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~01~
The black Honda-Fit joined the road that led to the BHC
houses in Block 3, Francistown. Alone, who was in the
passenger seat, was busy on her small Nokia 200,
playing the snake game.
"Alone?"
"Ma?" Looking up from her phone, she placed it on her
lap and faced her mother.
"I'll be back to pick you up after a week okay?"
Alone got out of the car and she breathed out. She'll
have to share the room with her messy cousin who
didn't even know the concept of space. She won't be
here for too long. Just visiting for the holidays.
She opened the boot and got the black suitcase and
then her backpack. She pulled the suitcase on the dusty
ground and opened thr gate. She pushed her relaxed
hair back, she couldn't wait to go back home. Already
this place was getting to her.
One kf her cousins opened the burglar bar and Alone
just dragged her bag to the house.
"Hi Lolo."
"Hello." With a forced smile, she walked to the house as
Mma Alone waited for Lolo's aunt to walk out. In less
than a minute, she walked out and folded her arms.
"Ga o ire sentle."
Guess that was her hello then.
"It's only for a while."
"I can never say no to staying with my brother's child,
that man of yours came onto Lolo and you don't want ti
believe it. That's why he said Lolo came onto him. How
the hell does a sixteen year old come onto a forty
something year old?"
Alone, who had been by the door held back her own
tears. She didn't even realise her stepfather had been
making advances on her. She quickly walked to the
bathroom where she closed the door and sat on the
toilet seat.
She rubbed her eyes with fisted hands and breathed in.
Her mother wouldn't choose anyone over her right?
Never. Her mother loved her. With that little assurance,
Lolo walked over to the sink and opened the faucet to
splash cold water over her face.
"You're fine Lolo. You're just too sensitive." She assured
herself as she walked out of the bathroom, rubbing her
hands over the jeans to wipe them clean.
Lolo pulled the chair next to the desk and looked at the
question her cousin was doing.
"Okay. If I help you, will you pay me?"
"Lolo we are family."
"And this is my personal time. Next week I'm going to
school for holiday school and I should be resting. School
is exhausting kana."
Her cousin looked at her. Lolo wasn't budging and she
did need help anyway. A lot of help. Her mother was
already paying for a tutor and she didn't even
understand the tutor. How dumb is that? On top of going
to a private school? Maybe Lolo explaining to her was
going to be much better.
"I'll think about it."
"Think fast."
"Okay, hiiii."
"I was checking on you."
"I'm good. I'm at my aunt's place now."
"Block 3?"
"Uh huh.."
"Can you give me directions? So we go get ice cream?"
She looked around. There was still no sign of anyone.
She turned her back to the house as she resumed her
conversation with him.
"We won't be long akere?"
"Ng ng."
"Ha BHC.." she gave him the house number.
"Ke etla autwe?"(I'm coming okay?)
"Okay."
He cut the call and she placed the phone against her
chest. Does she look okay? Should she style her hair
and add more pins? Maybe change her top and spray
some of her cousin's perfume. Would that be too much?
"Lolo?"
She nearly jumped and dropped her phone at her aunt's
voice that was coming from behind her. Did she
overhear the conversation? If she tells her mother, she
was going to get a beating. Oh God!
"Ma?"
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~02~
She followed her aunt into the house and she sat down
on the couch as her aunt sat down next to her.
"Did your mother tell you why you're here?"
"It's for the holidays."
Meme hated how easily Lolo went along with what her
mother said. What anyone said for that matter. Too good
for her own good, she must've got the quality from her
brother.
"How is your relationship with your stepfather?"
"It's good. So far. I still miss papa though."
"He hasn't made a move on you?" Meme asked with a
lot of concern in her voice. Her brother would turn in his
grave if his only child was molested or suffered whilst
they were there. She swallowed subtly, pushing the
away the grief that was starting to creep up on her at the
mere thought of her brother.
Alone shook her head. Not that she saw that, if he did
she would have told her mother. Her boyfriend was the
one who made a move on her at school. Kind of dreamy
that she is seeing the school's top student wasn't it?
