MEND MY SOUL

#3

Kukhanya :But is she okay now?

Lindo:Yeah she is. She was just shaken up.

Kukhanya:Okay pass my regards to her.

Lindo:I will. Will I be seeing you tonight?

Kukhanya :Not today babe, but tomorrow I promise you.

Lindo:It's okay, I understand. I love you.

Kukhanya:I love you too.

She hung up smiling.

"You are attending personal calls during work hours", she quickly put her phone away and continued with her work.

Mr Nyathi , the boss of this place, expects everyone work and not slack off. He is a serious man, you can even get fired for going to the bathroom during work hours. Others label him as the "Cold Devil", others call him "Mr Uptight". Meanwhile she just sees a man who is focused on his work and goals, she kinds of look up to him. Though, he looks like the type that is harboring a lot of pain inside. He hardly smiles, like ever. He is always keeping a straight face, his eyes reflect a lot of pain and hurt. Others may not see it, but she knows he has a story.

"I'm sorry, Mr Nyathi it won't happen again.", she says looking down.

"It better not Ms Ndlovu. You are one of the best interns we have here, it would be sad to see you leave because you don't know how to behave at work", he said looking directly at her. She lifted her eyes and looked at him. Besides what people are saying, he is a handsome man. His lips are so thick and a bit dark though, he is that typical dark Zulu man. His chest isn't that buffed up but he still looks like a snack.

She clears her throat embarrassed that she just checked out her boss.

"Everything okay Ms Ndlovu?", he asks her, he noticed that she was starring.

"Uh... Yes.. Ess.. Everything is fine sir", she stuttered.

Siya raised his eyebrow at her. He told her to go back to work and he left for his office.

When he was out of sight, she sighed relieved . What was that? Was she checking him out?

She stands up and feels some moist from her underwear. She frowns and head to the bathroom. She lifts down her panty and it was indeed wet.

"You have got to be kidding me!", she exclaimed in disbelief.

She cleaned herself and went back to her work station before he could come back.

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Nomtha:We should go to the mall and get you some clothes.

Nokuzola:Alright, when can we go?

Nomtha:We can go now.

Nokuzola:Right, let's leave then.

They went to the car and Nomtha drove them to the mall. Nokuzola was quiet all the way, her mind was stuck on Kukhanya. She tried talking to her this morning before she went to work but she dismissed her and said she was in a hurry. She is thinking of just rocking up at her workplace and talk to her, but that would be selfish. She sighs looking outside the window..

"We are here", Nomtha tells her.

They hop out of the car and go to clothing stores. Nomtha was the one picking clothes for her but her mind was somewhere else.

Nomtha:This will look good on you.

Nokuzola:Yeah..

Nomtha:Are you sure you are okay?

She nodded.

Nomtha:Is this about me and Lungelo?

Nokuzola:*Shrugging her shoulders* There's nothing I can do to change the situation. You are both adults, I just have to accept it..

Nomtha looked at her, did she really break the girl code? She knows going for Lungelo was a bad idea but she loves him, and he loves her too. Nokuzola just needs to calm down and grasp everything, the world wasn't going to stop moving because she was in prison.

Zola takes a Jean and looks at it.

"I like this one", she tells her.

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Lungelo:She came back yesterday.

Yokuthula:&how did she take the news of you and Nomtha together?

Lungelo:Not too well, she looked hurt.

Yokuthula:Do you blame her?

Lungelo:I don't.

Yokuthula:You should have told her that you were moving on, instead you kept on lying to her when you visited her, which was almost 5 years ago. She has every right to be upset, imagine coming back to your friend married to your boyfriend..

Lungelo:Are we still talking about Zola or?

Yokuthula:Who else would we be talking about?

Lungelo:*Clearing his throat* I don't think you have forgiven me yet..

Yokuthula:What are you talking about? You mean when I found you in bed with my fiancee while she was pregnant? Or when you convinced her to do an abortion so that the two of you can have a happily ever after?

Lungelo:Thula....

Yokuthula:Or do you mean when you boasted in my face that you took my girl right under my nose? If that's what you mean then, yes I have not forgiven you. I don't think I ever will.

Lungelo:I thought since you are talking to me maybe you have forgiven me.

