
eaking
thingsoff!it
houghhewasgoi ngtounderstandme
bcsheknowshowmyf amil
yisli
ke,how'smydad
li
kebutt hen.
.
Lwazidon' tunder standhowmuchil ovehi m, he
thinksbcsIendedt herelationshipinol ongerlove
him isawi tinhiseyeshet hinksidon' tlovehim
anymor ebutIdomor ethanever !it
sj ustt hatim
tryingt ocr
eatepeaceyouknow.I '
mt iredoff ood
fi
ght i
ngwi thmypar entsbcsoft hebeeft heyhave
wi t
ht heJolasandt heydon' twannat el lusabouti t
soij ustendedt her el
ati
onshi pevent houghi m hurt
andi l
oveLwazisomuchbutihadt odoi t.ijust
hopet hatmypar entswi llbeHappyaboutt hi
sbcsi
sacr i
ficedmyf eelingsandt heloveihadf ormy
manf orthem ,
ihurtandbrokemyman'shearti
n
theprocessofthi
s-idon'
tevenhaveaphonet o
callt
ocalm hi
m andapologizet
ohim pr
oper
ly.

iheadbackt
oMcDonal
d'simetSakhi
leatt
hedoor.
Sakhi
le:ar
eyouokay?
inodded.
Me:i
mfi
ne.
Sakhi
le:comeher
esi
s.
Hehuggedme.
Sakhi
le:I'
m sorr
yt hatyou'
regoi
ngthr
oughal
ot
ri
ghtnowandt here'snothi
ngicoul
ddotomake
youfeelbet
ter.
Me:i
tsokaySakhi
le,
itsnotyourf
aultt
hatt
hings
ar
eget
ti
ngoutofcont
rolli
kethi
s,let
'sgo.
wepull
edoutt
hehugthenwewal
kedt
othecar-we
goti
nsi
deanddrovehome.
wear r
ivedathome, everyonewasther
eeati
ng
dinner.wegr eet
ed!Sakhil
esatdownbutiheadt
o
thestaircase.
Dad:Hl
alumi?
Me:dad?
Dad:comeandsi
tdown.
Me:i
m nothungr
y.
Mom :Hl
alu-
Me:ISAI
DIM NOTHUNGRY!AREYOUDEAF?
Sandi
le:Hl
alumidon'
ttal
kli
ket
hatwi
thMom!
Me:ibr okeupwi t
hLwazi, igaveyouguyswhat
youwant edright?youbever yhappythatIl
ostthe
guyilovedsomuchbcsofyoursel fi
shness!you
tookawayt heonl ychangeihadt oexperi
encetr
ue
l
ovebutt henim achi ldam I?ihavet oobeyt omy
parentsevent houghthey'rewr ongandselfi
sh.i
don'tyourdinneriwilljustsleep..
wi
tht
hatsai
dit
urnedandwal
kedupst
air
s..
°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

" Whenyougonnast
opbr
eaki
ngmyhear
t?
idon'
twannabeone
Payi
ngf
ort
het
hingsineverdone
Don'
tletgo,
don'
tletgomyl
ove
Canigetyoursoul
?
Canyougett
omyt
hought
s?
Canyoupr
omi
sewewon'
tletgo?
Al
lthet
hingst
hatyouneed
youcanmakei
tfeel
sobad
youbl
owmymi
ndwhenit
ouchyourbody
youcanmakei
tsobad
youbl
owmymi
ndwhenit
ouchyourbody
If
eell
ikei
mlosi
ngcont
rol
ij
ustdon'
twannal
etgo.

I'
ml ayinginbedlist
eningt othi
ssong, youknow
I'
vebeendumpedbef ore,eveninhighschoolI'
ve
beendumpedbymygi rl
f r
iendbutiwasneverl ike
this!iwasneverheartbrokenl i
kethis,t
hisshit
hur t
s.itHurtssomuch-idon' tknowwhyHl alumi
woul dhurtmel i
kethis, icri
edenoughbutst i
llits
there;thepainisthereitcan'tgoaway.ican' t
sleepI'm al
wayst hi
nkingaboutt hi
s.
Si
gh
yazatsomepoi nti understandwher eHlalumiis
comi ngf r
om ,iknowhowagr essi
veherdadcanbe!
andhe' squicktobeatsomeone.iknowhow
controll
inghecanbeandHl al
umii saf
raidofher
dadsomuchsoiunder st
andi st
handwaSam but
thenwecoul d'
vefoughtf orourloveandconquer
everythi
ngt ogetherbutshechooset ogiveup!she
saidshe' sti
redoffightinganendl essbatt
lethat
wascausedbyourpar ents...
t
her
e'saknockonmybedr
oom door.
Me:yeah?
"Openupmybaby.
"it
smom .
Me:andi
funimama(idon'
twantt
o)
Mom :pleasebaby,you'
vebeenl
ockedupi
nthi
s
r
oom sinceyester
day.
Me:ndicel
aundi
yeket
orhomama(Pl
easel
eave
mealoneMom )
Mom :ngumnqundukalokul
ouwut
het
hayo,
open
t
hisf
uckendoorLwazingca!
ist
oodupandheadtothedoor,wheniopenedshe
att
ackedmewithahug,ihel
dint
oherti
ghtand
cri
ed,shebr
ushedmyback.
Me:(cr
ying)i
thur
tsMama!
Mom :i
m sor
rymybaby,
ihat
etoseeyoul
iket
his
..
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-FI
VE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

MONTHSLATER.

"Hlalumikhawulezamaan! "saysMom yel li

ngfrom
herroom ,iwasstil
lwearingmyshoes-iqui ckly
mosturisemydreadlockst hent i
edthem ipuff
ed
myper fumethenappliedlipgloss.itookmyschool
bagthenheaddownst airs.igott hereever
yonewas
al
readyseateddownont het ablereadytoeat.
Me:Goodmor
ning.
t
heygr
eet
edback,
idi
shedupf
ormysel
ftheniat
e.
Me:who'
staki
ngmet
oschoolt
oday?
Mom :yourdad.
Me:not
hanks,
iwi
llwal
k.
Dadsighed.sincewhathappenedmyr el
ati
onship
wit
hmydadhasneverbeent hesameagai n,even
wit
hmymom butt henI '
mtol
eratingt hem!im sti
ll
angryatthem formaki ngmebr eaki
ngupwi ththe
l
oveofmyl i
febutst i
llt
heyhaven'ttoldmet het r
uth
butideci
dedt oletthem bebcsi t
scl earthatthey
don'
twannat ellmesoyeah.
Si
gh
i
tsbeen3mont hssinceil astt alkedandsawLwazi ,
tobehonestI 'vebeenmi ser ablebutidecidedt o
makepeacewi t
hitandl eavehi m alonebcshe
blockedmef rom contactinghi m .onWhat sApphe
blocked,hebl ockedmycal ls!hewant snot hi
ngto
dowi thmeandi tsallmyf ault;maybei fistayeda
l
ittl
ebitandf oughtforourl ovehar dernoneoft hi
s
woul d'
vehappenedbutt hent here'snouseofcr ying
overspill
edmi l
k-ithurtsnotseei nghimf orentir
e3
mont hsisti
lllovehim andiwi llf
oreverdobut
ever
ythingwasagai nstus,ourlovei
sf orbidden
andthere'
snothingwecandoi foutparentsdon't
wannat el
luswhatoccur r
edbet weenthet wo
famil
ies..
..if
eltsomeonenudgi ngmeisnapped
outofit.
Sakhi
le:you'
recr
ying.
iwipedmyf
aceidi
dn'
tevennot
icet
hatiwascr
ying
.
Me:I
'
llbef
ine.
Sakhi
le:you'
rest
il
lthi
nki
ngabouthi
m?
inodded.
Mom :Hl al
umimnt anam thi
sisnothealthy
anymor e,youhavetomoveonf rom thisboy!j
ust
forgetaboutboyssisbcstheybri
ngstressnothing
else-justf
ocusonyourschoolwor ksinceyou'r
ein
term 4nowyouhavet opasssothatyoucango
mat r
icnextyearuyevha?
iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandnodded.
Dad:imtrul
ysor
ryhlal
ulumnt
anami, iknowmy
act
ionst
owardsthati
ssuehur
tyou!andt hat
causedastrainonourrel
ati
onshipandim sor
ryfor
thatngempelabutyourMotheri
sr i
ghtf
orgetabout
thatboyandfocusonyourstudies.he'
snotthe
onlyboyonEar t
h.
ibr
okedownwi
thmyhandsonmyf
ace.
Dad:comeher
epr
incess.
istoodupandwal
kedovert
ohim andsatonhi
slap
.heputmyheadonhi
schestandwrappedhi
s
armsaroundme.
Dad:don'tcr
ymybaby, ever
ythi
ngisgoingt
obe
okay.youwillgetovert
hatboyandbef i
neli
ket
he
Hlal
uluweusedt onotthi
sdepressedone.
ilaughedt
hrought
ear
s,hechuckl
edandki
ssedmy
forehead.
Dad:goandwashyourf
acesot
haticoul
dtake
yout
oschool.
ist
oodupandwal
kedupst
air
s..

mydaddroppedmeattheschoolpr
emi
ssest
heni
headst
rai
ghttocl
ass,
igotther
eOmuwasseated
onherdeskr
eadi
ngabookiwal
kedovert
oher.
Me:l
over.
Omu:hibabe,
areyouokay?youreyesar
ered.
ismi
led.
Me:i
mfi
ne,
myeyesar
ejustact
ingup!
shesi
ghed.
Omu:you'
rel
yingHl
alumi,
areyoust
il
lcr
yingover
Lwazi.
isi
ghedandsatdown.
Me:l
et'
snott
alkaboutt
hatpl
ease.
Omu:Hl al
uyoucan'
tli
veli
kethis,i
tsl
ikeyou'
ve
beendumpedkodwayou'r
et heonewhodumped
Lwazi.youmadeyourbedsisinowlayonit.
t
ear
swel
ledupi
nmyeyes.
Omu:NonoHl
alu!ar
eyougoi
ngt
ocr
ynow?
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:noi
m not.
Omu:i
m gl
adt
hen.
°
°°°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

"Maj i
tawhylovehur
tsli
kethi
s?"saidLi
yabona
throwinghi
mselfonthecouchnextt
ome!looki
ng
allsor
tsofdefeat
ed.wechuckl
ed.
Andi
le:l
ovei
saf
uckedupshi
t!
Me:ir
elat
e.
At
hi:what
'
sgoi
ngonwi
thyouLi
yabona?
hesi
ghed.
Li
yabona:Esihl
ebrokeupwi
thmedudeimagi
ne!i
l
ovethatchi
ckbutshedomeliket
his?
hesai
dwi
tht
ear
sinhi
seyes,
ipat
tedhi
sback.
Me:zobar
ightbawo,
iknowyoursi
tuat
ion.
Songz:yahne.
isi
ghed.
i
tsbeen3mont hswi
thoutLumi, i
tsbeen3f ucken
monthswi t
houtthel
oveofmyl if
e.shef uckedmy
l
ifeupbyleavi
ngme!sheneverbot heredtocal lor
textmeaftert
hatshejustleftt
hingsjustli
ket hat.
shejustgaveuponourl ovejustli
kethat-she
didn'
teventhi
nkaboutmyf eel
ings.howif eelabout
this.
.
Si
gh
tobehonestimi ssher, imisshersomuch!she' s
theloveofmyl if
eican' tseem tocopewi thouther
butsincemont hspassedisl owlybutsur elymoving
onbcsican' thol
dont osomeonewho' spr obably
withsomeoneel seaswespeakyouknow. ..
.but
thenitshardtoforgetabouther, it
'shardt odelet
e
thefeeli
ngsihavef orher !I
'mt r
yingbuti tshard.
thesepastmont hswashar df orme, icoul dn't
focusijustwantedamer etextfr
om herorevena
smssayi ngshewaski dding, shewasnotser i
ous
butdololo.idecidedtobl ockherever ything
thi
nkingmaybeiwi l
lquicklyf or
getaboutherbuti
wasf ooli
ngmysel f,heream ist i
llyearningt ohear
hervoice,yearni
ngt otouchher ,ki
ssher -
Li
yabona:howdi
dyoudealwi
tht
hisLJbawo?
isi
ghed.
Me:i twashar dbawoandf unuxokai tsstil
lis,
beingdumpedbysomeoneyoul ovewhol eheartedl
y
i
snott heeasiestshi t
!butil earnttoli
vewi thit,
whenHl al
umibr okeupwi t
hmeIwasshat ter
ed, i
wasbeyondbr oken.iusedt ocr ymysel ftosleep
for2mont hs-iwast otall
ygoi ngcrazyidi dn'twant
anythingbutHl alumi !ithoughtsheneverl ovedme
j
ustbcsshedi dn' tfi
ghtenoughf orourl ovebut
whenisatmysel fdownandt houghtabout
everythingiunder stoodher-iunder stoodher
reasonanddeci dedt oletherbe, i
fwewer emeant
tobet ogetherwe' regoingt of i
ndourwayback
together!Okwangokuiwi l
lstaythehel lawayf rom
her..
At
hi:wow!
iwipedmytears,t
heGent swerealsocryi
ng.My
mothert
aughtmet ocrywheni thurt
sther
e'sno
thi
ngas"indodaayikhali"ifi
thurtscryt
hepainout
andmoveon, bot
tl
ingt hingsinjustbcsyou'
rea
manandyoudon' tcrytowil
ldieofdepression!i
t
willl
it
eral
lyki
llyou,that
'showidealtwiththebreak
upbet weenHlaluandi.icri
edtil
lifel
tbetter-ij
ust
hopeHl al
umiandiwi llf
indthewaybackt oeach
otherwherewebel ong..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-SI
X.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

FEW DAYSLATER.

"Babyl
et'
sgokal
oku.
"saysAsemahl
e,ir
oll
edmy
eyes.
Me:i
m comi
ng!
ibidGoodbyest
oAndi
let
heniheadt
omycarigot
insi
deanddroveof
f.
Mahl
e:yousur
elyt
ookyourt
ime.
iscof
fed.
Me:youshoul
d'vel
eftmemosuzi
hambel
e.
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Mahl
e:mxm .
Me:wher
eto?
Mahl
e:i
m cr
avi
ngf
orBul
i'
smuf
fi
nsyouknow.
Me:haywewon'
tgot
her
e.
Mahl
e:why?
Me:j
ustnj
e!
Mahl
e:pl
easeLwazi.
Shesulked,
ijustcl
ickedmyt
ongue-sucha
nui
sance.
Me:f
ine.
shesmi led,idon'
tknowwhyi m backwith
Asemahl e-buttheniam amanihaveneeds!she
justkeepsmecompanysol ongsincendisagowa
youknow. .
..ij
usthopewewon'tbumpi ntoLumi
ont hatcafebcsim notr
eadytofaceherandMahl e
ont heothersidei
spesteri
ngmet ogothere.
Si
gh
wear r
ivedatBul i
'scaf
eandgoti nside,ilooked
aroundf i
rstlooki
ngforLumi-sheusedt obeont he
counterwhenshe' sherebutidon'tseeher
anywher eher e.i
m happyanddisappointedatthe
samet ime, iwould'
vebeennicetoseehercut e
faceorevenhearhersweetvoi cebutt hen...
.

wef oundat abl

ethenwenttositdownandpaged
thr
ought hemenu-t her
e'snoneedfort
hisbcsi
l
ovet heblueber
rymuf f
inszal
aphaandsome
cappuccino.
"Goodaft
ernoonLadyandGentleman,mynameis
Hlal
umiandim atyourser
vicef
ortheaf
ter
noon.
"
myhear
tst
oppedbeat
ingf
orasecond!I
tsher.
..
hereisthevoiceI '
vebeenyear ningt ohearf or
mont hsanddays, hereshei s,i'
veal wayswant ed
toseeherbutshe' sher enoidon' tknowwhatt odo.
iremovedt hemenuf rom myf aceandl ookedather
-she'ssti
llbeautif
ulasalways, she'snosmi l
ing
andi can'
treadherf acialexpressionlikeiusedt o.
herfacedoesn' tgi
veoutanyemot ions, Mahle
clear
edhert hroat;itotal
lyforgottenabouther.
Me:iwi
llhavet
heusual.
shenoddedandl
ookedatMahl
ewhowassmi
rki
ng.
Mahl
e:iwil
lhaveasl
iceofchocol
atecakeand
somecof
fee.
shewr
oteonhernot
epadt
hensmi
ledatus.
Lumi:comi
ngr
ightup.
shewal
kedaway.
.

•
•••
•
HLALUMI.

todayafterschool,Mom sendmet ot hecafeto

helpther
esi ncetheywereshor tst
affed.wheni
arri
vedthere-theywer ereall
yshortstaff
ed,
waitr
esseswer eabout6soiwor emyuni formthen
gettowor k.istart
edattheki t
chensinceallthe
customer swerealreadyserved.
"Hlal
u,t
abl
e6needssomeser
vice.
"saysMa'
vee!
she'
sachefher
e.
Me:okay.
it
ookmynot epadandpenthenheadout.wheni
gotoutist
oppedonmyt r
ackswhenisawhim. .
.
myhear tst
art
edt obeatf
ast,mypalmsbecame
sweaty!idi
dn'
texpecttoseehim her
e.yesiknow
helovestheblueber
rymuffi
nsbut...
.never
mind.
Si
gh
sohealr
eadymovedon, thatwasfast.
..
.he'
sback
wit
hthatbi
tchoutofallpeople.whywouldLwazi
dothi
stome?i shetryingtoshowmet hathecan
dowhateverhewantsinf
rontofme?. ..
..
getagr
ip
Hl
alumiyou'r
enolongertogether
!ir
eleaseashaky
br
eatht
henheadst r
aighttothetabl
e.
Me:Goodaf ternoonl adyandGent l
eman, i
m
Hlalumiim atyourser vicethisafter
noon. "isaid
withast raightface, idon'twannagi vethem the
satisfact
iont hatim hurtbyt his.Lwazidoesn'tsee
me;hi sfacei scoveredbyt hemenu.her emoved
themenut henl ookedatme!hel ookedreall
y
handsomeij ustwant edtojumponhi m andki ss
him -imi ssedhi m somuchandnowhe' sher e
i
nf r
ontofmei don'tknowhowt oact,thebitch
clearedhert hroatisnappedoutofi t.
Lwazi:iwi
llhavet
heusual.
inoddedandlookedatt
hisbi
tchwhohadasmi
rk
onheruglyf
acenx.
"iwil
lhaveasliceofchocol
atecakeandsome
coff
ee."thebi
tchsaid.
Me:comi
ngr
ightup.
iwalkedaway,ibl
inkedawaymyt ear
sidon'twant
peopletoseemecryingbutican'
thel
pit,
ilove
Lwaziandseei
nghi
m wi
thanot
hergi
rlhur
tsmeso
much..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-SEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

seeingLwazibeingallloveydoveyt othatbi
tch
brokemyhear t
,hehur tmyf eeli
ngsitprovesthathe
movedon-hef orgott
enaboutus!t helovewe
sharedtoget
herbutt henimt heonet oblame.i m
theonewhobr oket herelat
ionshipbcsofthe
pressur
eiwasget t
ing;butthent heXhosaPr overb
says"uzenzil
eakakhal el
wa. "ibroughtthi
sto
mysel
fandihavet
oli
vewi
thi
t.
Si
gh
icoul dn'
twaitformyknockof fti
mesot haticoul
d
gett hehelloutofherebcsifeelsuf
focated
seriously!andthisbit
chkeepssteal
ingglancesat
memaki ngsurethatI
'mlooki
ngatthem beingall
loveydoveynx.
"Areyouokayhl
alu?"sai
dsomeonebehi
ndmei
tur
ned,it
'sCi
ndy.she'
sawait
ressher
eismi
led.
Me:i
mfi
neCi
ndy.
"you'
vebeenst
ari
ngatthatt
abl
ef orawhil
enow,
areyoucr
ushi
ngonthatguy?."shesaidsmil
ing,
i
gi
ggled.
Me:noi
m not.
"t
henwhat?.
"
Me:he'
smyex-
boyf
ri
end.
"what?ohman,
soyoust
il
llovehi
m ?.
"
inodded.
Me:yeah,
webr
okeup3mont
hsago.
shesi
dehuggedme.
"ohpoorbaby,you'
regoi
ngtobeokayman,
just
st
opStar
ingatt
hem you'
rebei
ngcreepy.
"
wel
aughed.
Me:okayt
hen.
weheadt
otheki
tchen.
.
.
.
.
.
lat
eron,Mom cametogetmesinceididn'thave
moneyfort
heUber.welockedt
hecoffeeshop
t
henheadtothecar
!wegotinsi
deanddr oveoff.
Mom :howwasyourdaybaby?
Me:i
twasj
ustf
inenot
hingmuchyour
s?
Mom :i
twasokay.
inodded.
wear
ri
vedathome,
dad'
scarwasont
hedr
iveway;
wegotoutthecarandwalkedi
nside-hewas
si
tt
ingonthebarstooli
ntheki
tcheneat
ing.
Me:af
ter
noondad.
Dad:hiPr
incess,
youl
ookt
ir
ed.
Me:yeahiam .
Mom gr
eet
eddadandki
ssedhi
sli
ps.
..t
hat
'smy
cue.
iheadupstai
rstotakeashowert
henworemy
warm pyj
amast henlai
dinbed.myphoner
ingsi
ts
Omuianswer ed.
Me:hil
ove.
Omu:heyl
over,
yousounddownar
eyouokay?
isi
ghed.
Me:yesl
overi
mfi
ne.
Omu:don'
tli
eHl
alumi,
anywaysyoubel
ievewhati
sawt
oday!
Me:whati
sit?
Omu:yourLwazi
ngcai
sbackt
oget
herwi
th
Asemahl
e.
Me:ohw
Omu:ohw?t
hat
'sal
lyou'
regoi
ngt
osay?
isi
ghed.
Me:whatmustisayOmuhle?it
snotl
ikehe's
cheat
ingidumpedhi
mremember?hewasbound
tomoveon.soihavenot
hingt
osaymnt asekhaya
Shesi
ghed.
Omu:hyoHlal
uminawemaan,
whydi
dyoubr
eak
upwi
ththeguy?
Me:(t ears)itwasforthebestOmuhleokay?i
didn'tl
ikethebicker
ingthatwashappeni
ng,idi
dn'
t
l
ikef i
ghti
ngwi thmypar ent
sforamansoidecided
toendi tal
lbutthatwasmybi ggestmist
akebcsi
mi ssLwazisomuchr i
ghtnow.
Omu:i m sorr
ymyl ove,pleasedon'tcr
yokay.
everythi
ngi sgoi
ngt obeokay-ifyouandl wazi
weremeantt obetogetheryouwillgetback
together!j
ustbepatientokay?
iwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:ihearyou.
Omu:im sor
ryt
hatyouhavet
odealwi
thal
lthi
ng
st
handwasam .
Me:i
t'
sokayOmu,
im abi
ggi
rlIwi
lldealwi
tht
his.
Omu:okayihavet
ogonow,
iloveyou.
Me:okayil
oveyout
oo,
bye.
ihungup.
..

•
•••

LWAZI
NGCA.

Mahlewastotall
yboringmetobehonestidon' t
knowwhyibr oughtherhere,i
twasj ustst
upidof
me, she'
sbeenblabberi
ngidon'tevenpaying
att
enti
ontoherimjustlooki
ngatourpi ct
uresand
vi
deosonmyphone. .
.
imi
sshersomuch,
imi
ssherl
aught
er,
imi
ss
holdi
ngherclosetomychesti nhal
inghersweet
scentandplayi
ngwi t
hherdreadlockswhil
eher
headisonmychest !tel
li
ngeachot hert
hatwelove
eachother.imissthosedaysiwoul dmakeher
sneakoutatnightsothaticouldseeherandwe
wouldstayinmycarunt i
lmidnight..
if
eltsomeonesnat
chi
ngmyphoneil
ookedupi
ts
Mahle.isi
ghed.
Mahle:wowLwazi,i
mt al
kingt
oyouwenayou'
re
bei
ngthi
nki
ngaboutanothergi
rl
!
Me:Mahl
epleaset
u,i
m noti
nthemoodf
or
ar
gui
ngwit
hyou.
shescof
fed.
Mahle:butyou'
rei
nthemoodofwat
chi
ngvi
deos
oft
hisbit
ch!
Ohnoshedi
dn'
t,igr
abbedherar
m andt
wist
edi
t.
shewi
nced.
Me:don'
tyoudar
ecal
lHl
alumiabi
tchdoyouhear
me?
inoddedr
epeat
edl
y,icl
ickedmyt
ongue.
Me:l
et'
sgo!
ipai
dthebi
llt
henweheadout,
wegotinsi
dethe
caranddr
oveoff.Mahl
ewascryi
ngsi
lent
lynextt
o
me.
Me:Asemahl
eyou'
remaki
ngnoi
se!
shewai
ledl
oudl
y,j
esus!
Me:whati
sit?ukhal
elant
on?
shesni
ff
ed.
Mahle:whydon'
tyoulovemeLwazi huh?why
can'
tyoul
ovemelikeyouloveher?
Me:shutupMahl
e!
Mahl
e:not
ellme!
Me:youwantt hetruth?youwi llgeti
tkemntase,
yesidon'tloveyouandiwi l
lneverwi l
l.myheartis
wit
hHlaluminkabi nde,she'
sthel oveofmylif
e.
she'
smyhear tinhumanf orm soyoubet t
ergett
hat
i
ntoyourt hickskul
lthatiwinevereverloveyou
Asemahlei m sorr
ybutit'
sthet r
uth.
shecr
iedandst
artbeat
ingme.
Mahle:(
cryi
ng)you'
resuchadogLwazi
ngca,
got
o
hel
l.
Me:Asemahl
eyou'
redi
stur
bingme,
i
m dr
ivi
ng!
Mahl
e:idon'
tcar
e.
Me:ASEMAHLEMAAN!
!
outofnowhere,
ihear
dAsemahlescr
eaming,then
isawatruckcomingt
owar
dsthecarthen.
..BOOM .

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERFI
FTY-EI
GHT.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.
everyoneonsoci al
medi awast alki
ngaboutt his
accidentt hatHappenedont heN2r oad, t
heywer e
allsadhowt hewayt heaccidenthappened.but
theydidn'tknowwhosecar sthatcol li
dedli
ket hat,
theycoul dn'trecognizethem .theot hercart hat
swayedLwazi '
scarwasbur nedt oashesal though
Lwazi '
scarr olledont heroadunt i
litwasst opped
byt hetress-itwasj usttr
agic,thepar amedi cs
wer etryi
ngal lthebestt heycouldtot akeoutpeopl e
from ther earr
angedcar s.
"Timeofdeat
h,16h45"oneoft
hepar
amedi
cs
announced.
..

ATLWAZI
'
HOUSE.

meanwhi l
einLwazi'shouse,hi
smot herhasbeen
tr
yingtocallhimforawhilenowsinceshehada
badfeeli
ngaboutsomet hi
ngsoshehadt omake
surethatherfamil
yisokay.shestart
edtocallher
husbandandhewasokayt henshecalledherfi
rst
sonZukoal sohim wasbutshecouldn'
tgetholdof
herlastborn,Lwaziwasn' tpicki
nguphi sPhone
andt hatmadeherwor rysomuch.Lwazi '
sdad
camebackf r
om wor kandsawhi swifedistruted-
heaskedherwhat '
swr ongandLwazi 'smom t old
him .VusumziJolaisaver yst ri
ctandinti
mi dating
Xhosaman, helovedhi sf
ami lyeventhoughhe
wasl it
tl
etoohardont hem buthehadt heirbest
i
nterestatheart.helovedhi swifeandsonsl i
ke
hellhewoulddiefort hem!event houghhecanbe
toomuchonLwazibuthel oveshi mtoomuch, its
hislastborn.sohear inghi swifetel
li
nghi mt hat
shehasabadf eeli
ngandLwazi ngcadoesn' tpick
uphi sphonedoesn'tsi twellwithhim..

.
.
.

ATSONGEZO'
SFLAT.
songezodi sihaveanycl assest oday, onlyLwazi
andAndi lehad.t her estoft hesquaddi dn'tgot o
school ,sohei nvitedOmuhl eoversi ncehehasn' t
spendt hedaywi thhereversi nceschoolr eopened.
theywer ebot hcuddl ingi nbedwhi letheywer e
watchi ngamovi ebutSongzwasonhi sPhone.on
hisnewsf eedshecamear oundt hepi ctureoft he
accidentt hathappensonN2.whi l
ehe' sl ookingat
thepict urehi shear tstartedt obeatf asti t'
sl i
kehe
wasner vousaboutsomet hingwhi chhecoul dn't
under standwhatwasi t.t hecomment sandt weets
aboutt heacci dentwe' ret oomuchevenacci dent
wast ragicandt r
aumat i
zing.whenhewasaboutt o
l
ogoutonI nstagram somet hingcaughthi seye, a
numberpl at eoft hecar !itwasaxact lyasLwazi '
s
numberpl at e.hequi cklydi alledLwazi '
snumber
butitwentst r
aightt ovoi cemai lwhichconf irmed
hisfear s.Omuhl enot i
cedSongzchangeofmood
andaskedhi m what '
swr ong-Songzt oldherand
showhert hepi cture!shej ustgr abbedhert hings
andr anout. ..sheneededt obewi thHl alumias
soonaspossi bl
e.
°
°°°

HLALUMI.

iwokeupsweat ingandpant i
ng, iwasbreat
hing
heavil
y!ihadaver ybaddream .itwasaboutLwazi,
hewasdr owningintheoceanwi thsharksaround
him!hewasscr eamingmynamef orhel
pandi
couldn'
tdoanythingitri
edtorunbuti t
sli
keiwas
stuckedwhereiwasst andi
ng. .
.
i
twassuchabadandpai
nfuldr
eam ,
idon'
tknow
whyidr
eamtl
iket
his.
Si
gh
itookmyphoneundert hepill
owt hencheckedtime,
17h13intheafter
noon.whenicamebackf rom t
he
cafeit
ookanapsi nceiwast i
red-igotoffthebed
andmademywayt ot
hebat hroom iwashedmy
faceandbrushedmyt eet
hthent ookashower
sincei
m sweaty!whenim doneilotionedthenwore
mypyjamapantsandahoodi
eisatont
opoft
he
bedr
eadingabook.

mydoorburstopen,
Omuhlecamei
nlooki
ngl
ike
shewaschasedbyaghost.
Me:andt
hen?whyar
eyour
unni
ng?
shetriedt al
kingbutshecouldn'
t-shewas
breathingheavily!igaveherabott
leofwat
ershe
gulpedi tdown.
Me:okaysomet
hingi
swronghere,
sitdown
Omuhl
eandtel
lmewhathappened.
shetookadeepbreat
hthenlookatmeandhel
dmy
hands.shehadapit
ylookonherfacewhi
ch
confusedme.
Me:what
'
sgoi
ngonOmuhl
e?i
tsever
ythi
ngokay?
Omu:(t
ear
y)I
'
m sor
ryLumi
.
Me:whatar
eyousor
ryf
orOmu?t
alkmaan!
iwasalr
eadypani
cking.shet
ookoutherphone
andshowedmeapi ctur
eofacrushedr
edcar,i
ts
anacci
dent.
Me:okayt
hisi
ssadheh?butwhyar
eyoushowi
ng
methi
s?
shesi
ghed.
Omu:That'
sLwazi
'scarHlal
umi,hewasi
nvol
ved
i
nacaracci
dentt
hisaft
ernoon.
mywhol ebodyf roze,mymindstopping
functi
oningforasecond.everyt
hingaroundme
stopped!..
..i
tcan'tbe,noIr
efuseitcan'
tbe.
Me:No,
Omuhl
eitcan'
tbe!
Omu:i
m sor
ryHl
alumi
.
Me:Nooooooo!
ifel
tli
keican'tbr
eath,
it'
sli
kesomethingwas
suff
ocatingme.ihearomu' sfai
ntvoi
cebeggi
ng
met obreathebuti
tshardthenli
ghtout..

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERFI
FTY-NI
NE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.

afterLumipassedout, Sakhil
eandit ookhert o
hospi t
althenwei nformedherpar entstheycameas
soonaspossi ble.ican' tblameHl alumiforhaving
pani catt
ack!iwoul d'vedonet hesamei fiheard
thatSongezowasi nvol vedi nacaracci dentand
theyi sapossi bil
it
yt hathemi ghtnotmakei ti
woul ddiehyo.t hi
st hingwi l
lbreakHlalumiim sure
oft hat-she'snotgoi ngt ohandl ethenewsver y
wel l.Shehasasmal l hear t
,tomakemat ter
swor se
Lwazii sinvolved;i meanwear etalki
ngabout
Hlalumi '
sloveofherl ife!herfirstl
overhowi sshe
goingt otaket his?ij ustwi shheraspeedyr ecovery
youknowican' tbareseei ngmyBestf ri
endhur tl
ike
that.i
fLwaziwon'tmakei
tweshoul
djustsay
goodbyetotheOldHlal
umibcsshewi
llneverbe
thesameagain..
ical
ledmypar entsandt oldwhathappenedand
wheream isot heyunder st
oodandsendt hei
rlove
andlighttoHl
alumi .we'vebeenher ei
nthis
hospitalf
or2hoursnowst il
lnonews, imeanno
newsi sgoodnewsr ight?let'
sjusthopeso..
ifel
tsomeonewr appingtheirar
m aroundmyneck,
it
sSakhi l
e.ilai
dmyheadonhi sshoulder!he
smellssoogood, totellt
het r
uthiusedtohavea
crushont hisguy-thef i
rstti
meisawhi m icoul
dn't
stopstari
ngathim .hewasj usttoohandsomef or
myl i
kingbuthe'sapl ayer;Lumi'
sbrother
'sarevery
handsomeandver yhotspeci al
lySandil
ebuthe's
wayol derthanme.
Sakhi
le:ar
eyouokay?
Me:yesiam .
..
.Ar
eyouokay?
Sakhil
e:iwil
lbefi
ne, ij
usthopemysi st
erwi
llpul
l
thr
ough.she'sbeenthroughalott
hesemonthsshe
doesn'
tdeser
veallthi
s.
isi
ghed.
Me:Hlalumiist
hestrongestpersoniknow,she'
s
goingt
obeokaybuti twi
llt
aket i
mebuteventual
ly
shewil
lbefi
ne!Let'
sjustpraythatLwazipul
l
thr
oughorother
wise..
Sakhi
le:don'
tsayi
t,iknow.
wef
elli
ntocomf
ort
abl
esi
lence.
.
Sakhi
le:ai
n'tyouf
eel
ingcol
d?
inodded.
Sakhi
le:comeher
e.
Me:noi
mfi
ne.
Sakhi
le:WozaOmuhl
ehawu.
igi
ggledandmovedclosertohim,hewrappedhi
s
armsar oundmybodythenlai
dmyheadonhi s
chest,suchacomfor
tableposi
ti
onimmediat
elyf
elt
warm.
Sakhi
le:ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
e?
Me:yest
hankyou.
henodded.

.
.
.
.

af
terawhi
let
hedoct
orcameback.
Doc:Hl
alumiNkabi
nde.
herpar
wyst
oodup.
Mr
Nkabi
nde:howi
sshedoct
or?
Doc:not
hingi
swr
ongwi
thhershej
usthadpani
c
at
tack.
Her
Mom :i
ssheawake?
Doc:she'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ngbutshewi
llbeokay.
wenodded.
Sandi
le:t
hankyoudoct
or.
shesmi
ledt
henwal
kedaway.
.

°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

i
m wokenupbysomeonesi ngingsof
tl
yand
brushi
ngmyhai r,ial
sohearsomebeepingsound
andasmel lofmedici
ne.it
riedopeni
ngmyeyes
buttheywereheavysoimovedmyhandt ot
ouch
theonebrushingmyhair.
"Ohmybaby, you'
reawake"it
smyMom .ibl i
nked
manyt i
mesunt i
lmyeyesopened,il
ookedaround
i
mi nhospi
talbed-myt hr
oatmysoreiwasvery
thi
rst
y.Mom gavemeagl assofwat
erthenidrank
unti
liwassati
sfied.
Me:w.
.whathappened?
Mom :youf
aint
edbaby.
it
ri
edr
emember
ingwhathappenedt
heni
tsuddenl
y
hi
tme.
..
Me:(t
ear
y)ohmyGod!
!
Mom :Hl
alumibaby,
don'
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f
pl
ease.
iwantedt
ospeakbuticoul
dn'
tihadahugel
umpin
mythroat
!soij
ustcr
ied.Mom pull
edmetoher
embraceandbr
ushedmyback.
Mom :cr
ymybaby, cr
yeveryt
hingout!i
tsgoi
ngto
beokay.
..Lwaziwi
l
lbeokayhewi l
lpul
lthr
ough.
ihel
dhert
ightandcr
iedl
oudl
y.
Me:( cryi
ng)i thurtsMama!hecan' tdi
e,hecan'
tdie
beforewef ixedt hings.
..hecan'
tleavemejustl
ike
that-hepr omi sedmet hathewil
lnevereveninmy
wildestdream l eavemebutnow?idon' tknow
anymor e.
shebr
ushedmybackshushi
ngme.
Mom :Hlal
umiwecan'tcontrolever
ythi
ngthat
happensar
oundus,therearet hi
ngsthatwehave
nocontr
olover
!yeshepromi sedthathewil
lnever
l
eaveyoubutbabyhedidn'tknow, hedidn'
tknow
thathe'sgoingtobeinvol
vedinacaraccidentjust
l
ikehowyoudi dn'
tknowthatyoumightendupi n
hospital.
..j
ustprayandhavefai
ththathewillpull
through,prayforhim myl
oveyoudon'tknowwhat
Godhadi nst or
eforusokay?
inodded.
Mom :nowl
et'
spr
aymyl
ove.
wepull
edoutt
hehugandwi
pedmytear
s,wegot
i
ntobedwit
hmeandheldmyhands.
Mom :cl
oseyoureyes.
idi
dast
old.
Mom :heavenl
yfat
her.
..

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.

i
tsbeen3dayssi nceLwazihasbeeni nhospital,
in
comat obespeci fic.hisconditi
onisverycrit
ical
evenAsemahl e.t heybot hsurvi
vedtheaccident
buttheyli
veonmachi nesinthehospital
,theonly
personwhodi edi sthedr i
verwhodr oveover
Lwazi'
scar-hi scarr oll
eduntili
texplodes.
Asemahle'sPar entswer einf
ormedaboutt hisby
Lwazi'
sparentsbutt heydi dn'
tinfor
mt he
Nkabindes..
..
Lwazi '
sparentsandhisbr ot
herZukohasbeeni n
thehospi t
alever
ynowandt hen, evenhisfri
ends
comet oseehim andtalktohim buthedoesn't
respondt her
eisnochangei nhi
scondi t
ionit
sstil
l
thesame.hi spar ent
sar eheart
brokenbyt hi
s-this
i
st heirson,thei
rlastborn.hismot hercomest o
hospitaltoprayforhim ever
ynowandt henbut
nothingchanges.hi sfr
iendsaresuddenedbyt his
speciallySongezo.imeant hisishisbestfriend
l
yingt here.not al
kingnonot hing.theymissedhi m!
hisadvi cesandever yt
hing.Lwazi wast hesmar ty
pantsi nthesquad;whent heywant edanadvi ce
theywoul dcomet ohim aboutsomet hi
ng!they
missedhowhecoul df l
extot hem aboutHlalumi .
howbeaut if
ulishi
sgi rl
fr
iendandal lthat.his
fri
endsusedt obebor edbyt hisbutnowt heymi ss
i
t...
hewoul dj ustoutoft hebluetakeouthisphoneand
l
ookatHl alumi '
spi ct
urewhichishiswallpaperand
say"t simadoda!i ntl
i'
cher
am kodwa"andt hey
woul drol
lt heireyesandchuckl edbcsthat'sallhe
talksabout, HLALUMI 'BEAUTY.butwhenHl alumi
dumpedhi m, theycaughtbreather.hedidn'teven
talkabouthert hatmuch-hewoul djustStareather
picturewitht earsonhi seyes.

.
.
.
.

ATTHENKABI
NDEHOUSEHOLD.