"Lolo? Alone? Are you listening?"
"E-e, ee mma."
"Okay. I believe you."
"Is something wrong? Did I do something I'm not
supposed to?"
"Nyaa. You're good. You should go study now."
"Ee mma." She got up. From the conversation she
overheard, she was probably overreacting. Her mother
didn't possibly think that. She should stop
eavesdropping on conversations that aren't even hers to
begin with.
She walked into the bedroom and faced her cousin who
smiled.
"You have a boyfriend?"
"Keep it down Tebogo." Lolo closed the door and had
her back against it.
Tebogo smirked.
"Help me for free, or else I'm telling mama and your
mom."
Lolo closed her eyes. Not a beating. It was already a
hassle hiding the relationship from the teachers in the
school. If her mom found out, she was going to go to
school and then get him in trouble. And herself in
trouble. She didn't want that at all.
"Fine. Keep it to yourself. Ka go kopa."
Tebogo smiled.
"When do our lessons start?"
"Later tonight is fine. Do I look fine?"
"Ee. I like your top, can I borrow it?"
"Ng ng. O tlo e ngamola."(no,you're going to stretch it)
Alone walked to the mirror in the room and she fixed her
top and pushed her hair back. She should add a hair
band.
She walked out as fast as she could. Her smile too big
and her heart bursting with happiness. Maybe she might
like staying here. A big maybe.
She spotted him a few feet away from her house. She
casually walked over to him and she smiled as she he
enveloped her in a hug.
"People are watching Shawn." What if the neighbours
saw them? She couldn't risk it.
"Sorry." He broke the hug and pushed his glasses back
as they started walking together. Once they were out of
that street, she hugged him again and he chuckled.
"I think I'm going to like you staying here."
"Me too."
He held her hand and she couldn't help the little blush
that came over her.
"Where are we getting icecream?"
"I know a place. How long do you have?"
"As long as I'm home before sunset."
He took out his phone to check the time.
"We have two hours."
***
She didn't know how to tell her husband that she loved
her deceased husband very much. To the point of
almost killing herself to join him, if it wasn't for Alone she
wouldn't be here. Did she make the right decision
though? Wanting Alone to stay with her aunt till she
finishes her last term? Would Alone's father be proud of
her actions? She swallowed down the guilt. She made
the right decision right?
"N-no."
She lied through her teeth.
"Will Alone be back?"
"No."
"She is just a child, reprimanding her shouldn't be that
tough."
"I know. Just let me parent how I see fit."
"And I thought we were a team."
"Th-th-" her words jumbled as he got up. She composed
herself before speaking again.
"I know that. She came onto you and that is not right,
she should be seeing you as her father not her age
mate."
"Mmhmm…"
***
"What is it?"
"Nothing." He kissed her forehead as his hand slipped in
his jean pockets to try and adjust his jeans.
"Let me walk you home."
"Okay. Call later for the Statistics assignment answers? I
want to cross check with yours."
"You're taking advantage of me, do you know that?"
She giggled as she took his hand and they started their
walk back to her aunt's place.
"I like the hair band." He noticed. Yes!
"And your perfume." Another win for her. She should use
it often.
"Thank you."
He lowered his head to peck her lips and she was going
to sleep a very happy girl today.
Their walk was sweet as she now held his arm. She
could believe with all her heart that she loved him now.
"Shawn?"
"Ma?"
"I love you." His eyes widened before a smile graced his
lips. He has been waiting for her to say that, he was a
goner the first time he saw her in class. And when she
agreed? He stupidly blurted it out that he loved her. She
had laughed it out.
"Shawn, ka re ka go rata tlherra."(Shawn, I said I love
you)
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~03~
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~04~
She heard the gate open and she touched her head, her
neatly plaited cornrows making her forehead shine and
her eyes popping out. She opened her bag and checked
if her phone was in there as well as a pen and a book to
give her bag some weight along with her asthma pump.
She didn't have a lot of asthma attacks these days but
she carried it just in case.
