This is Us

Chapter 3

Gogo had asked me to go to the chemist for her, to get some of her medicine. I got in the car the King had brought for me as a gift and started my journey. When I got to the city I stopped since the robot turned red. I felt uneasy all of a sudden as if something was about to go wrong. When the light turned green I started my car then all of a sudden three cars crashed into me.... Lights out.

#Dante's POV

Amahle has been gone for hours now and Gogo is just so worried about her. I keep telling her that she's fine but she's so certain that something is not right. Well as y'ull may already know I'm Dante Mkhize, 23. I'm colored, my father is black and my mom is white. I have greenish brownish eyes just like Andre. I'm very light skinned and I have a body to die for, I work out after all. I have long puffy curly hair that I usually keep tied up.

The thing with Amahle it's just that she intimidates me. I don't know why or how but she does. Something about her just makes me so weak and I hate it. I've tried to surpass this feeling but it won't go away. I even tried making her fear me but still nothing. When she heard me over the phone I kinda felt guilty you know then I just felt worse when she brushed it off. When she saw me with Melissa I felt like I had cheated on her.

Well I did but like it felt wrong. I mean I thought I wouldn't care about it but I really did, it was eating me on the inside. The one thing that's really killing me is what happened during our wedding night. I mean, I fucken r***d my wife... My own wife!! I just felt so frustrated about everything, our marriage, the baby, my business... Everything wasn't going my way and I hated it. Yes I was drunk but I remember every single detail of that night.

I relieved it every single day when I was with her or just alone in my thoughts. I wanted to make things right but I didn't know how or if she'll even let me. I was still trying to calm Gogo down when there was a knock on the door. I went to open the door only to find Mario and Dorian standing with two policemen. I welcomed them in and we all sat with my Granny.

Policeman1: Thank you for welcoming us into your home and it's a shame we come bearing bad news

Policeman2: Who's Dante Mkhize here?

Me: I am, how can I help you officers?

Policeman1: Your wife's car was involved in an accident earlier today. Three cars crashed into hers

My grandmother just broke down crying and I felt like my world just ended. I couldn't believe my ears, were they deceiving me? It had to be that, not my wife. Not when I haven't done right by her.

Me: Is she okay?

Mario: She's gone

Me: WHAT?!

Dorian: She's fucken gone. We put a tracker on her car so when we realised it'd been by the intersection for so long we went to go check it out. There was blood in the driver's seat but she wasn't there. The other cars were also empty

Me: Thank you officers for informing us, we'll keep in touch

Policeman1: Wait Sir we have a few questions to ask you

Me: *shouting* GET THE f**k OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW

I walked them out then went to my study with Mario and Dorian.

Me: Tell me what you thinking

Mario: Someone who knows about your relationship has her

Dorian: I doubt it's our enemies though because they know way better than to take things that far

Me: *shouting* Then who the f**k has her?!

I was getting pissed, not just because she was gone, but because someone thought they had the balls to disrespect me like this. I walked out and Gogo was still crying on the cough. I sat next to her and tried to hush her but she pushed me away.

Gogo: If that child dies I will hate you for the rest of my life

She got up and left me there. I just buried my head in my arms and my father just walked in with the kids. They looked so happy and excited it just broke me. They call came to sit next to me and father said nothing. Eventually they left to go look for Amahle and I didn't have the strength to tell them the truth.

Father: What's killing you this much? I've never seen you cry

Me: Amahle is missing. Her car was involved in an accident and now she's missing

His jaw tightened but he just kept quiet, thinking possibly. The kids then came back and their smiles were gone.

Andre: Uncle where is my wife? Gogo is crying and I can't find her anywhere

Chloé: I want to show her what I got for her, where is she?

Me: She left my babies. She went to go find better work so she can look after you

Andre: *shouting* NO!!! I told her she must go back to school but she never listened to me

The little man was angry and he was turning pink real fast. Chloé just sat on my father's lap and laid her head on his shoulder.

Me: I told her too but she said her school fees were expensive so she needs to find work

He then calmed down and sat next to me. Gogo then came down with puffy red eyes. No one said anything and Dad just looked, I don't know, but it was scary. During dinner everyone was quiet, only the kids would make conversation. I excused myself and went to my room. Her scent was gone so I went to go sleep in her room.