Hlalumiwasdi scharged3daysago, bcstoherit

wasnot hi
ngmuchj ustpani cattackbutt hedoctor
gavehersomemedi cationf orit.sinceshecame
backf rom thehospitalshehasn' tbeenher sel
f,she
i
solatedher selffr
om ever yone.shel ockedup
herselfinherroom ever yday!sheeat swhenshe
want sorshej ustdrinkswat erfrom thebat hroom
andheadbackt obedandsl eepal lday.shedoesn't
tal
kt oanyonebesi desOmuhl ebcsshegi vesher
feedbacksonLwazi 'scondi t
ionsinceSongzt ell
s
herwhat '
sgoingon.

herparentsaresowor ri
edaboutherandt heytried
tal
kingtoherbutnothingshedoesn'trespond.she
j
uststareatthem unti
ltheygone.they'r
eaf rai
d
thatshewillsi
nkintodepressi
onbcsoft his.but
theywilldowhateveri
ttakestomakesur et hatshe
doesn'
tgett
her
ebcst
heywon'
tbeabl
etohandl
eit.

Hlalumihasbeent hi
nki
ngofvisiti
ngLwazisecretl
y
atthehospitalwi
thoutbei
ngseenbyLwazi '
s
parents.shejustwannaseehim andholdhishand
nothingmuchmaybeshewi l
lfeelbet
teraf
terwards.
shet akesoutherphoneandcalledSongz.he
answer edonasecondr i
ng.
"hel
lo?"
"hiSongezo,
itsmeHl
alumi.
"
"OhheyHl
alumi
,howar
eyou?"
hl
alumisi
ghed.
"i
mtr
yingwena?"
"I
'
m get
ti
ngt
her
e,sohowcanihel
pyou?"
"doyouknowwhi
chhospi
tali
sLwazi
in?"
"yeswhy?"
shecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat.
"Canyouhel
pmet
ogeti
n,iwannaseehi
m"
hewentqui
tef
orawhi
le.
"PleaseSongezo,
iwoul
dn'
taskyoui
fiwasn'
t
desperat
e"
"ButHl
alumi,
hispar
ent
sar
eal
wayst
her
e."
t
ear
swel
ledupi
nHl
alumi
'
seyes.shesni
ff
ed.
"Pl
easeSongezo,im beggi
ngyouineedt
oseehi
m
bef
oreigocrazy"
hesi
ghed.
"fi
ne,
iwi
llseewhaticandot
henIwi
lll
etyou
know.
"
"t
hankyouver
ymuch"
"Shar
p"
hehungup.
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
45] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-ONE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

Songezohasn'tgottenbacktome, i
tsbeenaweek
now.itrytocallhim buthi
sphonegoesst raightt
o
voi
cemail-idon'tknowwhet herhe'savoi
dingmeor
whatbutiwon'tgiveup.ireallyneedtoseemy
babe!imisshimt oomuchineedt oseehim befor
e
igocrazyinthi
sr oom ..
.
I'
vebeenskippingschool, awholeweekihaven' t
beentoschool.idon'thaveanyener gytointeract
andpar t
ici
pateinschoolreal
ly!il
ookeddrainedand
ugly-I
'vebeencr yi
ngandnoteat i
ngilostwei ght
againbutidon'tcare.Omuhasbeenupdat ingme
aboutschoolandal lt
hatsothaticanbeup- to-dat
e
youknow.it r
ulyappreci
ateherbeingmyf ri
end.

ihaven'
tbeent
alki
ngt
omypar
ent
stoo,
thi
sist
hei
r
faul
t!i
ftheydidn'tf
orbi
dmyr el
ationshipwi t
hLwazi
noneoft hi
swoul d'
vehappened, Lwaziwoul d'ver
an
toAsemahl e'
sar msandt heybothbei nvolvedina
caraccidentbutthen-there'
snot hi
ngicando.i
hopethatourf amil
ieswouldtellusther easonwhy
theydon'twantust odatebcsI'm honest l
ytir
edof
thi
s, i
mr eall
ytir
edofthisallf
uckenshi t.
Si
gh
todayiwokeupear lybcsi m goi ngtoschool, ican'
t
keepdodgi ngschool .ican'taffordtofailiwantto
gomat r
icnextyear.ican' tstayathomeandst are
atthesewhi tewallswai t
ingforLwazi t
owakeup!
thesameLwaziwhof i
nishedschoolagesagosoi
can'taffor
dt olosefocusonmyst udi
es!ishower ed
, woremyuni f
orm andever ythingnowi mtyingmy
dreadlocks,theyreallyneedt obet r
eatednow.
they'
reitchy!im ahygieneper sonbutt hesedaysi m
nottidy.im alwaysinbedcr yingmyeyesbal lsout.
ifi
nishedtyi
ngmyhairandtookmyphoneand
schoolbagthenheaddownst
airs.igotther
e-
everyonewasseatedonthetabl
eeating,isi
ghed.
.
ihavenoappet
it
esoiwi
llj
usthaveanappl
ethen
headout.
Me:Mor
ning.
t
heygr
eetedback,
igrabbedt
heappl
eandbanana
t
henwalkedt
othedoor.
Dad:canidr
opyouof
fatschool?
Me:no,
joewi
llt
akeme.
iwal
kedout.
.

aroundl
unchbr
eakirecei
vedacal
lfr
om Songezo,i
l
it
eral
lyj
umpedonitwhenSongezo'
snamef l
ashed
onmyscreenianswered.
Me:hi
Songz:Hl
alumihey,
howar
eyou?
Me:i
mfi
net
hanksandyou?
Songz:i
m good,I
'
m sor
ryf
ornotget
ti
ngbackat
youiwasthi
nki
ngofapl
an.
Me:okay,
so?
Songz:Thecoastwasti
ghtt
hesedaysbut
Satur
dayhi
sparentsar
enotgoi
ngthere.
ismi
led.
Me:r
eal
ly?
Songz:yes.sowi
llyoubeavai
labl
e?
Me:yesyesofcour
se.
Songz:okaythen,Hlal
umidon'
tmesst
hisup...
you
wil
lhavetobefast,i
m doi
ngthi
sformyniggaokay
?
Me:ihearyou.
Songz:sur
e,t
ell
mygi
rlil
oveher.
Me:okaybye.
Songz:awe.
ihungup.
.
Me:Songezosayshel
ovesyou.
Omubl
ushes.
Omu:okay.
°
°°

SONGEZO.

"Who'
sthat?"asksAt
hi.
Me:i
tsHl
alumi.
henodded.
At
hi:ar
eyougoi
ngaheadwi
tht
his?
Me:yeahJoe,ihavetohel
pheryouknow,maybe
herpr
esencewi
llbr
ingsomechangeonLJ'
s
condi
ti
on.
henodded.
At
hi:igetyou,sohowareyougoi
ngt
odot
his?i
meantheJolasareal
waysther
e.
Me:ikindaaskedZukoforsomehel
psoon
Sat
urdayther
earenotgoingtobet
here.
At
hi:al
ri
ght,
ijusthopemyni
ggapul
lst
hrough!i
mi
sshim.
isi
ghed.
Me:imi
sshi
mtoo.
myphoner
ingsi
tsOmu,
ismi
ledt
henanswer
ed.
Me:baby.
Omu:heyl
ove,
howar
eyou?
Me:i
mfi
nebaby,
howar
eyou?
Omu:I '
m goodjustworr
iedaboutLumi
.thankyou
foragr
eeingtohelpher.
Me:itsokaybaby,im doi
ngt hi
sforLJ.it
hought
whenhef eel
sHlal
umi'spresencetheywil
lbesome
change.
shesi
ghed.
Omu:yeahihopeso, don'
twor
rymyl
oveyour
fr
iendwi
llpul
lthr
ough.
Me:yaneh.j
ongai
havet
ogobaby!il
oveyou.
Omu:il
oveyout
oobye.
Me:awe.
ihungup.
Si
gh
Me:ihavet
ogonowbawo,
nextcl
ass.
At
hi:sur
e.
wef
istbumpedt
heniwal
kedt
omynextcl
ass.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

dayswentby, Sat
urdaycame.i m sonervousi
don'tknowwhy-idon'tt
hinkimr eadytoseehim!
i
m notr eadyt
oseehimint hathospit
albedti
edin
thosetubesandmachines.Omut ol
dmet hatLwazi
i
sinComa;icr
iedt
hatni
ghtpr
ayi
ngt
oGodt
osave
hi
mforme.
Omu:rel
axLumi, j
ustgot
her
eandtal
ktohim
maybehewil
lrespondtot
hemedi
cati
ontheygave
hi
m.
isi
ghed.
Me:idon'
tknowOmuhl
e..
..ir
eal
lydon'
t.
tear
swell
edupi
nmyeyesbutibl
inkedt
hem away,
idon'
twantt
ocr
y.I
'
vecri
edenough.
Omu:comeher
e.
shehugged.
Me:(tear
y)i
m scar
edOmuhl e,
whatifhenever
wakesup?orwhatifhewakesupbutfor
gott
en
aboutme?.
shesi
ghed.
Omu:Hl
alu-
Me:whati
fhewakesupandwantnot
hingt
odo
wi
thme?whatif
-
Omu:heyhey.
..
Hal
umil
ookatme.st
opwi
tht
hese
whatifs!havefait
hHl al
umi-Lwaziisgoingt owake
upandhe' snotgoingt ofor
gotaboutyouon
purpose!youguysl oveeachotherandever yone
knowst hat.sonowwe' r
egoingtothathospitaland
you'r
egoingt otal
kt ohim,tal
kaboutallthatison
yourchestokay?
iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandnodded.
Omu:nol
et'
sgo.
isi
ghedthent ookmysl
ingbag,phonethenwe
headout.webumpedi ntoMom ont hest
aircasei
mentall
yroll
edmyeyesI'm noti
nthemoodf orher,
shejusti
rri
tat
esme.
Mom :heyguys,
goi
ngsomewher
e?
Omu:yesBul
i,we'
regoi
ngt
othehospi
tal.
shel
ookedatme.
Mom :Hal
umi.
Me:Mamapl
ease,
idon'
tneedt
his.l
et'
sgoOmu.
Omu:byeBul
i,seeyoul
ater.
weheadout,
Joet
ookust
othehospi
tal.
Joedroppedusinf
rontoft
hehospi
tal,Omutexted
Songztel
li
nghimthatwe'r
eher
e.afterfewminutes
hecameandgr eet
edandhuggedbothofusand
ki
ssedOmu.
Songz:ar
eyour
eady?
isi
ghed.
Me:yeahwecango.
weheadi nsi
de,Songzt
alkedt
otherecept
ionand
toldherwhowearethenweheadinsi
de.we
stoppedinfr
ontofaward.
Songz:goi
n,we'
l
lst
andher
eandcheckt
hecoast.
inodded.
Omu:youcandothi
sHlal
umiandbequi
ckbef
ore
he'
spar
ent
sgethere.
iopenedthedoorandgoti nside.thesightbefore
mebr i
ngst earsint
omyeyes!ican' tbeli
evethatis
myLwazil ayingthereconnect edt
oal lthosewires
andmachi nes.islowlywal kedtowar dsthebedand
stoodnexttoi tl
ooki
ngathi m -helookedpal e,he
hasabandageonhi sheadevenonhi
schest.he
hasbr ui
ses!evenhi
sli
psar
edryandcracked.i
slowlysatdownandheldhi
shand.icl
earedhis
throat
.
Me:Baby?Lwazi ngca?(cl ear
sthroat)pl
ease
wakeupmyl ove,pleasesthandwa.youhavet o
wakeupandbewi t
hme.youhaveaf amilythat
needsyou,fri
endsthatneedyou, agirl
fri
endt hat
needsyou..
.yesim changi
ngwhatisai d,fuckt he
breakupbabyim yoursagainpleasewakeup.
il
ookedathi
m,hedoesn'
trespondorsayanyt
hing
he'
sjustl
ayi
ngt
her
e.
ibur
sti
ntot
ear
s.
Me:(cr yi
ng)Lwazingcaplease,don'
tdot
his.
..you
can'tdomeliket
his!iloveyousomuchLwazi
pleasewakeup-tellmeyouhearme!squeezemy
handorscratchi
tplease, dosomethi
ngdammit!
isai
dshaki
nghi
m.
"HAYYEY!"
saysawoman'
svoi
cebehi
ndme,
itur
ned.i
ts
beaut
ifull
ightskinnedwoman-shelooksli
keshe'
s
i
nherlatethirst
ies!shel
ookedangr
yforsome
Reasons.
"ungubanwenauf
unant
onapha?"
Me:umhHl
alumi.
"AreyouHlal
umiNkabi
nde?"sheaskedl
ooki
ng
ki
ndashocked.
Me:y.
.yes.
"Getout
!"
myeyeswi
dened,
andt
hen?
Me:Ma.
.
"YEY!ISAI
DGETOUT.WHATAREYOUDOI
NG
HERE?YOUWANTTOKI LLHI
M TOO?"
ki
llhi
m ?whatwouldidot hat?shesawt hati
m
doingnomovementshechar gedtowardsmeand
sl
appedmehar dacrossthefaceiscreamed,Omu
andSongzgotinrunning.shegrabbedmer oughl
y
bymyar m andshovedmeout si
de.
"Songezohowcoul
dyoul
ett
hishoodr
atgeti
n
her
e?Whati
fsheki
ll
edmyson?"
she'
syel
li
ng,
alleyesonus.ican'
tevent
alki
m
cryi
ng.
Songz:Ma!shewasnotgoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m,t
hisi
s
Hlal
umihi
sgirl
fr
iend.
"i
m verymuchawarebutmysonwi
llnotdat
eher
!
never"iwi
pedmytear
s.
Me:Mawi t
hallduerespect,im notheret
okil
lyour
son.iloveLwazingcawithallmyhear t
!ij
ust
wantedtoseehimt hat
'sall.
shel
aughedsar
cast
ical
ly.
"Love?WhatdoyouKnowaboutl ove?l
itt
legi
rl
j
ustleavemysonal oneandfocusedonyour
studi
es!songezotakethi
sthi
ngout"shegaveme
anastylookandturnedtol
ookatherson.
Songezo:l
et'
sgoHl
alumi.
it
ookmyslingbagandphoneont
hef
loort
henwe
headout.
Omu:i
m sor
ryl
ove.
ij
ustsobbed,
shehuggedme.
Me:(cr
ying)w.
.why?whydoesshehatesmeli
ke
t
his?whatdididomoret
hanlovi
ngherson?
Omu:sshhshmnt
ase,
don'
tcr
ypl
ease!
shesai
dshushi
ngme.
Songz:i
mreal
lyHlal
umi,
ithoughtshewasn'
t
goi
ngtocometoday.
iwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:it
sokaySongz,
ijustwannagohomeand
sl
eep.
Omu:l
etmecal
lJoe.
inodded.

°
°°

OMUHLE.

ican'
tbel
ievet
hatMr
sJol
adi
dthat,
itwast
otal
ly
uncalledfor!shewast ot
al l
ywrong.sheshould've
talkedtoHlalumiinagoodmannerandaskedher
whati sshedoingtherenicely-t
oevenaccuseher
ofwant i
ngt okil
lherson?wow!Hl al
umilovesLJ
toomucht okil
lhim,Hlal
umicoul dn'
tevenhurta
fly.ibeli
evethatshe'
sgoi ngtobeamonst er-inlaw
.

Hlalumiwasr eal
lyhur tbyheractions,iwouldbe
toobei nft
reat
edlikethat-li
keyou' r
eanobody!my
fri
endhasbeencr yingal otthesedays,she'sver
y
hurtingandican'
tst andt oseeherlikethati
thur
ts
me. ...
afterfewmi nutesJoearr
ived,ikissedandbi d
goodbyest oSongzthenwedr ovehome.we
arrivedatLumi '
shomeweheadi nside,therewas
noonei nt hehousesoweheadst r
aighttoher
bedr oom .she'
sbeenquiteallthewayhome, she'
s
nott al
kingtome.wegott oherbedr oom thenwe
tookoutourshoesandgotUnder covers.
Me:don'
ttakewhat
everLwazi
'
smom sai
dtohear
t
okay?.
shedi
dn'
tanswermebutiknowshehear
dme,
i
cuddl
edherf
rom bei
ngt
henweslept.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-THREE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

iwokeupcuddledbyOmu, shewashol di
ngme
ti
ghtl
ikeiwasgoingt
orunaway-it r
iedtowi
ggl
e
mysel
fbutthegri
pwasverytight.
Me:Omuhl
e?
Ishookher,
shegr
oaned.
Me:Omuhl
e!
Omu:yi
ni?(What
?)
Me:ineedt
hel
oo.
shesl
owlyopenedhereyesandsmi
le,
she'
s
beaut
if
ulman.
Omu:yhohay.
itri
edt osmi l
edbutmycheekwasnumb, i
tsli
keit
wasswol len!Lwazi 'smom r eall
ydi danumberon
mef orwhatidon' tknow?she' saccusingmeof
want i
ngt oki llherson,whywoul didot hat?ilove
Lwazi ngcawi thallmyhear ttokillhim -ij
ustwent
theretobeghi mtowakeupf orus, forthem toobut
shedomel iket hi
s?calli
ngmenamesl i
ke"hood
rat"really?idon' tunderstandwhypeopl eare
fi
ghtingourl ovelikethi
s.itsj ustinnocentpur el
ove
towardseachot herbutthey'ref i
ghtingitwith
everythingt heyhavewhi chidon' tunderstandwhy?
Si
gh
if
eltOmuhl
eshaki
ngme,
isnappedoutofi
t.
Omu:heyhey.
..Don'
tcr
ylove,
ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ng
t
obeokayatt
heend!Lwaziwi
llpul
lthr
ough.
idi
dn'
tevennot
icet
hatiwascr
ying.
Me:( cr
ying)when?whenOmuhl e?whenam i
goingtohavepeace?i mtir
edofallt
hismna!ij
ust
wantLwazit owakeupsot hatwecansortt
his
thi
ngourt oget
herbecausewe'r
einthist
oget
her.
sheembr
acedmeandbr
ushedmybackshushi
ng.
Omu:ever
ythi
ngwi l
lfal
lint
oplacebaby,
youknow
whatt
heysay;itdoesn'
trai
nforever.
inodded,
sheki
ssedmyf
orehead.

.
.
.

afteral
lthatcr
yingidid,wetookashowert
ogether
thenwor eourpyjamasthenweheaddownstai
rs,
onlySakhilewast her
ewatchi
ngTV.
Me:heybr
o.
hel
ookedatusandsmi
led.
Sakhi
le:l
adi
es.
Me:I
'
m sohungr
y.
isaidwalkingtot hekit
chenl eavingSakhileand
Omui nthel i
vingr oom,if
ound6sl i
cespizzaint
he
warmert henit ookthem t
ot helivingroom wheni
gotthereOmuandSakhi l
ear edoi ngastaring
compet i
ti
on!byt hatimeant hey'restari
ngateach
other'
seyes.icl earedmyt hroatt heybot
hsnapped
outofit.
Me:andt
hen?t
hest
ari
ngcompet
it
ion?
Omu:i
sthatpi
zza?I
'
m sohungr
y.
she'
sChangi
ngt
het
opi
cisee.
Me:her
e.
igave3sl
icesandat
emi
ne.
Sakhi
le:whathappenedt
oyourcheek?
isi
ghed.
Me:Mr
sJol
aHappened.
helookedatmewiththat'
cont
inue'
look,
isi
ghed
andtoldhi
m ever
ythi
ng.

af
tereat
ingOmuandiwatchedmoviessi
ncewe
werebor
edandnotsl
eepy,Sakhi
lewentt
osleep
l
ongtimeago.
Me:Omu?
Omu:yes?
Me:what
'
sgoi
ngonbet
weenyouandSakhi
le?
Omu:Not
hing.
Me:ar
eyousur
e?
shenodded.
Me:what
everyoudo,
don'
tbr
eakSongzhear
t.
shel
ookedatme.
Omu:si
ncewhenar
eyousongezo'
sfan?
Me:i
m not,
I'
mjustsayi
ng.
Omu:al
ri
ghtt
hen.
wecont
inuedt
owat
chTV.

°
°°°

OMUHLE.

idon'tknowwhat 'shappeningwithme, ithi

nkthat
crushiusedt ohaveonSakhi lecameback.yesi
loveSongezoir eall
ydobutagai nidon'tknowwi th
Sakhile.I'
mt r
yingsohar dnottodwel lonwhati
feelf
orhim bcsSakhi lei
sawel lknownpl ayerand
meont heothersideihaveaboyf ri
endwhol oves
meandIl ovehimt oo!ij
ustneedtof orgetabout
Sakhile.

yester
dayweal mostkissedbutistoppedmyself
sincewewer einthesamehousewi t
hhlal
umiand
shewon' tbehappytoseemeki ssi
ngSakhilebcs
sheknowshowSakhi l
eplaygir
lsandidon'twanna
beont hatli
stofbei
ngplayedwhileihaveaman
whowoul ddoanythingforme,wholovesme
wholehear
tedly.ij
ustneedtof
orgetaboutSakhi
le
onceandf oral
l.
Lumi:youseem f
ar.
Me:noI
'
m good
shenodded.
Lumi:l
et'
sgoandsl
eept
hemovi
eisendi
ng.
ididn'
tevensawi
tend,
I'
m occupi
edi
nmy
thoughts.
Me:yeahl
et'
sgo.
weturnedofft
hetvandli
ght
sthenwehead
upst
airs,wegotUnder
cover
sthenwesl
ept.
Lumi:Goodni
ght
Me:Ni
ght.
ipeckedherl
ipst
henwesl
ept.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
CHAPTERSI
XTY-FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.

AMONTHLATER.

i
tsbeenamont hsandf ewdaysst i
llLwazihasn't
wokenup!t hereisnopr ogressonhi scondit
ionits
sti
llt
hesame.hedoesn' trespondtoany
medi cati
ont heygavehi m -he'ssti
lli
ncoma!t he
doctorshavet riedeverythingtheycouldbutst i
ll
nothing, t
heycl osetogi vi
ngupnow.hi sfamily
hasn'tlostanyhope, t
hey'restil
lhopingthattheir
sonwi llwakeupbyGod' sgrace.hismot herprays
everydayandni ghtaskingGodt ospar eherson's
l
ifebcshehasal lhi
slif
eahead!hest i
llhasfuture
tosecur e.shest il
lwant stoseeherlastborn
gett
ingmar
riedandhavingkids.she'
svisi
ti
nghim
al
mosteverydaytospeaktohim, beghimtowake
upbutLwazidoesn'
trespondhe'sjustl
ayi
ngthere
connect
edtothosewires.

Zuko, Lwazi'
sol derbrothertriedtot alkabout
Hlal
umit ohispar ents!buthispar ent sdoesn' t
wannaheari t, hebelievesthatonl yHl alumican
wakeLwaziup.hesawaccor dingtot hei rlove-if
Hlal
umicant al
kt oLwazihemi ghtwakeup!butt he
hateLwazi '
spar entshavef orNkabi ndesi sbl i
ndi
ng
them from somet hingthatwillsavet hei rsonbut
youknow. .
.stubbor nparents.Zukodeci dedtogo
againsthisparent sandcal l
edHl alumisi ncehe
couldn'tst
andseei nghi sbrotherliket hatsohe
call
edsomeonewhosur elycanhel phi sbr other.
Hl
alumiwasseatedint
hel
ivi
ngroom wit
hher
f
amilywatchi
ngTVwhenherphoner i
ngs,shetook
i
toutinherpocket
.afr
ownappear
edonherf ace
whenshesawanunknownnumber .sheanswered.
Hl
alumi:hel
lo?
t
hewhol
efami
lyl
ookedather.
Zuko:heyHl
alumi,
itsZukoJol
a.Lwazi
'
sbr
other.
Hl
alumi'
shear
tstart
sbeat
ingf
ast,
negat
ive
t
houghtareal
readyi
nvadi
nghermi
nd.
Hl
alumi:umhhiZuko,
howmayihel
pyou?
ZukoChuckl
edatherf
ormal
it
y.
Zuko:iknowimthelastper
sonyout houghtyou
wil
lrecei
veacal
lfr
om butireal
lyneedyourhelp.
Confusedasshei
sshecoul
dn'
thel
pbutt
obe
cur
ious.
Hl
alumi:okay,
whati
sit?
Zuko:youdoknowthati
t'
sbeenamont
hsi
nce
Lwazihasbeeni
nComa.
Hl
alumisi
ghedcl
osi
nghereyest
ightt
ryi
ngt
ost
op
t
earsfr
om comi
ngout.
Zuko:im sor
ryidi
dn'
tmeantoopenwoundsbuti
needyourhelponthi
s,canyoucomet
othe
hospi
talt
omor r
ow?
Hl
alumisi
ghed.
Hlal
umi:t
odowhat?Zukothelastt
imeiwast
her
e
yourMom sl
appedt
heshi
toutofme!
Hlal
umi '
smot herquickl
ylookedatherdaught
er,
shedidn'tbel
ievethatLwazi'
smom slappedher
daughter.shewasboi l
ingwit
hAnger.
Zuko:im sor
ryaboutHlalumi,imtr
ulysor
rynyan
butwehavet odothis,Lwazihastowakeupican't
bareseei
ngmybr otherli
kethatpl
easehel
p.
Hl
alumisi
ghed.
Hl
alumi:okay,
I'
llseewhaticando.
Zuko:okayt
hankyou,
Goodni
ght.
Hl
alumi:Goodni
ght.
shedr
oppedt
hecal
l..
.
Buli:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellust
hatbi
tchsl
appedyou?
(yell
ing)
Hlalumi:Mamaplease,
im noti
nthemood.i
m
goingtosleep.
Bul
i:Hl
alumi!
!
shei
gnor
edherandheadst
rai
ghtupst
air
stoher
r
oom .

°
°°°

HLALUMI.

af t
erireceivedacal lfr
om Lwazi '
sBrotheriwentto
sleepbuticoul dn'
tsleep, ist
ayedwi deawaket he
whol enight.ikeptthinki
ngaboutt hiswholet hi
ng!
yesiwantt ogotoLwaziandt alktohim againbut
i
m af rai
d-hi smotheri stheproblem.thatwoman
reall
yhat emygut s!idon'tevenknowwhy, bcsit
wast hef i
rstti
meshe' sseeingme;whywoul dyou
hatesomeoneyouneversawbef or
e?. .
i
m afr
aidshewi
llt
rytoat
tackmeagainwhi
leIwas
t
ryi
ngtosavehersonbutnonet
hel
ess.
i
ts3am i
nthemor ni
ngihaven'tsl
eptawi nkthe
whol
enight,i
m watchi
ngpicturesandvideoswe
t
ooktoget
her-theoneswhenwewer ei
ncapet own!
t
heotheronewherewehadourf i
rstdat
ei nmy
mom' scafeandt heothersoneswhenwewer estar
gazing.hi ssmi leisverycont agiousandver y
beaut if
ul,he'ssohandsomeandsmar t.imisshi m
alot-heshoul dwakeupsot hatwecancont inue
wher ewel eftoff.igiggledwi pingmyt earsasi m
wat chingavi deoofhim doi ngmyhai r,hewas
actual l
ybraiding!hewasdoi ngitbadlysincehe' s
l
ef thandedbutanywaysi twascut et
owat ch.i
tookmyear phonesandl istentohi sf
avour i
tesong!
thinkingoutl oudbyEdSheer anwholet r
yingf or
somesl eep, buteventuallyifel
lintoadeep
slumber.

.
.
.

i
nt hemorningiwokeuparound10am andmade
thebedandopenedthecurtai
ns!iheadtothe
bathroom t
owashmyf aceandbrushedmyt eeth
thenheaddownstai
rs.Dadwashavi ngbreakf
ast
withSandil
e-Sakhil
eandMom wasnowheret
obe
seenigreetedandsatdown.idi
shedupf
ormysel
f
andate.
Me:I
'
m goi
ngt
othehospi
talt
oday,
toseeLwazi
.
t
heybot
hst
oppedeat
ingandl
ookedatme.
Dad:pr
incess.
..
Me:dadplease,idon'tneedanynegati
vit
ytoday!i
needtogother
eandt alktohi
m sothathecanwake
up.andnobodyisgoingt ost
opme.
hesi
ghed.
Dad:ihearyoubutpl
easebecar
eful
.
Me:iwi
ll.
Sandi
lewasj
ustl
ooki
ngatmewi
thoutsayi
ng
anyt
hing.
Sandi
le:thi
sboygaveyougoodneh, youdothings
thewayyouwant!youdon'
tcarei
fwegi veyou
permi
ssionornotyouj
ustdoitei
therway.
isi
ghed.
Me:bhutpl
ease,
idon'
twannaf
ightwi
thyou.
Sandi
le:shar
p.
ijustlostmyappet it
e,ist
oodupandheadupst ai
rs
tomyr oom .Zukosendmeat extsayi
nghewi ll
pickmeupar ound11am .soitookabatht hen
wor emycl othes,it
ookmysl i
ngbagandi nsert
ed
myt issues,l
ipglossandphonet henhead
downst air
stowai tforZuko.

at12,Zukoandiwewerealr
eadyatt
hehospi
tal.
thankGodhi
sparent
sarenother
ebcsift
heywere
hereiwasgoi
ngtotur
nbackandranout.
Me:ihopet
hiswi
llwor
k.
Zuko:maybe,
wej
usthavet
ocr
ossf
inger
s.
isi
ghedr
ubbi
ngmyhandstogether,heputhi
s
handonmyshoul
derandsqueezeitabi
t.
Zuko:don'
twor
ry,
youwi
llbef
ine.
hesaidsmil
ingatme, he'
shandsomej
ustl
ike
Lwazibuthe'
stool
ightski
nnedandhehaspier
cing!
ir
eleaseashakybr
eathbef
oregoingi
nsi
det
he
ward,he'
ssti
llt
hesamewayilefthi
mtheot
herday
buthel
ookedr
eal
lypal
eandhelostweight
!even
hi
scutel
ipsar
enowwhiteandcracked.
Si
gh
isatonthechairnextt
othebedandlookedathi
m
withtear
sburr
ingmyver si
on.isni
ff
ed.
Me:hayJolavukangoku,
yiniQengeba!yousleep
f
ort
hislongit
sbeenamonthnowandwemi ssyou.
isni
ff
edandhel
dhi
scol
dhands.
Me:i tsMe;St handwasam -uHl alumi.please
wakeupmyl ovei m beggingyou!thinkofyour
parentsbaby, yourbrother,yourFri
ends, me.we
sti
llneedyou.west i
llneedyourpresence!mnai
needyoumyl oveimi ssyou. .
.Don'tyoumi ssme?
us?i. .
ist
oppedtal
kingandl
ookedathi
m,iputmyhead
onhishandsandsobbedsof
tl
y.
Me:( cr
ying)pleasewakeupmyl ove!ndakcela,
pleasefi
ghtforus, don'
tgiveupsoeasi lyyouhave
yourwholelif
eaheadofyou!you' resti
llyoung-you
havedreamst oachieve.goalst
or eachpl easebaby
.
it
ookoutmyphoneandpl
ayedSurr
enderby
Natal
i
eTayl
orandsangal
onetosomeparts.
Me:( si
ngi
ng)wheneveryou'
rer
eady,whenever
you'
reready!canwe?canwe?sur r
ender,oh
surr
ender..
themachinesst
art
sbeepi
ngfastandl
oudi
screamed.Zukocameint
othewardrunni
ng.
Zuko:what
'shappeni
ng?
Me:i
..
idon'
tknow!cal
lthedoct
or.
her
anoutandcamebackwi
tht
hedoct
or.
Doc:Mi
ssyouhavet
oexcuseus.
Me:No!
Doc:Mi
sspl
ease,
letmedomyj
ob.t
akeherout.
hesai
dtoZuko,
hepi
ckedmeupandwal
kedout
wit
hmescreami
ng.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-FI
VE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

SPONSOREDBYSI
LETHEMBASI
ZIBA.

HLALUMI.

afterthedoctorthrewusoutoft hewar dwewai t

ed
outsideont hebenches, I'
vestoppedscr eami ng
becauseiwaswar nedthatifikeeponscr eamingi
willbethrownoutandican' taff
or dt
hat, ihaveto
knowi fLwaziwokeupornot.becauset hatbeat i
ng
fastofmachi nesmademyhear tskippedabi t.i
don'tknowi fhe'sgoingtomakei tornotbutipr ay
thathemakesi tbcsiwillnotbeabl etotakei the
doesn'twakeup.
Zukohasbeenpr ayi
ngsilent
lynexttome, idi
dn'
t
knowthathepr aysandhedoesn' tl
ooklike
someonewhopr aysorihaveabadj udgeof
char
acter.i
t'
sbeenanhournowsi ncethedoctors
hasbeenbusywi thLwazinoneoft hem camet o
i
nform usaboutLwazi '
sconditionwe'rejustwait
ing
fort
hem tofi
nishwhat everthey'r
edoing.
Si
gh
Zukof
ini
shespr
ayi
ngandl
ookedatme.
Zuko:ar
eyouokay?
Me:I
'
llbef
ine.
henodded.
Zuko:i
m goi
ngt
ogetsomecof
feedoyouwant
some?
Me:yespl
ease.
hewal
kedaway.
it
ookoutmyphoneandcal
ledOmu,
sheanswer
ed.
Omu:l
ovey.
Me:heybabe,
howar
eyou?
Omu:I
'
m goodmyl
ovewena?
Me:I
'
llbef
ine.
Omu:anychangesonLwazi?
Me:we'
rest
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
hedoct
ort
oupdat
eus.
Omu:okay,youwi
llletmeknowt
hen!havef
ait
h
Hal
umi.Lwazii
sgoingtocomebackt
oyou.
isi
ghed.
Me:ihopeso.
Omu:ihavet
ogo,
iloveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
.bye.
ihungup.
.
Zukocamebackwi
tht
hecof
feeandgavei
ttome,
i
thankedhi
m.

°
°°
SONGEZO.

I'
vebeenwaiti
ngf orZuko'scal
lforanhournow, he
saidhewil
lcallmei fanythi
nghappensor
somethi
ngchanges.het oldmet hathe'sgoi
ngto
begHlal
umiagai nsot hatshecangoandt al
ktoLJ
theremaybehewi llwakeuport heywillbesome
changeinhiscondi t
ion!.
.
ijustwanthi mt owaket hat'sal
l.imi ssmyni gga-
infactthewhol esquadmi sshim .wecanf eelhis
void;wecant ellwhenhe' snotar oundevent hough
heannoysussomet imeswemi sshim.hemi sshim
whenhef lexesabouthowbeaut i
fulandmat ured
hal umiis,howsmar tshei s.myni ggaisvery
inlovewithHl alumiineversawLJt alkli
kethat
aboutagi rlevenhi shi ghschoolgi r
lsno!neverthe
mont hspassedwi t
houtLJhavi ngsexbutwi th
Hlal umi?mont hspassedbutmyni ggaisstillt
here
-itr ul
yadmi r
et heirl
oveser i
ously.

myphoner
ingsi
t'
smybabe,
ianswer
ed.
Me:mababy.
shegi
ggl
ed.
Omu:heyl
ove,
areyougood?
Me:yesbabywena?
Omu:I
'
m okay,
Hlal
umical
led.
Me:okay?
Omu:yeah,shesayst
hatthey'
rewait
ingf
orthe
doct
ort
oinf
ormthem aboutLwazi
'scondi
ti
on.
isi
ghed.
Me:okayst
handwasam ,
iloveyou.
Omu:il
oveyout
oo.
.bye.
shehungup.
.
ismil
ed,ireal
lyl
oveOmuhl
e!shej
ustmakesme
happyser
iousl
y.

°
°°
HLALUMI.

30mi nutespassessti
llthedoctorhasn'
tcomeout,
i
m starti
ngt ogetworri
ednow!what 'sdelayi
ng
them nah?i mrunningoutofpat i
enthere.we've
beenwai ti
ngforlonghere-buttheysaynonewsi s
goodnewsr i
ght?butatt hi
sti
meidon' tknow. .
.
Dadhasbeencal l
ingnon-stopbuti
mtoonervous
toansweridon'twannabreakdownonhi
m buthe'
s
persi
stentsoianswered.
Me:Dad?
Dad:hawupr incessi
'
vebeencal
li
ngandcal
li
ng
youdon'tanswer.shoul
dwemakeappoint
mentso
thatourcal
lscanbeanswered?
i
fitwasanot
herdayI
'
dlaughedbutr
ightnowI
'
m
noti
nthemood.
Me:dadpl
ease.
Dad:okayI
'
m sor
rymyl
ove,
how'
she?
isi
ghed.
Me:we'
rest
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
hedoct
or.
Dad:okay,
tel
lmewhenyoucomi
nghomeiwi
ll
pi
ckyouup.
Me:okayihavet
ogonow.
Dad:byepr
incess,
daddyl
ovesyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
ooDaddy.
hehungup..
itur
nedisawthedoctorwalkingawayf r
om Zuko
who'ssmil
ingeartoear,iputmyphonebacki nt
o
mypocketsthenrushedtohim!hepickedmyup
andspunmear ound-event houghI'
m m conf
usedi
can'
thel
pbutlaughathisexcitement,heputme
down.
Me:okaaywhyar
ewehappy?
hesmi
led.
Zuko:Lwaziwokeup!
it
houghtmyear
swer
edecei
vingme.
Me:you'
renotj
oki
ngr
ight?
heshookhi
shead.
iscr
eamedj
umpi
ngupanddown.
Me:ohhhhmywor
d.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-SI
X.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

FEW DAYSLATER.

"Hl
alumi,
hur
ryupmaan!"
Me:i
m al
mostdone.
iqui
ckl
yworemyshoest
hent
ookmysl
ingbagt
hen
headdownst
air
s.
Omu:yousur
elyt
ookyourt
ime,
we'
real
readyl
ate.
Let
'sgo.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:yesMommyOmuhl
e.
shechuckl
edt
henweheadout.

i
t'sbeenf ewdayssi nceLwaziwokeupandhegot
dischargedfrom hospitalsincedoct orsdi dn'tsee
anythingthatiscrit
icaltohiscondi ti
onbesi desthe
brokenar m andtheBr uiseshehasonl y.ihaven' t
seenhi m si
ncehewokeup.iwant edtogi vehi s
familysomet imet obondwi ththei
rsonsi ncet hey
almostlosthimi nthatacci dent.event houghi
want edtobet hefir
stper sonheseeswhenhe
wakesupbuticoul dn'tyouknow.soist ayedaway
from thehospitalunti
lireceivedacal lfrom Zuko
sayingthathismot herwant stoseeme. .
.t osayi
wasshockedwoul dbeanunder statement !imean
thiswomanhat esmegut s-shet hrewmeoutoft he
hospit
alnotsol ongagoaccusi
ngmeofwant i
ngt o
ki
llhersonandnowshewant stoseeme?hayi
havedoubt ssana.ri
ghtnowwe' r
eonourwayt her
e
-atLwazi'shomet oseehi
smot herandhi
m, he
doesn'tknowthatI'
m comingiwantedtosupr
ice
him.