Yokuthula:You thought wrong. I don't even remember you apologizing.

Lungelo:I'm s..

Yokuthula:I don't want to hear your sorry. You can just leave me alone.

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She opens the main door and carry the groceries inside. She places them on the table at the kitchen and starts unpacking, putting everything in its place.

She rinses a pot and pours luke warm water inside it, she drops a cup and a half of rice inside before turning on the stove.

She places the pot there and grabs her bag going to the bedroom. She picks up his clothes that were on the floor and throw them on the basket.

She opens the closet but is welcomed by an unfamiliar scent, she frowns looking for the smelling item. She takes out a stained t-shirt and it had blood in it.

She opens it out and wonders what happened. He is not a person who gets into fights, she takes the shirt and go with it to the laundry room. She trips over something and land on the floor. She sits up straight and notices a slightly opened bag next to the washing machine. She takes it and gasp shocked when she sees all sorts of weapons inside, knives, guns, machetes, anything that has a blade and can kill. There was also a gas mask inside. Her hands started to shake as she couldn't believe what she was seeing .

She stood up taking the bag and walked back to the bedroom, with the t-shirt.

She removes everything from the closet, looking for any clue that will take her out of her confusion.

A small paper falls down from the pile of clothes. She picks it and unwraps it. It was a list of names, some were scratched out.

She swallowed her saliva. Could he be the serial killer? All of this is suspicious. If he is the serial killer, then he knows how to hide it. No one can ever suspect him, he is literally at the bottom of the suspect list.

"They say curiosity killed the cat", she jumps up frightened. He was standing by the door folding his arms.

"What are you doing with all of this?", she asked with a shaky voice.

He came to her and took the paper from her.

He shoved it in his pockets.

"What do you want to know?"

"Are you the serial killer?"

"What makes you ask that?"

"The weapons, the stained t-shirt and a gas mask. The list of names. What is happening here?"

He looked at her and said nothing for a few seconds.

"No one can know my secret. You know too much already"

"You are going to kill me, aren't you?", her heart was beating at an abnormal rate. She knew there was no escaping this, she is a goner. No one will ever know that he is the serial killer. What is his motive though? Is he killing people for riches? Or just for fun? All her questions will never be answered, she is heading towards her death. She knew she would die someday, but not at the hands of her boyfriend. She closes her eyes and wait for him to do his thing.

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Kukhanya throws herself on the couch and greets Zola and Nomtha.

Nomtha:Long day?

Kukhanya :You have no idea. I am hungry, what did you cook?

Nomtha:Go check in the kitchen. Noks cooked.

Kukhanya :On second thoughts, I will just order a pizza.

She took her bags and left the room.

Nokuzola sighed wondering what it will take for her to acknowledge her.

She stood up following her.

She knocked on her room and she shouted come in.

She stood by the door.

Nokuzola:Can we talk?

Kukhanya:I was just about to take a nap but you can talk.

Nokuzola:Mntanami(My child) I don't even know where to start. I don't want you to feel like I don't love or didn't love you when I didn't want you to visit me in jail, I didn't want you to see me in that place. I was scared and ashamed that you'd have to see your mother like that. I didn't know that in doing so, I was pushing you away.

Kukhanya :Seriously? That's it? That's what you have to say? 15 years Nokuzola! 15 years! And that is the excuse you come up with!? I was only 6 years old, I needed my mother, I needed your love and your touch. For you to tell me that you will be out in no time, but you pushed me away. Maybe it's because I was disabled, and you were relieved that you won't have to deal with me anymore. You didn't send even a single letter, if you didn't want me to see you ; you would have tried other ways to communicate. I was raised by your friend because you chose to kill a person, leaving me alone. You are selfish! And now you come back and you expect everything to be the same.

Nokuzola:It's not like that. Let me ex..

Kukhanya :I don't need your lousy explanations. I don't need to hear any more words coming from your mouth because you are just feeding me lies. But then, what could I expect from someone who fell pregnant at age 14 and killed someone ? No wonder I was born disabled. Your bad luck flew unto me.

She was shaking with anger. Zola wiped the tear that dropped down.