Everything smelled like her, I felt so empty. I felt like a part of me was dead. I sat on her bed and just looked around. After a while the kids came in and we all slept together. Woke up the next morning and went to the warehouse. See I'm a crime lord, and I have the tattoos to tell my story of how and why. I don't work for the Mafia, the Mafia works for me. I run all of southern Africa with the help of my boys.

Mario, Dorian, Deon, Jason, Ayden, Adam, Themba, Sandile and Sky. We all sat at the big table trying think who could possibly have Amahle, well the boys called her Lani, Queen, or Lala. Jake was the only one that called her Paris.

Dorian: Could she have ran?

Us: Huh?

Dorian: I mean we all know she wasn't for this marriage, maybe she used this as an escape tool

Mario: I'd agree if maybe she took the kids with

Just like that we were back to square one again. Days passed and still nothing on Mami. We searched and searched but nothing. I turned to all my contacts and they agreed to help us find her. Days turned into weeks and still nothing on Mami. I then started turning to all my enemies and they all knew nothing regarding her whereabouts but agreed to help.

All this time Melissa was there with me. She was my shoulder to cry on and even when I pushed her away, she couldn't leave. One day I was just sitting on the kitchen counter while she was making breakfast while wearing my shirt, I've never slept with her this while time though. She'd try kissing me but I'd push her away. Mario walked in and he looked pissed.

He then kicked Melissa out and gave her her clothes. He banged the door shut and finished up with breakfast.

Me: What the hell was that?

Mario: Imagine if I walked in here with Lani? What would she think of what I just saw?

I just looked down and kept quiet.

Mario: Some times you're real stupid nx

Two months passed and now, it was February. One of my clients came to see me and we went to talk in my study.

#Amahle's POV

I woke up in a dark room, guess I still haven't been rescued. Just then a man came in and untied me. I tried to run but he grabbed me and slammed me against the wall. I fell on the floor and my body hurt. I just kept worrying about my baby. I couldn't tell if I had lost it already or not because my entire body was covered in blood.

I get beaten up here everyday. They only give me food once a week and sometimes I get lucky when a nice guy sneaks in food for me. Everyday I'd pray that someone would through that door and save me, but no. I'm not surprised since the only people that care about me are both young and old. Dante is probably living his best life with one of hud girls anyways. Still I had hope that one day he'd save me. I've lost track of time and I can't tell if it's day or night. I'm sure I've lost a lot of weight and my body is so cold.

The guy here suddenly ripped my dress apart and r***d me. I felt numb, my whole body was numb. I felt dead, I couldn't even move. I just looked up at the ceiling and cried. Ever since I've been here, I've stopped using my voice. I want to speak but my voice won't allow me. Just then I heard the door open and the guy on top of me was pulled away. I thanked my heavens for whoever this was. Maybe it was the nice guy who'd sneak in food for me.

Guy1: Are you stupid!! Do you realise who you just rapped?!?

Guy2: It doesn't matter, she's a no body

Guy1: You i***t that's fucken Luca's wife and he's looking for her

Guy2: What?!

Guy1: I'm out man, I want nothing to do with this

Guy2: Dude you can't just up and leave, Melissa won't be happy

Guy1: f**k your stupid sister man she threw us into the lion's den without warning

Guy2: Loom, Luca doesn't even know we have her, he probably thinks it's one of his enemies

Guy1: f**k that and f**k both of you, I'm out

Then I heard a tongue click then the door bang shut. Why did they seem so scared of Dante? And why did they refer to him as Luca? I mean I know about the name but the way they used it... It's different, I sensed fear in their voices. Next thing I got kicked in the face and my head hit the wall... Lights out.

#Dante's POV

I sat down and Stephen sat across me. Honestly I was a mess without Mami. Every night I'd drink my life away and either Mario or Dorian had to save me. Thankfully I was too drunk to ever cheat on my wife. Right now I needed good news and if Stephen doesn't have them then I'll lose it.

Stephen: So we know Lani wasn't kidn*pped by any of your enemies because the people that took her haven't communicated with us once...