"we'r
eher e"saysJoeashepar kedt
hecari
nfront
oftheJolahousehold.wethankedhi
m andgotout
thecar,iexhal
edloudly.
Omu:ner
vous?
Me:youhavenoi
dea.
shesmi
ledandhel
dmyhand.
Omu:you'
l
lbef
ine,
let
'sgoi
nsi
de.
weopenedthegat
ethenheadtowardsthedoorand
rangt
hebell.t
hedooropened,i
tsZuko.hesmiled
atusandhuggedus.
Zuko:si
steri
nlawandherf
ri
end.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:sbar
i.(br
otheri
nlaw)
hel
aughed.
Zuko:comei
n.
Heledusinside,t
hehouseisver
ybeauti
fuland
cl
eanitsmell
sgood.heledtotheli
vingr
oom
wherethewasMrandMr sJola.myheartstart
edto
beatf
ast-thestar
eigotfr
om MrJolaisunsett
li
ng.
Me:Mol
weni.(Gr
eet
ings)
t
heygr
eet
edback,
butMrJol
ajustnodded.
Mr
sJ:youcansi
t.
wesatdownakwar
dly.
Mr
sJ:canigetyousomet
hingt
odr
ink.
Omu:I
'
llhavej
uicepl
ease.
Me:met
oo.
shenoddedt henwalkedaway.wesatther
esil
entl
y
wait
ingforLwazi'
smom t ocomeback.shecame
backwithtwoglassesofapplejui
cet
henshegave
uswet hankedher.shesatdownandlookedather
husbandthenclearedherthr
oat.
Mr
sJ:youmustbewonder
ingwhyical
ledyouher
e
?
inoddedsl
owl
y.shesi
ghed.
MrsJ:f
ir
stofalliwantt
oapologi
setoyoumychild
f
orthewayitr
eatedyouatthehospi
talit
hought
-
shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Me:wi t
hallduerespectMrsJolaidon'tknowwhy
youcall
edmeher e,yesyoumi str
eatedand
accusedmeofwant ingtoki
llyoursonbutil onged
for
gaveyouf ort
hat,idon'
tholdanygr udges
speci
all
ytoawomanwhogavebi rt
ht otheloveof
mylife.
MrJol
aChuckl
ed.
Me:idon' tknowwhatmadeyout hinkiwant edto
ki
llLwazibutidon'tcar
e, al
lyoushoul dknowt hati
l
oveyourson-il ovehim verymuchandki l
li
nghim
i
st helastthi
ngonmymi nd.nowt ellmewhyyou
call
edmeher ebcsiknowyoudi dn'
tcallmeher eto
apologise.
Mr
sJ:okayyou'
rer
ight,
Myhusbandandical
led
youheretosaythankyoufortryingyourbestto
makesuremysonwokesup!becausewet ri
ed
ever
ythi
ng,prayi
ngandallthatbuthedi dn'
twake
upbutwhenyoubeggedandt alkedtohim ;he
wokeup.ijustwantedtosayt hankyouver ymuch.
inodded.
Me:pleasur
eisal
lmi
ne,iwasdoi
ngt
hisoutof
l
ove.nowcaniseeLwazi?
shesmi
led.
Mr
sJ:ofcour
se,
fol
lowme.
webothstoodupandfol
lowedherupst
air
sthenwe
st
oppedinfr
ontofawhit
edoor.
Mr
sJ:hi
sher
e.
Me:t
hankyou.
shenoddedandwal
kedaway.t
hedoori
ssl
ight
ly
opened,t
here'
smusi
cpl
ayi
nginsi
de!

idon'
tknowwhyI'
m ner
vousallofthesudden,i
sl
owlyopenedt
hedoorbutidon'tgeti
nsi
de.ther
e
hewasst andingtal
lintheroom -he'
sstr
uggli
ngto
wearthet-shi
rtbecauseoftheslingt
hatisonhis
arm buthelooksfrast
ratedandcute.hedoesn't
seeme.iwal kedinslowl yt
hentouchedhisback,
hejumpedi nfri
ghtandlookedatme.

°
°°°

LWAZI
GCA.

theresheis, l
ooki
nghel l
aBeaut ifulasalways.t he
onlypersonI'vebeenl ongingt oseeeversi ncei
wokeup!I '
vebeendr eamingandmi ssi
ngher !her
cri
esandpl eadsatt hehospi talwheniwasl aying
theresti
llr
ingsinmyhead.herwar m andsof t
handstouchingmi ne-iwant edt oopenmymout h
andanswerbuticoul dn't,whenshet oldmet hat
shelovesmeandshewant edmebackiwant edt o
answerherandt ellhert hatiloverhert oobuti
couldn'
t.nowshe'si nfrontofmebutidon' tknow
whattodoorwhatt osay.shel ookedatmewi t
h
tearsi
nhereyeswhi
lesmili
ngatme.I'
vebeen
dyingtoseet
hatgor
geoussmile-t
hatusedt
o
makemydayorshoul disayst
il
lmakesmyday.

beinginvolvedinthatacci dentmademeseet hi
ngs
from di
fferentperspecti
ve, theyopenedmyeyes-
l
ifeistooshor t.li
feisveryunpr edi
ctable!younever
knowwhendeat hiscomi ng.ivowedf rom myhear t
thatwhenIwakeupiwi lldot hi
ngsrightbetween
Lumiandibyf irebyforcebecauseidon' tknow
wheniwi l
ldie.

"Lwazi?"hersoftsweetvoi
cecall
soutmakingme
tr
ail
soutofmyt houghts,il
ookedather.she
bli
nkedthet
earsstreameddownhercheeks.
Me:comeher
est
handwasami
.
sherushedt
omeandhuggedmet i
ght,she
rel
easedapainf
ulsobt
hatmademyheartt
ocl
ench
.
Me:don'
tcr
yMyl
oveI
'
m her
e,i
m notgoi
ng
anywher
e.
isai
dwi
tht
ear
sal
readywel
li
ngupi
nmyeyes.
Lumi:(cr
ying)i
..
.it
houghty.
.youwer
eg.
..
goi
ngt
o
Lea.
.vemealone.
shehashi
ccups.
Me:ssshhmyst
handwasamidon'
tcr
y..
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
46] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-SEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

SPONSOREDBYSI
MAMKELEHLOPHE.

LWAZI
NGCA.
shecrieduntilshefeelasleepont hebedwi t
hme
l
ayingnextt oherwat chi
ngher .HlalumiNkabi ndei
s
verybeautif
ulwi t
hhersmal leyes, herfullbl
ack
andpinklips!herbrows-ever ythingaboutherj ust
fasci
natesmemaan.il ovehersomuch.idon' t
knowwhyourf amil
iesarerefusingtogi veusa
chancetoexpl oreourloveandt hef eel
ingswehave
foreachother.
Si
gh
myphoner
ingsi
tsSongzianswer
ed.
Me:awe.
Songz:bawo,
uri
ght?(howar
eyou)
Me:i
m goodbawowena?
Songz:I
'm Okay,
wenzant
onapho?(whatar
eyou
doi
ngther
e)
ichuckl
ed.
Me:ndi
hlel
ineCher
ram .(i
m wi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend)
hel
aughed.
Songz:haylekaka!bungal
ahl
wanga?(t
hisf
ucker
!
di
dn'tshedumpedyou)
ichuckl
ed.
Me:i
ntwez'
njal
o.(youcansayt
hat
)
Songz:yho,
anywaysGent
swant
stoseeyou
tomor
row.
Me:okay,youguyscancomeoversi
nceI
'
m notf
it
enought
obeoutside.
Songz:al
ri
ghtsur
e.
Me:awe.
ihungup.
.
il
ookeddown, I
'
m metbyLumi
'
sredeyesismi
led
andpeckedherl
ips.
Me:Mol
ost
handwasami
.(hel
lomyl
ove)
shesmi
led.
Lumi:hibaby.
shegotof
fthebedandheadt
othebat
hroom t
hen
camebackaft
erawhil
e.shel
ayedont
opofmei
wr
appedmyar
msar
oundher
.
Me:howar
eyou?
Lumi:i
mfi
ne.
Me:ir
epeat,
howar
eyou?
shesi
ghed.
Lumi:I
'm notokaybabybuti
m get
ti
ngt
her
ewena
howareyou?
Me:you'
reherewit
hmet hat
'sal
lmat
ter
s,i
m okay
besi
dest
hisannoyi
ngsl
ing.
shegiggl
edandrai
sedherheadandki
ssedmy
for
ehead.ismi
led-imi
ssedthi
saff
ect
ionat
esi
de
ofher
!
Lumi:you'
l
lbef
ine.
wekeptqui
etf
orawhi
le.
Lumi:l
ove?
Me:mh?
Lumi:sut
hi"mh"kum Lwazi
ngca!
(don'
tsay"mh"
tomeLwazingca)
ichuckl
ed
Me:uxol
oke,
baby?(sor
ryt
hen,
baby?
)
Lumi:I
'
m sor
ry.
if
rowned.
Me:f
orwhat?
Lumi:f
orever
ythi
ng,i
t'
smyfaul
tthatyougot
i
nvol
vedinacaracci
dent.
.
Me:baby.
.
Lumi:ha. al
etmef inish. .ifihaven'tbrokenupwi t
h
younoneoft hisshoul d'vehappened, youwoul d'
ve
haveseekat t
entiononAsemahl et henl ateryouwill
beinvolvedinanacci dentwi t
hher.ndi celauxolo
baby;ishouldn'tbrokenupwi t
hyou!ibr okeour
promise, wepromisedt hatwewi llfighttoot hand
nailf
orourlovebutidi dn't,ideci
dedt ogi veupand
hurtyourfeel
ingsinthat.
isi
ghed.
whatil
oveaboutHlal
umithstsheadmitsher
wrongsandshe'
salwaysreadytofi
xthem t
hat'
s
whatil
oveabouther,sheknowsthatpri
decan'
tfi
x
anythingitonlymakethingsworsei
m gladshe
l
earntnott oletpr
idegetinthewayofour
rel
ationship.
Me:if orgaveyouf orbreakingupwi t
hmeand
hur t
ingmyf eeli
ngsbutont heothersi dei
under stoodyourf r
ustrati
ons!youwer et i
ri
ngof
fi
ght i
ngwi thyourpar entsyouj ustwant edpeaceso
idon' tholdthatagainstyoubutont hisaccident
thingyandAsemahl eit
snotyourf ault.youdidn'
t
sendmet oAsemahl eiwentt oheronmyownf ree
willthenigoti ntoanacci dentwithher.sost op
blami ngmysel fmyl ovefort hethi
ngsyoucan' t
changei t
sal r
eadyHappenedsot here'snothi
ngwe
cando.
Shesi
ghedandnodded.
Me:sondi
cel
aLoveback.
(socanihavel
oveback)
shel
aughed.
Lumi:hayboLwazi
!you'
resoXhosa.
il
aughed.
Me:don'
tDodgemyquest
ionHl
alumi,
ndi
cel
alove
back.
(im aski
ngf
oral
oveback)
sherai
sedherheadandkissedmepassi onat
ely,
i
t'
sbeenawhi l
eimissedherli
ps!igrabbedherfir
m
but
tandsqueezeitali
tt
le,shemoaned.il ef
ther
mouthandkissedandsuckedonherneckunt ilwe
weredi
stur
bedbysomeoneknocki ng.

"Lwazi
ngca?"i
t'
smymom ,
igr
oaned.
Me:Mama?
Mom :izot
hathaukutyaf
orwenaneSthandwa
sakho.(comeandt akef
oodforyouandyour
sweethear
t)
Me:okay.
iki
ssedLumi.
Me:I
'
llbeback.
igotofft
hebedandworemysleeper
sthenhead
outfol
lowi
ngMom tot
hekit
chen,shecanbea
cockbl
oggeratt
imes.
°
°°

HLALUMI.

aftert
heamazi ngtimeI'
vespentwi thmybabyi
wenthomei naver ygoodmood, iwasn' tgonnal et
anythi
ngoranyt hi
ngruinitforme. Omul eftme
theresi
nceSongezocamet ot akehersi ncet hey
hadplanssoshel eft.ical
ledJoesot hathecan
comeandpi ckmeupsi nceLwazi can'tdr i
ve
becauseofthesl i
ngbutinot icedt hathe' slit
tl
ebit
scaredofdri
vingnowsi ncet heacci dent!he'skinda
traumati
zed.soJoecamet of etchmeanddr opped
meathomet henranhisar r
ands-igothomeMom
wascookingint hekit
chenwi t hSakhi le.
Me:Goodaf
ter
noonever
yone!
t
heygr
eet
edback.
Sakhi
le:you'
rei
nthegoodmood,
wassup?
Me:not
hing,
li
fei
sgoodt
hat
'sal
l.
Mom :wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom ?
Me:ohme?iwentt
othemal
lwi
thOmu.
Sakhi
le:yeahr
ight.
Mom :butyou'
resmel
li
ngaguy'
scol
ogne!
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat.
Me:umhFam ,I'm ki
ndasl
eepyI
'
m goi
ngt
otakea
nap.seeyoul
ater.
iranupst
airsandthrewmysel
fontopoft
hebed.
repl
ayi
ngtoday'soccasi
ons.myphonebeepsi
sa
messagefrom Lwazi.

"ILOVEYOUSTHANDWA,
DON'
TYOUEVER
FORGETTHAT".

Me:ar
g!howdomyparent
sexpectmet
obr
eakup
wi
thhi
mifhe'
sli
ket
hishuh?
isai
ddef
eat
ed,
irepl
iedt
ohi
stext.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-EI
GHT.

LWAZI
NGCA.

beinghospi t
ali
zeforawhol eentiremont hwith
daysst r
ai nedmybody, imt i
redmostoft het i
me
andmyar m hasn'tful
lyheal ed-ihaven'thow
Asemahl eissincewewer ebot hinvolvedinthat
accident.t hataccidenttraumat i
zedme!I 'm no
l
ongerl ovedr ivi
ng, idon'treall
ylooki
ngf orwardto
drivenow, idon'tknowwhymaybei m scaredthati
willgetintoanacci dentthatal mosttookmyl i
fe,
thatcausedcausedmyl ovedonespai nthatican'
t
remove.
Si
gh.
Zukotoldmewhatmymot herdidtoLumiont he
otherdaywhenshewenttovi
sitme, iknowthat
Mom isdramati
candal
lthatbuttoaccusethelove
ofmyl if
et hatshewantstoki l
lmer eall
y?Lumiand
ilovedeachot hersomucht hatkil
lingeachot heris
thelastthingonourmi nds.ir eal
lydon' tl
ikewhat
mymot herdidandim goingt otalkt oher,ifshe
doesn'tloveLumishebet tersucki tbecauseshe' s
heretost ay...
.She'
sgoingt obeher eforl
ongt i
me
shebet t
ergetusedt oi
t.imustt alkt oherseriousl
y!
shecan' til
l-
tr
eatmtgir
lfr
iendl i
kethat-wor stofall
sheslappedher!ineversl appedLumiandihave
noi nt
entiontobutmyMom does?ha. aidon'tli
keit
.

anywayst heGent sar evisi

ti
ngmet odaysincethey
wantedtoseeme, imissedthem tobehonest-
beingi
nt hebedf oramont htaughtmeonet hing;
toappreciatethosear oundyoubecauseyounever
knowwhet herit
'sthelastti
meyousawt henornot,
alwaysletthem knowt hatyoulovethem sothat
theyshouldknowevenwhenyou' r
edead, t
heyhold
i
ntotheloveyougaveorshowedt henyouknow.
soiwokeint hemor ni
ngandt ookshower, itwas
quit
ehardsinceihadasl ingbutimanagedt owash
theimport
antpartsyouknow, aft
eriloti
onedand
woremycl ot
hesandshoesandheaddownst airs
withmyphoneonmyot herhandsinceiwast r
ying
tocallmybabybutherphoner angunanswer ed,
maybeshe'ssleepingsoI'llt
ryherlat
er.whenigot
downstai
rsMom wasi nthekitchendoingwhat ever.
Me:Mol
oMama.
Mom :hibaby,
howar
eyou?
Me:i
m goodMamawena?
Mom :i
m good,
shoul
didi
shupf
oryou?
Me:yespl
ease.
shedi
shedupf
ormeandiat
e.
Me:Mama?
Mom :mh?
Me:ididn'
tli
ket
hewayyoutreat
edLumiatt
he
hospi
tal,
youweret
otal
lywr
ong.
shel
ookeddown.
Mom :ndi
cel
auxol
omnt
anam ,
idon'
tknowwhat
goti
ntome.
Me:you'
reapol
ogi
singonthewr ongper
son, mnai
want
edtotel
lyout
hatididn'
tli
keitsi
nceHlalumii
s
mygir
lf
ri
endandshe'snotcapableofmurder.
shenodded.
Mom :iunder
stand.
Me:ijusthopeyouandyourhusbandwi llt
ellme
whathastheNkabi ndesdidt
oyouthatyouhate
t
hem thi
smuch, becausenowit
'st
otall
yaffect
ing
meandmygi r
lf
ri
endwhi lewehadnothi
ngtodo
wit
hit.
icont
inuedt
oeatmyf
ood.

°
°°°

HLALUMI
.

Mom suggest
edt
hatweshoul
dgooutt
oday,
the
bothofusj ustt
otalkanddi neli
keol dti
mes.i
wasn' tupforitbutsinceshe'stryingtofixour
rel
ationshipishouldmeetherhal fway, sowe
decidedt hatwe'l
lgot osomer estauranttoenj
oy
oursel vesthenfi
xourhai randal lthat,
daddy
dearestgaveushi scarso. ..
iwokeupandgotr eady,inot
icedthatihadmissed
cal
lsfr
om Lwazibutisenthim atexti
nsteadt
ell
ing
himthatI
'
llcal
lhi
ml ateron..
soaft
ergetti
ngr eadyMom andil
eft,
wearri
vedat
ther
estaurantandgotint
henfoundatabl
etositat.
weorderedourfoodanddrinks.
Mom :sohowhaveyoubeen?si
nceLwazicame
back?
ismi
led.
Me:I'vebeengoodactual
ly,I
'mjustgr
eatf
ult
hat
hemadei toutali
vei
nthatacci
dentandhe'
s
al
readytherearenocompli
cati
ons.
shenodded.
Mom :i
m gl
ad,
soyou'
reguysar
ebackt
oget
her
?
idi
dn'
tanswerher,
ijustl
ookeddown.
Mom :Hlal
umi,youknowthatIloveyousomuch
baby,you'
remyonlybabygir
landIwantonl
ythe
bestf
oryou..
.I'
ddoanythi
ngtomakeyouhappy.
Me:butyou'reguysar ecloudi
ngmyhappi ness,
myr el
ati
onshi
pwi thLwaziismyhappi nessatthe
momentbutyouguysar eagainstusbutyou'r
e
sayi
ngyou'ddoanyt hingformyhappinessyet
you'
recloudi
ngit.ijusthopethatonedayyouand
theJolaswit
htelluswhathappenedbet weenthe
twoofyoubecauseicanseei t
sbig.
shel
ookeddownandsni
ff
ed.
Me:I
'
m sor
ryMa,
idi
dn'
tmeant
omakeyoucr
y.
Mom :it
'sokaybaby,soyouandLwazi
...
.Ar
eyou
ser
iousaboutthi
srel
ati
onshi
p.
ismi
led.
Me:si
nceyou'
real
soamiguel
'
sfant
henyou'
l
l
knowt
hathi
m andiar
easurethi
ng.
shel
aughedcl
appi
ngherhands.
Mom :evenwhent
heskycomesf
all
ing?
igi
ggl
edandnodded.
Me:evenwhent
hesundon'
tshi
ne.
shel
aughed.
Mom :yho!t
heyyoungoft
oday.Mnk.
wel
aughed.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSI
XTY-NI
NE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

af
tert
heamazingt
imeI'
vespentwi
thmymom we
wentbackhomeaf
terwe'
vedoneourhai
r.Mom
didbraidsandhernai lsandmnaij ustwashedmy
dreadlocksandst yl
edt hem t
henwedi dalit
tle
shoppingal so.itwasni cebeingwit
hher, atleast
ourrelati
onshi pisslowlybutsurel
ygetti
ngbackt o
wher eweusedt obe.t elli
ngeachothereverythi
ng!
ijustwishshecoul dtellmewhatexactlyhappened
betweenourf amilyandt heJolasbecauseicansee
thatwhat everitisthathappenedishurti
ngher .
she'scryingEver yti
mewet al
kaboutit.

ihaven'tgottenbacktoLwazieversinceIsawhi s
missedcal l
si nthemorningthenipromi sedtoget
backtohi m butihaven't.mydaywassobusyi
evenforgottenaboutmyphoneandiknowhe' s
goingtothrowaf i
taboutit.anywayslateronmy
mom andiheadbackhomet ir
edashel l,whenwe
gethome-Dadandmybr ot
herswerehavi ngami ni
braaianddr i
nkingalcohol,l
ooksli
kethey' rehavi
ng
anicetime.
wegr eetedt
hem t
henItooktheshoppingbags
upstair
swhilemom wenttotheki
tchentocookpap.
iputmom' sthi
ngsint
heirbedr
oom thenheadto
minetoputmythi
ngsther
e.ichar
gedmyphone
andlayedont
hebed.ifel
tsl
eepcreepi
ngsl
owl
yi
cl
osedmyeyesandfel
lint
odeepslumber..
.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

I'
vespentt heentir
edaywi ththeGent scatchi
ngup
onsomet hings,theyevengavemesomeschool
wor kthatAthiwrotedownf orme.imi ssedtheso
muchandbei ngwi ththem todaywasni ce!we
playedgames, l
istenedtomusi c,cookandat e!al
l
ofthoset hi
ngsunt ilt
heyhadt ogosincei twaslate.
iappreciatetheforwhatt heydi d,maybeiwas
goingt obeboredi nthishouse-st ayinginbedal l
dayalonebecausemypar ent
sar enotevenher ei
don'tknowwher et hey'r
e...

Lumihasn'
tgot
tenbackt
omesi
ncemor
ning,
she
saidthatshegonnacal lmebutnothing.I '
vebeen
waiti
ngf orhercallthewhol edaybutnowi m
start
ingtogetwor ri
ed.Lumii sveryunpr edictable!
hernotanswer ingmycal lsmakesmet hinkal lthe
negativethingsidon'twannagot hrougha
heartbreakagain.thatdaysheendedt hingswi th
me, shebehavedl i
kethis-notansweringmycal l
s
thewhol edayt henthenextdayshecal ledand
askedt omeetupwi thmeandshebr okeupwi t
hme
.shebet t
ernotdot hattomebecauseiwon' tbe
abletohandl etheheartbreak.

speakofthedevi
lmyphonei
sri
ngi
ng,
itsLumii
answered..
.

°
°°°

HLALUMI.

"Hl
alumi?"
"Hl
alul
u?"
sayssomeoneshaki
ngmegent
ly.
Me:mh?
"wakeuppr
incess,
itsDi
nnert
ime"
igr
oanedsof
tl
y,i
tsmydad.
Me:okay.
ihearfoot
stepswal ki
ngawayt henthedoorcl osed,
ikickofft
hebl anket
sthenheadt othebathroom .i
washedmyf aceandbr ushedmyt eetht
henqui ckl
y
tookoffmycl othesandwor emypyj amasthen
headdownst airs.
Me:eveni
ng.
theygreet
edback,isatdownnextt
oSakhil
e-Mom
saidGracethenwedishedupf
oroursel
vesthenat
e
whilesomeconver
sations.

aft
erdinneriwasheddisheswithSakhi
lewhi
le
Sandi
le, Mom andDadwentt osleep.soaf
ter
washingthedishesiheadstr
aighttomybedroom.i
tookmyphoneoffthechar
gerandtur
nediton!I
had23mi ssedcal
lsfr
om Lwaziand4text
s.yho
i
shedyingsana?i qui
ckl
ydial
ledhi
snumberand
call
edhi
m. .
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

Lwaziaskedtoseemei nper sonoverthatphone

call,
hedidn'
tsaymuchhej ustwantedtoseeme
soiagreed.butihadtothinkofapl antogetout!
eventhoughI'
m notinreal
lygoodspeaki ngter
ms
withmyparentsisti
llr
espectthem somuchandi m
l
ivi
ngundert
hei
rroofso.
..
soaft
erdi nnerideci
dedtoaskmymom ificoul
d
goout, Lwaziwantstoseeme-iwantedtoli
ebuti
coul
dn'tifineedherhel
psoihadtotel
lherthe
tr
uthbutei t
herwaysheagreed.

Lwazit oldmet hathi sbrotherisgoi ngtobr i

nghim
hereandt hey'
regoingt opar k3housesaway, mind
youi t
's10pm atni ght.Lwazidon' thavear esthe
shouldchi lemaan.anywayshesentmeat ext
sayingt hathe'sheresoiqui ckl
ywor emyGown
andshoest hensneakoutt hedoorwi t
houtbei ng
heard.iusedmyf lashli
ghttoseeont her oad.i
don'twannabumpi ntounhol yt
hingsatni ght.isaw
acarf li
ckeringli
ght sjustabovet hestreetmor eli
ke
5housesawaysoir ant hereandopenedt hecar
doorandgoti nsi
de.
Me:Mol
obaby.
hel
eanedoverandki
ssedmyl
ips.
Lwazi:hil
ove,
unj
ani?
Me:I
'
m goodt
hanksf
oraski
ngwena?
heshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
s.
Lwazi:i
m upset.
if
rowned
Me:upset?why?
Lwazi:i
tsyou!
Me:mna?
Lwazi:hehake,
Hlal
umiwehavetot
alkaboutt
his
thi
ngofyoursnotanswer
ingmycal
ls.
isi
ghed.
Me:i
sthi
saboutwhathappenedear
li
er?
Lwazi:yesHl alumi!doyouKnowhowwor ri
ediwas
huh?it houghtyouwer edoingitonpur pose-do
your emembert helastt i
meyoudi dn'tanswermy
call
sqibawazi phendul athenextdaywhenyou
wer ebreakingupwi thme. .
.iwasscar edof
heartbreakLumi ,whatyoudi dthelastti
mehur tMe!
pleasedon' tdoi tagainndakcela.
isi
ghedandhel
dhi
shandandki
ssedi
t.
Me:i m sorry,ndi
celauxolonyanisthandwasam . .
..
ididn'
tknowt hatwhatididaffectedyout hi
smuch-
ididn'
tknowt hatiti
nsti
ll
edthisfearinyoubutbaby
ididn'
tdoi tonpurpose.icoul
dn'tcallyouwhilst
withmymom .icoul dn'
tdisr
espectherl i
kethat,
she'sst
illgett
ingusedtothisrel
ationship
remember?soidon' twannajinxit.Pleaseforgi
ve
me.
hesi
ghedandki
ssedmyl
ipsagai
n.
Lwazi:iunderstandmntuwam , butsometi
mesi
can'
thandleit.t
hefearofloosingyouscar esme
l
ikeshit-ungazeundishi
yeHl alumindizophambana
.
inodded.
Me:soyoulit
eral
lydr
ovehere?whil
eyouuseone
ar
m, awoyi
kitobeondeat
h'sdooragai
n?iwon'
t
bether
emntasetowakeyouupagain.
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Lwazi:t
hiscari
sat
tomati
csoakhongxaki.eveni
f
i
m onadeathbedidon'
thaveanypr
oblems
uzondi
vusawenaandbeli
ke"hayJol
avukangoku,
yhi
niQengeba".
hesai
dmi
micki
ngmyvoi
ce,
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Me:idon'
tspeakl
iket
hat
!
isaidhi
tt
inghi
schestpl
ayf
ull
y.hestopped
laughi
ngandlookedatmesmil
ing.
Me:what?
Lwazi:umhl
esweet
hear
t.
iblushedl
ooki
ngdown,hechuckl
edandl
if
tupmy
facebyusinghi
sfi
nger
sundermychin.
Lwazi:il
oveyousomuchst
handwasam.
Me:il
oveyousomuchmor
e.
hesmil
edbeforetaki
nghiswarm andsoftli
psinto
mine-i
mmedi at
elycl
osedmyeyesenj oyingthe
ki
sswhil
ehisonehandi srunni
ngallovermybody. .

.
.
.
MONDAYMORNI
NG.

Thefol
lowingmorningiwokeupi naver ygood
mood, iwasli
ter
aryhappy.lastnightisleptl
ikea
baby.iref
usetoletanyt
hingruinsmygoodmood.
soiwokeupandgetr eadyforschoolwheniwas
doneiheaddownstairst
ohavebr eakfast.
Me:Goodmor
ning.
t
heygreet
edback,seemsli
keimtheonlypersonin
j
oll
ymoodbecausethesepeopl
elookedannoyed
f
orsomereason.
Mom :someonei
sinagoodmood,
arewemi
ssi
ng
somethi
ng?
Me:andt
hati
s?
Mom :yout
ellme.
.
ismi
led.
Me:r
elaxmonmydear
est,
not
hingi
sgoi
ng.
Mom :okay,
ifyousayso.
..
.masambe.
iquicklygrabbedafr
uitandmyschoolbagand
fol
lowedherouraf t
erbiddi
nggoodbyetodaddy
andbr others.
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
..

FEW WEEKSLATER.

i
tsbeenweeksnowandwe' vestart
edwit
hourlast
ter
m exams!i
'vebeenstudyingmyassoutinthese
pastweeksican'
taff
ordtofailineedt
ogetint
o
mat r
icnextyearandmademypar ent
spr
oudsincei
disappoi
ntedthem bydat
ingatt
heyoungage.so
theysay..
OmuandIhavebeenst udyi
ngtogether,att
endi
ng
after
noonclassest
oget
heranddoingsleepover
s
together.

ihaven'tseenLwazialso,ilastsawhimthatdayhe
camet oseemeatni ght, imissedhim ashel lthese
phonecallsarenotsati
sfi
ngbutwe' rebothbusy
becausehe' sal
sobusywi thhisexams...
.yeahhe' s
healedandwentbackt oschool.he'
salsoattending
ther
apywi thAsemahlesincet heybothhavet rauma
andt hey'
rescaredofcarssohi smothersuggest ed
ther
apyf orthem soyeah. .

andl astnotatleastifor
gottot ellyouthatmy
dearestfri
endOmuhl eLangabr okehervi rgi
nit
y2
weeksback.t hewayiwassoshockedican' teven-
thatslyfoxdidn'tt
ellmet hatshe'splanningtodo
that!shedidn'
tevenwannageti ntodetai
lsabout
whatwentdownshej ustsaid"he'shell
agoodat
whathedoesandi mnandileyanto"andthatwas
thatnot
hingmor e,nothingelse.suchfakefri
end
yaz.imeanineedsomeadvi ceyouknowf orthe
ti
meidoi t.
..wellnotthatim pl
anningtothoughbut
yeahwethu, yougetwhati mt r
yingtosay..

anywaysi ti
saf t
ernoonnow, im sti
llstudyi ngthis
fuckenPhysi calsciencessincei m wr i
tingi t
tomor row-im notsogoodi ntoitsot hat '
swhyi m
studyinghar dforitbecausef ail
ingist hel astthi
ng
onmymi nd.iclosemybookandgotof fthebed
andheaddownst airsineedsomewat erandsnack.
whenigott hereSakhi l
ewasi nthel i
vingr oom
smi l
ingathisphoneichuckl edandmademyway
totheki t
chent hent ookeverythi
ngiwant edihead
backt omyr oom l eavingmrsmi leyf acesmi l
ing
alone.

whenigottomybedroom myphoneisri
ngi
ng,
its
avi
deocallfr
om Lwaziismi
ledt
henanswer
ed.
Me:st
handwasam bat
hong!
isaidashishandsomef
aceappear
edont
hescr
een
.hesmil
ed.
Lwazi:Mol
obaby.
Me:hayasozebaby,
youcan'
t.
hef
rowned.
Lwazi:what?
Me:youhadanewhaircut?ar
eyout
ryi
ngto
char
m menahbaby?Becausewowsanaumhle
baby.
hebl
ushes,
ohmnt
uwam bet
huna.
Lwazi:st
opi
t.
hesai
dsmi
li
ng,
ial
sosmi
led.
Me:imjustcompl
ement
ingyouMyl
ovenot
hing
much.
Lwazi:enkosi,
howar
eyout
hough?
Me:i
m goodbaby,
howar
eyou?
Lwazi:i
m okayj
ustmi
ssi
ngyout
hat
'sal
l.
isi
ghed.
Me:sameherebaby.
..
.Butwor
rynotwhent
he
Examsar
eoverim al
lyour
s.
hesmi
led.
Lwazi:I
'
dlovethat,
anywaysiwant
edtocheckup
onyousthandwasam butnowigot
tagoneh.
..
Ilove
you.
Me:okay.il
oveyoubye.
ibl
owki
ssesandhungup.
..

°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

aft
ert
hatsmalltal
kwit
hLumiiwentbackt ocl
ass
si
nceitwasjustasmallbr
eaksoijustcal
ledmy
babytocheckuponher..
.imisshermanihaven'
t
seenheri
nweeksnowbecauseshe' sbusywit
hher
Examsandidon'twannadist
ractheryouknow..
ineedhertopass, idon'twantherfamil
ytoseeme
asabadinfluenceintotheirchil
dandthey'
dfor
ce
Lumitobreakupwi thmeagai nstwhi
chis
somethi
ngiwon' taccept.

IloveHl alumiNkabi ndewi thallmyhear t,she'st he

fir
stgirltomakef eelthisway.i nthesepastf ew
weeksal othashappened!mypar entsgotmea
therapistsinceihadni ghtmaresaboutt heacci dent
andi m af r
aidofcar s-theygotat herapistfor
Asemahl eandi .we' reatt
endingitatthesamet i
me
.sheseemswor set hanmeir eall
yf eelsorryfor
herevent houghshe' sthecauseoft hisacci dentbut
iwon'tr eall
ydwel lont hatyouknowbutipr omi sed
mysel fthatI'
llstaythehel lawayfrom her.I '
llnever
associat emyselfwi thhereveragai n.

someonenudgesmeonmyar
m isnappedoutofi
t.
At
hi:youseem f
ar,
areyouokay.
Me:yeahsur
e.
henoddedandf
ocusedont
hel
ect
ure.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

Examsarethepit
sshamet obehonest ,t
heyhad
mebyt het
it
syho.i'
vrbeenstudyingdayinandday
outt
omakesur ethatipass-ican'taf
fordtofail.
weonlyhave5subjectstowr i
tenowuntilwe're
doneandican'
twait.
..
imt i
redofschoolijust
wannahaveaholidaysothaticouldrestallday.
anywaysitsSaturdaymor ningtoday, im meet i
ng
upwi t
hLwaziatMcDonal d's.we'regoingonadat e
-it
'susonly.imissedhi m somuch!ihaven' tseen
him weeksimagine!butthenial soneedt ogi vehi
m
ti
met ostudybecausei sinvarsitysoheneedst o
studyhardwithoutmebei ngadi stracti
onyouKnow
.soiwokeupandcl eanedaroundmyr oom then
tookashower.il ot
ionedt henwor emycl othesand
ti
edmydr eadlocks-ipuf f
edmyper fumeandt ook
mysl i
ngbagandphonet heheadout .whenigot
downmydadwasi nt heli
vingroom wat chi
ngTV.
Me:Mor
ningdaddy.
hel
ookedatandsmi
led.
Dad:Mor
ningPr
incess,
goi
ngsomewher
e?
inodded.
Me:of
ftot
hemal
l,t
her
ear
ethi
ngst
hatineed.
henodded.
Dad:besaf
e.
Me:okaydad.
.bye.
iki
ssedhi
scheekt
henr
anout,
igoti
nsi
det
hecar
t
henJoedr
oveof
ftot
hemal
l.
Me:dr
opmeatMcDonal
d'sbr
a'Joe.
Joe:sur
e.

bra'
Joedroppedmeof fatMcDonald's,Lwazihas
al
readytextedmet hathe'sheresoiheadinside
andlookedar oundsearchingforhi
m, ispot
tedhim
i
nt hefarcornerbythewi ndow-hewasl ooki
ng
downonhi sphonesoiwentt ohim.
Me:se'
Ser
ious!(you'
resoser
ious)
hequickl
ylookedupatmeandsmi
led,
howi
missedthatsmil
e.
Lwazi
:st
handwasam .
hestoodupandhuggedmethenkissedmy
for
ehead,nose,
cheeksandmouth.
Me:howar
eyou?
Lwazi
:I'
mfi
neandhowar
eyou?
Me:i
m okay,
ijustmi
ssedyou.
Lwazi
:real
ly?
hehasasi
ll
ysmi
rkonhi
sface,
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:yeah.
Lwazi
:youknowmos,
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
heopenedt
hechai
rformet
henwesatdown.
Lwazical
ledt
hewai
tert
henweor
der
ed.
Lwazi
:sohow'
syourexams?
isi
ghed.
Me:sof
arsogood,
wena?
heshr
ugged.
Lwazi
:it
rymybest.
inodded.
Me:how'
sther
apy?
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi
:Good.
l
ooksli
kehedoesn'
twannat
alkabouti
tsoil
eti
tbe
,ouror
derscamesoweate.
af
terwefini
shedeat
ing,
wejustchil
ledhavi
ng
mil
kshakeshavi
ngsomeconversat
ions.
Me:doyouthi
nkourfami
li
eswi
lleveracceptt
hat
weloveeachot
her?
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:yazLumithi
sthingstressesmeoutyou
know, idon'
tknowwhyourf ami l
iesareli
kethisbut
i
tlooksl i
ket
hey'
resl
owl ybutsurelyaccepti
ngus
butidon'twannadwellonthat-theymi ghtchange
thei
rmi nds.
Me:yeahyou'rerightbutthentheyhavetoaccept
uswhet hert
heylikeitornot,t
heydon'thavemuch
choiceinthi
sSituati
on.becausewel oveeachother
andwe' r
enotgoingt obreakupjustbecauseof
thei
rstupidbeef.
henoddedsmi
li
ng.
Lwazi
:il
oveyou,
doyouknowt
hat
?
inodded.
Me:iknowandil
oveyout
oo.
wemadeeyecont actforf
ewsecondsunt ilil
ooked
away.het urnedmyf acetolookathi
mt henhe
scootclosertomethenkissedmyl i
ps-wewer eso
l
ostineachot her
'sli
psforgett
ingt
hatthey'r
e
peoplearoundus.

hishandtr
avell
eddowntothebut
tonofmymi ni
skir
tandunbutt
onit
.hishandmadeitwayt
hrough
mypantiesIhel
dhishand.
Me:Lwazi
ngcat
her
ear
epeopl
eher
e.
Lwazi
:rel
ax,theycan'
tseeanyt
hing!t
hist
abl
eis
cover
ingus.
wecont
inuedt
okissthenhi
sfi
ngerfi
ddl
edwi
thmy
vagi
nawall
str
yingt
oopenmyf oul
ds.
Lwazi
:openyourl
egsLumi
.
isli
ghtl
yopenedmyl egst henhisf
orefinger
cir
culat
eonmycl itcausingmet omoani nhis
mout h.hepull
edouttheki ssandstaredatme
whilehe'
sdoingthiswhol edamnthing.mycoochie
wassomoi stevenhisfingersmadet hewetsounds.
Me:mhhhhhhshi
t.(Moani
ng)
Lwazibi
thi
slowerl
ipl
ookingatmewi
thaf
aci
al
expr
essi
onican'
texpl
ain.
hiswetfingertravell
eddownt omycoochi ehole
thencir
culatedhisf i
ngert
her e,iputmyheadon
hisshoulderasibi tmylowerl i
ptryi
ngtostop
myselffr
om moani ngoutloud.myl egsst
artst
o
trembl
e!Lwazigr oanedsof t
lyinmyearasif el
t
somewar m escapingmycoochi e.Lwazit
ookout
hishandf r
om mypant i
es-hisf i
ngerswer
ecover ed
i
nwhi t
esl i
myt hing.
Lwazi
:phakama!(St
andup)
itr
iedtostandupbutf
ail
edandfal
lbackint
othe
chair,
myl egswer
ewobblyicoul
dn'
tstandri
ght.
Lwazilookedatmeandlaughed.
Me:mxm .

hepi
ckedmeupanddi
sappear
edt
othet
oil
etswi
th
me.
Lwazi
:takeof
fyourpant
y.
Me:what?
Lwazi
:doasisayHl
alumi
.
Me:shar
p.
it
ookmypant
ythengavei
ttohi
m.
Lwazi
:si
tont
opoft
het
oil
etandopenyourl
egs.
idoast ol
d, Lwazikneel
edinfrontofmeandbur ied
hisheadbetweenmyt hi
ghs.hi swarm breat
hwas
fanni
ngmycoochi e!t
henifelthiswarm andsoft
tougueonmycl i
t,it
ri
edtomoveawaybuthehel d
mest i
llbymyl egsandcontinuedtoli
ckandbi t
e
mycl i
tsoft
ly.
Me:ahhhhhhhhLwa.
.zi(moani
ng)
heconti
nuedtol
ick,moani
ngbet
weenmy
thi
ghs.
..
thi
sdamnt hi
ngi
sveryni
ce!i
twast
otal
ly
doingt
hingst
omybody.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
beinginl
ovewithsomeonewho' si
nlovewithyou
tooisamazing,averybeauti
fulfeel
ingthatican'
t
explai
n.thej
oyyouf eeli
nyourhear twhenyou're
withhim/her-theendless"ilovesyous".thehugs
, t
hekissesyouknow.

i
twasni cet owatchHlal
umiundermymer cy,
the
softmoanssher eleasedwhenmyf i
ngerswer e
deepinsideherpanties,t
hetasteofhercoochi e-
thecleanandshavedcoochi ethat'
salli
ttookf or
met ogocr azy.ThewaysheopenedherBeaut if
ul
l
ongl egsformemademewantt odoot herthings
toherbutimanagedt ohol
dmysel fandgivehert he
pleasuresheneedsandt hepleasureshewi l
l
remembermewi th.

idon'twannarushherintohavi
ngsexwithme
becauseherfamilyhassomet r
adi
ti
onalrulethat
theli
vebyintheirhousehol
dthatagir
lchil
dmust
reach21yearsoldstil
lvi
rgi
n.asabsurdithi
nkitis
I
'l
lrespectLumi'sdeci
sionbecauseIloveherandi
won'tdoanythingthatwil
lmakemel oseher-I'
ll
l
it
erall
ygocr azy.

soafterourdate,andoursmalli
nti
matesessioni
n
thebathroom it
ookherbackhome-i m gl
adthati
wasabl etospendtheli
tt
leti
mewithhersinceour
schedulesarebusythesedays,we'
restudyi
ngso
yeah.

idr
oppedher3housesawayfrom herhome,
i
ki
ssedhergoodbyet
henhuggedherandwewent
oursepar
ateways.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-THREE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

Thefol
lowingmorni
ngigotreadyf
orschoolsi
nce
we'
rewr i
ti
ngli
fesci
ences.
Si
gh.
i
m notsor eadyyouknowbutI '
lltrymybestt onail
i
t.Omuhl ecalledmeat5am towi shmel uckand
didthesamet henIsentLwaziat exttoosincehe's
alsowrit
ingtoday.anywaysafterif i
nishedgett
ing
readyitookmyschoolbagandr andownst ai
rs-
Mom waswi t
hdadint heki
tchengi ggli
ngto
whateverdadwassayi ngtoher.
Me:Goodmor
ningPar
ent
s.
ikissedbot
hthei
rcheeksandsatdownonthebar
stoolnextt
odad.Mom wasstandingbehi
ndthe
counter.
Mom:mor
ningbaby.
Dad:Goodmor
ningpr
incess,
areyour
eadyt
o
t
acklet
hatt
est
?
Me:I
'
m notsor
eadybutI
'
llsur
elyt
ackl
eit
.
hesmi
led.
Dad:ibel
ievei
nyou,
makeuspr
oud.
Me:Iwi
ll
.
Mom gavemeabowlofcerealt
heniate.aft
eri
m
doneeat
ingDadtookmetoschoolsi
ncether
ewas
nooneavail
abl
etotakeme.