She got the bag and walked to the door, removing the
key from the door before she opened it. The fun part of
today was that she was spending the rest of the day with
Shawn shortly after the report collection. They'll walk
together to the taxi rank and she had come to the
discovery that their houses were like four streets apart,
no wonder he had the time to walk her home. She
locked the house just as her mother got out of the car. In
her pink school uniform and shiny grasshopper shoes,
she walked to the gate as her mom started speaking.
"You're ready?"
She nodded and faked a smile but the anger resurfaced.
Her mother chose her new husband over her. It sounded
absurd the more she thought about it but alas, it was her
reality.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nyaa."
"Is it about your grades? Did you fail?"
"No. Not at all. I did say I only got three Bs and the rest
ke bo A le di A star."
Mma Alone sighed as she got inside. She started the car
as Alone faced the window. Being here was for Alone's
good.
***
The two ladies walked there and Alone sat down with
her mother as her biology teacher looked at her.
"Dumelang." She said anr Alone and her mother greeted
back.
The teacher took out her grade book as she looked for
Alone's name. She placed a ruler under it.
"O bona letshwao la gago Alone?"(do you see your
grade?)
"Ee mma."
The teacher signed the paper and Alone and her mother
stood up. Alone rubbed her eyes and breathed in as
they continued with the report collection. Two hours later
they were done and her mother looked at the report she
just got from her class teacher.
"I still got above 45 points." She smiled, trying to lighten
the mood.
"I see. Let's go home."
She blinked. She thought her mother was leaving her
behind, besides she usually gets a taxi to take her home
after report collection.
"Ma-"
"Alone!"
She looked around to be sure that no one heard her
mother raise her voice at her. She saw Shawn and
reluctantly followed her mother to the car.
She got inside and the tension in the car was too thick.
She didn't dare take out her small Nokia phone. She'll
talk to Shawn once she gets home.
***
The drive home was silent as the gate slid open and
Mma Alone parked her small car by the shade. The
white puppy jumped up and down before it ran to the
car. Alone didn't want to ask questions as she got out of
the car holding onto her bag and report card.
Mma Alone tried to breath but the anger that had slowly
started to build up after what Alonexs biology teacher
said didn't make it easy.
She got out of the car and Alone turned her head. She
walked to the door and unlocked the house.
Alone walked inside. It seemed like a long time since
she's been home. She quietly walked to her bedroom.
~05~
"Alone?"
She looked up at her mother and the anger in her eyes
made tears fill in hers.
"O itse basimane yaanong?"(you know boys now?)
She shook her head. She was going to deny! Deny!
Deny! No matter what.
"You have love letters, I read your diary too."
Her lips wobbled and she rubbed her tears and shook
her head. It was no use. She was now the one who
wanted her mother's husband. Her mind replayed that
conversation her mother had with her aunt when she
was dumped there. Her mother actually believed that
she wanted her husband? How absurd was that? She
chose that man over her. Her flesh and blood. She
wasn't going to believe anything she said.
Mma Alone saw it. When Alone stopped crying and she
just nodded.
"Go siame. Le ka mpetsa hela."(it's okay. You can beat
me then.)
She stepped back and picked the belt from the floor,
walking out of the room.
***
She couldn't.
"Let me get her so we get her things fron her aunt's
place."
"I'll drive you two there."
She nodded before she turned to kiss him.
***
She placed the book on her lap and started reading. Her
mother got inside the car.
"Is that the rest of it?"
"Ee mma."
Mma Alone opened her mouth and closed it before she
faced forward.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~06~
It was lunch time at Francistown Senior and Alone had
her legs on Shawn's lap in the far corner of Shawn's
class. He had his maths book open as she took a peek
at what he was doing.
"I'm still sorry I got you in trouble."
She shrugged.
"Mama is still stuck in the medieval ages but I don't have
to be there for long. Probably after exams, I can go live
with my aunt and leave her to live in peace with her
husband."
He pushed back her grey slacks to reveal her legs. His
throat bobbed at the belt marks on her legs.
"I applied ointment. I'll be fine. I’m giving it a week to get
better.”