Me: Meaning that whoever has her wants her dead

Stephen: Exactly, so I talked to my wife and she suggested what if it's an ex that took her

Me: What?

Stephen: It's the only other explanation. Your wife gets kidn*pped, she's there for you...

Me: Later we find her dead body and she's my shoulder to cry on

Stephen: So any ex back in your life again?

Me: Melissa!! s**t. Thank you Stephen and thank your wife for me

Stephen: I know you'd do the same for me. I'll see you around then

I walked him out then drove to the warehouse. Just as I was to talk to the guys, I realise they have someone tied up. The guy looked like they roughed him up, HARD.

Me: Who's this?

Jason: One of the guys that helped take Lala

Me: Where's my wife?

Guy: I swear I didn't know she was your wife. Melissa just said she's an old enemy she wanted to get rid of

Me: Where's my wife?

Guy: Melissa's house, there's a basement. That's where she's kept

Me: Anything else?

Guy:....

Me: I hate repeating myself

Guy: Umm... Well... Melissa had her brother r**e the Mrs

My jaw just tightened and I let out a soft chuckle. See I'd let this guy live but he didn't play fair so why should I?

Me: See if you had came to me yourself, I'd let you go. It's a shame things turned out this way *getting up* Kill him, make sure it's slow and painful

I then walked out with Mario, Dorian, Ayden, Themba and Sky. We all got into our cars and drove straight for Melissa's place. All I could think about was what I wanted to do to her. The way I was driving so fast, I didn't have a care in the world. We eventually arrived and we all grabbed our guns. I then drove straight through the gate and started shouting, not to kill though.

When everyone was down I moved to the basement and walked down the stairs. I switched on the lights and I just froze, she looked so dead. Her body was covered in blood, she'd lost weight, her clothes were ripped, she just layed there naked, lifeless. Soon all the guys walked down and froze seeing her. I sat down and buried my face in my hands.

Mario walked down with a fleece blanket and wrapped her with it. He then carried her to my car and I followed. We both got in and I drove to the hospital. When we got there a Dr Dempsey offered to help but he looked at me with so much disgust. He even started tearing up at the sight of Mami, eventually they wheeled her away and I was left alone with Mario.

Hours passed and all the guys showed up with my family. Gogo and stayed behind with mom and the kids. Dad was so angry he hadn't spoken a single word to me since the day we found out she was missing. More hours passed and still nothing from the doctor. Soon it was morning and only then did the doctor decide to grace us with his presence.

Dr: We worked on her all night but it wasn't looking good. We were able to save her but I don't know for how long, right now she's in ICU. She had a gun shot wound that was infected , her jaw is broken which is making it hard for her to breath, we have put wires and elastic bands to join her jaws back together. She also has a broken nose . It seems like they have hit her on the head a number off times, we have run a few tests and xrays to see if they did not cause any internal bleeding or fractured her skull. We also run a few tests hiv tests, pregnancy test , will receive those results later on. And sorry you have to hear this but she was sexually abused

I was just sitting on the floor with my face covered. I didn't know what to say or how to feel.

Dr: I'm sorry you have to go through all this , we gave her anti-retroviral . This treatment is called post -exposure prophylaxis which is to prevent hiv infections. It usually works within 3 days and after that it does not so we dont

know when did they r**e her so we just trying our luck. Cause if this happened for more than 3 days ago then it won't work and she might be infected which means she will need all of your support also she bled inside her V so we need to drain out the cloths inside her V. Unfortunately we cant do it now as she is still unconscious will do it when she wakes up. She will be in a lot off pain and we can't give her anaesthetic. Right now its all up to her to beat this thing and your prayers may help a lot cause right

now she needs prayers

I just walked out and I couldn't take it anymore, I just let it all out. Few days passed and still she wasn't up. I was getting worried and my father wouldn't even look at me. The guys came everyday and so did Gogo. One afternoon Doc asked to see me in private. We walked to a private corridor and he looked like he was ready to kill. What's his problem?

Dr: We got the results back and thankfully she's HIV negative. Can I ask you something?

Me: Go ahead

Dr: Did you want her to lose the baby?