Daddroppedmeoffi
nfr
ontoftheschoolpr
emises,
webidgoodbyest
oeachothertheniheadi
nsi
de
t
heschool-igott
omyclassOmuhl ewasseat
edon
t
hedesklooki
ngli
keshe'
sdeepi nt
hought.
Me:hil
over.
Stil
lshrdoesn'
taknowl
edgemypr esenceipoked
herarm shejumpedinfr
ight,
irai
sedabr owinher
reacti
on.
Me:andt
hen?whyar
ejumpy?
shet
ri
edt
osmi
lebutf
ail
ed.isatdownnextt
oher
.
Me:t
alkt
omewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
shesi
ghed.
Omu:idon'
tKnowwher
etost
art
.
Me:st
artf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.
Omu:pl
easepr
omi
seyouwon'
tjudge?
iscof
fed.
Me:haveieverj
udgedyoubef
ore?
sheshookherhead.
Omu:No.
..
butont
hiscasei
sdi
ff
erent
.
If
rowned.
Me:di
ff
erenthow?
iexhal
edwi
thhereyescl
osed.
Omu:I
..
.Icheat
edonSongezo.
myeyeswi
deni
nshock,
mymout
hwi
deopen.
Me:Omuhl
e!!
!
Omu:iknow,
iknow.
shesi
ghed.
Me:cont
inue.
Omu:yourememberwhenIt
oldyout
hatibr
okemy
vi
rgi
nit
y?
Me:wait
..
.don'
ttel
lmet hatSongezoi
sn'
ttheone
whobrokeyourvir
gini
ty!
shedi
dn'
tanswerme,
shej
ustl
ookeddown-igasp.
Me:thi
xowam!!whoishe?i
shewor thi
t?ishe
wort
hyoulosi
ngyourbeaut
if
ulr
elat
ionshi
pwith
Songezo?i
shi
sdickworthi
t?Omuhl ehowcanyou
besostupi
d?Songezol
ovesyouandyoudot hi
sto
hi
m?
shebur
sti
ntot
ear
s.
Omu:youthinkidon'
tknowthat?hellyeahidobut
idon'tr
egr
etwhathappenedbetweenmeand
sak..
.hi
m!YesIloveSongezobutial
solovetheguy.
(cryi
ng)
il
ookedatheri
ndi
sbel
ief
!
Me:doeshel
oveyou?
shenodded.
Me:howsur
eareyou?Whoknowsmaybehe
wantedt
ogetunderyourpant
sOmuhl
eandyoul
et
hi
m!!
Omu:hayhayHl al
umi!!
!don'tyoudaresither
eand
judgeme,whot hehelldoyout hi
nkyouar e?just
becauseyou'r
est i
llavi
rginthatdoesn'
tmeant hat
youshouldjudgeme.it houghtyou'r
emybest
fri
endandyouwer egoingt osupportmebutiwas
wrong!!
!
wi
tht
hatsai
d,shest
ormedoutt
hecl
ass.
Me:wow!
!!
ican'
tbel
ieveOmuhl e!
!,Somethi
ngisdef
ini
tel
y
wrongwithher.khonawhoi sthi
sguy?because
wowsanai tsclearthatadickcanmakeyoulose
yourmindimt ell
ingyou.

Thedaywentbyveryquickl
y, iwrotet
het estandi
canproudl
ysayinai
ledit.ispentthebreakalone
si
nceOmui sappar
entl
y"madatme"andal lthat
butidi
dn'
tmindt hough-shewi l
lcomearoundat
somepointbecauseididn'
tfightwit
hherionl
ytol
d
herwhatwasithinkingabouthersit
uat
ion.

°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

wef i
nishedwrit
ingourpapers30mi nut
esagothen
wedeci dedtochil
latt
hecafeter
ia.t
alki
ngand
laughi
ngbutSongzseem f ar-he'
sdeepinthought
s
ipokedhi sar
m hesnappedoutofi t
.
Me:ur
ightbawo?
henodded.
Songz:yeah.
Me:t
ryagai
n.
hesi
ghed.
Songz:idon'
tknowi
fim over
react
ingorwhatbut
somet
hingi
supwi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend.
if
rowned
Me:whatmakesyousayt
hat?
Songz:she'sacti
ngweirdthesedays,she'
sjumpy
andallthatandshe'sal
wayssmi l
ingonherphone.
evenwheniwantt oki
ssortouchhershealways
tensesupwhi chisoddbecauseit
'snotthef
irst
ti
meikissort ouchher.
Li
yabona:i
tsSi
mpl
ebawo,
redf
lagsar
ether
e.
she'
scheat
ing!
heshookhi
shead.
Songz:Omuhl
rwouldn'
tdot
hatt
ome,
sheknows
howmuchIloveher.
Athi
:wel
lifshe'
scheat
ing,
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
o
do?
hesighedwitht
ear
sformi
nginhi
seyes.t
hisbett
er
notbetrue-Omuhl
ecan'
thur
tumji
tawam l
ikethi
s.
Me:don'
tstr
essaboutt
hist
oomuchbawo, i
t'
snot
conf
ir
medyet...
whoknowswemaybewr ong.j
ust
tr
ytotal
ktoheryoumaybeshemi
ghttel
lyou
what
'sgoi
ngon!
henodded.
Songz:Ihearyoubawo.
At
hi:it
oldyouguys,
Lovei
sfuckedup!
Me:we'renottalki
ngaboutthatnowAt henkosiand
you'
renotreall
yhelpingontheissueathandwi th
yournegati
vit
ytowar dsumjol
o.noteveryone
cheat
sont heirpart
nersorevenhurtthem -someof
usarelucky.
hechuckl
ed.
At
hi:j
ustl
ikehowyouwereluckywhenMi
ss
Hl
alumidumpedyourass!
iscof
fed.
Me:idon'
thavetimeforthis,SongzbawoI'l
lsee
yourar
oundnjayam .I'
l
ltrytofishsome
i
nformati
ononLumif oryouneh?t hat'
sifshetel
ls
mesomet hi
ng.
Songz:sur
eta.
Me:awe.
it
ookmybagbackandwal
kedt
hecaf
eter
ia.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
47] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

aft
eriwalkedoutthecaf
eter
iaIheadstr
aightt
omy
carthendrovet
oHl al
umi'
sschoolandwaitedf
or
her.myphoner i
ngswhileiwassti
llwai
ti
ngits
Asemahleianswered.
Me:sur
e?
Mahle:hayboLwazi
!Whatar
udewayt
oanswer
yourphone.
Me:heeemanAsemahl
e,whatdoyouwant?
Mahle:i
m cal
li
ngyout
oremi
ndyouaboutt
he
t
herapysessi
on.
Me:youguyscancar
ryonwi
thoutme,
I'
m not
coming.
Mahl
e:but
..
Me:t
ellCar
oli
m notcomi
ngt
oday.
ihungup.
..

imust'
vefel
lasl
eepbecauseI'm wokenupbythe
knockonthewindowi t
sLumi.isatupstr
aight
openedthedoorforher-shegotinsi
de.
Lumi
:Lwazi
ngcawhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:haybono"hibaby"?
sher
oll
edhereyes.
Lumi
:im noti
nthemoodf
oryourj
okesLwazi
ngca.
Me:isee.
Lumi
:takemehome.
inodded,
looksl
ikemadam i
sinaf
oulmoodt
oday.
Me:umhbaby?
Lumi
:yeah?
Me:hayHl
alumikal
oku,
yint
onngoku?
shesi
ghed.
Lumi
:uxol
obaby,
itsj
ustt
hat
..
.never
mind!
Me:nosayi
t.
Lumi
:let
'sl
eavei
t.
Me:l
umi.
Lumi
:fi
ne,
Omuhl
eisact
ingwei
rd.
Me:wei
rdhow?
Lumi:babyyouhavetopromisemethatyouwon'
t
tel
lanyoneaboutt
hisspeci
all
yyourbestf
ri
end,
Songezo.
Me:haybo!
Lumi
:yekake.
Me:okayf
ine,
iwon'
ttel
lhi
m .whati
sit?
Lumi
:Omuhl
ebr
okehervi
rgi
nit
y.
il
ookedatherl
ost
.
Me:okay,that
'sagoodthi
ngmosbaby.shecan
f
inal
lytast
ethepowerofDthatyoudon'
twanna
t
aste.
Lumi
:mxm .
il
aughed.
Me:I
'
m ki
ddi
ngman!Cont
inue.
Lumi
:soshebrokehervir
gini
tybutSongzi
sn'
tthe
onewhobrokei
t.
..she'
scheati
ng.
myeyeswi
den.
Me:what?
shenodded.
Lumi
:exact
lymyr
eact
ion.
Me:but
..
.Whywoul
dOmuhl
edot
his?it
houghtshe
l
ovedSongz.
Lumi
:exact
lymyquest
ion,
wheniaskedhert
hat
shet
houghtIwasj
udgi
nghert
henshetol
dme
wher
etogetof
f.
Me:ihavet
osor
tthi
sout.
Lumi
:sor
tthi
show?
it
ookmyphoneandwheniwasabouttodial
Songz'
snumber-Lumisnat
chedt
hephone.
Lumi
:whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:i
sn'
titobvi
ous?
Lumi:Lwazi
ngcaIt
oldyout
hatyoucan'tt
ell
anyoneaboutt
his,
evenworseuSongezo.
Me:howt
hehel
lam igoi
ngt
ohi
det
hisf
rom hi
m?
Lumi
:you'
l
lfi
gur
eitout
.
isi
ghed.
Me:Hlal
umiipr
omisedSongezot
hatI
'
llf
ishsome
i
nfor
mationf
orhim onyou.
Lumi:t
henyou'
l
lhavet
oli
eandsai
dyouf
ound
not
hing.
Me:ican'
tdot
hat.
Lumi
:youcan'
toryouwon'
t?
Me:Lumibabyican'
tli
etoSongezooranyoneel
se
f
orthat.
Shescof
fed.
Lumi:butyouli
edtomeabouttheacci
dentandyou
didn'
ttel
lmethatAsemahlei
stheonethatmade
youlosecontr
olofthest
eeri
ngwheel.
shi
t!,
Howdi
dshef
indout?
Lumi
:wat
hul
a?(whyar
eyouqui
te)
Me:ndi
cel
asi
ngaxabanibaby(canwepl
easenot
f
ight
)
shecli
ckedhert
ougue,
itr
iedt
otouchherbutshe
yankedmyarm.
Me:si
xabenebaby?
Lumi
:takemehome.
Me:babyl
ist
en.
..
Lumi
:TAKEMEHOMELWAZI
GCAJOLA!
!
shescr
eamedatme.
Me:hayhaypt
sek!yi
ntonngoku?wandi
ngxol
ela
i
ngat hiuthethanomnt anakho?masingaqhelani
Hlalumiuvile?im sorr
yf ornott
ell
ingyouaboutt he
accidentsagabutidi dn'twanttocauseanydr ama
becauseiknowhowmypar ent
scanbe.sopl ease
don'tyoueveryel latmel i
kethatndakuli
bal
anoba
uyiCherram ndikukhabeunyemnauvi l
e?
shenodded.
Me:sho.
ist
art
edt
heengi
neanddr
oveaway.

°
°°°

HLALUMI
.

I'
veneverseenLwazithi
sangry,yeswef i
ght
someti
mesbutt his?yho.iwastot
all
yshakingi
n
myboot swhilehe'
sdri
vingonahigherspeedican'
t
evenprotestwhenhe'
sthisangr
yI'm af
rai
dhe
mi
ghtdosomet
hingt
ome.

Omuhl etoldmeaboutt heaccidentthi

ngweeks
backbutideci dednottoaskLwazi butiwas
i
rrit
atedinthecart heniblurt
editout.iwasj ust
askinghim somet hingsosmal ltodobuthemadei t
abigdealoutofi t-clai
mi ngthathecan'tl
ie...i
meanumhsi rrrr
?youl i
edt omer emember ?but
theni yel
ledathim knowingexact l
ythathehat esi
t
thenhebecameangr yatme.Andhe' sdri
vingin
highspeednow.
Me:Lwazicanyousl
owdownabi
t?
Lwazi
:shutup!
icl
osei
timmediat
ely,
wear
ri
vedatmyst
reetand
par
ked3housesaway.
Me:t
hanksf
ort
hel
if
t.
Lwazi
:yeahsur
e.
heki
ssedmyf
oreheadt
heniheadout.
.
.
.

Dayspassedandt odayim wri

ti
ngmyl astpaper!
!to
sayim exci
tedwoul dbeanunder stat
ementI'
m over
themoon.ican' twaittofi
nishwrit
ingsothatican
rest
.ihaven'tbeenresti
ngenought hesepastdays
becausestudiesgotmebyt heti
tsanywaysitwill
bewor t
hitintheend.

Omuhl e?.Sighs.shehasn'tr
eachedoutortalked
tomeyouknow, I
'vetr
iedcal
li
ngherbutshe
rejectsmycal l
sunt i
lideci
detogiveupandlether
be.she' sabiggirlmaybesomedayshewi l
lrealize
thatiwasn'tjudgingheriwasshockedthat'
sal land
tryingtohelpherbutshet ooki
tthewrongway.

Thingsbet
weenLwaziandihasbeengoodbutnot
thatgoodyouknow,eversi
ncet
hatfi
ghtwedon'
t
communi catemuch-wej ustwisheachot herGood
l
uckont estsandallthat.butim worri
edyou
know...
I'
m worri
edthatwemustl oseourspar kand
dri
ftapartf
rom eachot herandican'thavethat.i
l
oveLwaziwi theverythingi
nme!br eakingupwi t
h
him wil
ltot
all
ykil
lmet obehonestbutihopet hat
thi
ngswontescal at
est othatl
evel.

anywaysiwokeupi nthemor ningandgoodr eady

forschool,iwentdownstai
rstoeatthenbra'Joe
tookmet oschool.whenigott hereOmuhlewas
seatedwithSbahle(hernewlyfoundfri
end)under
thetreel
aughingatsomethinginSbahle.ijust
walkedpastthem andheadt oclass.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
FIVE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

im somadatHl alumiyaz, whot hehelldoesshe

thi
nkshei stoyel latme, i
sshemymom ?or
something.sheknowsihat ebeingyelledatbutshe
doesiteit
herway.Yesiwaswr ongfornott el
li
ng
herandiapologi zedmosandi t
hi?butyou' l
lnever
underst
andgi r
ls.soaf teridroppedheratherst reet
idrovebackhome-l uckil
yt her
ewasnoonehome
soitookashowerandwor emybr ief
sonl ythengot
ontopofthebed.

Youknowgi rl
saresomel it
tledevil
st hatcomesto
usasat emptati
on.andwhenshe' sdonewi thyou
shetoseyouasideasi fyou'resomeusedbubbl e
gum!idon'tunderst
andwhywoul dOmuhl edothis
Songz,Songezoisaniceguywhol ovesOmuhl ebut
i
tsclearthatOmuhleisnott here-sheevenal l
owed
anot
herguyt obreakhervirgini
tywhi l
eshe'ssti
ll
withSongezo-coul dn'tshedumphi m atleast?and
sparehi mtheembar r
assmenthe' sgoi ngtof eel
whenhehear sthesenews.shej ustBreakupwi t
h
him otherthanst ri
nginghi m alongwhi leshe
doesn'tlovehi m .ifeelformyni ggasomuch!it r
uly
wantst otellhim butHl alumidoesn' twannaseem
asabadf ri
endt oOmuhl e..
..
butwhataboutme?
Howam igoi ngt olookatSongezonowknowi ng
thatiknowwhatOmuhl edoesbehi ndhisback.
Whatki ndofaf r
iendam i?Hl alumiNkabi ndecan
beselfishatt i
mesyou.

.
.
.

Dayspassedbutstil
lihaven'
ttoldmyni ggawhat 's
goingon,I'
vebeenavoidingthetopicEveryt
imehe
tr
iestobri
ngitup.hedoesn'ttakethisthi
ngwel l.i
j
ustwi sht
hatOmuhlecoul dj
usttellhi
mt hetruth
butifshedoesn'
tiwil
l.Butfuckthatmybestf r
iend
i
ssuf
fer
ingher
esohe'
l
lyeahi
mtel
li
nghi
m.
Me:bawo?
Song:sur
e?
Me:I
'
vef oundsomei
nfor
mat
iononHl
alumiabout
Omuhle.
hequi
ckl
ysatupst
rai
ghtonhi
schai
r.
Songz:okay?t
het
haf
ondi
ni.
isi
ghed.
Me:i
t'
snoteasyman.
Songz:Lwazidon'
tbeapussy,
justt
ellme!
Me:yourgir
lf
ri
endi
scheat
ing,
andt
heni
ggabr
oke
hervi
rgi
nit
y.

Thel
ookonhisfacewasl
iketheworl
disclosi
ngin
onhi
m, hest
ruggledt
obr
eathehereandthere.
Me:breat
heSongezobawo,youcan'
tfal
lapar
t
becauseofagi
rlndakcel
a.
hedi
dbr
eat
hingexer
cisest
hendr
anksomewat
er.
Songz:ineedsomeai
r.
Me:uzobar
ight?
henodded.
Me:okay.
het
ookhi
sbagandl
eft.
..
ialsopackedmybooksthenheadt
oCar
ol'
sof
fi
ce
forthether
apysessi
on.

at6h30int heeveni ngirecei

vedacallfr
om Lumi.
thi
ngshasn' tbeent hatgoodbetweenusbutwedo
tal
kbutitfeelslikesomet hi
ngismissinghere.we
real
lyneedt ositdownandt al
kaboutthis-i
answeredhercal l
.
Me:hel
lo?
Lumi:wow,No"mol
ost
handwasam "anymor
e?
waphelaumj
olo!
isowant
edt
olaughbuticoul
dn'
tshesoundshur
t.
Me:howar
eyou?
Lumi
:im good,
you?
Me:i
mfi
ne.
shesi
ghed.
Lumi:Lwazi
ngcacanwemeetandtal
k?ir
eall
y
don'
tli
kewhatishappeni
ngbet
weenuspl
ease.
Me:okaywhen?
Lumi
:ngoku!
Me:haybobaby,
wher
ear
eyou?
Lumi
:out
sideyourgat
e.
iqui
ckl
ysatup.
Me:you'
rej
oki
ngr
ight?
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi
:Iwi
shiwas.
Me:hayi
nil
omnt
ana!(t
hischi
ld!
)
Lumi
:hur
rybef
oreyourpar
eyget
sher
e.
Me:i
m comi
ng.
iworemyshoesthenheaddownst
air
s-iopened
themaindoort
henheadtowar
dsthegat
e.shewas
real
lyt
herewear
ingherpyj
amaswit
hadoekover
herhead,shel
ooycute.
iopenedthegat
eshequicklygoti
nthenwehead
insi
dethehouse.wegotinsidemyroom thensat
onthebed.shelookednervousal
lofthesudden.
Lumi
:im sor
ry.
Me:f
orwhat?
Lumi:foryel
li
ngatyouli
kethat,
knowingthatyou
hatebeingyell
edatandal
soaskingyoutoli
eon
yourBestfri
end!ndi
cel
auxoloQengeba.

°
°°

HLALUMI.

hesi
ghed.
Lwazi
:if
orgi
veyoumyl
ovebutweneedt
oset
somer
ulesi
nthi
srel
ati
onshi
p.
if
rowned.
Me:r
ules?
henodded.
Lwazi:yesLumir ules, fi
rstofal
lyouseem t oforget
sometimesthatyou' re17andi m 20year s.we're
notage-mates!justbecauseil oveyouandi m
dati
ngyoudoesn' tgiveyour i
ghttodisrespectme
ortal
ktomewheneveryouwantyandi va?idon't
beatwomanmna, ipunishthem thr
oughsexsoi f
youkeepont alkingt omewheneveryouwanti
mightbreakyourvi rgini
tysogqibauyiphendule
wedwakowenumamel e?
inodded,
hehast
hatscar
yexpr
essi
onhehadt
hat
day.
Lwazi
:im gladweunder
standeachot
heri
s
anyt
hingelse?
ishookmyhead.
Lwazi
:Good,
nowki
ssyourman.
igi
ggl
edandl
eanedovert
oki
sshi
m .weki
ssedf
or
awhi
leunt
ilwebot
hpul
ledout.
Me:Lwazi
?
Lwazi
:st
handwaskaLwazi?
Me:canyoumakel
ovet
ome?
hi
seyespoppedopen,
wit
hhi
smout
hwi
deopen.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
SIX.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

il
ookedatherdumbst
rucked,
isshecrazyorshe'
s
hi
ghonsomet hi
ng?Whathappenedtoreachi
ng21
st
il
lavi
rgi
n?
Lumi
:pl
easesaysomet
hing.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:No!
Lumi
:No?
inodded.
Lumi
:why?i
sitbecauseI
'
m Young?
iscof
fed.
Me:Hl al
umihaveyouf orgottenaboutyourfamil
y
tr
aditi
on?t hatyoumustr each21stil
lavir
gin?
what'sgoingonwi t
hyoubaby. ..
tal
ktome.i si
t
pressurethatyourbestf
riendbrokehervirgi
nit
y?
shesi
ghed.
Lumi :i
sitwrongt obecur ious?i
m notbeing
pressuredoranyt hingijustwannaknowhowi t
feel
sl i
ke.thepl easureyouknow.Lwaziyoumade
mebeaddi ctedtoseeingyourheadbet weenmy
thi
ghs, yourf i
ngerscircul
atingmycli
t.t
hewayyour
fi
nger srubbesmywethol e!youmademel ovethe
cont
actofourwarm bodiestogether
,the
i
nter
twi
ningofourhands.t hekissesnowiwanna
knowhowitfeel
sinside.doyoubl ameme?
isi
ghed.
iknowexactl
yhowshef eel
s,whenwe' r
ebeing
int
imatei
t'
sjustamazi ng.itsj
ustbothofuswit
h
ourwarm bodiestogether!ial
socravehert
oobuti
hadtorespecthertradit
ionthatwasmadebyher
famil
y.
Me:iwantt hatt oobaby,trustmeidobutican't.
youKnowhowyourf amil
ycanbe!ican'tdo
somet hingthatwi llmakethem hatememor ethat
they'r
edi d.
..pleasedon'tdosomet hi
ngthatyou
mightr egretlateron,youknowt hesayi
ngthat"
curiousitykil
ledacat"soyeah. .
.
shesi
ghedandpl
ayedwi
thherf
inger
slooki
ng
down.
Lumi
:iunder
stand,
I'
m sor
ryf
oraski
ngt
his.
Me:it
'
sokaymyl ove,
youhaveever
yri
ghtt
oask
t
his.i
m yourmanremember
?
shenodded.
Lumi
:il
oveyouLwazi
.
Me:il
oveyout
ooLumi
.
il
eanedcl
osert
oherandki
ssedherl
ips.
Me:I'
m goi
ngt
omakesomet
hingt
oeat,
im comi
ng
neh?
shenodded.
iki
ssedherf or
eheadt henheadtothekit
chen.
Luckil
yifoundfoodont hewarmer-iwarmedi tup
andpoursomej uicef orustheniheadback
upstai
rs.shewasl ayinginbedtal
kingt
osomeone
overthephone.iputt hetrayonthepedest
aland
gotUndercoverswi t
hher.shegotdonet al
kingto
thephoneandsi ghed.
Me:i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
sheshookherhead.
Lumi:Omuhlesai
dthatSongezoknowsaboutt
he
cheati
ngandthevi
rgi
nit
ythingy,
didyoutel
lhi
m?
inodded.
Me:idi
d,Iknowthatipr
omisednottot
ellhi
m buti
coul
dn'
twatchseei
nghimli
kethatyouKnow. .
Lumi
:it
'sokay,i
m gl
adthet
ruthi
soutevent
hough
Omuhl
eswear edatme!cal
li
ngmenames.
isi
ghed.
Me:whathasgot
teni
ntoyourf
ri
endmar
a?
Lumi
:idon'
tknow,
iguessadi
ckmakessomeone
docr
azythi
ngs.
il
aughed.
Me:t
hatni
gga'
sdi
ckdr
iveshercr
azy.
Lumi
:nocap!
webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Me:l
et'
seat.

Around9pm it ookLumitoherhomesi ncewel ost

tr
ackoft i
meandwedi dn'tnot
iceitwast hatl
ate.
shewasal readypanicki
ngandivol unteedtoget
i
nsidethehousewi t
hherbutsher efusedsaying
shewilldealwiththatal
onesoIl etherbe.we
ar
ri
vedatherst
reetandpar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hegat
e.
Me:Goodni
ghtmyl
ove,
iloveyou.
Lumi
:Goodni
ghtbaby,
Iloveyout
oo.
iki
ssedherl
ipst
henherf
orehead.
Me:bye
Lumi
:bye.
shegotof
fthecarandheadherhome'sgat
eand
openedi
t.shewavedatmeihootedthendrove
backhome.

°
°°°

HLALUMI.

Lwaziwaitedformetogeti
nsidetheyardthenhe
hoot
edanddr oveaway,si
nceididn'
twannause
themaindoortogeti
nsi
deiheadt othesidethat
hadthewindowf r
om mybedroom andtr
iedto
cl
imbi
n.

"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?"

igotst
art
ledbyt
hevoiceandscreamedal it
tl
e.i
tur
nedtoseewhoiti
s-it'
sthi
sidiotSakhi
le.
Me:Sakhi
leyouscar
edmeman!
hel
aughed.
Sakhi
le:sor
ryG,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:whatdoesi
tlooksl
ike?i
mtr
yingt
ogeti
n
dummy.
Sakhi
le:you'
recomi
ngf
rom LJr
ight?
heaskedwi
thhi
sbr
owr
aised.
Me:yeah,
hel
pmeup.
Sakhil
e:youandyourboyfr
iendneedstobecar
eful,
therent
saresti
llagai
nstt
hisrel
ati
onshi
pofyours.
isi
ghed.
Me:iKnow,
we'
l
lbecar
efulnextt
ime.
henoddedandhelpedmetogeti
nsi
dethenwal
ked
tot
hehouse.igotinsi
demyr
oom andgot
Under
cover
sandsl ept.

Thenextmor ning, Mom wokemeupbecauseshe

wantedmet ogoandhel pedherint hecof
feeshop
sinceifini
shedwr i
ti
ngandiwasn' tgoingtoschool
today.im solazyandiwantedtor estyazibut
Mommydear estdoesn'
twannaheari tsoiwokeup
andgotr eadythenheaddownst ai
r stoeat
breakfastandwegoti nsi
dethecaranddr ovetothe
cafe.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
SEVEN.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI.

MyMom hasbeenwor kingmyassof finthiscafe

sincemor ning,im sot i
redandmyf eethur t
sbut
Mommydear esthavenomer cyonmeser iousl
y.
I'
vebeenonmyf eetalldayservi
ngthetableslef
t,
rightandcent er
.sheonl ygaveme30mi nutes
lunchcanyoui magi ne?yho.ihaven'
ttalkedto
Lwazit hewhol eday, ilastsawmyphonewheni
ar r
ivedhereinthemor ningandthatwast helast
timeisawi t.anywayMom putmebehi ndt he
count ersi
nceshewant edmet ocountthemoney-i
hearsomeonecl ear i
ngt hei
rthr
oatil
ookedupand
metbyAsemahl e.ihadt heurgetorol
lmyeyesbut
idon' twannaber udetomymom' scustomer .
Ase:hiHl
alumi
.
shesai
dwi
thasmi
lewhi
chidi
dn'
tret
urn.
Me:heyAsemahl
e,canIhel
pyou?
shechuckl
ed.
Ase:canihave5blueber
rymuf
fi
nsanda
cuppuci
noplease.
Me:comi
ngr
ightup.
iwrotedownherordert
henheadt
othekit
chen.
aft
erafewmi nut
esicamebackwit
hherordert
hen
wenttogiveheri
nhertabl
e.shewasseat
edwith3
gi
rls.
Me:Goodaf
ter
noon,
her
e'syouror
der
.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
Ase:t
hankyou.
iwasaboutt
otur
nandwal
kedawaywhen
Asemahl
ecall
edmyname.
Ase:Hl
alumi
?
it
urned.
Me:yes?
Ase:ij
ustwant
edtoapol
ogi
sef
orcausi
ngLJandi
t
ohaveanaccident
.
if
rowned.
whyi
ssheapol
ogi
zingt
ome?ismi
ledei
therway.
Me:di
dyouapol
ogi
set
oLwazi.
shenoddedsl
owl
y.
Me:t
hat'
sgoodbecausehe'stheper
sonyouwere
i
nvol
vedinaaccidentwit
hnotmesoyoudon'town
meanyapologysweetheart
.
shecl
ear
edhert
hroat.
Ase:okayt
hen.
inoddedandwal
kedawayt
hencont
inuedwi
thmy
work.

Around5pm , Mom andiwenthome.iwassot i

redi
wantedtotakeabat handheadt osleepstr
aightbut
Bulihadotherpl
ansf orme!sheforcedmet ocook
di
nnerwi t
hherimagine,thewayim sot i
red
ngakhonabutihelpedheranyway.shemademe
peelveggi
eswhenmyphoner angit'
sLwazi .i
l
ookedatMom whowasl ooki
ngbackatme!i
i
gnor edt
hecallthenLwazicall
edagai n.
Mom:answeri
tHl
alumi
,mhl
ambiuyaf
a.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroatandanswer
edt
hephone.
Me:hel
lo?
hescof
fed.
Lwazi
:"hel
lo?"Whathappenedt
o"heybaby"?
Me:Lwazi
ngcapl
ease.
Lwazi
:whyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing.
..
areyou?
Me:yes!
hel
aughed.
Lwazi
:ohmyGod!uxolobabyidi
dn'tknow.putt
he
phoneonl
oudspeakeriwannaspeaktomamazala.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:uphambene!
hel
aughedt
oo.
Lwazi:I
'
mjoki
ngbaby,
I'
llcal
lyoubef
oreyouhead
tobed.
Me:okay.
Lwazi
:il
oveyoubaby.
ilookedatMom whowasf ocusedonthepot
s,how
doesheexpectmetosayi tbackwit
hMom here?
Lwazingcacanbecrazyatti
mesbutilovehi
mlike
thatyouknow.
Me:met
oo.
Lwazi
:hayhayHl
alumi,
met
oont
on?
Me:bye.
ihungup.
.
Mom bur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Mom:youshould'
vejustsai
dyoulovehi
mtoo
sanal
wam!yi
ntonleuyit
hethayo"metoo"?
shesai
dmi micki
ngmyvoi
ceandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
iendupjoi
ninghert
oo.
Me:Mom pl
ease.
.
Sher
aisedherherhandsi
nsur
render
.
Mom:youlookhappy,
seemsl
iket
hisJol
aboyi
s
t
reat
ingyougood.
ismi
led.
Me:hedoes.
Mom si
ghed.
Mom:despi t
eofourf amilybeefsyouguysst il
l
toget
herwhichshowst hatyoul oveeachot herand
weshoul dn'
ttakeyourloveforeachot herf
or
grant
ed.iknowt hist
hingoff i
ghtingyour
rel
ashionshi
pwi thhi
m almostcost edmemyonl y
daughterandidon'twantt hat
..
.idon'
twannal ose
youknowsoigotnochoi cebuttoacceptyour
rel
ati
onshipwi t
hhim.

tear
swer ealr
eadystreamingdownmyf ace,i
couldn'tbel
ievethatmymom sai dthat
!!soshe'
s
acceptingmyr el
ationshi
p?iscreamedandhugged
hertight.
Me:thankyousomuchMommy, youdon'
tknow
howmucht hi
smeanstome!
!Lwazingcawi
llbe
ver
yhappyaboutt
his.
Shesmi
led.
Mom:aslongashekeepsmakingyouhappyand
t
reatyour
ighti
m coolwi
thhi
m.
inodded.
weconti
nuedtoconversewhil
ewe'recooki
ng.
Af
terwe'r
edonecookingisetupthetablet
henwe
al
lsatdownandsaidgracethenweat e.

af
terSupperSakhi
lewashedthedishes,ihead
st
rai
ghttomyr oom andt
ookashowerandwor e
mypyjamasthengotUndercover
s, ical
ledmybaby
.
Lwazi
:st
handwasent
li
ziyoyam.

imel
tedguys,
thi
sguyknowshowt
osof
tenmeup.
Me:babyguesswhat
?
Lwazi
:what?
Me:isai
dguessLwazi
ngca!
isul
ked,
hegi
ggl
ed.
Lwazi:haymanbaby,
youknowi
m notgoodatt
his
guessinggame.
il
aughed.
Me:okayt
hen,
anywaysigotgoodnews.
Lwazi
:hehakeHl
alumiSana!
igi
ggl
ed
Me:sor
ry,
mymom gaveusherbl
essi
ngst
odat
e!!
Lwazi
:what
?
inoddedl
ikehecanseeme.
Lwazi
:that
'sgoodnewsbaby,ij
ustwi
shmyf
ami
ly
wasaccommodat i
ngli
keyour
s.
isi
ghed.
Me:don'
twor
rybaby,
we'
l
lgett
her
e.
Lwazi
:iguessyou'
rer
ight,
anywaysiwast
hinki
ng.
.
Me:okay?
Lwazi:iwast
hinki
nghowaboutwegott
oJobur
g
forDecemberholi
days?j
ustus?
Myeyeswi
den.
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
Lwazi
:asahear
tat
tackmyl
ove.
Me:canit
hinkabouti
t?
Lwazi:t
akeyourti
mebaby,butyoumustgiveme
ananswerbeforeyourr
epor
tsgetsoutandmy
resul
tstoo.
Me:okay.
wecont
inuedt
otal
kthewhol
eni
ght
.

.
.
.
.

AWEEKLATER.

sotodayguyswe'
regoi
ngtoschoolt
ogetour
repor
ts!I
'
m soner
vousyouknowican'tt
hink
strai
ght
.yesterdayidi
dn'
tsl
eepawink..
.t
hankGod
toLwaziwhochat tedwit
hmeoverthephoneunti
li
feelasl
eep.wheniwokei nt
hemorningthecal
lwas
sti
llgoi
ngthrough.
Me:babyboo?
Lwazi
:Fi
nal
lysomeonei
sawake,
Goodmor
ningmy
l
ove.

hi
svoi
cei
ssodeepi
nthemor
ning.
Me:Mor
ningbaby,
howdi
dyousl
eep?
Lwazi
:isl
eptwel
lwena?
Me:isl
eptgood.
Lwazi
:st
il
lner
vous?
Me:yeah.
Lwazi:don'
twor r
ymyl ove,
you'
regoi
ngtomatri
c
nextyearibel
ieveinyou.wenavukaandtakea
showerubangeneuyeva?
inodded.
Lwazi
:haykal
okusi
s,ican'
tseeyou.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:ihearyou.
Lwazi
:okay,
haveagoodday,
Iloveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
ihungup.
.
"he'
ssuchagoodboyf
ri
end"

igotst
art
ledbyMom st
andi
ngatt
hedoor,
ismi
led.
Me:i
ndeed.
Mom:icametocheckonyousi
nceyouwer
e
r
est
lessi
zol
o.
Me:I
'
mjustner
vousI
'
llbef
ine.
shenodded.
Mom:getr
eadyandcomet
oeat
.Me:okay.
shewal
kedout
.
igotof
fthebedandmadei
tthenopenedt
he
cur
tai
ns.iheadt
othebathroom t
obrushmyt
eet
h
andwashedmyfacethentookashower.

aft
ergetti
ngreadyiheaddownst
air
s,si
ncei
couldn'
tstomachanythi
ngij
ustt
ookabananat
han
headout.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
EIGHT.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

Schoolwasful
lofpupi
lsstandingingr
oupsby
groupst
alki
ngandlaughi
ng, ot
herswerest
andi
ng
str
essedaboutt herepor
tandim oneofthem -I
'm
seatedinoneoft hebenchesatschoolbusywit
h
myphonet r
yingtopasstime.i
m sonervousican'
t
evenpr et
end!Lwaziwaskeepingmebusyby
chatti
ngwi t
hmebuthe' soff
li
nenowbecausehe
hadacl asstogot osoyeah...
we'vebeenheresince9am andi t
s11am nowbut
sti
llnot
hing!t
eachersst
il
lhasn'tsai
danythi
ngand
they'
remakingusmor enervous.

"Hl
alumiNkabi
nde"

Sai
dMabut
hot
aki
ngaseatnextt
ome.
Me:HiMabut
hoNdaba.
hechuckl
ed.
Mabut
ho:youseem ner
vous.
Me:iam ner
vousai
n'tyou?
Mabut
ho:i
m notbecauseiknowt
hatipassed.
Me:mhil
ikeyourconf
idence!
wel
aughed
Mabut
ho:what
'sgoi
ngbet
weenOmuandyou?
isi
ghed.
Me:l
ongst
oryandidon'
twannat
alkabouti
t.
henodded.
Mabut
ho:iunder
stand.

Justt
henthei
nter
com wenton,tel
li
ngusthatwe
shoul
dheadtoourcl
assessothatthet
eachers
coul
dgiveusourr
eport
swithoutanychaos.

Mabut
ho:l
et'
sgo.

west
oodupandheadt
ocl
ass.

°
°°°
LWAZI
NGCA.

iwaswit
hSongzi
nthecafet
eri
aaft
erourpaper,
wewerewri
ti
ngourl
astpaper
stodaysoyeah..
.
Myni ggalooksbett
ertoday,i
nfacthe'
sgood!i
don'tknowwhetherhe'sgoodforsureorhe's
pret
endingidon'tknow-thenifhe'
spretendi
ng
theni mustadmithecanactshame.
Me:bawo?
hel
ookedupf
rom hi
sphone.
Me:ur
ight
?
hechuckl
ed.
Songz:yeahboy,
im good.
Me:whathappenedtothemopingSongz?Ther
e
onewhowashavi ngpani
ckat
tacks?
hesmackedmyheadl
aughed.
Songz:pt
seksar ni,
ideci
dedtostopcryi
ngwhat'
s
done.ir
eali
zet hatOmuhlei
sn'
twor t
hmyt ear
sand
ti
mesoideci dedtobreakupwithherandmoveon.
inodded.
Me:t
hat
'st
hespi
ri
tboy,
im pr
oud.
Songz:sur
eta.
Justt
henmyphoner
ings,
it'
smybabyianswer
ed.
Me:baby?
shejustscr
eamedoutofthebl
ue,
iremovedt
he
phoneawayf r
om myear.
Me:haymanHlal
umiphambene?(nomanHl
alumi,
ar
eyoucrazy?
)
shel
aughed
Lumi
:im sor
rybaby,
imj
usthappyt
hat
'sal
l.
Me:ohw,
whatmadeyousohappymyl
ove?
Lumi
:wel
lipassedGr
ade11.
ismi
led.
Me:congrat
ulationsmyl
ove,i
m proudmanyou
know.youwor kedhardf
ort
hatandyoudeser
ve
thoser
esult
s.
Lumi
:thankyousomuchbaby.
Me:sur
ething,sowhatmustibuyf
oryou?asyour
gi
ftf
orpassing?
shegi
ggl
ed.
Lumi
:youdon'
thaveto,mypar ent
sal
readybought
methi
ngs,
justbr
ingyourhandsomeselfl
ateronto
seeme.
.imissyou.
ismi
led
Me:youmissmeoryoumi
ssseei
ngmyhead
bet
weenyourt
highs.
shekeptqui
et,
icanhearherbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
Lumi:Lwazidon'
tdothat,don'
tyoudar
etemptme!i
mightbreakmyvirgi
nit
ytonight
.
ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Me:i
mjoki
ngLumibaby.
Lumi:don'
tjokel
iket
hat
..anywaygot
tago,
ilove
you.
Me:il
oveyout
oo,
bye.
ihungup.
.
Songz:youandHl
alumimakest
hisl
ovet
hingl
ooks
easy.
iChuckl
ed.
Me:i
t'
seasymyman,
whenyoul
ovesomeonewho
l
oveyoutoo.
hesi
ghed.
Songz:hayi
m goodwi
thWomen.
il
aughed.
Me:don'
tgi
veyoumyni
gga.