Nokuzola:I love you. Just know that, I never would have done anything to intentionally hurt you. I hope one day you give me the chance to explain myself, and hear my side of the story.

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Siya walks out of his house answering a phone call from Miles. He wonders why he didn't come for his presentation today.

Siya:Yes?

Miles: Mr Nyathi... I'm sorry for not availing myself today. Something happened.

His voice was breaking and you could tell he was in pain. Siya furrowed his eyebrows together.

Siya:Is everything okay?

Miles:It is my daughter. She was found dead in her apartment today. I am honestly breaking down, because I don't know who could have done this. The police suspect that it could be the serial killer.

Siya:I'm really sorry Miles, please take all the time you need. The police should catch this person before they kill the entire country. Condolences to you, I can't imagine how you must be feeling.

Miles:Thank you Sir.

Siya:Also don't worry about your presentation, you can do it when you have dealt with the predicament that has fell upon you.

Miles:Thank you once again Mr Nyathi.

He hung up and got inside his car.

He drove to her place. He needs to release and she's the only one who can do it.

He knocks on her door and she opens for her, something looks different with her though. He enters and looks around.

Siya:What happened here? And why are you wearing a scarf inside the house?

Ntsika:Uhh it's nothing. I'm just feeling cold, and was about to go out.

Siya:Go out in pajamas?

Ntsika:What are you even doing here Ntsika Siya?

He snatched the scarf away from her and her neck had red marks.

Her wrists too were red. He looked at her as he concluded what happened.

Siya:You are seeing someone else?

Ntsika:I'm not. I got hurt while doing something.

Siya:What is that? Can't you name it? And what do you mean you hurt yourself? Because it looks like someone strangled you.

Ntsika:Siya this is really nothing you should worry about.

Siya:No I want to know and you will tell me the truth. NOW!!

She jumped a little, Siya can be scary sometimes and if she tells him that she was having a crazy s*x adventure with someone else, he will lose it. She clears her throat and gets ready to lie.

Ntsika:Someone took advantage of me.

Siya :What do you mean?

Ntsika:I don't know what happened but I woke up feeling like this. We were just chilling here and having drinks, then I felt dizzy. I don't remember what happened after that.

Siya:Who were you with? Give me his name.

Ntsika:His name is Kamva.

Siya:Surname?

Ntsika:Shiya.

Siya:We are going to the hospital and the police station after that.

Ntsika:What for?

Siya:You said someone took advantage of you. He violated you and he needs to be arrested, you need to be checked medically. That will be fine right?

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Lindo calls Kukhanya again but she doesn't answer. He leaves a voice message asking her to call him back. He sighs and goes back inside. He finds his father.

Lindo :Hey dad.

Dad:Son. What's wrong? You don't look okay.

Lindo:It's nothing, I was trying to call Khanyo but she is not answering.

Dad:I'm sure she's held up with something.

Lindo:Maybe... Dad can I ask?

Dad:Ask away.

Lindo:If bhut' Rondo indeed comes back, would you forgive him?

Dad:I honestly don't know son. He hurt us, not just me, but all of us as a family. I didn't take him in because I wanted to remind him later that everything he is, is because of us. It hurt me when he spoke like that, I took him like my own son; your mother cried for him every night begging him to come back. But he never did, what's making him come back now?

Lindo shrugs his shoulders and ask no further questions. He can see how much this is causing a strain on his parents.

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Kukhanya is wrapped around her fluffy pink blanket in bed. Her eyes are red from all the crying, why did Nokuzola come out of nowhere to ruin the peace she had? Did she honestly expect everything to go back to the way it was before? She wonders what goes on in her mind. What is her plan after this? She can't stay at her friend's house forever, she needs to look for a job or something. Even her, she's thinking of moving out soon. She feels like she's a burden, Lungelo used to make side remarks about her being here.

At least she is earning some income as an intern and she has some money saved up, so fending for herself for a few months wouldn't hurt.

Her throat is dry and needs water. She gets up from the bed and wrap the blanket around her heading out. She passes by Zola's room and it was closed. She stood by the door and listened as she sobbed painfully from inside. Her heart was telling her to go inside and comfort her but her mind told her to continue with her path. She listened to her mind and went to the kitchen to drink water.