Me: What?

Dr: I've been her doctor since she came here and we found out that she was pregnant. One night she called me and told me that the girl she had found you with had pushed and she fell on her stomach, thankfully she didn't lose the baby

Me: What exactly are you telling me?!

Dr: She was a few months pregnant

Me: Was?

Dr: Congratulations Mr Mkhize, you finally lost the baby. I'm sure you're girlfriend will be thrilled to hear that

Then he walked away. I just screamed and punched the wall so many times. Mario then came and pulled me away, my hands were covered in blood. I got out of his grip and walked back to everyone else. I just sat there and cried my lungs out, for the first time ever I cried in front of the guys.

Dad: Mario what did the doctor tell him?

Mario: He... He said that... Ummm... I don't know honestly

Me: She... She... She lost... She had a miscarriage. My first baby and it's dead because of me

Gogo just cried in Dad's arms and the guys just looked flushed. Doc came back to ask for anyone to donate blood and luckily I was O-. We then did all we had to do then went home. The next day I went to go see and for some reason I held her hand. She then squeezed it so tight and started opening her eyes. I smile and call for the nurse. She comes in with Dr Dempsey and more than happy to see her up.

Dr: París do me a favor and blink twice so I can know that you're up

She just rolls her eyes at him and he laughs.

Dr: Now lift your leg

She then slightly kicks him in the face with her right foot.

He closes his eyes and holds in his laugh.

Dr: Glad to see you back. Now move your fingers

She lifts her hand up slowly and shows him the middle finger.

Dr: And clearly you haven't lost your sense of humor

They smile at each other and he wraps up his check up. I phone my Gogo and tell her that Mami is up. My dad then came with the kids and I walked to her ward holding their hands.

Surprisingly it was so dark. The curtains and blinds were closed and the lights were off. We walked in and closed the door. She was staring into space. Andre ran to hug her and she hugged him back, then Chloé joined them. I put them on the bed and they cuddled till they all fell asleep, besides Mami. She wouldn't even look at me.

Me: Hi... We missed you, me included

She just fiddled with her fingers and didn't say anything.

Nurse: Don't worry, she doesn't talk to me too. The only person who knows the sound of her voice is Dr Dempsey. They talk all the time but in private

I couldn't help but resent this doctor, I mean why can't my wife talk to me but she can talk to him. People started coming to see her but she didn't talk to any one. She wouldn't even look at us, just fiddled with her fingers. I held her hands so she could stop and she just flinched and shivered in fear.

Just then her Doc walked in and they talked alone whispering to each other. He then helped her down and took her to the bathroom. He closed the door behind her and when he turned back he knew he had to explain.

Dr: I don't know why she's not talking to anyone else. I can tell it's hard for her to speak though because she stutters a lot. She'll come around eventually and guys please don't touch her

Me: Why won't she talk to us?

Dr: Other medical practioners have diagnosed her with

ptsd elective mutism

Me: I don’t understand

Dr: Well because of the trauma she went through she refuses to speak even though she can speak that is called elective mutism. I guess I'm an exception, I'm not sure

Me: so what can we do to help her

Dr: Find a specialist in psychological trauma, attend it all together with her make her feel home again, safe again. Everyone that she cares about let them be there and maybe, I'm saying maybe mr Mkhize, she might not be mute again

Me: What if she refuses?

Dr: I won't be surprised, honestly I don't think she's gone mute. I think she just doesn't know what to say and to whom. Like I said, she doesn't feel safe any more. She doesn't know who to trust or who she might piss of when she speaks

Me: What do you mean?

Dr: Mr Mkhize this isn't something new. Before she dissappeared I used to talk to her because I know an abused woman when I see one. She's scared to talk, that whatever she says will lead to her getting beaten or r***d or whatever it is that might happen when she's at home

Then the door opened and he helped her to bed again. They talked then he buzzed a nurse in. He asked her to get some yogurt and other light foods for her. The nurse tried to feed her but she just flinched and held on to the doctor. I tried to feed her also but she just cried shaking her head. Doc then took the yogurt and feed her with no fighting. She finished then he put her to sleep. What the f**k is my life?