°
°°°

HLALUMI.

Tosayim happywouldbeanunder st
atement,i
m
ecst
ati
c!!
!ican'
tbel
ievet
hatipassedmyGr ade,i
ts
tr
uewhent heysayhardworkpaysoff.imeanihad
sleepl
essnightst
udyingfortheseexamseven
thoughislackedonothersubject
sbutimadeit.
.im
satisf
iedwit
hmymar ks.i
m soproudofmysel
f
evenmypar entsare-theyli
ter
all
yboughtme
thingstocel
ebrat
ewithme.

Mydadboughtmeal aptop,somethi
ngI '
vealways
want ed.iwassohappyt ohaveitbecauseSakhi l
e
wasget t
ingtiredofborrowingmehi s.MyMom
boughtmemyf avouri
tesneakersthatiwassavi ng
moneyf orandsomehai rproductsformy
dreadlocksthenSandi l
eboughtmebooks, The
Harvar dwifebyBusi sekil
ekhumal oandThe
belovedMashengebyNel l
ypage.iwassohappyi
li
terall
yjumpedupanddownbecauseofj oy,I'
ve
alwayswant edthesebook.I '
vealwayspest er
ed
Mom t obuyt hem formebutsheneverdi dandnow
ihavet hem I'l
lsleeparoundmi dni
ght.ican'twaitt
o
readt hem .
Mybrot
herSakhil
eboughtmeasetofli
pgl
osses
andacol
ogne.itwasnicet
oseethatt
hey
appr
eci
atemyeffort
sandhardwork,i
m sograt
eful
tohavethem i
nmylif
e.wemayhaveour
dif
fer
encesbutI'
l
lal
wayshavetheirbesti
nterest
s
atheartevenmyhandsomeboyfr
iend.Lwazingca
Jola.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-
NINE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

OMUHLE.

"Whenam Iseei
ngyouagai
n?Imi
ssyou."i
smi
led.
Me:you'
regoi
ngtoseemesoon, i
m donewit
hmy
examsandyou'r
edonesowe'
llspendti
metoget
her
"
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:okayican'
twai
t.
.umhOmu?
Me:yes?
Sakhi
le:what
'sgoi
ngonbet
weenwenanomj
it
a
wakho?
isi
ghed.
Me:webr
okeup!
Sakhi
le:why?
If
rowned.
Me:whatdoyoumean"why? ",Sakhil
eyouandi
sl
epttoget
her
.youbrokemyvir
ginit
yremember?so
hefoundoutandbr
okeupwithme.
hechuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:poorguy.
.soHl
alumiyena?inol
ongersee
youathome.
Me:wef
oughtbecauseofyoursi
ster
'sbi
gmout
h!
Sakhi
le:whatdi
dshedo?
Me:shetoldLJaboutussl
eepi
ngt
oget
hert
henLJ
t
oldhisf
riend.
Sakhil
e:so?youdon'tar i
ghttobeupsetwith
Hlalumi,t
hetruthwasgoi ngtocomeoutevenif
Lumididn'tt
ellLwaziaboutthi
s..Songezowas
goingtofi
ndoutanyway.
isi
ghed.
Me:iguessyou'
rer
ight
.
Sakhil
e:l
ikehel
limright
,fixthi
sthi
ngwi
thmy
si
sterandstopbeingsel
f-center
ed.
t
henhehungup.
..

Yeahafterourf
ightwithHlal
umiatschoolinever
tal
kedtoheragain,Ij
ustsawar oundatschooland
pass.iwasveryangryatherforjudgingme!yesI
waswr ongtodouble-
crossSongzbutshedi dn'
t
havetotalkhi
sside.shewassupposedt osupport
me!im herBestfr
iendnothim butthenthings
changed.
iwon'
tli
eandsayidon'
tmi
ssherbecauseidover
y
much.iguessSakhileisrightIhavet otalkt
oher
aboutthi
sissue-i'
vetri
edt oapologiset oSongezo
buthedoesn'twannaheari t.heblockedme
everywher
eit'
soverbetweenus!ican' tcryt
o
anyonebecausethisisallmyf aul
t,nooneel ses.

soAround12pm iwentbackhomewi thmyrepor

t.i
passedver
ywell,myparentsaregoi
ngtobevery
happyaboutt
his!I
'vebeenstudyi
nghardf
orthi
s
exam andmyhardwor kpaysoff.
soiarr
ivedathome,Mom washomewat
chi
ngTV.
Dadisstil
latwor
k.
Me:hiMom.
isatdownnextt
oher.
Mom:heybaby,
yougotyourr
epor
t?
inodded.
Me:yes.
.her
eiti
s.
ihandedi
ttoher
,sheopenedandr
anhereyesal
l
overi
tandsmil
ed.
Mom:i
m sopr
oudofyoumybaby,
wel
ldone.
sheki
ssedmyf
oreheadandcheeks.
Mom:t
omor
rowwe'
regoi
ngShoppi
ng!
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:I
'
dlovet
oo.

°
°°°

HLALUMI.

yester
dayidi dn'
tsl
eep,I'
vebeenr eadi
ngthebooks
thatSandilegotmeandt hey'
reveryinter
esti
ngi fi
mustsay.isl eptar
ound3am ifimustsayandof
courseitwasn'tschoolanymore-Mom di dn'tshout
atmet ell
ingmet osleepit
'sschooltomorrow.

Thefol
lowi
ngmor ningiwokeandbathed,t
hen
woremyclothes.i
m goingt
othecafewithMom
again!Looksli
keim goi
ngt obet her
emostoft he
ti
mesi nceDecemberholidaysar ehere.soweat e
breakfastt
hendrovethere.Weopenedt hecafe
thenfixedchai
rsandwipedt ablesandal lt
hatst
uff
thencustomersstar
tedtoar r
ivebitbybittohave
breakfast.

Aroundmi ddayirecei
vedacal
lfr
om Omu.iwas
reall
yshockedwhenisawhernamef lashi
ngonmy
screenianswered.
Me:Omuhl
e.
Omu:Lumihey.
.howar
eyou?
Me:i
m goodt
hankshowar
eyou?
Omu:im okay,
canwemeett
omor
rowsot
hatwe
cant
alk?
Me:umh.
.
Omu:pleaseI
'
m beggi
ngyou,
iwon'
ttakemuchof
yourt
ime.
isi
ghed.
Me:okayshar
p.
ihungup.
.
iwonderwhatdoesshewantsnow,
ihopeshe
di
dn'ti
nvi
temeovertoinsul
tme.

i
m distur
bedf r
om mythoughtsbysomeloud
l
aughs.ilookedbythedoor-it
sLwaziandhi
s
fr
iendsthentheot
herone.it
'smyfir
stt
imeseeing
hi
m!myeyesmetLwazit henhewinked-ibl
ushed
l
ookingdown.
Theyf
oundt
het abl
eatt
hefarcor
nerandsatdown,
It
ookmynotebookandpenthenheadt
othetabl
e.
Me:Gooddaygent
lemen.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
At
hi:awMi
ssHl
alumi
,senqabe.
(you'
rescar
ce)
Me:i
m ar
ound,
sowhatcanigetyouguys?baby?
t
heyChuckl
ed.
Songz:awusozeubuzeubabyyedwatshi
.ingat
hi
kuzobhat
alayenaapha!
(nonever,
youcan'task
yourbabyonl
yli
kehe'
stheonet
hat
'sgoi
ngt
opay)
weal
llaughed,
whi
leLwazisul
ked.
Lwazi
:pt
sekwena!
Me:youror
der
sguys!youwannagetmef
ir
ed?
theysai
dthei
rorderswhi l
eiwrotethem downthen
headtotheki
tchen.afterawhil
etheiror
derwas
readysoiwenttogive.Nowt heylookedallser
ious.
Looksli
kewhatevertheyaretal
kingaboutis
seri
ous.

Soiputt
hef
oodont
het
abl
ethenheadbackt
o
wor
k.

Tobecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMI
.

Lwaziandhi sfri
endsst ayedatt hecafeti
llitwas
l
ate,t
heywer echat ti
ngandl aughing!theywer e
almostkickedoutbecauseofLi yabona'slaught er
i
t'st
ooloudbuthemanagedt ocomposehi msel f.i
spentmyl aught i
mewi t
hthem itwasact uallyfun
tobearoundt hem.idi scover
edt hattheguyI 've
neverseenisAt hi'
scousin-he'sher etovisitAthi
forDecemberhol idaysyouKnow.

Around5pm theguyswantedtodepartsoLwazi
askedtotal
ktomebef orehegoes.soimethi
m
outsi
de.hedidn'
tevental
khejustatt
ackedmewith
akissthatl
eftmedizzyandpanti
ng.
Me:whatwast
hatabout
?
Lwazi
:imi
ssedyou.
ismi
led.
Me:imi
ssedyout
oo.
.soaboutt
hathol
idayyou
wer
etal
king.
Lwazi
:sowhatar
eyousayi
ng?
Me:i
m goi
ngwi
thyou.
hesmi
ledandki
ssedme.
Lwazi
:that
'sawesomenews,ar
eyousuret
hough?i
don'
twannagetyouint
roubl
eli
kethel
astt
ime.
CapeTownt hi
ngy?
isi
ghed.
Me:don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat,
ijustwannaenj
oyour
t
imetoget
her
.
Lwazi:sinceyourpar
ent
sarest
ri
ct,
we'r
egoi
ng
ther
ef oraweekendthenwecomeback.
igr
oaned.
Me:par
ent
scanbevagi
na-
blocker
s!
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
event
ear
swer
efal
li
ngf
rom
hi
seyes.iendedupl
aughi
ngt
oo.
Lwazi
:hayboLumiawhat
?
Il
aughed.
Me:vagina-
blocker
s!imeanyouguyssaycock-
bl
ockersandmnai sayvagi
na-
blocker
s.
Lwazi
:hayno,
areyousur
ethatyou'
revi
rgi
n?
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:ofcour
sei
m not
.
hest
oppedl
aughi
ngi
mmedi
atel
y.
Lwazi
:haypt
sek.
igi
ggl
edandkissedhi
sli
ps.hegr
abbedmybut
t
andsqueezedi
t.
Me:ha.
amanLwazi,
yourf
ri
endsar
ewai
ti
ngf
or
you.
Lwazi
:thatcari
smi
ne,
sot
hey'
regoi
ngt
owai
tfor
me.
Me:t
sicarowner
smadoda!
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi
:fuckyou!
Me:i
ttakest
wot
ofuck,
wannaj
oinme?
isai
dgrabbi
nghisdick,hel
ookedshockedbywhat
Iwasdoing.I
'm shockedmysel
f!hegr
oanedsof
tl
y.
Lwazi(breat
hingheavi
ly)
:Lumi st
opwhatyou'
re
doi
ng..youwon'tbeabletostandit.
il
eanedcl
osert
ohi
searandwhi
sper
ed.
Me:wannat
ryme?
outofnowhere,Lwazipi
nnedmeagai nthewal
l
wit
hmyhandsabovemyheadandki ssedme
hungri
ly.whi
lehisot
herhandsqueezingmyboob.
Thehootfrom t
hecarwentonbutwei gnor
edi
tand
focusedonthemoment .wegotst
art
ledby
someonecleari
ngthei
rthroat
,wetur
nedit'
smy
mom.
shi
t.
.
iqui
ckl
ypushedLwazif
rom meandf
ixedmysel
f.
Mom:yourf
ri
endswant
stogohomeJol
a.
Lwazicl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat.
Lwazi
:okayMa,
I'
llbeonmyway.
hekissedmyf oreheadandwalkedaway.doeshe
st
il
lhavetimet obeaffect
ionat
eint
heawkwar d
momentl i
kethis.
Guyshowdoyoubehavewhenyougotburst
edby
yourmot
hersmoot
chingyourboyf
ri
end?Mom i
s
makingt
hingsmor
eawkwar dbyst
arri
ngatme.
Mom:l
et'
sgohome.
inoddedandwalkedshamelessl
ybehi
ndhert
othe
car.wegoti
nsi
deanddr oveoff.

wear ri
vedathome, igotoutt
hecarandr an
strai
ghtthehousethenheadtomyr oom.im so
embar r
assedidon'twannaeveneatdinner!ican'
t
facemyMom af terwhatshesaw.
.
.
.
THEFOLLOWI
NGMORNI
NG.

iwokeupandwashedmyf acethenbrushedmy
teet
h.iworemysleepersandheaddownst air
sin
mypyj amas!whenigotthere-everyonewas
seatedonthedini
ngtabl
eeat i
ng.igreetedthensat
down.
Dad:youdi
dn'
tcomedownf
ordi
nnerpr
incess.
Me:iwasn'
tfeel
ingwel
ldaddy.
Dad:ar
eyouf
inenow?
inodded.
Dad:okay.
idi
shedupf ormyselfandat
emyf oodwhil
ebusy
wit
hmyphoneont hesideavoi
dingawkward
momentswi thMom.af t
erwefi
nishedbr
eakfasti
washedthedishesthenwheniwasabouttowal k
uptothestair
caseMom call
edoutforme.
Mom:heyVagina-
blockers, goandtakeashower
qui
ckl
yineedyoutoqui cklygotothephar
macyfor
me.ineedsomepainkil
lers.
ialmostchokedonmysal
iva!Howdi
dshehear
d
theword?ohmygodness.
Me:OkayMa.
iquickl
yr antomyr oom andt
ookashowerand
wor emycl othesandtookmybagthenhead
downst ai
rsagain.Mom gavememoneyt obuy
painkil
ler
st henJoetookmetothemall
.

iar
ri
vedatCavandishmallandheadstr
aighttot
he
phar
macy-iboughtt hepi
ll
sthenheadstrai
ghtt
o
McDonald'
stowaitforOmu.Whilstwai
ti
ngicall
ed
Lwaziheanswer
ed.
Lwazi
:Mi
ssVagi
na-
blocker
s.
hesai
dlaughi
ng,
ilaughedt
oo.
Me:babycanyoubel
ievet
hatMom heardt
hat
nameandcall
edmebyi tt
hismor
ning?
Lwazi
:what
?
hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Me:haysuhl
ekaLwazi
ngcakubi
.(nodon'
tlaugh
Lwazi
ngca,
thi
sisbad)
Lwazi:yourMom isSavageman!shedi dn'
teven
reactaft
erseei
nguskissing.i
fitwasmymom
she'dbescreamingherlungsoutcal
li
ngJesus.
il
aughed.
Me:yourMom i
sdr
amat
icmos.
Lwazi
:jonga!
wel
aughed.
Lwazi
:anywayshowar
eyoumnt
uwam?
Me:i
m goodbaby.
.howar
eyou?
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:af
tert
hatper
for
manceyoudi
dyest
erday?i
sur
elysleptwel
l.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:Lwazidon'
tst
art
.
Lwazi
:why?iwastotal
lytur
nedon!youneedt
o
unl
easht
hatsidebabyiloveit
..
Me:st
opi
tman.
hel
aughed.
Lwazi
:okayt
hen,
wher
ear
eyou?
Me:atMcDonal d'
s,meeti
ngupwi t
hOmu.
apparent
lyshewantstoapologi
se!doyout hi
nkI
'
m
makingar i
ghtchoi
ceaft
erthewayshei nsult
edme?
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi:yazsthandwasam t hisgoodheartofyour s
willbeyourdownfalloneday.otherpeopleloveto
takeadvantageofpeopl e'
sgoodhear t
syouKnow. .
butont hi
sitsOmuhl e.yourchi
ldhoodbestfriend,
youknowhermor ethananyoneel sesoit'
syour
choicetomake.I'l
lsupportyout oever
ythi
ngyoudo
okay?
isi
ghed,
isawOmuhl
eappr
oachi
ng.
Me:okay,
her
eshecomes.
.tal
klat
er.il
oveyou
Lwazi
:al
ri
ght
..il
oveyout
oo.
ihungup.
.
Omuhl
efi
nal
lyr
eachedt
het
abl
eandsatdown.
Omu:Lover
.
shesai
dsmi
li
ng.
Me:hiOmu.
.howar
eyou?
Omu:i
m okay,
howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
shenodded.
Me:sowhyam ihere?becauseyoumadeitcl
ear
thatimustl
eaveyoual
oneandnevert
alkedtoyou
again.
shesi
ghed.
Omu:Loveri
..
Me:Hlal
umiisthename,onl
ymybestfri
endused
t
ocallmethatbutshedeci
dedtochangetowar
ds
mesopleasedon'tcal
lmethat
.
shesi
ghedagai
nwi
tht
ear
swel
li
ngupi
nhereyes.
Omu:Hlal
umiiunder
standthatyou'
remadatme
andi
m sorr
yit
'sal
lmyf aul
t.
Me:Omuhl ei
m notmadaboutyoubr okeyour
vi
rgi
nit
y..nothat
'snoneofmybusiness.whatyou
dowithyourbodydoesn'
tconcer
nme.t heonly
thi
ngt hati m madabouti sthatf i
r stl
yyoudi dn'ttell
mef ulldet ai
lsaboutyoubr eakingyourvi r
ginity..
hereit houghtt hatbestf r
iendst elleachot her
ever ythingbutnotonyou.secondl yyoudi dn' twant
tot ellmet heguy' snamet hatbr okeyourvi rginity
thenf our thlyyoumademet ojeopar dizemy
boyf ri
end' sfr i
endshipbyhi dingt hisissuef rom his
bestf riendwhol ovedyouver ymuchbutyout ook
hisl ovef orgr anted.andlastlyyoui nsultedme,
callingmeal lsortsofnames!Cal lingmeaf ake
Friendwhi chyou' r
etheonewho' saf akefriendt hen
youexpectmet of or
giveyou?Butwor rynotmy
l
oveidon' thol dgrudgest othoseIl oveandif orgive
youbutidon' tthi
nkwe' l
lbethesameagai n. .bye
Omuhl e.
bytheti
meif i
nishedt
alki
ngshewascrying
hyst
eri
call
y.ij
usttookmyt hi
ngsandheadout
.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
itrul
ylovethewayLumii ssocomf ort
ablewit
hme,
shelit
erall
ydowhat evershewant sinfr
ontofme
butthereisti
mewher eshewoul dbeshyandal l
that,
that'
swhatmakesmel ovehermor e.Whatshe
didyesterdayshockedmet othecore!idi
dn'
tknow
thatmyshygi rl
fri
endhast hatsideofheranditrul
y
loveit
..shewast otall
yfli
rti
ngandseduci ngme
imagine!thewholeshyHl alumiNkabindeseduci
ng
someone?Ncml s.
Buthermot hercaughtus!suchaawkwar dmoment
ever, idi
dn'tevenknowwhatt odoatt hatti
memy
mi ndt ot
all
ywentbl ank.shewassocal m and
Savagel i
keshedi dn'tcaughtherdaught erkissi
ng
anot hergender.ifitwasanot herXhosamot herit
wasgoi ngtobeabi gdr amatict
hingandcal lsa
fami l
ymeet i
ngforjustki ssi
ngaboy?l ikeshenever
kissedone.f orexampl emymom -yhot hatwoman
woul d'vecall
edoMal umenoMakazi tocomeand
prayf ormesot hat-thisdemonr esi
dingonmecan
ber emoved.t hat'
showdr amati
cmymom canbe
butil ovehernonet heless.
t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
48] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

SEASONFI
NALE.

CHAPTEREI
GHTY-ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

i
tsfinal
izedt hatnextweekLumiandiar edeparti
ng,
we'r
egoi ngonaweekendawayt oJohannesbur
g
morel i
keabaecat ionwithmybabe!t hegoals
uyeva?.im soexcitedyouknow. .itr
emindsmehow
amazingi twast osleepnexttoherincapeTown.
howshesl eptBeautif
ulontopofmewi thmyar ms
wrappedaroundhernotsothickbody-ourwarm
bodiespr
essedtoget
her!herBeauti
fult
it
iesagai
nst
mychest..
.Lord!
!

ididn'
treallyenjoyourti
met oget
herinCapetown
sinceiwast her
efordeejayi
ngallni
ghtbutt
histime
around?i t
'sourtime,nodeejayi
ngthi
ngsandal l
that,j
ustmeandmygi rl
fri
endenjoyi
ngourli
ttl
e
heavent ogether.

ialsoinformedmypar entsthatim goingawayf ora

weekendbuti didn'ttel
lthem thatim goingwith
Hlalumiijusttoldthem t hatim goi
ngwi ththe"
Gent s"andt heyagr eed.it
snotl i
ketheyhada
choice!I'
mf ucken20year soldgoi ngto21soican
dowhat everiwantwheniwantsoi t
sstressfree.
.
butim wor ri
edaboutmygi r
lfr
iend.whatl i
eisshe
goingtospi ntoherpar ent
saboutgoi ng
somewher efortheweekend?ihaven' taskedher
whatshe' sgoingt odobutIt r
usther.
Anywayt odayi m goingoutwiththegent s,goingto
aclubtobeexact ..we'repract
icall
ydoi ng"pens
down"yaseVar sityyouknow.ial readycalledmy
babyandt ol
dhert hati
m goingoutwi t
hthegent s
soifshecallsmeiwon' tbeavailablesoshesai d
i
t'
sokayandgavemeapept al
k"don' tdr
inkand
dri
ve"butit ookherwar ningsseriouslybecausei
don'tt
rustcar st
hatmuchnowspeci al
lyi
fim drunk
soUberi ti
st hen.

Around7pm wear ri
vedattheSpotli
ghtclub.itwas
full
,ful
lofgir
lst
obespecificbutim notherefor
that.sowemadeourwayt otheVIPsect i
onthen
wesatdownandboughtal lsor
tsofalcohol.also
hookahpi peswereher
e-itwasl i
t.

°
°°

HLALUMI.
Lwazitoldmet hatNextweekwe' r
egoing.i m so
exci
tedican'tevencont ai
nmyexci tement !butsti
ll
don'
thaveal ie.
.idon'tknowwhati m goingt otel
l
mypar entsbutI'
llt
hinkofapl anrealquickbef or
e
nextweekcomes.andihavet omakesur ethatmy
l
ieconvinceeveryonespeci all
ymydadbecausehe
doesn'
treall
yt r
ustmebutI 'llsurel
yt hi
nkof
something.

Lwazingcat oldmet hathe' sgoingoutwithhi

s
fri
endstonight,they'r
egoi ngtosomecl ubidon'
t
knowbutihopet hey'
llbesafe.andt heywon'
tdr
ink
anddr i
ve!itrustLwaziandLi yabonatobe
responsibleevent houghhesai dsomethi
ngabout
Uberbutt henyoucan' tt
rustdrunkards.
Mom andicookeddi nnerwhileThandi
swa-
Ingomawasplayi
ngi nt hebackgr
oundtosett
he
mood.Mom wast alkingoverthephonewit
hher
sist
erwhi
leI
'm watchi ngthepot
sandreadi
ngmy
book.
Shefini
shedtalki
ngwit
hAuntont
hephonecal
l
thendroppedthecal
l.
Me:Ma?
shel
ookedatme.
Mom:mh?
ibi
tmyl
owerl
ipt
ryi
ngt
othi
nkofaqui
ckl
ie.
Me:nextweekFr
iday,we'
rehavingasleepoverat
Omu'shousewit
ht hegir
ls.
..canigo?
Mom:di
dVuyel
waagr
eedt
othi
s?
inodded.
Me:yes.
.Omuhl
etal
kedt
oher
.
Mom:you'regoi
ngt
obet
her
efort
hewhol
e
weekend?
Me:yes.
.pl
easet
alkt
oDadf
orme.
Mom:okay,
I'
llt
alkt
oyourdad.
hesmi
led.
Me:t
hankyouMa.
sheki
ssedmycheekt
henwecont
inuedwi
tht
he
pot
s.

Aft
erdinnerSakhil
eandiwashedt
hedi
sheswhi
le
Sandi
leandPar ent
swenttosl
eep.
Sakhi
le:ihaven'
tseenOmui
nawhi
le.
.wher
eisshe?
Me:atherhome.
Sakhi
le:i
sever
ythi
ngokaybet
weent
het
woofyou.
Me:yeah.
.
hescof
fed.
Sakhi
le:you'
rel
yingLumi
..haveyouf
orgot
tent
hati
knowyou?
isi
ghed.
Me:idon'
twannat
alkabouti
t.
henodded.
Sakhi
le:al
ri
ght
.

Aft
erwashi
ngthedishesiheadstr
aightupst
air
s
andgotUnder
cover
sandsl ept.
Tobecont
inued..
.
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

SEASONFI
NALE.

CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Aroundmi dni
ghtim wokenupbymyvi brat
ing
phoneunderthepi l
low,isneakedmyhandunder
thepil
lowandt ookitout.i
tsLwazi
ngcacal
lingmei
answer ed.
Me:Lwazi
ngca?
ihear
dthemusi
cpl
ayi
ngi
nthebackgr
oundt
henhe
sangal
ongt
othesong.
Lwazi
:"sot
handwenil
a,bonangi
yehl
anyuka.
ngi
funawena,
bonawenawedwa.
sot
handwenil
a,bonangi
yehl
anyuka.
ngi
funawena,
bonawenawedwa.
babyngi
semat
handweni
,babyngi
semat
handweni
.
babyngi
semat
handweni
,babyngi
semat
handweni
."
t
henhewhi
stl
edt
othebeat
.
igi
ggl
ed,
he'
ssodr
unk.
Me:Lwazi
?
Lwazi
:yho,
didiwakeyouup?
ir
oll
edmysl
eepyeyes.
Me:hehake,buli
ndelenton?i
tspastmi
dnightf
or
heaven'
ssake..ofcourseiwoul
dbeasleep!
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi
:uxol
okal
okust
handwayi
ninah?
icl
ickedmyt
onguet
hensmi
led.
Lwazi
:ar
eyoumadst handwasam?heee
mankabi
nde.
.st
handwaskaLwazi,
soulmat
e,t
he
l
oveofmylif
e?cher
ram dedwa?
il
aughed.
Me:Lwazi
ngcayou'
resodr
unk!
hel
aughedt
oo.
Me:ithoughtyousai
dyouwon'
tbeavai
labl
enj
e
butyou'
redrunk-
cal
li
ngme.
Lwazi
:nangokunjeQhaimi
ssedyou.
.am iwr
ong
formi
ssi
ngisthandwasam?
ibl
ushed.
Me(
smi
li
ng)
:noyou'
renot
.
Lwazi
:mh.
.sl
eept
henI
'
llcal
lyout
omor
row,
ilove
you.
Me:il
oveyout
oo,
enj
oy.
Lwazi
:okaybye.
.
hehungup.
.
igi
ggl
edshaki
ngmyheadt
henwentbackt
osl
eep.
.
.
.

THENEXTMORNI
NG.

Thefoll
owingmor ningiwokeupwi t
hat er
ri
ble
headachewhichidon' twhereit
'scomingfrom.iti
s
thr
obbingpainfull
y. .igotof
fthebedandt ooksome
headachepil
lsf r
om t hecabinetthenheadtothe
bathr
oom!ithr ewt hepi l
lonmymout hthendrink
wit
hwat eri
nt hesi nk.
ial
sobr ushedmyt eeththenwashedmyf aceand
appli
edmyf ace-cr
eam , iheadbackt ot hebedroom
andmadet hebed.openedt hecurtains!itookoff
mypyj amasandwor emyl eggingsandvestt hen
headdownst airsbare-footed.igotthereMom was
seatedont hebarst oolwithal apt
opandcup
inf
rontofher .
Me:Goodmor
ningMa.
shel
ookedupatme.
Mom:Mor
ningbaby.
.ar
eyouokay?
inodded.
Me:j
ustheadacheI
'
llbef
ine.
Mom:di
dyoudr
inksomepi
ll
s?
Me:yes.
Mom:okay,
takeaseatI
'
llmakeyousomet
hingt
o
eat
.
ismi
led.
Me:t
hankyou.
isatdownandwat chedherassheprepar
ed
breakfastf
orme, aft
ershe'
sdone-shehandedi
tto
met henithankedherandate.
Mom:ital
kedtoyourdadaboutt
hesl
eepover
t
hingy,
heagreed.
ismi
led.
Me:enkosiMama.
Mom:don'
tsweati
tmybaby.
icont
inuedt
oeat
.

Aftereati
ngirinsedtheplat
ethenheadt otheli
ving
towat chsomeser iessi
nceim sobored,iwentto
poursomei cecr eam f
ormewhi l
ethemovi eisstil
l
start
ingthenheadbackt otheli
vingroom andsat
downont hecouchcoveringmyselfwithathrow.

Whent hetimehit
s3pm im ona5thmovieri
ghtnow,
i
m al laloneint
hehouseidon'tknowwhere
everyonei s.Mom l
eft2hoursagosayi
ngshe's
goingt othecafe.
itookoutmyphonesinceiwant edtocal
lOmuand
askedhersomefavour,ipausedthemovieand
call
edher,
sheansweredonasecondr i
ng.
Omu:Hl
alumihey.
Me:hiOmuhl
e..howar
eyou?
Omu:i
m goodt
hanks,
howar
eyou?
Me:I
mfi
ne.
.umhcaniaskyouaf
avour
?
Omu:yeahsur
e.
Me:umhthet
hingi
sNextweek,Lwazi
ngcaandi
ar
egoingonaweekendawaytoJobur
g..soineed-
Omu:needmet
ocoverupf
oryou?wowHl
alumi
.
isi
ghed.
Me:OmuiKnowwe' r
enotongoodt
ermsr
ightnow
buti
m desper
ate!
shesi
ghed.
Omu:doyouunder
standthati
foneofyourf
amily
memberscometol
ookf oryouher
ewe'r
ebusted?
Me:iKnowandt
hisi
sar
iski
m wi
ll
ingt
otake.
Omu:Hlal
uyouloveplayi
ngwi
thf
ir
eyaz,
because
t
hiswi
llsur
elybackf
ir
es.
Me:Omuhlest
opwitht
hel
ect
uri
ngpl
ease.
.ar
eyou
goi
ngtohelpmeornot
?
shesi
ghed.
Omu:you'
reluckyt
hatI '
m st
il
ltr
yingtogeti
ntoyour
goodbooksagainbecauseifIwasnotyou'r
ewe
goi
ngtobealoneinthis.
.soyeahI '
l
lhel
pyou.
isi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
Me:t
hankyousoOmuhl
e.
Omu:sur
e.
shehungup.
igetofff
rom thecouchandscreamedj umpingup
anddown.it ookmyphoneanddi al
ledLwazingca
butitwentstrai
ghtt
ovoicemai
lsoil ef
titl
iket
hat
andcontinuedtowatchTV.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

yesterdaywasli
tinthatclub!ihaven'
thadsomuch
funinawhi l
e.yest
erdaywecamebackhome
Around3am inthemor ningdrunkashell.Thankst
o
Liyabonawhowassoberenought odropeachand
everyoneathishomesaf eandsound.
Thi
smor
ningiwokeupwi
thabangi
ngheadache
andadr ythroat.
.itwasactuallyhardt ogetof fthe
bed.eventor ai
semyheadf rom thepi ll
owwashar d,
i
t'
slikemyheadwasgoi ngtospl i
tinhal f
..after
eff
ectsofalcoholcanbeshi tatt i
mes.asheavymy
bodywasif orcedmysel ft
ogetof fthebedand
headtothebat hroom -iwashedmyf acewi thcold
wateranddr unksomet henbr ushedmyt eeth.i
headbackt othebedandgotUnder cover sthen
sl
eptagain..Hangoveristheshi titellyou.
.
.
.

FEW DAYSLATER.

"youwi
llf
indmeout
sideOmu'
shouse."
sai
dLumiovert
hephone.
Me:okay,
im onmyway.
.gi
veme10mi
nut
esI
'
llbe
t
here.
Lumi
:okay.
ihungup.
.
Sot oday, Lumiandiar egoingtoJohannesbur g.
havingar oadtri
p!its9am Fri
dayMor ning.
Yesterdaywewentt othemalltobuysomet hings
thatwe'llneedf orthetri
pandsomesnacksf orthe
roadthenwewer egoodt ogo,im soexcitediwon't
l
ie!ican'twai ttowakeupnextt omybabe.Wakeup
toherBeaut i
fulfaceyouknow.ial r
eadyf eeli
tthat
we'regoi ngtohavet hebestofourlives.

SoiarrivedatOmu'sst r
eetisawLumist anding
outsi
dehergat ewit
habagi nherarms.Omui s
standi
ngnextt ohertappingonherphone.Mybaby
l
ooksgor geousinthatblackjean,awhit
eturtle
neckandsomebomberj acketthenanankleboots.
herdreadlocksareneatlyti
edthensomebl ackhair
bandon-she' sbeautif
ul.

ihoot
edthent
heylookedmyway,Lumihugged
Omuhleandwalkedtowar
dst
hecar,sheopened
thedoorandgoti
nsi
det
henputherbagi
nthe
backseat
.
Me:Mol
obaby.
Lumi
:hil
ove.
t
henweki
ssed.
Me:t
hisi
sit?
shenodded.
Lumi
:yes.
iki
ssedheronemor
ethenst
art
edt
hecaranddr
ove
off
.

Tobecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.

CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
THREE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

ileftathomei ntheearlyhoursofthemorningto"
sortoutt hingsforthesleepover"andmom
under stood.soipackedmybag. .I
'vepacked
ever yt
hingt hatIthi
nkI'
llneedtheniwenttoOmu's
houset owai tf
orLwazit ocomeandgetme!iwas
veryHappyandner vousatt hesametime.I'
vedone
thisbeforebutican' tgetusedtoit.

SoLwazicamet ogetmet henibidgoodbyesto

Omut henwedeparted-wewer egoingtotakea
roadtr
ipagai
nlikethel
asttime!Westart
edatt he
Garagetogetenoughpetr
olandsomesnackst o
bingeontheway.Lwazicoll
ectedaniceplayl
istt
o
playontheway.

Thedr
ivewascomf
ort
abl
eandenj
oyabl
e..
.wewer
e
havingaf ullbl
astconver sati
onwhi l
emusi cis
playingint hebackgr ound, Lwaziwashol di
ngmy
handal lthewaywhi l
edrivingwiththeotherone-
hewasl it
erallykissingmyhandher eandt here!i
t
wasj ustcut etobehonest .im sogreatf
ult ohavea
boyf r
iendl i
kehi m, whodoesn' tfor
cethingsor
makesmedot hingst hatim notactual
ly
comf ortablewi th.het rul
ylovesme!hepr oveditto
mesever altimesandidon' tevendoubtwhenhe
tell
smet hathe' sinlovewi thmebecausehi s
actionsspeaksvol umef orhim.

ijustwishourpar entscoul dacceptthef actthatwe

loveeachotherandwedon' thaveanyintent i
onsof
breaki
ngup..nomat t
erhowhar dtheycoul dtry,our
loveconquersever ythingorever yobstaclethat
comesourway.il ookedathi m ashe'sfocusedon
theroadhummi ngt othebeatofSam Smi th'
s"baby
youmakemecr azy" .ican'tbeli
evethatthiswhol e
handsomenessi smi neal one,idon'
tshar eitwit
h
anyone.ican'
tbel ievet hathelovesmet hismuch
andi l
ovehimt oo.
helookssexywhi l
ehe'sf ocused, hi
sl owerlipis
tuckedbet
weenhi steeth.ididn'tevennot i
cethat
hehasanewhai rcut.
.hel ooksdead- dr op
handsomewi t
hhi slowf adecut !ididn'teven
complimenthi
m iwassost uckupont hefactthat
i
m goingtoJohannesbur gforthef i
rstt i
meont he
baecati
onwiththeloveofmyl ife.
Lwazi
(smi
li
ng)
:whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
?
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:ndakt
handaLwazi
ngca,
ireal
lydo.
.thankyou
f
orbeingwit
hmeandlovedme.
hesmi
ledr
eli
evi
nghi
sBeaut
if
ult
eet
h.
Lwazi:youmakei teasyf
ormetoloveyou
sthandwasam, i
tshardnott
oloveyou..i
m gladt
o
havesuchagor geousandamat ur
ed,bri
ll
iant
gi
r l
fr
iendlikeyou!youmakemepr oudtobeyour
man.Il oveyoutoobaby.
ihatebei
ngacrybabybecausei
m alr
eadycr
ying
ri
ghtnow,Lwazi
ngcaissuchagent
leman.il
ove
him somuch.
it
ookhi
sfreehandi
t.hechangedthesongt
oEl
vis
Pr
esl
ey-ican'
thel
pfall
ingi
nlove.

West oppedatsomegar agesothatwecould

rel
easeourselvesthenweboughtsomepi esand
dri
nks,whenwewer eaboutt
odriveoutmyphone
ri
ngsit'
smymot her
..myheartst
artst
obeatfast
.
Lwazi
:whoi
sit
?
Me:mymot
her
.
Lwazi
:answeri
tkal
okubabyandbecool
ungaj
ampisi
.
iexhal
edandnoddedt
henianswer
edt
hecal
l.
Me:Mama?
Mom:hibaby.
.ur
ight
?
Me:I
'
m goodMom wena?
Mom:I
'
m okay.
.how'
sever
ythi
nggoi
ng.
Me:ever
ythi
ngi
sgoodMa,
we'
reenj
oyi
ngour
sel
ves.
Mom:oht
hat
'sgoodt
hen.
.iwant
edt
ogi
veyou
guyssomecakeibakedsocanicome?

What
?noshecan'
tdot
hat
..

Me:umh..Mom thatwon'
tbenecessar
ywehave
ever
ythi
ngthatweneed,sot
hanksforthecakebut
wehaveit.
Mom:ohw.
.
shesoundeddi
sappoi
nted.
Me:don'
twor
ryMa,
I'
lleati
twhenicomeback.
Mom:okayt
henenj
oy.
.Il
oveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
.bye.
Mom:byebaby.
ihungup.
.
iexhal
edandl
ookedatLwaziwhowasl
aughi
ng
sil
entl
y.
Me:t
hatwascl
ose.
Lwazi
:ser
vesyour
ightf
orr
unni
ngawaywi
thaman
t
oabaecat
ion!
Me:mxm!
t
henweburstoutl
aughi
ng,Lwazist
art
edt
hecar
t
henweconti
nuedwithoutt
ri
p.

imust'vefal
lenasleepbecauseiwaswokenby
Lwazisayingt hatwe'
vearr
ived,i
twasalr
eadydark
andthelight
smadeabeaut if
ulvi
ew.isatup
str
aightandr ubbedmyeyesget t
ingr
idofthesl
eep.
Lwazi
:we'
reher
e.
ismi
led.
Me:i
t'
sbeaut
if
ul.
heki
ssedmyl
ips.
Lwazi
:let
'sgo.
wegotoutt hecarwi t
hourbags.wewer eoutsi
dea
hotel-Raddi
sonbl uGaut r
ainhotelinSandton!i
don'tknowhowLwaziaf f
ordedthisbecauseit
l
ooksexpensi ve..anywayswehadi nsi
de,Lwazi
tal
kedt othereceptioni
stthenshegaveusourcar d
t
henweheadt
oourr
oom.

Theroom wasspaci
ousandverybeaut i
ful
,the
beddi
ngwaspur ewhi
teandallt
hat.Itwasver y
beaut
if
ulmannottoment i
onthebathroom.weput
ourbagsi
ntheirpl
acethenLwazihuggedmef r
om
behi
ndandkissedmyneck.
Lwazi
:ar
eyougood?
inodded.
Me:i
m sti
llamazedbyt
hebeaut
yoft
hispl
ace.
.
howdidyouaffor
dit
?
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi
:asknoquest
ions,
tel
lnol
ie.
Me:yho.
hel
aughedandki
ssedme.

Lwazipreparedabathf orbot
hofus, webothgot
i
nsidethebat hnakedwi t
hmeagai nsthi
schest
.he
waserected.icouldfeelhist
hingonmybackbuti
i
gnorediteventhoughitwashar d.af
terwefi
nished
bathi
ngwewi pedourselves,
loti
onedthenworemy
pyj
amasbutMrJol agotUndercoversinhi
s
underwear-webothgotUnder coversandcuddled.
Lwazi
:ar
eyounothungr
y?
Me:Nobaby,
im st
il
lfi
ne.
henoddedandki
ssedmyf
orehead.
wefelli
ntoacomfort
abl
esilence,
myheadonhi
s
chestli
steni
ngt
ohissoot
hingheartbeat
.
Lwazi
:il
oveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
.
.
.

Thefol
lowi
ngmorni
ngi m wokenupbyLwazi
ngca
ki
ssi
ngmyl i
pssl
owly,imoanedsoft
lyandpushed
hi
sfaceawayfr
om mine.hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi
:wakeupbaby.
iopenedmyeyesslowly,hi
sfacewasinf
rontof
mi ne.
.hewaskneel
ingdownnexttothebedwitha
plateoffoodi
nhishandsismil
edsit
ti
ngupstraight
.
Me:Mor
ningbaby.
Lwazi:Goodmorningsthandwasam,ior
der
ed
room ser
vicef
orus..goandbrushyourt
eet
hso
thatyoucaneat.
hesmi ledandpeckedhi sli
ps,he'
ssuchaboyf r
iend
goals.igotoffthebedandheadt othebathroom,i
washedmyf aceandbr ushedmyt eet
h.iheadback
tothebedroom , Lwazihandedmet heplat
ei
thankedhimt heniate.
Me:ut
yil
ewena?(haveyoueat
en?
)
henodded.
Me:hayi
na.(no,
her
e)
ishoveapi
eceofbaconi
nhi
smout
h,hel
aughed
whil
echewi
ng.
Lwazi
:enkosivha?
inodded.
hekissedmyli
pst
hendi
sappear
edt
othebat
hroom,
iconti
nuedt
oeat.

Afteri
m doneeati
ng,someonecamet otakethe
utensi
lsthenwetookashowertogether,Lwaziwas
beingtouchyf
eelyasalwaysbutil
ikedit.we
fi
nishedshoweri
ngthenwewor eourclothes.
Me:wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Lwazi
:you'
l
lsee,
masambe.
Me:hayt
ellme.
Lwazi
:No,
let
'sgowe'
rer
unni
ngl
ate.
Me:mxm!
isul
ked,hel
aughedthenki
ssedmyf
orehead,
nose,
cheekthenmymouth.
if
inal
lyagr
eedt
ogot
henwel
eft.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

SEASONFI
NALE.

CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

wakingupcoopedi ntothearmsoft heloveofyour

l
ifeisthebestf eel
ingever,havingthefeelthe
warmthoft heirskinpressedagainstyour s.being
withLumiher eisapi eceofmi nd..wakingupt oher
Beauti
fulfaceitsabonus!sot odaywewer egoi ng
totakeatourar oundJohannesbur g,j
ustgetti
ngt o
knowt heplacef ortheweekend.itsjustsadt hat
thi
splacedoesn' thaveaseabutnonet helessit's
fi
ne.
Wet ookashowert ogetherandgotr eadytoleave,
wegoti nsidethecarthenwedr ovetotheMal lof
Afri
ca.Mybabywassof asci
natedandexci tedto
beher eyoucouldjustseeitinherfaceshe'shappy
andt hatmakesmehappyt oo..Lumi'sHappinessis
veryi mportanttome!youknowt hesaying"a
happywi fe,awar m home"sof orit
sa"happy
gir
lfriend,Happyrelati
onshi
p".sowear ri
vedatt he
Mal landpar kedthecarthenwewal kedar ound
holdinghands.
Lumi:t
hispl
acei
sbeaut
if
ul.
.thankyouf
ort
his
baby.
ismi
ledandki
ssedhercut
esmal
lhand.
Me:I
'
lldoanyt
hingt
omakeyouhappyst
handwa
sam.
Lumi
:iappr
eci
atet
hat
.
wef el
lintocomfort
ablesi
lencewhil
ewi ndow-
shopping.iwaslit
eral
lycounti
ngminutesbecausei
plannedacandle-l
itdi
nnerbackatthehotelsoby
5pm we' r
esupposedtobebackt her
e.Lumibought
2neckl
aces.onei
sforme,
onei
sforher
.
Me:t
hankyoubaby.
isai
dandki
ssedherl
ips.shesmi
led.
Justt
henherphoner
ings,
shef
rowned.
Lumi
:it
sOmu.
sheanswer
ed.

icont
inuedt
owindow-shoppedwhi
leshe'
stal
king
overt
hephone,gi
ggl
ingandallt
hat
.thenaft
er
somet i
meshecameback.
Lumi
:thatwasOmu,
shewasj
ustchecki
ngupon
me.
inodded.
Me:ar
eyouguysst
il
lgood?
Lumi
:yeahwe'
regoodbuti
t'
snott
hesame.
inoddedthenwrappedmyarm ar
oundher
shoul
ders,shewrappedher
saroundmywaist
.
Me:doyouwantsomet
hingt
oeat
?
Lumi
:noi
mfi
ne,
buti
cecr
eam cando.
Me:l
et'
sgot
hen.
wewentt
obuyi
cecr
eam t
henheadt
osi
tint
hecar
l
ist
eni
ngt
omusi
c.

Around4h30pm wedr ovebacktot hehot el

,iwas
l
it
tlebi
tti
redbutalsoexcit
edtoseeherr eacti
on
whensheseeswhat 'vepl
annedf orus.onourway
backtothehot
elshewasl it
erall
ylisteni
ngt o
amapianoanddancingwi t
hherhead, cl
appingher
handsandwhistl
inghereandt here..il
aughedat
her.
Me:senqi
nebawo!
shel
ookedatmeandl
aughed.
Lumi
:mxm!
sheconti
nuedt odance,
wear r
ivedatthehotelt
hen
weheadi nsi
de.wegottoourroom theniopened
thedoorforhertogoinfi
rst
..whenshesawt he
placeshegaspwi t
hherhandoverhermout h.
°
°°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

ididn'texpectt
his,
honest l
yididn't
.yesiknowthat
Lwazi ngcacanber omant i
cbutnott hi
sromanti
c!
thecandl e-
li
tdi
nner?r osepetalsonthefloor
?and
allthat.i
twastotal
lyBeaut i
ful,
ihatebeingacry
babybecausei m alreadyacr yi
ngmess.
Me(
tear
y):baby.
.thankyousomuchf
ort
his.
iwr
appedmyar
msar
oundhi
sbodyandki
ssedhi
m.
Lwazi
:youdeser
vest
handwasam,
let
'sseatdown.
heledmei nandopenedthechai rf
orme, icoul
dn'
t
stoplookingarounditwast ot
allyBeaut
iful.
.the
l
ightswer eoffsothecandlesar oundcr
eat edali
tt
le
l
ightsot hatwecouldseear oundus.wesatdown
onthechai rsl
ookingateachot hersmil
ing.iwiped
myt ears.
Lwazi
:yazsometi
mesican'
tbel
ievet
hatyou'
re
mine,
isti
llr
emembert
hedaysIwasstil
lcour
ti
ng
youorthef
ir
stt
imeyousawme. .youwerevery
meantome!youchasedmeawaymat ur
edlyand
myegowassobr ui
sedicoul
dn'
tbeli
evethatagir
l
didt
hattome.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:i
m sorr
y,butiwasn'
tchasi
ngyouaway.iwas
r
eall
yoccupi
edwi t
hanassignmentt
hatwasdue
t
henextdayso..
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi:iunderstand..from thatdayit oldmysel fthat
youwer emi ne.I'
l
lnevergi veuponyouevent hough
youkeptonpushi ngmeaway.il oveyousomuch
sthandwa, adaycan' tpassbywi thoutmet ell
ing
youthis.ibroughtyouher eandpl annedt hi
sDi nner
justt
oappr eciat
eyourpr esencei nmyl ife!justto
appreciat
eyouf orbei ngthebestGi r
lfri
endicoul d
everaskf or.t
heloveyouhavef ormeandt he
outmostr espectwehadf oreachi sbeaut i
fulandi
l
ikeittostaythatway. .it
st ruewhent heysayt hat"
amancanchangehi swaysf ortherightper son. "i
meanl ookatmef orexampl e.Bef oreyoucamei nto
myl ifeiwasapl ayer !iplayedgi rl
sleft,r
ightand
cent eruntilyoucameal ongandshowedmet hati
couldact uallyloveaper sonwhol eheart
edlyand
changef orher.Hlalumimyl ovef oryouistoodeep,
ili
terallygocr azyifyoudon' tanswermycal lsor
text.igocr azyifidi dn'ttalktoyouf orthewhol e
day!i justhopeyouwon' tgettir
edofmyl oveand
leavebecauseI 'l
lgocr azy.Thet houghtofyou
leavingmef oranot herguymakesmehear tbreaks,
ijusthopeyou' l
llovemef oreverbecauseonmy
sideI '
lll
oveyout i
lleternity.
hesaidandwi
pedhi
stear
sandki
ssedmyhands.i
cl
earedmythr
oat
.
Me:f ir
stofallI'
dliket othankyouf orthiswhol e
dinnerthingilovei tsomuchi tsBeauti
ful,thank
youf oryoureffortsbabyt omakesur ethatour
relati
onshipwor ks.Thankyouf orbeingt hebest
Boyf r
iendsomeonewoul deveraskfor..thankyou
forshowi ngmeadi f
ferentlovebesidesthel ovei
receivefr
om mypar ents!uthandolwendodai ts
differ
entfrom uthandol wabazali
.Lwazi you'remy
fi
rstlove,myf i
rsteverboyf r
iend.it
houghtmyf ir
st
relati
onshipwouldbet ri
ckybutinst
anti t
'sheaven
onEar th.I
'ddoanythi ngjusttobewithyou
becausewheni m withyouif eelsaf
eandl ovedl i
ke
ideser vetobeloved..youmakemehappy
Lwazi ngcawithouttryinghard,i
m happilyina
relati
onshipwithyou.you' renotper
fectbutyou' re
tryingallt
hebestyoucoul dandiappr eciatethat.i
loveyousomuchst handwasam!I '
l
lloveyout i
llit
's
notnecessar yformet oloveyou.

Lwazicouldn'tholditi
nanymor e,hejustbroke
downandcr ied..imovedmychai rcl
osertohi sand
tookhi
mt omyembr ace.hecri
edonmychestunt i
l
hehadenough.ConorMaynar d-Someoneyou
l
ovedwaspl ayingi nthebackgroundsetti
ngt he
moodatt hemoment .

♪ ♪ ♪ "Fornowt
hedaybl
eeds
I
ntoni
ght
fal
l
Andyounother
e
Togetmet
hroughi
tal
l
il
etmyguar
ddown
Andyoupul
lther
ug
Iwasget
ti
ngkindausedt
obet
hesomeoneyou
l
oved"♪ ♪ ♪

ipul
lhi
sfacewi
thmyhandssot
hathecoul
dlook
atme,iwi
pedhi
stear
s.
Me:il
oveyou.
ikissedhiswetsal
tytrembli
ngli
ps,heimmediatel
y
kissedmebackwhi l
ehol di
ngthebackofhead.he
bitemylowerli
pandt hatcausedmet ogaspthen
histounguemadeitwayi nsidemeeti
ngmine.
.
Ourtounguesdancedi ntothesametune,theki
ss
wasgetti
nghotandqui ck.Lwazi
ngcapi
ckedmeup
thenwewal kedovertot hebedwhil
stki
ssi
ng-he
l
ayedmedownont hebedandgotont opofme
kissi
ngme.
[REMOVED]
t
obecont
inued.

you'
l
lgett
her
emovedont
hegr
oundt
omor
row
morni
ng.
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.

SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
FIVE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

We'vebeenati tt
hewholenight
,Lwazidi
dn'tgive
meanybr eatherbutican'
tcomplai
neI'
m enjoying
thepl
easurelikehim.wediditi
nmanyst yl
esand
dir
ecti
on!havingsexwithaexperi
encedpersoncan
behel
pfulbecausehewasgui
dingmeallt
heway
showi
ngmehowhewant si
tandallt
hat
.

Onourl astroundf orthenightiwaskneelingont he

bed,facedownassup!hewasdoi ngitfr
om behi nd.
.
iwasn'tevenf eelingmyl egstheywer enumb, Lwazi
wasbr ushingmyass!Squeezi nghereandt here.he
wasr eall
yenjoyi ngthisbecausehismoansand
groanswer eloudt hanminesi nceminewer e
sti
ffl
edbyt hepi ll
owiwasl ayi
ngon.Mychoochi e
wasbur ninghot-hewasr eall
ysexingmehar d!im
star
tingtothinkt hathe'spunishingmef or
depri
vinghi mt hechoochi eformont hsofusdat ing
sonowif i
nall
ygavei ttohim hewast rul
y
devouringithar d.
Me:l
..
Lwazipl
easef
ini
shup!
hewaslosti
nhisownwor ld,hi
sf acewasmaking
dif
fer
entf
aci
alexpr
essions.het hrustf
astf
orsome
fewminut
esthengroanedloudly.
Lwazi
:ahhhhshi
tt
tt
!!
(Moani
ng)
hesl
ideouthi
smanhoodbr
eat
hingheavi
lyt
hen
t
ookof ft
heusedcondom thenwrappeditwi
ththe
t
issue,hethr
ewitonthedustbi
nthenfel
lontopof
mewr appi
nghisarmsaroundmywai st.
Lwazi:f
uck.
.thatwasamazi
ng,
thankyouf
ort
his
baby.il
oveyou.
if
aint
lysmi
led.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
hekissedmyl ipsandgotof ft
hebed, aftersome
ti
mehecamebackwi thadampt owelthenCl eaned
himselfupthenhecl eanedmeandki ssedmy
choochie.
.igiggledclosi
ngmyl egshel aughed.
hegotUndercoverst
henwesl
epti
naspooni
ng
posi
ti
on.Il
ovet hi
sman.
.
.
.

THENEXTMORNI
NG.
♪ ♪ ♪ "Whent
her
aini
sbl
owi
ngyourf
ace
Andt
hewhol
ewor
ldi
sonyourcase
Icoul
dof
feryouawar
m embr
ace
Tomakeyouf
eelmyl
ove"♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ "Whent
heeveni
ngshadowsandt
hest
ars
appear
Andt
her
eisnoonet
her
etodr
yyourt
ear
s
Icoul
dhol
dyouf
ormi
ll
ionyear
s
Tomakeyouf
eelmyl
ove"♪ ♪ ♪

Inthemorningim wokenupbyt hisMelodyofAdel e,

thesongwassoundi ngsonice..nottooloudjust
nicefort
hemood.i satupstrai
ghtrubbingmyeyes,
Lwazingcawasnotnextt omeandt hesongwas
comingfrom t
hebat hr
oom!soit ri
edgettingup
from t
hebedbutthepai nbet
weenmyl egswast oo
much.Thechoochi ewasburningfireandi tf
eel
s
l
ikeitsswol
lenorsomet hi
ngwiththestruggleof
gett
ingupifinal
lydi
dandsl owl
ymademywayt o
thebathr
oom topee.isatonthetoil
etseat
contemplat
ingwhethertorel
easethepressur
eor
not.

icursedsilentlyasireleaset hepee, ikeepon

bli
nkingawaymyt ears!thisshi thurts-af terpeeing
iwipedmysel fthenwashedmyhands, faceand
brushedmyt eeth.Lwaziwasr el axedont hebat h
withhiseyescl osedhummi ngt ot hesong.ist and
onthedoorf r
amest arringathi m.il ovet hisguyt oo
much, idi
dn'tknowt haticoul dloveanot herper son
thi
smuchbesi desmypar entsyouknow. .idon' t
regretgi
vinghi m myvi rgi
nity!itwaswor t
hi t.Lwazi
hasbeennot hingbutabestl oyalboyf riendt ome
soiowehi mt hismuch.
iguesshefel
tmypresence,
heopenedhi
seyesand
lookedatme.asmi
l
ef ormedupi
nhisli
ps.
.
Lwazi
:Mor
ningst
handwasam.
ismi
led.
Me:Goodmor
ningmyl
ove.
hegestur
esformetocomecl
osert
ohim,
soit
ook
offmyclot
hesandgoti
nsi
det
hebatht
ubandl
ayed
ontopofhi
mf aci
nghi
m.
heki
ssedmyl
ipswhi
lepl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
inger
s.
Lwazi
:howdi
dyousl
eep?anypai
n?
Me:isleptwel
lbaby,
ihavesomepai
nsdownt
her
e
butI
'l
lbef i
ne.
henodded.
Lwazi
:baby?
Me:mh?
Lwazi
:ihopeyoudon'
tregr
etgi
vingmeyour
i
nnocence,i
tmeantal
ottome.
ismi
ledandpeckedhi
sli
ps.
Me:No..idon'tr
egr
etanythi
ng,
imjustwor
ri
ed
aboutmypar ent
sreact
ionwhenthefi
ndoutt
hati
m
nolongeravirgi
n!
Lwazi
:yourdadi
sgoi
ngt
ofuckmeup!
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:shame.
hechuckl
ed.
Lwazi
:haybobaby!i
sthatwhatyou'
regoi
ngt
osay
whenyourdadfucksmeup?
inoddedt
henl
aughed.
Lwazi
:you'
resuchaf
akeagi
rl
fr
iend.
wel
aughed.

Webothfi
nishedbathi
ng,af
terwehadanother
roundont
hebat ht
ub.sowegotdressed.Lwazi
gavemebreakfastandsomewhitepil
lsil
ookedat
him.
Me:what
'
sthi
s?
Lwazi
:morni
ngaft
erpi
ll
sbaby,
we'
repr
event
ing
pr
egnancyher
e.
Me:ohshi
t.
.
Lwazi
:yeahshi
t.
ir
oll
edmyeyest
henat
e.
°
°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

ilookedatherasshewasl ayingonthebedonlyi n
herunder wearandmyshi r
tr eadi
ngabook, her
Beaut i
fulcaramel l
egswer ecr ossedreli
evi
ngher
redlaceunder wear .Everyt
hingaboutLumii s
perfect,she'
sj ustgorgeousasshei s!ijustl
oveher
somuch. .i
fitwasupt omeI '
dbemar ryi
ngherright
nowbutican' tdot hat.

Ican'tbelievethatshegavemeheri nnocence
yesterday, i
twasj ustabeautif
ulandamazi ng
momentf ort hebothofus.Oursoul swer e
connect i
ng, ourwar m andsweatyskinpr essed
together,ourhandsi ntert
winedtogether.Our
foreheadl i
nkedt ogether.
.icoul
dn'thelpbutbeing
l
osti nhert i
ghtnessandwar mth,onceiwasi nsidei
coul
dn'
tgetout
!itwassogoodf
ormet
ohandl
e..
.
hersoftmoansweredoingsomet hingtome,iwas
ver
ymucht ur
nedon.l
ookslikebeinginti
mat
ewi t
h
Lumiisgoingtobemyf avouri
tet
hingt odoi
tsso
damngood!

isnappedoutofmythoughtsandlookeddownon
mypant s,
ihadabonerjustt
hinki
ngaboutlast
night
.
Si
gh!
!
whatiam gonnadonow?Lumii
scompl
aini
ng
aboutbei
ngsore.
Me:Lumi
..
Lumi
:baby?
Me:ndakt
handauvi
le?
sher
emovedt
hebookf
rom herf
aceandl
ookedat
me.
Lumi
:ar
eyouokay?
inodded,
shesmi
led.
Lumi
:il
oveyout
oo.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
SIX.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
{SHORT}

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

It
'st
imef orustogobackhomei m sosad.iwas
ki
ndget ti
ngusedtoourlitt
lesunctuarytherebutit
wasf oralit
tl
ewhile.
.aweekendonl y!ihadt hebest
weekendofmyl i
fewiththeloveofmyl i
fe,i
appreciat
etohaveasuchanamazi ngmani nmy
l
ifewhowoul ddoanythi
ngtoseeagenui nesmile
onmyface.wehadl
otoff
unt
her
eandt
hatf
unhas
sexi
nbetween.
Youknowi fiknewthatsexi
st hi
senjoyableand
niceI'
dlongbrokemyvirgi
nit
yyouknow, Omuhle
wasr i
ghtwhenshesaid"imnandileyanto,"idi
dn't
beli
evehersinceit
houghtshewasmaybel yingyou
knowbutnoshewasr i
ght.

Lwazingcawant edust ohaveanot herr

oundbef or
e
wego, sowedi ditthent ookashowerandwor eour
clot
hes.Ever ythi
ngwasr eadysinceLwazipacked
ourclothesl astnightwheniwasasl eep,af
ter
getti
ngr eadyweat ethenheadt ocheckoutatthe
recepti
onist.Lwazi openedt hecardoorformesoi
gotinsi
deandgotcomf ort
able,
hegotintohisside
thenwedr oveof f
.
Lwazi:don'
tyouwantsomet
hingt
obi
ngeont
he
roadsthandwasam?
Me:noI'
m goodbaby,
ist
il
lhavemypacketofsour
worksher
e.
Lwazi
:okay.
hepl
ayedsomemusi
cwhi
lewe'
redr
ivi
nghome.

Myphoner
ingsi
t'
smydad,
Me:babycanyoupl
easel
owert
hevol
ume,
mydad
i
scall
ing.
het
urneddownt
hevol
umeianswer
edt
hecal
l.
Me:hel
lodad.
Dad:hiPr
incess.
.howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m goodBabawena?
Dad:I
'
mfi
nemychi
ld,
areyoust
il
lgoodt
her
e?
Me:yesdadi
m st
il
lgood,
butbydi
nnert
imeI
'
llbe
athome.
Dad:shoul
digetyou?
Me:No.
.Omu'
sdadwi
lldr
iveus.
Dad:okayt
hen,
daddyl
oveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
Dad:bye.
Me:byedad.
ihungup.
.
isi
ghedr
est
ingyheadont
heheadboar
d.
Lwazi
:you'
reget
ti
nggoodatt
hisl
yingt
hing.
ichuckl
ed.
Me:if
eelbadf
orl
yingt
omydad.
Lwazi
:you'
l
lli
ve.
Me:mxm!
helaughedandpl
ayedmusicagai
n,Burni
ngby
Sam Smithcamethr
ough.
.it
smyf avour
it
esong,
i
sangalone.
Me:"I
'
vebeenbur
ning,
YesI
'
vebur
ning
Suchabur
deni
sfl
ameonchest
Noassur
ancet
ofort
hedamageupsi
nceyoul
eft"
Lwazil
ookedatmesmi
li
ng.
Lwazi
:"I
'
vebeensmoki
ng,
oh
Mor
ethatt
went
yaday
Bl
amei
tont
her
ebel
li
on
Don'
tbl
amei
tonme
iwi
shiwasyounger
Backt
otheni
net
eent
hofmay"

Bathongialmostscr
eamedmyl
ungsout
,thi
sdude
cansingli
kehell
.
Me:haybobaby,
wacul
akamnandiol
uhl
obo?
hesmi
led.
Lwazi
:itr
unsi
nthef
ami
ly.
Me:wow!
het
ookmyhandandki
ssedi
t.
Lwazi
:il
oveyoumyl
ove.
Me:Il
oveyout
oobaby.
ist
oleaquickpeckonhi
sli
pssi
ncehe'
sdr
ivi
ngi
can'
tdi
str
acthim.
Around7pm i
ntheeveni
ngwear r
ivedatmyhome,
Lwazipar
kedthecartwohousesawayfrom my
home.
Lwazi
:I'
l
lseeyoudur
ingt
heweekmyl
ove,
Ilove
you.
Me:il
oveyout
oobaby,
Goodni
ght
.
Lwazi
:Goodni
ghtst
handwasam.
weki
ssedthenbidgoodbyest
oeachot
her
.igotout
t
hecarandwalkedtomyhouse.

igotther
eever
yonewasseat
edont
hedi
ningt
abl
e
eati
ng.
Me:Eveni
ng.
theygreet
edback,iranupstai
rstoputmyback
thenIalsotookaquickshowerandwor emyclean
pyjamasthenheadbackdownst ai
rs.isatdown
nexttoMom whoki ssedmycheek.
Mom:imi
ssedyou.
ismi
led.
Me:imi
ssedyout
ooMom.
Daddi
shedupf
orme,
ithankedhi
m andat
e.
Sandi
le:howwast
heweekendatOmu'
s?
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:i
twasf
unbhut
i,ienj
oyedmysel
f.
Sakhi
lel
ookedatmeshakinghishead,
withalit
tl
e
smil
eonhisface.Heknowsthatiwasnotther
e!
Sandi
le:i
m gl
ad.
weal lat
einsi
lencet
henDadandSandil
ewashed
thedishesibi
dGoodnight
stoever
yonethenhead
str
aighttomyroom andgotUnder
cover
s.

IsentOmuat extt
hankingherforhelpi
ngt
henal
so
sentLwaziagoodnighttextt
henslept.
.

°
°°
LWAZI
NGCA.

Whenigothome, Mom wasalr

eadyf ussingallover
mesayi ngshemi ssedme!she'
sfeedingmeever y
foodthatisavail
ableandi
m sofull
..mindyoui
haven'
tevent akenashowerbutMom i sal r
eady
feedi
ngme.Dadi ssoamusedbyt histhing,he
l
aughingsilentl
ylooki
ngatus.
Me:Mom canit
akeashowerf
ir
stbef
oreieatal
l
t
his?
shesmi
led.
Mom:okaygo.
Me:t
hankyou
igrabbedmybagandranupstai
rs,
igott
omyr oom
andputthebagi
ntheclosett
henwenttotakea
shower.

Aftershoweri
ngilot
ionedthenworemypyjamas
andsatont hebed.itext
edtheGentst
ell
ingthem
thatI'
vearr
ivedt
henr epl
iedtoLumi
'st
extthen
headdownst
air
stoeatMom'
sfood.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
SEVEN.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

FEW WEEKSLATER.

TodayMom wokemeupear l
yinthemorni
ngso
thatwecangoanddoChrist
masshoppi
ng.
Christ
masisi
n3daysti
meandi t
'sal
soLwazi
's
birt
hday.
.mybabyi
stur
ning21yearsol
d-he'
sso
oldyouKnow.
imisshim somucht hough,i
lastsawhim aweek
back,he'
spartyi
ngli
kehellwit
hhisfri
ends.t
hey'
re
enj
oyingfest
iveyouKnow.
Soiwokeupt
ir
edashel
l,
it'
s
l
ikeiwasworki
ngandmybodyhurt
s.itookabat
h
andworemyclothest
henti
edmyhairandpuf
fed
myperfumeiheaddownst
air
s!

Mom wasf ryi

ngsomet hingonthepan,idecidedto
eatacer ealim noti
nthemoodt oeatsomet hing
greasy.soipourt hecerealont
hebowlt henmi l
k,i
satdownont hebarstoolandate.

iwasabouttofinishmycer ealwhenifel
ttheurge
topuke,ihol
dmymout htryingtoruntot
he
bathr
oom butididn'tmakeipukedont hekit
chen
Floor
,Mom camer unni
ngtomewi tht
heglassof
water.
Mom:ar
eyouokaybaby?
inoddedandpukedagai
n,iwasal
readysweat
ing
now.Mom keeponbrushi
ngmybackwhi l
eipuke.
Mom:her
e.
shegavemetheglassofwater,
idranki
tandsat
downonthefl
oor
!i wasfeel
inghotandti
red.
.me
bei
ngacrybabyicried.
Me(
cryi
ng)
:Mom what
'sgoi
ngonwi
thme?
Mom:you'
l
lbef
inebaby.
sheputherhandonmyf
oreheadt
ocheckmy
temper
atur
e.
Mom:you'
renolongergoi
ngt
othemal
l,goandl
ay
downI
'l
lcl
eanthisup.
Me:ThankyouMa.
ipickedupmydi zzysel
fandheadupst air
s,igott
o
myr oom andtookoffmycl othest
hengot
Under cover
snaked.Myheadwasspi nningeven
thoughi mlayi
ngonbed..tearsmadetheirwayout
ofmyeyes-ihat ebeingsickandnotevenknow
what '
sgoingonwi t
hme!it ookmyphoneand
call
edLwazi .
.heanswered.
Lwazi
:St
handwaSam?
hesoundsdr
unk,
ijustbur
stouti
ntear
s.
Lwazi
(pani
cki
ng)
:heyhey,
babywhati
sit
?
Me(cr
ying)
:idon'
tknowwhat'
sgoi
ngonwithme
baby,
I'
mf eel
ingsi
ck.
.I'
mthr
owingupever
ythi
ngi
eat
!
Lwazi
:Haybost
handwasam,
areyoucomi
ngdown
wit
hFluorsomet
hing?
Me:idon'
tknow!
Lwazi
:ar
eyouathome?canibr
ingyousomet
hing?
Me:br
ingmeal argecr
eamychickenpi
zzaand
somechil
lizi
nger
wingsfr
om KFC.
Lwazi:babyar
eyousur
eyou'
reokay?ukut
ya
okungaka?
Me:awuf
uniLwazi
ngca?
Lwazi
:it
snott
hatandi
funibabyi
t'
sjust
..
Me:mxm yeka!
ihungup.
.
ipul
lthebl
anketovermyheadandcr
ied.

imust'vefal
lenasleepbecauseI '
m wokenupby
someoneknocki ngonmybedr oom window,igot
offt
hebedandwentt ocheck.iopenedthecurt
ains
I'
m metbyLwazihol di
ngaplasticfr
om Spar-I
smiledthenopenedf orhi
m sot hathecouldget
insi
de.
Lwazi
:Mol
obaby.
hehuggedmeandki
ssedmyl
ips.
Me:Hil
ove.
heputthepl
ast
iconthepedestalt
hent
ookoffhis
sneaker
sandgotUndercover
swi t
hme.
.helooked
ti
psy.
Me:ar
eyoudr
unk?
henodded.
Me:uqombamawuzeaphaunxi
li
le.
Lwazi:uduruumqheloHl
alumi,
ndicel
aplease
ungandiphel
isel
iwonangalemi
buzoyakhomininzi
..
he'
syourf
ood.
hegavemetheplasti
c,i
thasthepizzaandt
he
zi
ngerwi
ngsiwanted,acappyjui
ce,somesour
worms,Chocol
ateandLayschips.
iki
ssedhi
sli
ps.
Me:you'
resuchasweet
hear
t.
Lwazi
:iknow.
iopenedthepi
zzaandt
ookasl
iceandat
e.heal
so
tookhist
henweate.
Lwazi
:Lumi
?
Me:mh?
Lwazi:what
'swit
htheappeti
tebaby?t
hesi
ckness
andthepuking?kwenzekant
oni?
isi
ghed.
Me:idon'
tKnowbaby,
ireal
lydon'
t.
hel
ookedatmef
orawhi
let
henhenodded.
Lwazi
:Okay,
Iloveyouvha?
ismi
led.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
weki
ssed,whi
chtheki
sst
urnedi
ntoaqui
ck
st
eamysessi
oninmyroom.

LateronmyMom camebackf rom t

heMal l,Lwazi
wasl onggone.shecamei ntomyroom tocheckon
meandboughtmesomeheadachepi l
lsbecausei
saidtoherthatihaveaheadache.iwast otall
y
feeli
ngsicktoapointididn'
tevenheaddowneat
dinner!Mom broughtmyf oodupherewhi chididn'
t
eatcauseiwasst il
lful
lfr
om thepi
zzaandt he
zingerwi
ngsLwaziboughtme.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

Thi
sthingofLumibei
ngsi
ckworri
esmeal ot
,she'
s
nott
hepersonwhobecomessickj
ustoutofthe
bl
ue.idon'
tknowwhat'
swrongmaybeit'
s
somethi
ngsheateorwhat ?she'
salsocr
yingalot
man..
.YesHlal
umi i
sacr ybabybutnotl
ikethi
s,
shej
ustcri
esnjeforfunyhohay.

Yest
erdayshemademebuyl otoffood,
imean
Lumiisnotmuchofeaterbutnow?she'seat
ingl
ike
i
t'
sthelastdayofeat
ingandI'm get
ti
ngworr
iedyou
Know.

Songz:bawo?
hesai
dnudgi
ngme.
Me:sur
e?
Songz:ur
ight
?youseem f
ar.
Me:I
'
m goodbawo.
Songz:t
ryagai
n..
isi
ghed.
Me:I
'
m wor
ri
edaboutLumiman!
Songz:whatdi
dshedo,
ukul
ahl
il
eagai
n?
ichuckl
ed.
Me:Noman.
.she'
sact
ingwei
rd.
Songz:wei
rd?How?
Me:she.
.she'
sal
wayscryi
ngMan,eat
ingal
ot.
f
eeli
ngsickandt
hrowi
ngupever
ythi
ngsheeatsI
'
m
worr
ied.
hel
ookedatmef
orawhi
le.
Songz:ar
eyouhavi
ngsexnal
omnt
anaLJ?
Me:yeahwhy?
hewhi
stl
edshaki
nghi
shead.
Songz:usekakeniboy.(you'
rei
ndeepshi
t)
Me:whatdoyoumean?
Songz:She'
spr
egnantbawo!
myhear
tst
oppedbeat
ingf
orf
ewseconds.
Me:what
?
henodded.
Me:No.
.noi
tcan'
tbe!
t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
49] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
EIGHT.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCA.

No..noitcan'
tbe!Lumican'tbepr
egnant.she'
s
veryyoungtobepr egnant
,she'
sonly17for
heaven'ssakewhatam igonnado?Mydadi sgoi
ng
tofuckmeup!evenLumi '
sdasisgoingtofuckme
up.Lumiisnotreadytobeamot her,bot
hofusare
notreadybutwhatcanwedo?
Butwe'r
enotr
eallysuret
hatLumiispregnantwe
needt
ogot ot
hedoct ort
omakesur e,
butthenthe
symptomsofpregnancyaret
here.Thecryi
ngalot
,
theappet
it
e,t
hethrowingup!fati
gue.ineedtoget
tothebot
tom oft
hisASAP,Tomor rowMor ning.
.
Lumiandiaregoingtothedoctortomaket hissur
e.
it
ookmyphoneandt
extLumiat
ext
:

"Tomor
rowmor
ningwe'
regoi
ngsomewher
e"

isi
ghedandr
ubbedmyf
acef
rust
rat
ed.
Me:t
hisi
samessedupshi
t!
Songz:yeahthat'
swhatyoudowhenyou' rehaving
unprot
ectedsex.LJyouusedt obecar ef
ulatall
ti
mesbutwi t
hMi ssHl al
umiyoul ostyourmarbles
why?isherpussyt hatgoodt hatyouevenforgot
condomsoramor ningafterpil
l?ormaybeyou
tr
ustedyourpulloutgame?
Me:j
ustshutupSongezo!We'
renotevensur
ethat
Lumii
spregnant
..i
tmightbef
alseal
arm.
Songz:Thesi
gnsar
ether
eLwazi
ngca!St
opbei
ng
i
nfuckendeni
al.
ij
ustgotupandt
ookmycarkeysandphone.
Me:I
'
llseeyouar
ound.
Songz:sho.
wef
istbumpedtheniwal
kedt
omycar
,igoti
nsi
de
t
hecaranddrovehome.

°
°°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Inthemorni
ngiwokeupwi t
htheur getothr
ow,
soi
gotofft
hebedandrantothebathroom and
thr
owedupeveryt
hingiat
elastnight.
ihatethis,
ireall
ydo.I '
m notusual
lysickal
lthe
ti
mebutwhat '
sthis?Thet hr
owingup?Theappet it
e?
idon'tunderst
and.iflushedtheseatthenwashed
mymout hont hesickthenbrushedmyt eet
h-i
washedmyf acethenappl i
edmyf acecream then
headbackt omybedr oom draggi
ngmybodyI '
m so
t
ir
ed.

iopenedthecur
tai
nsthenmademybedand
cl
eanedaround,it
ooktheplat
ethathadmyl ast
nightdi
nnerwhi
chididn'
teatandheaddownst ai
rs.
Dadwast heonewhosawmef ir
standrushedto
me.
Dad:heybaby,yourMot
hert
oldmeyou'
renot
feel
ingwel
l.
.ar
eyouokay?shoul
dwegotothe
doctor?
Me:dad.
.I'
mf i
nedon'
tworr
y,maybeI
'
m comi
ng
downwit
hf l
uorsomethi
ng.
hesi
ghed.
Dad:sor
ry,
justt
hatI
'
m wor
ri
ed.
Me:I
'
llbef
ine.
hekissedmyf oreheadt
hent ookhi
sjacketand
bri
efcase.HekissedMom thenwalkedout,iwentt
o
thekit
chentoputt hepl
ate.
Me:Goodmor
ningMa.
Mom:Mor
ningbaby.
.feel
inganybet
ter
?
inodded.
Me:yeahI
'
m get
ti
ngbet
ter
.
Mom:I
'
m gl
ad.
Shel
ookedatmef
orawhi
le.
Mom:isther
eanyt
hinghappenedi
nthatsl
eepover
Hl
alumi?
If
rowned.
Me:somet
hingl
ikewhat
?
Mom:nevermi
nd.
.onl
yti
mewi
llt
ell
.
shehummedasongwal ki
ngaway,Ijustputt
he
foodinthewarmerthenheadbackt omyr oom.i
tookmyphoneandt urneditonihad23mi ssed
call
sfrom Lwazi,
haybo!icall
edhim back.
Lwazi
:heeeHlalumiufunaundi
nyusel
angeHi
gh-
hi
ghendingenayo?(yel
li
ng)
Me:whoa,
Lwazi
ngcawhyar
eyouyel
li
ng?
Lwazi
:don'
tfuckenaskmet
hatHl
alumi
,whyar
e
younotanswer
ingyourdamnphonewoman?
Me:heeefondi
ni,
didyouseetheti
me?iwassti
ll
sl
eepi
ng..someofusarenotearl
ybir
dsl
ikeyou!
Lwazi
:haveyouf or
gott
enthatweshouldbegoi
ng
somewheretoday,di
dn'
tyouseemyt ext
?
Me:No.
.idi
dn'
tseei
t.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi
:getr
eadyLumi
,I
'l
lbet
her
ein30mi
nut
es.
Me:wai
t.
.
Tool
ate,
heal
readyendedt
hecal
l.
Me:andt
hen?

iquickl
ytookashowerandwor emydresswit
hmy
denimjacketandsandl
es.it
iedmydreadl
ocksand
putonmyper fumethenappl
iedmyli
pgloss.
.i
grabbedmysl i
ngbagandphonethenhead
downstair
s.
Me:Mama,
I'
m accompani
ngOmuhl
etot
heMal
l.
Mom:okay,
bri
ngmesomet
hingni
ce.
inoddedt
henheadout
,Lwaziwasal
readyPar
ked2
housesaway.

Myheartpumpedoutofmychestforsomer eason
whenLwaziParkedt
hecari
nfrontofthehospital
,
Me:
w..
whatar
ewedoi
ngher
eLwazi
ngca?
Lwazi
:we'
reher
etodosomet
ext
s!
hesaidclenchinghi
sjaws,
hel
ookedangryfor
somer eason.hehassomemurder
ouslookonhis
face.
Heopenedt hedoorformet henweheadout ,
walki
ngwi thourhandsint
ertwi
ned.Lwazi
ngca
t
alkedtotherecepti
onistt
henheledmei noneof
t
heof f
ices.Wegotthe, aMaledoctorwasthere.
Lwazi
:DrNzi
ngo.
Dr
:sur
ebawo,
Mol
osi
s.
Me:hiDoct
or.
Dr
:whatcanidof
oryou?
Lwazi:Thi
sHl
alumi,
mygi
rl
fr
iend.
.we'
reher
etodo
apregnancyt
est.
iqui
ckl
ytur
ntol
ookathi
m,apr
egnancyt
est
?For
what?
Me:I
'
m notpr
egnantmnaLwazi
ngca!
Dr:Si
sihe'
snotsayi
ngyou'
repr
egnant
,uzo'
test
.a
aphaqha.
ishookmyheadwi
tht
ear
sfor
mingi
nmyeyes.
Me(tear
y):Ican'
tbepr egnantLwazi,ican'
t..what
am igoi
ngt osaytomyf amily?ial
ready
di
sappointedthem bybr eaki
ngmyvi rgi
nit
ybut
bei
ngpr egnantisworse!
Lwazi
:heyhey.
.lookatme.
hecuppedmyf
aceandpeckedmyl
ips.
Lwazi:we'r
enotsur
eifyou'
repr
egnantyet
,wejust
her
etot estsot
hatwecanknowifyou'
repregnant
ornotokay?
inodded.
hewi
pedmyt
ear
sandpeckedmyl
ipsagai
n.
Thedoct orgaveasmal lcupf orpeeon,iwentto
thetoi
lettopeeont hecupandwashedmyhands
thenheadbackt otheoffice.hedidhisthi
ngsand
saidweshoul dwaitforsomef ewseconds.il
ayed
myheadonLwazi 'sshoulderwhi l
ehe'sbusywit
h
hisphonest r
oll
ingdownonI nstagram!

Dr
:okayt
imesup!
myheartst
art
stobeatf
ast
,mypal
msbecame
sweat
y.
Dr
:ar
eyour
eady?
Lwaziandil
ookedateachot
herandnodded.
Dr
:okayi
tshowst
hatyou'
repr
egnant,
3weeks
pr
egnant
.

No..myearsmustbedeceivingme!ican'
tbe
pr
egnant.Notnow!whatam igoingtotel
lmyfami
ly?
whatam igoi
ngtodowi t
hababyatt hisage?I
'
m
st
il
lathi
ghschoolforheaven'ssake!
istar
tedt
ohyper
vent
il
ati
ng,
iwasst
ruggl
ingt
o
breat
he.
Lwazi
:Lumi
?St
handwabr
eat
he.
.tr
ytobr
eat
he
baby.
hi
svoicesoundedsodist
ant,
icoul
dn'
thearhi
m
cl
ear
.darknesswasovercomingmyeyesunti
lit
wasl
ightsout.
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
50] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTEREI
GHTY-
NINE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

I
'
m wokenupbysomeonesni
ff
inghol
dingmy
hands,it
riedopeni
ngmyeyesbutt heywer eheavy
evenmyt hroatmywasdry.iFinal
lyopenedmy
eyesandlookedaround.
.I'
m atthehospit
albed,i
tr
iedthi
nkingwhathappenedthenitsuddenlyhi
t
me..
Me(
tear
y):ohhmyGod!
Lwazir
aisedhisheadquickl
yandl
ookatme,
his
eyesar
ebl ood-
shedred.
Lwazi
:heybaby.
.ar
eyouawake?
inodded.
Me:ndi
cel
amanzi
.(canihavesomewat
er)
hepouredwaterformethenhelpmedr i
ving,isat
upstr
aightonthebed.welookedateachot her
wit
houtsayinganythi
ng.
Lwazi
:whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.
Me:idon'
tknowbutal liknowi
sthatican'
tbea
mother
!I'
m notreadytobesomeone'smot her.
.i
knownothingaboutparenti
ngI
'm st
il
ldependenton
myparentsmyselfwhatam igoi
ngt odowi t
ha
babyt
hatwi
llbef
oreverdependentonme?
Lwazisi
ghedandl
ookeddown.
Me:howdidthi
shappen?it
houghtwepl
ayedsaf
e,
pi
ll
sandcondoms!
Lwazi
:thoset
hingsar
enot100%att
imes.
Me:thenwhydi
dn'
tyouwar
nme?ishoul
d'vet
aken
ashotmos..
Lwazi:ha.ahl
alumi don'
tyoudar epasstheblame
onme!howwasisupposedt oKnowt hatt
hosepill
s
andcondomswon' tworkonourf avour?Don'tyou
knowwenabai sexiyamit
hisa?bendingazohamba
esthubenindi
cingananepr egnancyprecauti
ons
kal
okusi si
.
isi
ghed.
Me:LwazingcaI
'
m notshi
ft
ingt
hebl
ameonyou,
I
'mjustsayi
ng!
Lwazi:Hl
alumiwhat'
sdoneit'
sdone,
wejustneeda
wayforwardnow.thequesti
onis"ar
ewekeeping
thebabyorwe'r
egetti
ngridofit
?"
Me:"get
ti
ngr
idofi
t"l
ikeanabor
ti
on?
henodded.
Me:NoLwazi ngcathat
'sdanger
ous,iheardsome
spinechil
li
ngthi
ngsaboutabort
ions.imightnever
everabletoconcei
veagain.
hesi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
sface.
Lwazi
:senzent
onke?
Me:iwon'
tki
llmybabymna,I
'
llgohomeandt ell
myparent
saboutthi
s.I
t'
suptothem i
ftheydeci
de
t
othrowmeout !
hehel
dmyhandsandki
ssedt
hem.
Lwazi:we'r
einthist
ogether,wemadethi
sbaby
toget
hersoI '
l
lsupportyouinever
ythi
ngyoudo..
l
et'sj
ustwaitmaybe2mont hsbefor
ewetel
lthem i
f
you'r
esti
llnotshowingthen.
isi
ghedandnodded,
hecamecl
osert
omeand
ki
ssedmethenhuggedme.
Lwazi:iknowihavenoexper i
enceinfat
herhoodor
whateverbutI'l
lmakesurethatI'
l
lbethebestfat
her
toourchild.I
'l
ltr
yever
ythi
ngi nmypowertomake
surethatnothi
nghappenstot hebot
hofyouokay.
inoddedwi
tht
ear
sfor
mingi
nmyeyes.
Me:Il
oveyousomuchst
handwasam.
Lwazi
:Il
oveyout
oobaby,
wit
hourl
it
tl
epr
eci
ous
car
gohere.
hesai
dtouchi
ngmyst
omach.
Lwazi
:ican'
tbel
ieveI'
m goi
ngt
obeaf
atheri
n8
monthsandweekst i
me!
hesai
dexci
tedl
y,igi
ggl
ed.
Me:ineverimagi
nedbei
ngateenMom butI
'
m
al
readyinl
ovewit
hthi
sli
ttl
ehumangr
owinginsi
de
me.
Lwazismi
ledandki
ssedmyl
ipssopassi
onat
ely.

Aft
erawhil
eDrNzi
ngocamei
ntot
hewar
dhol
ding
somepaper
s.
Dr
:Wel
comebackMi
ssHl
alumi
.
wel
aughed.
Me:i
t'
sgoodt
obebackdoct
or.
Dr:Youguysar
efreetogonowsinceyou'
renot
si
ck,youhavet
ocomebacknextweeksot hati
can
putyouonapregnancymedi
cat
ion.
wenodded.
Lwazi
:okay,
enkosibawo.
Dr
:awe,
byebyesi
si.
Me:Byedoc.
hewal
kedout
,Lwazihel
pedmegetof
fthebedand
al
sohel
pmewor emyshoes.
Me:Lwazi
ngcaI'
m notheavi
lypr
egnanticando
t
hingsmysel
f.
Lwazi
:khawut
hul
eHl
alumi
,wher
edoyouwanna
eat
?
Me:I
'
m cr
avi
ngsomepi
zzaman.
Lwazi
:okayl
et'
sgo.
hetookmysli
ngbag,
ourphonesandhi
scarkeys
thenweheadout.
Heboughtt
hepizzaf
ormeandsomef
ri
edchi
cken
f
orhi
mselfandsomedri
nkst
henweat
eonhiscar
.
Me:t
hisi
sni
ce.
.
isai
dchewi
ng.
Lwazi
:st
opt
alki
ngwi
thf
oodi
nyourmout
hLumi
.
ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:what
ever
,cel
undi
phe?
(canihavesome?
)
Lwazi
:hayLumi
,you'
reeat
ingnj
e.
Me(
tear
y):awuf
uni
?
hesi
ghed.
.
Lwazi
:inaLumi
,ina.t
hisi
sgoi
ngt
obet
hel
ong8
monthsofmyli
fe.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:mxm!

Weateourfoodwhil
ehavi
ngsomeconver sat
ions,
l
aughi
nghereandtherewi
thLwazi
steali
ngkisses
onme..br
ushingmytummyitwasjustcute.
Me:baby?
Lwazi
:mh?
ibi
tmyl
owerl
ip,
tryi
ngt
ofi
ndabet
terwayt
oask
thi
s.
Me:canwehavesex?
helookedatmewi
thamusementwr
it
tenal
lover
herface.
Lwazi
:thet
hangesi
Xhosababyandi
kuva.
Me:butbaby.
.
Lwazi
:thet
hasi
si.
(Tal
ksi
s)
isul
kedl
ooki
ngoutoft
hewi
ndow.
Lwazi
:babyuqumbi
le?
si
lence.
Lwazi
:haybomyl
ove?
..okayi
zake.
ilookedathi
m andsmi l
edthengotontopofhim,he
adjustedhi
mselfonthechairandli
ft
edupt hedr
ess
tomywai standshif
tedmypant i
esaside,
he
clai
medmyl ipstohiski
ssi
ngme.
°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

Thi
spregnancyismaki ngmybabyver ywi
ld,i
t'
s
unl
eashinganotherofhert
hatil
ike.She'
snotafrai
d
ofaski
ngforsexonme?Whathappenedt otheshy
Lumi?Myr eser
vedbaby?butili
keitnonet
heless.

Trut hbetoldI'
m afr
aidt obeaf at her,inever
thoughtatt hi
sageI '
llbeaf atheratt heageof20
year soldbutmychi ldisher e.I'
llloveher /himtot he
fullestandbethebestf atherhe/ shedeser ves.but
I'
m sowor r
iedabouthowourf ami l
ieswi l
lreactto
this,theneverwantedt hisrelati
onshi pinthef i
rst
placeandnowwe' reaboutt odropt hebombon
theni n2mont hstime.ihopeTheNkabi ndeswon' t
kickmybabyout ,Ihopet heki ckt hemot herofmy
childoutbecauseI '
llgocr azy.
Ihavet ost
artbeingresponsiblenowbecauseI '
ma
fathernow..ij
usthopemyf at herwon'tretal
iat
e
aboutthisandthreatentodisownmebecausemy
dadi sunpredi
ctabl
e!Butthankf ul
lyisti
llhavesome
moneyf rom mydeej ayi
nggigsandI 'l
lbeabl eto
takecareofmychi ldandmybaby' scravings.

Aftert
heroundLumiandihadinmycar,idr
oveher
home.shewasveryhyperinagoodmood!we
drovetoherhomejammi ngmusi
c.iPar
ked2
housesawayf r
om herhome.
Me:Il
oveyou.
Lumi
:Il
oveyout
oomyl
ove.
weki
ssedthenshegotoutt
hecarandwal
ked
t
owardsherhome.il
ovethi
sgi
rl.
.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
50] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Aft
erLwazidroppedmeofffewhousesawayfr
om
home,iwal
kedt owar
dsmyhome.ididn'
twanna
walkf
astbecauseofthepai
nbetweenmylegsbut
i
twasbearableyouKnow.

isti
llcan'tbel
ievet
hatihaveahumangr owi
ng
insi
deme, awholebaby?i thasn'
tsanki nclearl
y.
I'
m excitedthoughbutscar edatthesamet i
me.am
igoingtobet hebestmot hertothischild?imean
I'
m 17year soldforheaven'ssake!butI'm alr
eady
pregnant .I
'
m goingtodomymat ricwi t
habi g
stomachcabanga?suchanembar rassment-yah
ne,sexisser i
ous.VeryseriousSana..imeanionl y
donethi
ssext hi
ng3times,3t
imesonl
ybutI
'
m
al
readypregnantyhohay.

ican' timagi nehowmypar entswillr

eactwhent hey
heart hesenews, howdi sappoint
edtheywoul dbe!i
knowf orsur ethatmydadwon' ttakethesenews
wel l
..hemi ghtevenkickmeout ,
hewi l
lsur el
y
retal
iat eyouKnow.I 'm scarediwon'tlie.I'
ve
disappoi ntedmypar entsf arworse-fir
st l
yibroke
myvi rginitybeforereaching21andI 'm also
pregnantwi thachildthatwi l
lbebornoutof
wedl ock, wow.Justwow.

Iopenedt hemaindoorandgoti nsi

dethehouse,
Mom i splayi
ngsomesof tmusi cwhilemoving
swiftl
yinthekit
chenst i
rr
ingsomet hi
ngont hepot
.i
ti
ptoedtot hest
aircasewithoutherseei
ngme!I
don'twanthertoseemei t
'sli
keshewi l
ltel
latf
ir
st
glancethatI'
m pregnant.

Whenigott
omyr
oom,
itookof
fmycl
othesand
runmyselfabatht
henbathedmysel
f.il
otionedmy
bodyandwor emypyjamasandgown..it
iedmy
dreadl
ocksandworeadoekthensatontopoft he
bedthenconti
nuedtoreadmybook.

Around7pm i
ntheeveni
ngireceivedavi
deo-
cal
l
fr
om Lwazi
,ismil
edthenanswered.
Me:hibaby.
isai
dashishandsomefaceappear
ed,he'
slayi
ng
onthebedshi
rtl
esswi
thhislapt
opnexttohi
m.
Lwazi
:Maka'
Niya.
hesai
dsmi
li
ng.
Me:Maka'
Niya?
Lwazi
:yes.
.ourbabygi
rlwi
llbeNi
yanda.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:whati
tsaboy?
Lwazi
:st
il
lhe'
sgoi
ngt
obeNi
yanda.
Me:al
ri
ghtTaka'
Niya.
Lwazi
:il
iket
hesoundoft
hat
.
wel
aughed.
Lwazi
:ar
eyoust
il
lgoodt
her
e?nocr
avi
ngsor
thr
owi
ngup?
ishookmyhead.
Me:NobabyI
'
m st
il
lfi
ne.
henodded.
Lwazi
:I'
vebeenr
esear
chi
ngher
eaboutbabi
es.
hesai
dtur
ningt
hel
apt
opscr
eent
ofaceme.
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:t
hisi
ssocut
ebaby,
you'
l
lmakeagoodf
ather
.
hesmi
ledwi
tht
ear
sfor
mingi
nhi
seyes.
Lwazi
:your
eckon?
inodded.
Lwazi:iknowwe' r
ebothnotreadytobeparent
sbut
I'
m happythatI'
llbeafat
her,I
'm soexcit
ed
sthandwasam ican'thel
pit
..I'
ml ooki
ngfor
wardt
o
everystepoftheway.
ismiledandwi
pedmytear
s,myemot
ionsar
e
playi
ngwithmenow.
Me:ican'
twai
tto.
Lwazi
:Thankyousomuchf
orbei
ngi
nmyl
if
ebaby.
Me:Il
oveyou.
Lwazi
:Il
oveyout
oo.

Wecont inuedtotalkaboutusandt hebabyst uff

unti
lhesai dhewast i
redandhewant stosleepso
wecutt hecallthenresumedt oreadmybooksi nce
iwasn'tsleepy.ithi
nkI '
m havi
nganinsomni aI'
m
notsure.Ar oundmi dnightist
art
edtofeelsleepy
soiclosedt hebookt hengotUndercover
sandf el
l
int
odeepsl umber .

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCA.
Thenextmor ningI'm wokenbypeopl esingingover
me, theyweresingingHappybi r
thday.Ohshooti t
's
Christmasandal somybi r
thday!I'
mt urni
ng21
today.isatupstraightlookingatthem astheysing
witht hesmil
eonmyf ace.Dadi sholdingacake
whileMom andZukower esi ngi
ng.Theyf i
nished
singingandclappedt heirhandsilaughed.
Dad:happybi
rt
hdaymyboy.
hekissedhuggedmeandki
ssedmyf
orehead,
Mom
toohuggedmeandkissedmeonmyl
ips.
Me:euww!Mama,
don'
tki
ssmeont
hel
ipsman.
t
heyl
aughed.
Mom:pt
sek.
Zuko:Mer
ryChr
ist
masandal
sohappybi
rt
hday
bawo!
hehuggedandki
ssedmyf
oreheadt
oo.
Me:t
hankyouguys,
thi
sisni
ce.
Mom:getr
eadyandmeetusdownst
air
s.
Me:okay.
theywentout,it
urnedonmyphoneon, many
noti
fi
cat
ionscamei npeopl
ewer ewi
shi
ngmea
happybir
thday.ial
sohad5mi ssedcal
lsf
rom Lumi
icall
edherback.sheansweredonathi
rdcal
l.
Me:Maka'
Niya!
Lumi
:"happyhappy
Happyhappy
Bi
rt
hday,
Happybi
rt
hday
Happy,
happy
Bi
rt
hday,
happybi
rt
hday"
igi
ggl
ed,
asshesangHappybi
rt
hdaybySamt
hing
sowet
o.
Lumi
:happybi
rt
hdaymyl
ove,
ndakt
handauyeva?
Ismi
led.
Me:t
hankyoubaby,
Iloveyout
oo.
Lumi
:whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?
Me:aboutt
otakeashowerwena?
Lumi
:cooki
ngwi
thmyMom .
Me:butbabyyoushoul
dn'
twor
khar
dyou'
re
pr
egnant.
Lumi:mymom doesn'tknowthatremember?so
nzot
hinikuyexaebuzawhyndingasebenzi
?
isi
ghed.
Me:yeahyou'
rer
ight
,byebye.
.Igot
tago.
Lumi
:byel
ove.
ihungup.
.

igotof ft
hebedandmademybedt henopenedt he
curtains,iheadt othebathr
oom andt ookashower
andl oti
onedt henwor emycl ot
hes.ihead
downst airs.i
twasaf ul
lhouse!TheGent swere
here,Zuko' sf
riends.Mom anddad, my
Grandpar entsfrom Mom' ssi
de.Itwasj ustf
ullnj
e
withmusi cpl
aying.

TheGent ssawmewalki
ngdownthest
air
sthen
theyrushedtowar
dsmeandjumpedonmemaki ng
allofusfal
ldown.
Them:happybi
rt
hdaynt
wana!
t
hent
heyl
aughed,
looksl
iket
hey'
redr
unkal
ready.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
50] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
ONE.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
{SHORT}

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

ThisisoneofthebestChr i
stmasandbirthdayiever
had,wewer ehavingsomuchf unwi t
heveryone.we
sang,danced,at
eandal lt
hatstuf
f-Mom andDad
cookedast or
ml astni
ghttomakesur ethat
everyonewasgoi ngtogetenoughtodayand
enoughal cohol.Theyboughtever ytypeofal cohol
thateveryoneint hehousedri
nks, fr
om whi skey,to
wine,cidersandal lt
hat.I
twasj ustavibe..ahouse
partyinsteadofabi r
thdayandaChr ist
mas
celebr
at i
onthat'swhytheGent swer edrunkso
earlyi
nt hemor ningbecausethey'vebeenher e
since6am i magine!

ikeptoncall
ingLumit ocheckuponherand
makingsurethatshe'salr
ightandsheat e.idon't
wanthertostarvemychi l
dorsi zoxabana-ialso
tol
dtheGentsaboutt hepregnancyi ssueandthey
wereveryhappyf ormebutt heyteasedmeabout
howLumi '
sdadandSandi l
ewer egoi ngtofuckme
up!..
.Trut
hbet ol
dI '
m al
soscar edbutI '
l
lfaceit
headonasmanandgetoveranddonewi th.

TheGent sandiwereseat
edbyt hepooldri
nki
ng
ouralcohol,chat
ti
ngandlaughingunt
ilwewere
di
sturbedbyAnoxolo(mycousin)comi
ngt ous
hol
dingabi gboxthatwaswrappedupi nabir
thday
foi
l.i
tooktheboxandt
hankedher
.TheGent
swer
e
gawkingatmewaiti
ngformetoopen.
Songz:Vukabawo!(Openup)
ichuckl
edandopenedt
hebox,
ther
ewasacar
d
ther
ewritt
en:

Dearmyl
ove.

Enjoyyourday,
you'
rel
ovedsomuchdon'
tfor
get
that.

Yourl
ove.
Maka'
Niya.

ismiledandopenedt hebox,ialmostcr i
edwheni
sawever yt
hingthatwasthere, t
herewasacol ogne,
awat ch,3brief
s,awhitegol
f-shir
t,socks,al
ipbalm,
sunglasses,oneredrose,achocolate,t
henaUSB
wri
tten"Lumi &Lwazi".
TheGent
s:awwwman!
ichuckl
edwi
pingmyt
ear
s.
At
hiboughtmyl aptopthenIinser
tedtheUSB,our
pi
cturesandvideosdispl
ayedBeautif
ull
ywhil
e
Mario-l
etmeloveyoui splayi
nginthebackground.
ij
ustburstoutintear
s.
Songz:awmansukhal
abawo!(Don'
tcr
yman)

whatdi
didotodeser
vesuchawoman?Godknows
howmuchiloveher.

°
°°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Myfamilyandispentt
heChr i
stmasverywell,i
t
wasamazing!evenourext
endedrelat
iveswere
her
e!evenmyf amil
yfr
om bothmypar ent'
ssides
wereherei
twasaf ul
lhouse.ever
yonetheirday.
Theyweredr
inki
ng,
danci
ngandal
lthati
twasa
chaosnj
e.

It
'sthebestChri
stmasiwon'tl
ie,Lwazi kepton
call
ingmeeverynowandt henor der
ingmet oeat
whileidon'
tevenhaveappeti
tetodaybutit ri
edto
eatsomesmal lport
ionoff
ood, i
t'
sbetterthan
nothing.

ihopehewi
lll
ovet
hegi
ftisenthi
m,i
twasthebest
icoul
ddosi
nceidi
dn'
thaveenoughmoney.

Myfeetwer eal
readyhur t
ingf
rom standingthe
whol
emor ninginthekitchensoiheadt omyr oom
andlockedthedoor,ineededtorestASAP.idon't
wanttostrai
nmybaby. .soigotUnder cover
sand
sl
eptimmedi at
ely.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
50] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
TWO.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

AWEEKLATER.

TodayLwaziandigoi
ngtothedoctoragai
n,sothat
hecanputMrt hr
oughthepr
egnancymedicati
on.
I'
m sti
llhi
dingthepregnancyathomebywear inga
j
acketont opofeverythi
ngiwear,iknowihaven't
star
tedshowi ngyetbutIfeel
li
kemymyf amil
ywill
seethatI'
m pregnantsoistayinmyr oom mostof
theti
mehi ding.
I'
veseenthewaymymom st aresatme, ithi
nk
she'sst
arti
ngtosuspectsomethingidon'tknow
manbutt hewayshest ar
esatmesayssomet hing
elseyouknow.I'm evenafr
aidtobewithherint he
sameplace,it
'sastruggl
etr
ustme.
sointhemorningiwokeupanddr aggedmyl azy
selft
othebathroom andgotr eady,iputonmy
sweatpant
,awhi tet-
shir
tandmybomberj acket
thenmysneaker s.il
etmydr eadlockslooseand
appli
edmyl i
pglosst henheaddownst airs!
Me:Mor
ningandbye.
iquickl
yranoutbeforetheyaskmanyquest
ions,
Lwaziwasalreadyheresoigotinsi
det
hecarhe
droveoffi
mmedi at
ely.
Me:Mol
obaby.
heki
ssedmyl
ips.
Lwazi
:heyl
ove.
.howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m goodj
ustt
ir
edyou?
Lwazi
:I'
m cool
.
inodded,
her
eachedt
hebackseatandcomeback
wit
hchickennuggets!ibeamedwithexci
tement
s.
I
'vebeencravi
ngthem inthesedays.
Me:t
hankyousomuchbaby.
henoddedsmil
ing,
iat
ethechickenwhi
lehummi
ng
tot
hesongthatwaspl
aying.

Wearrivedatthehospitalt
henweheadst rai
ghtto
DrNzingo'sof
fice,hewasst i
llbusywit
hapatient
sowehadt owait.Af
tersomet imethepat
ientgot
outt
henhecal ledusinside.
Dr
:Goodmor
ningLovebi
rds.
Us:mor
ningDoct
or.
Dr
:howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
hismor
ning?
Me:j
ustt
ir
eddoct
or.
Henodded.
Dr
:that
'snor
mal
.
hetookoutabigwhit
efi
leandwrotesomethi
ng
ther
ethencheckedmeifever
ythi
ngisokay.
Dr:okay,ever
ythi
ngisst
il
lgoodwit
hthepregnancy.
Thebabyi sst
il
lgood.
.gr
owingwell
,soonenough
you'l
lbeablet
odoanul t
rasound.
wesmi
led.
Dr:I
'
llwri
tedownallt
hemedi
cat
ionyou'
l
lneedt
hen
you'
llgobuyitt
othephar
macyokay?
wenoddedt
henhewr
otesomet
hingont
hef
il
eand
gaveust
hefi
le.
Dr
:everyt
imeyoucomebackf
ort
hecheck-
up,
you
br
ingthatf
il
e.
Me:okayt
hankyoudoc.
Dr
:li
kewi
se.
webi dgoodbyesthenweheadt ot
hephar macy,
Lwaziboughtallthemedicati
onandvi t
ami nsthen
heboughtbur ger
sandchi psforusthenweheadt o
hi
scar .hedrovetothebeachwear ri
vedt hereand
gotoutthecarthensayont opoftheboot.Iwas
bet
weenhi slegs-heisbrushingmyt ummywhi le
ki
ssingthesideofmyf aceandneckwat chingthe
wavesoft hesea.
Lwazi
:il
oveyou.
Me:wel
oveyout
oo.
het
urnedmear
oundandki
ssedmepassi
onat
ely.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

ihaven'thadthegut stotel
lmypar entsthati
impregnantedsomeone, Mygirl
fri
end.Hlalumi
Nkabindet obespecifi
c..knowingexact l
ythatmy
familyandt heNkabindesdon'treall
ygetalong,
actuall
ytheyhat eeachotherforwhat ?idon'tbuti
wisht ofi
ndoutsomedaybutmydadi svery
secreti
ve.Lumiandil oveeachot hersomuchbut
theycan'tacceptthat,
theydon'twantt oexceptthat
!
justbecauseoft hei
rbeefthatweknownot hing
about.wewer enoteventherewheni thappenedbut
then..
Myl i
tt
lehumani sgr owingsowel li
nhermother '
s
tummy, yesLumiandiwi shedt hatourchi
ldmi ght
beagi rl
.I'
m gl
adt hatLumii stakingcareofour
preci
ouscar gothereandt hereain'tany
complicati
ons,iwon'ttherewon' tbeanyuntilshe
givesbir
th.

Butifeelf
ormybaby, thi
spregnancyismakingher
l
azyandt i
redthensheeatsalot.shewil
lgaininno
ti
me!evenhermot herwil
lst
arttosuspectthings
becauselumialr
eadytoldmeabouthowhermot her
star
esather,i
t'
slikeshe'
ssuspectingsomething.
.
.
.
[2MONTHSLATER]

"babypleasecal
m downokay?I
'
m wi
thyoui
n
ever
ystepoftheway".
shenoddedandwi
pedhersweat
ypal
msont
he
hoodi
eshe'
swear
ing.
Me:i
t'
snowornevermyl
ove,
let
'sdot
his.
shel
ookedather
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or.
Lumi
:ismybumpshowi
ng?
Me:noi
t'
snotbaby.
Lumi
(t
eary)
:I'
m soner
vous,
whati
fmydadki
cks
meout..wher
eam igoi
ngtost
ay?
icuppedherf
aceandki
ssedherl
ips.
Me:don'
twor
rybaby,
you'
rest
rssi
ngt
hebaby
shesi
ghedandhol
dherbump.
Lumi
:sor
ryMyl
ove,
let
'sgo.
weki
ssedt
hengoti
nsi
det
hecaranddr
ovet
o
Lumi
'
shome.

2mont hshaspassedsowedeci dedtobreakthe

newstoourparentstoday,wecall
edameet i
ng.
eventhoughmypar entsdi
dn'
twanttogot herebuti
beggedthem t
ell
ingthenit
'si
mportantunti
lthey
agr
eed.

Mybabyhasbeenshowi ngnow, shehasacut e

l
itt
lebumpt hatsuit
sherverywell
.She'svery
Chubbyandcut e!butshe'
ssuchawor secrybaby
yho.It'
sbeenhellof2mont hsbutit
'sgoingtobe
worthiti
ntheend.

wear r
ivedatLumi'shomethenweheadi nsi
de,t
he
housewasf ullwi
thbothfamil
ies.t
heywer enot
tal
kingjustst
arri
ngateachother.weclearedour
thr
oatsthentheylookedourwaywai t
ingforusto
tal
k.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
50] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
THREE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.

ATTHENKABI
NDEHOUSEHOLD.

Thebot hfami l
iesaregatheredt oget heratt he
Nkabi ndehousehol dtoameet ingt hatwascal l
ed
bythei rkids,nobodyknowswhyt hey'reher eand
theirpr i
desdon' tl
etthem talktoeachot herand
asked.MrVusumziJol aandMrNkosi nathi
Nkabi ndear ethrowingdagger sateachot her .
..
Thesepeopl ewer eoncef ri
endsi nt heircol l
ege
yearsbutt hatendedwhenNkosi nathishowed
i
nter estinVusumzi '
sbrother, Xol aniJol a'
s
girl
friend(Lumi 'sMom)andt heyki ll
edXol ani
becausehewasphysi cal
lyandemot ionallyabusing
Vuyel wa.Whenshef i
nall
ysnappedsheki lledhim
andNkosi nathihelpedhert ocoverupt hemur der
butVusumzi foundoutandhat edNkosi nat hiand
Vuyel wat i
lltoday.Buttodayt hey' regat heredher e,
broughttogetherbythei
rchil
drenwhohappenedto
fal
linl
ovewi t
heachot herdeeplyandmadeeach
otherpregnant!Hopeful
lyt
hechi l
dwil
lbr
ingt
he
famili
estogether.

Lwazi ngcaandHl alumigoti nsi

det hehouset hat
wasf ullbybot hfami lies,theywer eholdinghands
l
ikethel oversthatt heywer e.event hebli
ndper son
canf eeltheirl
ovef oreachami leaway, from the
wayt heyl ookateachot herinadmi rati
ont otheway
they'
reaf fecti
onatet oeachot herandt hewayt he
respecteachot her.it'
ssuchagoodt hi
ngt osee
thatthiskindofl ovest i
llexi
stsinthi snew
gener at
ionbutunf or tunat el
ytheybr oughtnewst hat
mightchanget heirlivesf orever.

Theystoodinf r
ontoft hem andclear edthei
r
thr
oatsgett
ingt heattentionfr
om theirfamil
ies,
Vuyel
wanot icedhowt hickherdaught er,
sheknows
herdaught
eri nsideout .Sheknewhl aluwasbi t
thi
ckbutnotl i
ket hi
s..shegainedawei ghti
nthese
mont hsandsheeatsalot-alwayssleepi
ng!she
prayesinsi
dethathert
hought saredecei
vingher
daughterisnotwhatshethinksheisbecauseshe's
tooyoungandshehasabr ightfut
ure.

Theyoungcoupl etooktheirseatswhi l
esti
llholding
hands, Lumi'
sdadwasf umi nginhisseatbecause
ofthissightinf
rontofhiseyes.hest il
lcan'tbeli
eve
thathislit
tl
eprincessHlaluluhasgr ownsomuch,
sheevenhasaboyf ri
endwho' snotafraidtohol d
handsi nfr
ontofhim andki ssherforeheadi nfront
ofhim.soonshewi llbehavingsexonl ythat
thoughtmadehi sskincri
nge.hecan' tevenimagi ne
hishavingsex!it'
straumat i
zingifyouaskhi m orhe
wast oolateforhimt oimaginethat?hewant edto
standupandpuncht heboyont hef acebuthehad
tocomposehi mselfandhearwhatt hekidshast o
say.
Nkosi
nat
hi:we'
rel
ist
eni
ng.
Lwazicl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatagai
n.
Lwazi
:fi
rstofal
li'
dli
ket
ogr
eetever
yonei
nthe
r
oom andthankyoual
lforcomi
ngher
etohear
whatba-Lumiandihastosay.
ever
yonenoddedSt
ari
ngatt
hem.
BothLumiandLwaziwe'
reget
ti
ngmor
ener
vous
hastheydel
ayedt
alki
ng.
Nkosi
nat
hi:khul
umamf
ana,
wedon'
thaveal
lday!
Lumi
'sdadsai
dgett
ingi
mpatient
,Lumi
'
sMom gave
hi
m alookhecl
ear
edhisthr
oat.
Lwazi
:wecal
ledt
hismeet
ingt
otel
lyouguyst
hat
..
we.
.are.
.umh!
hestutt
eredt
ryi
ngtof
indawayt
osayt
hisbutLumi
qui
cklyjumpedin.
Lumi
:I'
m pr
egnant
!

Theroom felli
nsil
ent,
everyonewaslookingat
LumiandLwaziwhower el
ookingdown!ever
yone
wasfrozenont hei
rseat.wanti
ngtotal
kbutnothi
ng
cameout .Vuyelwawast heonewhosnappedoutof
i
t.
Vuyel
wa:Thi
xo'
nof
efe!
sheexclaimedwi t
hherhandsoverherhead,tear
s
blurri
nghervisi
on.herbei
ngfearcamethrough.
Whatshewassuspect i
ngandprayingt
hathermi nd
mi ghtbeplayi
ngtri
cksonher.

Withabli
nkofaneye,Sandil
ewasalreadyontopof
Lwazipunchi
ngandkicki
nghim.Womeni nt
he
housewerescreami
ngandj umpingwhil
eLwazi'
s
dadremovedSandil
efrom Lwaziwhosefacewas
bl
oody.
Vusumzi
:Mot
her
fucker
!
hecur
sedl oudlyandthrewapunchonSandi l
ewho
st
aggeredbackandf allbackonthecouch.
Nkosi
nathilostandpunchedVusumziwhor etur
ned
hi
spunchbackandt hatresul
tedi
ntoabigfi
ghtof
gr
ownmen!

Lumiwascryi
ngkneeli
ngbesidest
hebl
oody
unconsci
ousLwazionthef
loor.
Lumi
:somebodycal
lanambul
ance!
sheyel
led,butever
yonewastr
yingtost
opt
hef
ight
bet
weent hetwoheadsofthef
amili
es.

Vuyelwanot icedthatLwaziwasnotmovi ngont he

fl
oor,sheleftthefightandlookforherphonet ocal
l
theambul ancewhi chwas30mi nutesaway.Lumi
waskneel i
ngbesi desLwazilayingherheadonhi s
chestsobbingandbeggi nghimt owakeup!
Vuyelwaknewt herebylookingathowherdaught er
wascr yi
ngt hatthereisnothi
ngt heycoul
ddot o
breakthem apar t
.Theirloveissostrong.
.theywere
madef oreachot her.

Thegrownmenst oppedf
ight
ing,
Nkosi
nat
hispi
t
outbl
oodandlookedathi
sdaughterwi
tha
murderousl
ook.
Nkosi
nat
hi:WenaI
'
lldealwi
thyou!
!
Withthathest
ormedout,
Lwazi
'
sMom shoutedat
herhusbandtotaket
hei
rtot
hehospi
tal
.When
Vusumzisnappedi
ntor
eal
it
yagai
nhepickeduphi
s
sononthefl
oorwhil
eLumiwashol
dingontohi
m
ti
ght
.
Lwazi
'
Mom:Lethi
m go,
thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
t!
sheyell
edatLumiremovingherhandsf r
om Lwazi
roughl
y.Vusumziranoutwithhissoninhisarms
i
ntohiscaranddrovestr
aighttothehospit
al.Lumi
waslayingonthefl
oorcryi
ng.

Ever
yonewenttotherespect
iver
oomsl
eavi
ngl
umi
wit
hhermotherintheli
vingr
oom .
Vuyel
wa:Comeher
ebaby.
Lumigotofffl
oorandcr awl
edt ohermother'
s
embrace,eventhoughVuyelwawasdi sappoi
ntedi
n
herbutshewasst i
llherchi
ld.herl
astborn.

Tobecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
51] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
FOUR.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

iknewmydadandSandi leweregoi
ngtobehave
li
kethat,
Iknewt hatmydadwouldretal
iat
e!I'
m st
ill
amazedt hathedidn'
tthr
owmeouti nthati
nstant
..I
guesshe'stryi
ngtomakesenseofthingsli
ke
gather
inghisthoughtsal
one.

idisappoi
ntedmypar ent
sisawi ti
ntheirf
aces,
special
lymydad!hewassodi sappoi
nted,
angry
andmost l
yhur taboutt
hisbutwhat'
sdonei t
'sdone,
there'
snothingwecoulddo.

idi
dn'texpectSandil
etoactl
ikethatandrearr
ange
mybabydaddy' shandsomeface, iwassoscared
thi
nkingofthewor st
.hewassobl oodyanyone
could'
vepanicked.il
oveLwazingcaJolaandthe
thoughtofl osi
nghim makesmecr azy,andgomad!
ican'tseem tospendmyl i
fewit
houthim speci
all
y
thereisachi l
dintheequati
on-ican'tr
aisemy
chil
dal one!I'
m st
il
lachil
dmyself.
I'
mjustgladthatigotmymom onmycor ner
,yes
I'
vedisappoi
ntedthem butshesti
llknowsand
remember st
hatI'
m sti
llherchi
ld,
herlastborn
daughter.

icr
iedonchestunt ilicalmeddown, Mom gaveme
aglassofwat erandhel pedmedr inksi
ncemy
handswer eshaking.Shet ookmyhandandl edme
tothekit
chenisatdownont hebarstoolwhi
leshe
movesar oundtheki t
chenpr epar
ingmesomet hi
ng
toeat.
Me:Mama?
shestoppeddoingwhat
evershewasdoi
ngbutshe
didn'
ttur
ntolookatme.
Me:I
'
m sosor
ry,
ndi
cel
auxol
o..pl
easef
orgi
veme!
shesi
ghedandl
ookeddown.
Me:IknowI'
vedisappoi
ntedyouandDadbutI'
m
tr
ulysor
rypl
easedon'tki
ckmeoutI'
lldoever
ythi
ng
youwantmetodo.
shet
urnedt
olookatme,
shehadat
ear
sinhereyes.
Mom:youKnowisuspect edt hatyou' r
epr egnant
whenyousuddenl yhadabi gappet i
teandt hrowed
upal ot.butipr ayedt oGodever yni ghtt hatmy
mi ndispl ayingt r
icksonme!you' renotpr egnant ,
notmybabygi r
lbutiwasl at
e.Ver yl ate!And
there'snot hi
ngwecoul ddot hanaccept ingyouand
yourbabycauseyou' resti
llmybabyandI 'ma
grandmat othatchi l
dyou'recar rying.I '
lltalktoyour
dadsot hathewon' tkickyouout ..butHl alumiyou
disappoi ntedussomuchspeci allyyourdad.you
sawhowhewas!i nhi seyesyouwer eal wayst hat
l
ittl
epr incesshl aluwhoheusedt or eadbedt ime
stori
est o-he'shavi ngahar dt i
met oacceptt hat
you'regr owingandyou' regrowi ngf ast .Yeswe' ve
accept edt hatyouhaveaboyf ri
endbutt his?this
mnt anam?i t'
stoomuchidon' tbl ameyourdadby
goingcr azy.
Me(
tear
y):I
'
m sor
ry.
.
Mom:yoursor
ri
eswon'tsol
veanyt
hingnow,
the
damagehasal
readybeendone.
sheputt
hepl
ateoff
oodi
nfr
ontofme,
Ithankedher
.
Mom:I
'
llgoandcheckonyourdad.
sheheadout
,Ij
ustcoul
dn'
thol
ditanymor
eibr
oke
downandcri
ed.

Someonewr appedthei
rarmsaroundmybody,
j
udgingbythecologneit
'sSakhi
le.hebroughtme
tohisembr
aceiheldhimt i
ghtandcriedonhis
chesthebr
ushedmyback.
Sakhi
le:don'
tcr
ysi
s,t
hinkofmyni
ece.
hesai
dtouchi
ngmyst
omachandchuckl
ed.
Sakhi
le:ican'
tbel
ieveyou'
repr
egnant
.
igi
ggl
edandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:haymanSakhi
le.
Sakhi
le:soyouandLJwer
ehi
tt
ingi
traw?yeses
hl
alu!
ihi
thischestpl
ayf
ull
y,doesheevert
aket
hings
ser
ious?
Me:mxm!
Sakhi
le:l
et'
seat
,you'
rest
arvi
ngt
hebaby.
webothatefrom mypl
ate,chat
ti
ngandl aughing.
hekeepsonbr ushi
ngmytummy-t al
kingtothe
babyandkissingmystomachhereandthere.he'l
l
makeanawesomeuncl e.

Aroundaf t
ernoonireceivedacal
lfr
om Zukosayi ng
thatLwaziwokeup, nothingwassever
elyonhi m
buthisnoisewasbr okenhealsohadbruisesand
blueeyeonhi sface.Ohmypoorbaby. .
.ipromised
Zukot hatI
'l
lseehimt omorrowsi
nceitwasal r
eady
l
at eandthingsweretenseathomesoican' tgoand
seehim.

ihaven'
tseenmydadsinceMorning,he'
sbeen
lockedupinhi
sroom wit
hMom.i m gett
ingwor
ri
ed
iwon'tl
ie,
I'
mjustthi
nki
ngifmaybeMom wasabl e
togett
hroughhim butthent
hat'sherhusband,
she
knowswherehisbuttonstopressare.

Around6h30i wentt
osleepbecauseiwasti
red,
i
gottomyr oom andt
ookshowerandwor emy
pyjamasthengotUnder
covers.

°
°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

"Kwedini,
whatwereyouthinki
ngt
oimpr
egnant
thatNkabi
ndegi
rluphambene?"
Me:dadplease,
canwetal
kaboutthi
ssomeot
her
t
imes?I'
m somuchinpainri
ghtnow!
Dad:servesyouri
ght
!itol
dyouLwazingcatoleave
thatgi
rlal
one,l
ookatyounowjustbecauseofa
bit
ch!!
Me:Dad!
!,Don'
tyoudar
ecal
lthemot
herofmy
chil
dabi tch.Hlalumiisthename.Yazit houghti t'
s
everypar ent swishtoseet heirchildrengr owand
fi
ndt hel oveoft hei
rli
feandbehappybutno!not
mine.al lyouguyscar eabouti sthef uckenbeef
thatHappenedyear sago!!Wewer enotevent her
e
butyouwantust obreakupbecauseoft hat.Butlet
met ellyousomet hingthatyoudon' tknowdad. .
Lumiandiwon' tbreakupj ustbecauseyouguys
saysso.wel oveeachot herandwe' llcontinueto
withorwi thoutyoursuppor t
.Cl osethedooronyour
wayout .

it
urnedar
oundandl
ookedout
sidet
hewi
ndowand
cr
ied.

Dad:son.
.
Me:Phumat
ata!
(Getoutdad)

ihearthedoorbei
ngclosed,
icl
osedmyeyest
ight
andletmytearsfal
l.
Whyar etheyagainstust hi
smuch?whatdi dwedo
topeopleeit
herthenmi ndingourownbusinessand
l
ovingeachot her
?I'mtiredofpeopl
etel
li
nguswhat
todolikewear el
itt
leki
dswhocan' tmake
decisi
onsforthemselves.

imust '
vefall
enasleepbecauseI
'm wokenbywarm
softhandstouchingmyf aceandcoldl
ipspecki
ng
mine.ismi l
edit
'sonlymybabywhohasaCher r
y
scentedli
pgloss.
Me:Mol
ost
handwasam.
isaidopeni
ngmyeyesandlookedather
,she'
s
starr
ingatmewi
thtear
yeyesandasmi l
eonher
face.
Lumi
:Heybaby.
..Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Me:mybodyisl
itt
lebi
tsor
ebutI
'
llbef
ine.How'
s
mybabygi
rlher
e?
Lumi
:she'
sokay,
shehasn'
tbot
her
edmommyyet
.
ismi
ledandputmycoldhandsonherswol
len
tummy,if
eltsomemovementsandl
ookedatLumi
wi
thmymout
hwi
deopen.
Me(
tear
y):i
sthat
?
shenodded,ican'
tbel
ievemybabyki
cked,
she'
s
feel
ingherf
atherpr
esence.
Lumi
:ohmyGodbaby.
isatupst
rai
ghtandki
ssedherl
ipsandhuggedher
.
Me:t
hankyousomuchf
ort
hisMamakhe.
shej
ustbur
stouti
ntear
s.
Lumi
:I'
m sor
ryf
orwhatmybr
otherdi
dtoyou.
iki
ssedherf
orehead.
Me:don'twor
rymyl
ove,
I'
llt
akemor
epai
nforyou
andNiyanda.
shesmi
led.
Lumi
:uyenzephil
eCour
seyobuboyf
ri
endf
ondi
ni?
igi
ggl
ed.
Me:opposi
tel
andawuwenzekuyoeyobugi
rl
fr
iend
t
shi.
shel
aughedandki
ssedme.
Me:Il
oveyou.
Lumi
:it
'susagai
nstt
hewor
ldmyl
ove.

ILOVEHER.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
51] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
FIVE.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.

FEW DAYSLATER.

I
tsbeenaweeksi
nceLwazigotoutt
hehospit
al,
his
f
acewasslowl
yheal
ingandthebrui
sesf
ading
away.hispainfulr
ibsareheal i
ngtoo!Lumihas
beentakingcareofhim athishome. .Zukohas
beensneakingheri nwhil
ehi spar
ent sarenotint
he
house,Lwazihasn'tbeentalkingt
ohi sfamil
y.he'
s
beengivingthem sil
entt
reatmentunt i
ltheytel
lhi
m
whatmadet heset wofamili
esnott ogetalongunti
l
thenhe'snotgoingtotal
kt othem.

EvenonNkabi ndehousehol d,Lumi '

sdadhasn' t
talkedtoLumiyet ,
he'sal sogi
vi nghersilent
treatmentf ordaysnow!Hermot herhastri
edtotalk
tohi m butst i
llhehasn'tbudged.Lumihasbeen
alsoapol ogizingtoherf amil
yf ordaysspeci al
lyt
o
herdadunt ilshedeci dedt ogi
veup!Becauseshe
tri
edever ythingt omakeherdadf orgi
veherbutsti
ll
soshegaveupandf ocusedonherpr egnancyand
makesur et hateverythingisgoodandsheeat s
heal t
hy.

Ontheotherside,VusumziJol
a.Lwazi
'
swor dshas
beenri
nginginhisheadeversi
ncehelefthospi
tal
thatday, whathi ssonsai dhasbeenst uckonhi s
head.howl ongar etheygoi ngt of i
ghtaboutt his?
howl ongdoeshi ssonwi l
lgeti nandoutofhospi tal
becauseoft hisbeeft heyhave?howl ongar etheir
kidsar egoi ngt osneakar oundl ovingeachot her
behindcl oseddoor sbecauseoft hey'rescar edof
whatt hef ami liesar egoingt osay?i st hisf i
ght
wor t
h?t ol oset heirkidsbecauseofi t?because
theseki dsmi ghtel ope!Andt hey' l
lneverseet hem
again..isthatwhatt heywant ?ofcour senotbut
howdot heyf ixthis?Apol ogi set otheNkabi ndesor
what ?becausehi sbr otherwast heonewhoabused
Vuyelwaunt i
lVuyel wahadenough!Nkosi nathijust
helpedhert ocoverupt hemur dernot hingmuch,
maybet heyshoul djustbur yt hehat chetandmove
onwi tht heirlivesj ustforthesakeoft heki ds
becauset heyl oveeachot her .hehasseenhow
Lwazil ooksatHl alumiandhowHl alumil ooksat
Lwazi .Thei rlovef oreachot heri sevi dent-evena
blindper soncanf eelit
.

Ont
heot
hersi
det
oo,
Nkosi
nat
hiNkabi
nde.i
s
blami nghi mselfaboutt hiswhol ei ssue!Yeshe' s
angr yanddi sappoi ntedi nhi sdaught erbuthe
blameshi msel f
...Di dtheypusht hei rkidstothat
extent?hewast hathar dandst rictonhi sdaught er?
didhedepr i
vedhi sdaught erthechancet ogrowup,
beachi ldandmakemi stakesandl earnf r
om them?
butit'stool atenowshe' sal readypr egnantand
there'snot hingtheycando!t heki dsl oveeachot her
-andt here'snowayt heycoul dbr eakt hem apar t
.
Theyshoul dbej ustactl i
keadul tsandf or
giveeach
otherbecauset heirgr andchi ldisont heway!t hey
shoul djustmakepeacef orhi s/hersake.i t'
stime
thattheyt el
ltheki dswhathappenedandl et
bygonesbebygonesandmoveonwi ththeirl
ives.

°
°°°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Lwaziandil
ookedateachot
hershocked,
His
fami
lyandminecal
ledameetingatLwazihome
andt
heywantt
hebot
hofust
her
e.

iwonderwhatt hi
smeet i
ngabout?Because
meetingsbetweent hesetwof ami
li
esdon'tendwell
..
ther
ealwaysf ightsaft
erfight
sihopethi
sonewi l
l
endwel lj
ustforthesake.
Si
gh.
.
Mydadhasn' tt
alkedt omeyetandI 'mr unni
ngout
ofpat i
enceofbeghi yhim, yesiknowI '
ve
disappoi nt
edhim andI '
m notproudoft hatbut
there'snothingwecoul ddomosei therthanto
accepti tandmoveonwi t
hourlives!it
'snotamust
thent oacceptmychi l
dbecausei t'
sokayi ft
hey
don't.idisappointed..I'
mj ustgl
adt hattheydidn'
t
kickmeoutordi sownmeyouknow. .
Lwazi
:whatdoyout
hinki
tisabout
?
ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.
Me:ihavenoi
deababy.
hesi
ghed.
Lwazi
:ihopeiwon'
tcomeoutoft
hatmeet
ingwi
th
anotherbrui
sesandallthat
,yourfamilyloves
ruini
ngmyhandsomef aceI'
m star
tingtothink
they'
rejeal
ousthatI
'
m handsomet hanthem!
il
aughed.
Me:mxm,
you'
recr
azy.
wel
aughedt
henki
ssed.

hi
shandt
ouchedmychoochi
eundermydr
ess.
Lwazi
:ndi
cel
aungena!
Me:butbaby.
.
Lwazi
:pl
easebaby.
.look.
heputmyhandonhisrockharddi
ck,
iqui
ckl
y
removedmyhandhelaughed.
Lwazi
:pl
easest
handwasam,
nzot
hinj
ekay'
1.
irol
ledmyeyesbecausehe'slying.heki
ssedme
withhishandsrunni
ngallovermybodyt henturned
mear oundtothedoggypositi
on.itwaskindahard
becauseofmyt ummybutit ri
ed.
Lwazi:haybobaby..
.Ar
chyourbackf
ondi
ni.yi
nto
wayidini
ngtable?
iqui
ckl
ytur
nedt
olookathi
m,r
haa.
Me:hayLwazingcasundiqhela!howthehellam i
goi
ngtoArchmybackwi ththebigtummy.Yaz
yi
ntoyou'
reungrat
efulr
haa, sexiscancel
led.
Lwazi
:hayMaka'Niyandaiwaskiddi
ng.Pl
ease
babyndakcel
asuyenzalent
o..pl
easebaby.
iwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:sundi
khubeki
saLwazi
ngca.
Lwazi
:I'
m sor
rybaby,
uxol
o.
hesai
dki
ssi
ngmyl
ips.
Lwazi
:canwet
ryagai
n?
inodded,
weki
ssedt
henf
uckedt
hemi
ssi
onar
y
styl
e.

t
obecont
inued.
.
[
02/
18,
19:
51] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
SIX.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

NARRATED.

Around5pm intheafter
noon,TheNkabi ndes
arri
vedattheJolahousehol
df orthemeeting.
Vusumzi,Nkosi
nathi,
VuyelwaandLwazi '
sMom
we'rever
ynervousathowt otheki dsweregoingt
o
reactatwhatt
hey'r
eabouttor evealtot
hem.
Theygreetedeachotherandsatdownont hedi
ning
tabl
ewhi l
eLwazi'
smom wentt othekit
chentoget
somethingtodri
nkfortheguestwhil
ethey'
re
wait
ingforHlal
umi andLwazingcatocomedown.

Vusumzitol
dZukotogoandcalltheki
dstocome
down.Zukowenttocallt
hem t
hencamedownwi t
h
methentheygr
eetedandtookthei
rseat
stoo.
Thecoupl esawhost heirparent
swerenervousbut
theydidn'tunder
standwhyt heywere!isaboutwhy
theycalledtheMeetingorsomet hi
ngelse?Lumi
l
ookedatZukowhoshr uggedhisshoulder
s
I
ndicatingthathedoesn'tknowanything.
Nkosi
nathiclear
edhist
hroatgett
ingt
heat
tent
ion
f
rom everyonearoundt
hetable.
Nkosi
nat
hi:sani
bonani
.
theygreet
edback,
thenNkosinat
hil
ookedathi
s
daughteri
ntheeyewholookeddownandplayed
withherfi
nger
s.
Nkosi
nathi:wecall
edyouguysheretoday,
because
wethinkthati
t'
stimeforyouguystoknowwhat
r
eall
yhappenedbet weenthef
amili
esandwhyt he
f
amili
esar enotgett
ingal
ong.

LwaziandLumil
ookedateachothershocked,
they'
veal
wayswantedt
oKnowwhathappened
betweent
hefami
li
esbuttheparentswerestubbor
n
enoughnott
oevent
ellt
hem butnowalloft
he
suddent
heywannat
ell.
.whatchanged?
Vuyel waclearedhert hroatandst ar
tst onar
rat
e
everythi
ngt hathappenedi nthepast , howshe
startedtodateXol anitohowXol anichangedand
abusedheremot ionally,physicallyandsexuall
y
untilshehadenoughandki l
l
edhi mt henNkosi
nat
hi
helpedhert ocoverupt hemur der.

Bythetimeshef ini
shes,LumiisinLwazingca'
s
chestsobbing,evenVuyelwaiscryi
nginher
husband'schest.Vusumziwassof eel
ingbadat
howhedef endedhisbr ot
herwhileheabusedand
rapedthewomanseat edinf
rontofhi
m cryingher
eyesout!hewassoashamedofhi msel
f.

Ont heothersi
de,Lwaziwasrunninginhi
sseat,i
s
thiswhyhi sf
amilydi
dn'twanthi
mt odateLumi?
justbecauseVuyelwakil
ledhi
sunclebecausehe
wasabusi ve?i
shisdadcondoningDomest i
c
violence?whydidhedefendhisbrot
herknowing
exact
lywhathedi
d?wow!
Lwazi
:sodad.
.thi
siswhyyoudi
dn'
twantmet
o
dat
eLumi?
Vusumzidi
dn'
tanswerhej
ustl
ookeddowni
n
shame.
Lwazi:youdef endedyourst upi
dbr otherknowi ng
exactlythathe'sabusingwoman! .MakaLumiyou
didn'
twantmet odateyourdaught erjustbecause
ofanabusi nguncleidon'tevenKnow! !andimazi
lomntuni thet
hangaye, butyoumademef el
lforhis
sins.
..Didyour eall
ythinkthatI'
l
labuseyour
daught er?ndimthandakangakauHl al
umiwhy
wouldIdot hat?ungambuzanankuehl eliapha, i
don'tevenswearathert henwhywoul dir aisemy
hand?I 'm notl
ikemyst upiduncleandI '
llneverwill
be!thankyousomuchf orr
eferr
ingmet osomeone
idon'tevenknow!Wow.

wit
hthatsaidhewalkedoutt
ogetsomefreshai
r,
t
henLumif oll
owedhim .t
hepar
entswer
eleftal
one
i
nthei
rthoughts.
Vusumzi
:maybeweshoul
dbur
ryt
hehat
chet
,for
t
hesakeofourki
ds.
het
ookhi
shandoutt
oLumi
'
sdadf
orashake.
Vusumzi:iapol
ogizetothebothofyou,speci
all
y
youVuyelwa.iknewwhatwasmybr otherdoi
ngt o
youbutstil
lIdi
dn'tsayanyt
hingormakeanyact i
on.
ndi
cel
auxol okakhulu.
Nkosi
nat
hiwel
comedhi
shandt
hent
heyshaked.
Nkosi
nat
hi:si
yaxol
isanat
hi,
wit
hever
ythi
ng.
theyst
oodupandbro-hugged,
alsot
hewi
vesst
ood
upandhuggedeachother
.
Vusumzi
:ihopewe'l
lhaveagoodrel
ati
onshi
pnow,
bot
hfamil
iesfort
hesakeofourgr
andchil
d.
Nkosi
nathi
:don'
tworr
y,we'
l
l.I
'
m st
il
lexpect
ingmy
moneyforthedamagi
ng.
t
heyl
aughed.
Vusumzi
:don'
twor
ry,
oldf
ri
end.

i
nthewi
ndow,
LwaziandLumiar
ewat
chi
ng
ever
ythi
ngthati
shappeningi
nthehouse.t
hey
smil
edateachandkissed.

t
obecont
inued.
[
02/
18,
19:
52] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
SEVEN.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

[SHORT]

HLALUMI
.

TosayI 'm happywoul

dbeanunder stat
ement ,I'
m
ecstati
c,I'
m overt
hemoont obehonest !it
'sbeen
l
ongoverduet hi
sbeefbetweenthefami l
ieshas
beengoi ngonIwasalreadyfedupwi t
hi t
..it
hought
they'
llnevermakepeace!evenifi
t'
snotf orusjust
formychild,
thei
rgrandchi
ld-sheneedstoarr
ive
hereonapeacefulandlovi
ngfamilynotawarzone
thatwi
llf
ightal
ltheti
mewhent hey'
retoget
her
.

iwassohur taboutwhatmymom r eveal edtous,

whatt hisXol anidudedi d.It'
sj ustsickeni ngifyou
askme. .ididn'tknowt hatmyownmom went
throught hatshi tyearsagobecauseofaman!i nthe
handsofaman!iwassohur tiwon' tli
e, I
'mjust
gratefulformydad, i
fhedi dn'tfalli
nlovewi t
hMom
shewoul dn'tbeher etoday.I, woul dn'tbeher e
todayj ustbecauseofamanwhowasi nsecur eand
couldn'ttreatawomanr ightsies.ButI 'm alsoangr y
atmom f orcompar i
ngmyLwaziwi tht hatexcuseof
man!Yeshe' shisuncl ebuthei snothi m.Hewi ll
neverbehi m..Lwazidoesn' tevenswearatme, let
aloner aisi
nghi shandonme!hej ustraisehisvoi ce
whenhe' sreprimandi ngmeqhaandi tendst here.

Anyways,
mydadFinal
lysatmedownandwe
t
alked,
wetal
kedt
oeachot herandapol
ogi
zedt
o
eachot her
.Alsomom j oinedt henwet alkedand
madet hingsrightasaf amily.ialsoapol ogi
zedfor
disappoint
ingthem andt heyf orgaveme. .even
Lwazi'sparentsapologi
zedonmeandmypar ent
s
apologizedonLwazi .Themeet i
ngt hatwas
supposedt obeasaddayt urnedi nt
oaf amily
gatheri
ng.Mom andLwazi 'smom cookedupsome
thenwehaddi nnerasaf ami l
yandr ej
oiced,i
twas
j
ustamazi ngt owatchfami li
esget ti
ngal ong
withoutanyfightsinbetween.

°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCA.

I'
m sohappythatthefamil
ieshassor
tedoutthei
r
i
ssuesandbet ogetherasafamil
y,t
hatdaywent
wellIwon'
tli
eitwasamazingandweenj oyed
oursel
ves.
Sot
oday,
Myf
atherandmyuncl
esar
egoi
ngt
othe
Nkabindehousehol dtopayforthedamages, I
broketheirdaught
er'svir
gini
tythenmadeher
pregnantont opofthatsoI'l
lhavetopay.Luckil
y
thatthefamili
esdidn'tdi
sownussoiusedhal fof
themoneyisavedt ocontri
butefort
hedamages.

I'
m seatedonthelivi
ngr oom withtheGents,I
'
m so
nervousI'
m pacingupanddown!I 'mtonervousto
si
tdown.i '
vebeenwai t
ingf orZuko'scal
ltobri
ef
meonhowt hingsaregoi ngthere.
ikeptonl ookingatNi
yanda'sscanonmyhand, few
daysagoLumiandiwentt othedoctorf
orsome
checkupt henwealsoaskedf orsomescans.l
et'
s
justsayladiesandgentl
emeni nfewmonthsti
me
I'
llbeafather.I'
m sohappy..
.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
52] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
EIGHT.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

{FEW MONTHSLATER}

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

iwasatt
hecaf
eteri
aatschoolwit
ht heGent
swhen
ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Lumi.iansweredwithasmi
le
onmyface.
Me:babyl
ove.
shedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustsni
ff
ed.
Me:Lumi
?Babyar
eyouokay?
shej
ustbur
sti
ntoal
oudcr
y,ist
oodupqui
ckl
y.
Me:Hl
alumi
,tal
ktomebabywhat
'sgoi
ngon?ar
e
youf
eel
inganypain?

TheGent
swer egawki
ngatmeli
keI'
m cr
azy,idon'
t
bl
amethem becauseI
'
m pani
cki
ngashell
.Thought
arealr
eadyi
nvadi
ngmymind.Ist
hebabyokay?i
s
ther
eanythi
ngwrongwi
thher
?
Lumi
:mybacki
sachi
ngLwazi
ngcaandIal
sowant
i
cecr
eam!
isi
ghed.
Me:MakaNiyandayou'
reatschoolr
emember
?you
can'
thavei
cecream!
shej
ustcont
inuedt
ocr
y.
Me:okayokay,
don'
tcr
yI'
l
lbr
ingyoui
cecr
eam!
wherear
eyounow?
Lumi
:I'
m att
hegi
rl
'sr
est
room.
Me:okayI
'
m comi
ngst
ayput
.
isai
dthenhungup.

Me:ningazeni
mithi
segents.
.I'
m gi
vingyouguys
advi
ce.Freeofchar
gerhaa!
At
hi:ul
ayeki
le,
t
heybur
stoutl
aughi
ngiendedj
oini
ngt
hem.
Me:mxm,ihavet
ogonow,
babymommawant
s
somei
cecream.
Theyconti
nuedtolaugh,it
ookmycar skeys,
phonethenbidgoodbyestothem andheadtomy
carthendr
ovetothemalltogetthisi
cecream.

Thishasbeenmyl i
fei nthesepastmont hs,waki
ng
upi nthemi ddleoft heni ghttodr ivebecause
madam want s,Pizza, chickennugget sorbur gers
andchi psoreveni crecr eams!Thecr yi
ngoutt he
blue,shel iter
all
ycr iesf oreverything.Herwei ght
gain,herswol l
enf eet,herachi ngbackandmany
mor e.ican' tbeli
eveisur vivedthislong,ican'twait
forhergi vebi r
thyhoha. aI'mfedupwi tha
pregnancyHl alumi .she'smoodyandacr ybabyi
can'tdeal .iknowI 'mt heonewhomadeherl iket
his
butyho. .ican'twai tformybabyt oarri
vebutwe
sti
llhaveonemor emont ht ogot henwe'llmeetour
Niyanda.

iboughtLumi
'
sicecr
eam andsomechoccooki
es
thendr ovest raighttoherschooltogiveherthese.i
don'tunder standwhyshe' satschoolwhil
eshe's
heavilypr egnant .shewassupposedt obeathome
rest
ingbutno!Nott hestubbor
nHlalumi.
.shesays
shewant st ofinishmat ri
cthi
syearshethere'
s
nothingt hatwi llstophersowedeci dedtol
etherbe
youKnow, wecan' tst
ressapregnantwoman.

°
°°°

HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

8monthsofpain,
tear
s, t
hehugeappet
it
e,fat
igue,
neausea,
theswoll
enfeet.Thewei
ghtgai
n, t
he
str
etchmarks,
theachingbackyhoIcan'
tdeal.
ij
ustcan'
twai ttogivebir
thandholdmybabyi nto
myarms, t
ellherhowmuchIl ovedher!HowI'm
fi
nal
lyhappyt hatshe'shereaft
er9dreadful
months.
ishould'vedonet hiswithoutLwazi nexttome,it
makesmet hinkaboutal lthesi nglemot her
sout
there.Howdot heydealwi thal lt his?whot akes
careofyouwhenyouf eel sickal lofthesudden?
Whenyousuddenl yfeel l
ikecr ying.Whenyouhave
cravings?I'
mj ustgladt hatmybabydaddydi dn'
t
runaway-he' sher ewi thmet hr oughi tall
,he'
s
holdingmyhand. .I'
m sogr atef ulfort hi
sman!i
thankGodf orbl essi
ngmewi thhi mI '
m soLucky.

icanevenwakehi m uparound2am i
nthemor ning
cravingforsomethinghe'
lldothi
seventhoughi
Knowhe' sirr
it
atedbutheknowshecan' tsayno!i
didn'tmakethisbabyalone,hewastheretoo.ball
s
burieddeepinsideofmesohecan' tdepri
veme
somet hi
ngiwant .

EventhoughI'
m heavi
lypr
egnantI'
m sti
llgoi
ngt o
school,
ideci
dedtocomebackwhi leI
'm pregnant!
pupil
satschoolt
easedmeunt i
ltheyhadenough, i
won'tst
opcomingtoschoolbecauseoft hem.They
cangotohellf
orallIcare.iwantt
hismatr
icand
I'
m goi
ngt
ogeti t
!byf i
rebyf or
ce,
nopregnancyi
s
goingt
ostopmef rom reachingmygoal
s.

Omuhl ewassoshockedwhenshesawme, she

couldn'tbeli
evethatI
'm pregnant.shekeepson
askinghow?when?Wher e?Allthosethi
ngsbuti
i
gnor edher ,
im noti
nthemoodf orheryouknow,
Lwaziboughtt heicecream hereatschoolwith
somechocol at
ecookies,ithankedhim andki
ssed
himt heniheadbackt oclassandenj oyedmyice
cream wi t
hschoolkidslookingatmewei rdl
y.

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
52] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
SEASONFI
NALE.
CHAPTERNI
NENTY-
NINE.
°
°°°
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°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

Afterschool
,Sakhi
lecamet of
etchme!iwasso
ti
redijustwantedt
oeatshesleepthat'
sal
lbuti
can'tdothat
.ihavemulti
plehomeworksal
ready.
SMH.
imeani t
'sbeenfewweekssinceschoolreopened
buttheamountofwor kwehave?toomuch!buti f
you'r
eahar dworki
ngpersonyou'
regetthroughit
.
Sakhil
eboughtacr eamychi
ckenpizzaandsome
jui
ce.youshould'
veseenmysmi l
e,he'
ssucha
sweetheart
.
iki
ssedhi
scheekt
hengoti
nsi
det
hecar
.
Me:thankyousomuchbi
gbr
other
,you'
l
lmakean
awesomeuncle!
hesmi
led.
Sakhi
le:iKnowright?ican'
twai
ttoseemyni
ece.
Wheni sshearr
ivingagain?
Me:onemor
emont
hthenshe'
l
lbeher
e.
Sakhi
le:okay.
wedrovehomei nsil
encewhi l
eiatemypizza,
Sakhi
leplayedsomemusi cont heway.Wearri
ved
athomet hengotoutthecarandheadinsidet
he
house.Dadwasseat edonthedi ni
ngt
ablewit
h
papersandlapt
opinfrontofhi
m.
Me:hiDad.
hel
ookedupatmeandsmi
led.
Dad:heybaby,
youl
ookt
ir
ed.
Me:youhavenoi
dea,
myf
eethur
ts.
.wher
e'sMom?
Dad:she'
sint
hebedr
oom.
Me:okay,
I'
llgochange.
henoddedt
henimademywayupst
air
s.

ichangeint
omydressandsomecomfort
abl
e
sleeper
sthent
iedmydreadl
ockst
henl
ayedont
he
bed.
irecei
vedat extfr
om Lwazi,t
ell
ingmethathehas
anaf t
ernoonclasshe'
llcal
lmeatnightwhenhe's
back.soiputmyphoneundert hepil
lowandlayed
downr
eadi
ngabook.

Afterawhi l
eofr eadingabook, mybackst art
edto
acheandihadsomepai nsmor el
ikecrampsonmy
abdomenar ea.imoanedi npainwhi l
erubbingthat
area,whatishappeni ngnow?ican' tbehaving
l
abourpai ns!it
'ssti
llearl
y..
.ihaveonemor emonth
togot henI'
llgivebirth.

Iwenttothebat
hroom todrinksomewat ert
hen
wentbacktobedIlayedonmyback. .t
hepai n
st
art
edt osubsi
detheniclosemyeyesf eeli
ng
sl
eepcreepingi
n.

iwokeuparound6pm intheafter
noon,but
somethi
ngweirdhappened.iwaswet ,t
hebedding
wasalsowet!whichbaff
lesmedi dipeedonmyself?
itookof
fthesheetsandputthecleanonethen
headtothebat
hroom totakeashowerandwor emy
cl
eanpyjamasandgownt henheaddownstair
s.
DadandSakhil
ewer ewatchi
ngTVwhi l
eMom was
cooki
ngintheki
tchen.soIpasseddadandSakhil
e
andheadtothekit
chentopreparemyself
somethi
ngtoeatwhileMom issti
llcooki
ng.
Me:hiMoms.
Mom:MakaNi
ya.
shesaidsmil
ing,
sheonceheardLwazical
li
ngme
thatandshecopi
editandst
artcal
li
ngMakaNiya
also.
iwentt
othecabi
netandtookoutsomeLayschi
ps
andsatdownonthebarstooleat
ingt
hechi
ps.
Mom:how'
sschool
?
Me:Schooli
sfi
ne,
justl
otofwor
k.
Mom:you'
l
lbef
ine,
Niyai
snotgi
vingyoupr
obl
ems?
Me:eit
hert
hanmaki
ngmeeatal
otandsl
eepi
ng,
she'
sgood.
shenoddedsmi
li
ng.
Thent
hecr
ampsst
art
edagai
n,iwi
ncedi
npai
n
hol
dingmyl
owerst
omach.
Mom:ar
eyouokay?
Me:yeah.
.yeahI
'
mfi
ne.
Mom:ar
eyousur
e?
Me:yesMom,
I'
m sur
e.
idi
dsomebreat
hingthensatdownagai
npr
oper
ly
butt
hepai
nwasn'tsubsi
ding.
Mom:Hl
alumiyou'
renotokay,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:idon'
t-ahhhhhhhh!
iscr
eamedwhent
hepai
nhi
tshar
d.
Mom:t
hat
'si
tI'
mtaki
ngyout
ohospi
tal
.
Sakhi
leandDadcamer
unni
ngt
otheki
tchen.
Dad:what
'sgoi
ngon?
Mom:it
hinkshe'
saboutt
ogi
vebi
rt
h.
Dad&Sakhi
le:what
?
Mom:yes!Sakhi l
egogetthebaby'
sbagf
rom
hl
alu'sroom andcal
lLwaziwhil
emeandyourdad
ar
er ushingHlal
utothehospi
tal
.
Sakhi
le:Okay.
heranupstai
rs,
dadpi ckedmeupandrantothecar
wit
hme, iwasalreadycryi
ngandsweat
ingnow!the
pai
nwast oomuch.

°
°°°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

iwasst i
lldoi
ngsomet askatmyr oom wheni
receivedacal lf
rom Lumi 'sbrot
hertelli
ngmet hat
Lumii sinhospi t
al,il
eftthetaskunfinishedand
wor emyshoesandj acketthenrandownst air
s.
informedmypar entswhati shappeni ngthenweal l
headt othehospi tal
.inthecariwassopani cki
ngi
didn'tknowwhatt odowi thmysel f
,icoul dimagine
howmuchpai nLumimustbei nbecauseionce
heardt hatLabourpai nsain'
tshit
,andmybabyi s
verysensi ti
veforthat.
WhenmydadPar kedthecariwasal readyout,
runningtowar dstheentranceofthehospital
.The
recepti
onisttoldmet hewar dwhereHl al
uisiniran
therewithmypar entsf
ollowingme.whenigot
thereLumi '
spar entsweretherepacingupand
downont hedoor .Lumi'
sscr eamsinsidewere
pierci
ngthroughmyhear t.ijustwantedtocryin
thatinst
ant.
Lumi
'
sMom:youcangoi
n.
wit
houtbei
ngtol
dtwice,
irushedi
nside.Mybaby
waspacingupanddownont hewardrubbi
ngher
l
owerabdomen-sheisdrenchedi
nsweat .
Me:heybaby
ir
ushedtoherandt
ri
edt
ohol
dherbutsheyanked
meoff.
Lumi:t
hisisallyourfault
!I'
minpainbecauseof
youLwazingca..idon'twanttoseeyoujustget
out
.(Yel
li
ng)
iswal
lowedhar
d,shewasser
iousl
yinpai
n.
Me:babyi
..
Lumi
:Isai
dgetout
!!
!(Yel
li
ng)

t
obecont
inued.
..
[
02/
18,
19:
52] :FORBI
DDENLOVE.
FI
NALE.
CHAPTERHUNDRED.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°

LWAZI
NGCAJOLA.

i
t'
sbeen2hour salr
eady,sti
llmybabyisinpai n!
she'sscr
eami ngandtakingoffherclot
hes.She
saysshe'sfeeli
nghot.she'
dl i
eonthecoldfloor,
pressedherbodyagainstthewallit
'samess. .and
shedoesn'twantmecl osetoher.
MyMom andherMom hasbeent r
yingtogetherto
calm downbutnothingi
sworking,she'
ssweari
ng
atmeandt el
li
ngmeshe'snothavingsexwithme
everagain.Shedoesn'
tevencareaboutherparent
s
r
ightnowshe'
sjustt
alki
ng.
Thedoct
orsai
dthebabyi
s9cm awaynowati
thas
tobe10!

ican'timaginethepai
nshemustbegoi ngthr
ough,
it
'stoomuchf ormetowatchwhilstdoi
ngnothing.
.
shewasr i
ghtit'
smyfaultshe'
shere,i
fididn'
t
ejaculat
edinsideofhernoneofthiswould'
ve
happened.

I'
m sohappyandner vousatthesanet ime,i
nfew
hoursI'
llbeaf ather.Awhol eenti
refather
!I'
ve
neverimaginedmysel fasthatbuthereiam in
hospit
alwaitingf ormybabyt obedel i
veredbyher
motherwho' sscr eaming-makingnoi seinawhole
enti
rehospital.
Me(teary):Ma,can'
tthedoct
orsdosomethi
ng
aboutthis?she'si
npaincan'
ttheyseet
hat.
Lumi
'
sMom si
ghed.
Lumi
'
sM:shehast
oreacht
he10cm Lwazi
bef
ore
t
hebabycancomeout
.
Me:thi
sistor
tur
e,she'
sdyi
ng.
.can'
ttheysedat
e
heratl
east
?
Dad:don'
twor
ryson,
I'
llt
ryandgett
hedoct
or.
isankdownont
hechai
randbur
iedmyf
acei
nmy
hands.
.
Me:I
'
m sor
ryLumist
handwasam.
.
.
.
.

{ANHOURLATER}

Lumiislayi
ngonthehospitalbed,
wear i
nga
hospi
talgownwithherlegswideopenont hebed.
she'
scryingandhol
dingmyhavef ordearl if
e!she'
s
sosweatyeventhestrandsofherdreadlocksare
onherface..
ikeeponwipi
ngherf
oreheadwit
hadampcl
oth
tr
yingt
oreducet
hesweating.

Dr:al
ri
ghtnow,
MissNkabi
ndeI
'
llneedyout
opush
neh?
Luminodded.
Dr
:I'
l
lcountt
o3t
henyoupush.
.now1.
.2.
.3Push!
Lumipushedwhilescr
eaming,hergri
ponmyhand
i
sveryti
ghtandit'
spainf
ulbutnothi
ngcompar
est
o
whatshe'
sfeel
ing!
Dr
:pushagai
n!I
'
m seei
ngt
hehead.
Shepushedagai
nharderthi
sti
me,sheevenf
art
ed
butt
hedoctor
sdidn'
tevenmindthat
.
Lumi
:ican'
tdot
his,
p..pl
easet
aket
hebabyout
.
Dr:Mi
ss,
youhavet
opushoryou'
l
lsuf
focat
ethe
baby.
Me:pushbabypl
ease,
dot
hisf
orNi
ya.
Dr
:I'
l
lcountagai
nyoupush,
1..
2..
3push!
shepushedagai
n,thent
hebabycameoutandf
all
onthedoct
orshands.
Dr
:dothehonour
stocutt
hei
mbi
li
calcor
dyoung
man.
Saidthedoct
orhandi
ngmet hescissor
.wi
thmy
shakyhandsitooki
tandcutthecord.

Thesharpcr
yfr
om myNi
yasnappedmeoutofmy
thought
s.
Dr
:it
'sagi
rl
.
icoul
dn'thol
ditin,ij
ustbrokedownandkissed
Lumialloverherface,shesmil
edfai
ntl
yatme.
Me:t
hankyousomuchst
handwa,
Iloveyouso
much.
thedoctorgaveLumigthebabyt
odothatski
nto
skint
hingythentheyt
ookheraway,
bef
oreLumi
passedout.

°
°°°
HLALUMINKABI
NDE.

WELCOMETOTHEWORLDNI
YANDAJEWEL
NKABI
NDE.

Myeyeswereheavy,
myheadwaspoundi ng..
makingi
thar
dformet oopenmyeyes.thepai n
bet
weenmylegswassopai nf
ulicoul
dn'tclosemy
l
egs.
Lwazi
:wakeywakeysl
eepyhead.
sai
dLwazibr
ushi
ngandki
ssi
ngmyf
orehead.
Mybodyi
ssohur
ti
ng,
seat
ingyoui
t'
sast
ruggl
e.

ifi
nall
yopenedmyeyesandsatupst r
aigt
,theroom
wassof ul
l.Theywereball
oonsandallthosethings.
Everyonewasher ebyeveryoneimean-mypar ents,
Lwazi'sparents!Lwazi
'
sf r
iendsandOmuhl ewas
here.Itwassof ull
.
Me:Mol
weni
.
t
heygr
eet
edbackwi
thsmi
lesont
hei
rfaces.
Me:wher
e'smybaby?
Lwazicamefor
wardwit
hmybabyI '
m hi
sar
ms
wrappedar
oundapinkbabybl
anket
.Myeyes
l
it
eral
lywat
eredashegavememybaby.
Shelookedsotinyandcute!sheissobeaut
if
uli
can'
tbeli
eveshe'smine.ican'
tbeli
eveimadethi
s
Humanbei ng.
Me(
tear
y):she'
ssoper
fect
..
Lwazi
:Iknowr
ight
,ourl
it
tl
ehuman.
hesai
dashesatnextt
omesi
de-
huggi
ngme.

ican'
tbeli
eveI'
m someone'smother,t
hisli
tt
le
Beautif
ulhumanbeingismine..Ayearagoif
someonewoul d'
vetol
dmet hatbythisti
meI '
l
lhave
alovingboyf
ri
endbymysi de,andi'
dbeamot her
.
I'
dlaughedontheirf
aceti
llt
earsstr
eam downmy
face.
.
Justnotsol ongagoiwasj ustanor dinar
ygirlwho
spentmostofhert imei nherbooks, andbei
ng
fri
endswi t
hOmu.t henimetLwazi ngcaJola,
i
sthandwasam, theloveofmyl if
e,mysoul mate
whot urnedmywor l
dupsi dedownandmademedo
thi
ngst hatineveri
magi neddoi ng.Likegett
ingout
ofthecitywithmyboyf riend,getbur st
edandgot
beatenupbymydad. .mypai nfulbreakupwi t
h
l
wazit henwegotbackt ogether,togoingaway
againwi t
hhimt oJohannesbur g.Br eaki
ngmy
vir
gini
tyandf al
li
ngpr egnant.

Todiscoveri
ngwhatmadeourf ami
li
esfightand
notgetalongtothem get
ti
ngalongalloveragai
n,
thentousmeet i
ngthiscuteyandbei
ngpar ent
sto
her.
Theysayf orbi
ddenloveisfunandBeaut i
fulbut
ourswasf unandpai nf
ul.whereisf uninbeing
forcedt obeawayf rom someoneyoul ove
whol eheartedl
y?yourfamili
esfightingagainsteach
otherbecauset heywer ebroughttogetherbyyour
l
ovef oreachother.Butattheendi twasallwor t
hit.
Thepai
nandsor
rowwef
acedt
oget
her,
itwas
wort
hit.
.
Todayourfamil
iesareget
ti
ngalongbecauseofus,
todaywe'r
eparentswhoareproud,
I'
m soinlove
withthi
sli
tt
lehumaninmyar ms.
Lwazi
:Il
oveyouguys.
isni
ff
edandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:wel
oveyout
oost
handwasam .
t
henweki
ssed.
..

THEEND.
..