She picked up the pencil and scribbled on his maths
notebook.
"Ga wa dira sentle ha."(you didn't do it properly here)
He looked at what she wrote.
"Also I just have to make myself scarce, it's eat, bath,
study and then sleep for the next three months. Aha,
ebile I want to run something through you."
He rubbed her feet that were covered by the white
socks.
"I'm listening."
She looked around. People were at the dining hall for
lunch and she was here with him. Anyways, they were
going to get something to eat by the school tuckshop in
like ten minutes so it was no biggie.
She moved closer and held his head, pushing it down till
it was on the same level as hers.
She whispered in his ear and when she was done she
moved back.
"Lolo?" She grinned at the surprise in his voice.
"What do you think?"
***
"If she doesn't want you to be her second father then it's
fine. With the way you're insisting on bringing up Alone
even when it's not necessary, I'm starting to think you hit
on her. She is a child. Her teacher said she was dating a
fellow student, o boi to even talk back sometimes.
Waitse ke eng…"
***
Hours later, Alone was home from school and she had
carefully set up her study desk to the night's study
session. A knock sounded on her door and she looked
at it. She sighed.
"Come in."
She had to avoid her mother and her husband for the
next few months. She could do her best to do that. She
closed her eyes in relief as the door closed. It was going
to be a long three months.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~07~
***
***
She opened the boot and took out her two luggage
bags. She started pulling the other one to the house.
Tebogo had closed two days before her. Lucky her.
She put the bag in front of the stoep and went for the
other one.
She said with a flat tone as she got the other bag and
pulled it to the st stoep as well.
She closed the boot and opened the passenger seat to
get her school bag that had some of her things.
She got inside the car as Alone opened the door and
Tebogo stuck her head out. She waved at Mma Alone
who waved back.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~08~
Alone laid on the bed as she scrolled through the
hairstyles. She'll have to go early so she can get the
braids she wanted.
"I got something for you. Been saving for it for months."
He took out a little box from his jacket and she eyed it
curiously. It's not a ring. They would crazy to get married
now. If he asked in fivee years to come she would
definitely agree. She would be a girl with a degree and
very happy to be with him.
***
Meme knocked off at work, her mind har been filled with
endless possibilities. Should she tell the family now?
She shook her head as she unlocked her car and got
inside. She held the steering wheel and placed her heae
on it.
Everyone was going to make a fuss and be panicked.
Especially the girls. She can beat this. Breast cancer
wasn't the end of the world even if it took her mother.
She blinked her tears. There was hope for her. She'll be
okay.
She sniffed and couldn't help the sob that escaped her
lips. She cried. All alone in her car, it was days like these
she wished she had a significant other to go home to.
She loved her daughter and niece and the rest of her
siblings children. She loved them but she also wanted to
be loved, held and whispered sweet nothings too.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~09~
***
She shrugged.
"Please believe me. Why would I want a child, maybe it
was me who read too much into it."
"I guess. Let ne sleep."
"Okay."
***
At the restaurant, Meme ordered a glass of wine while
the girls ordered juice and their meals.
Meme could see how happy they looked at she took out
her phone so that they can take pictures together. She
should enjoy life, not wallow in her sorrows right?
Besides, she'll tell them after her trip. Once her head
was clear and all.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~10~
For the first time in forever, her hair was neatly plaited in
carrot cornrows. Alone had sent the hairstyle and she
had ditched her head wraps. Her husband hugged her
from behind.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
"Let me go start the car."
She put the phone in her bag as she took one last look
at the room and she walked out.
***
Alone walked out of the bathroom. She felt all giddy
inside at what was going to happen today. She wore her
new underwear and a nice matching bralette before she
wore her tight denim skirt and her crop top.
She slid her feet in sandals and walked out as his phone
rang. He answered after s few rings.
"Love."
She blushed.
"Hi. I'm ready."
"Give me ten minutes okay?"
"Okay."
***
Staying true to his word, Shawn knocked on door.
Alone got up from the couch to open the door. Tebogo
peeked from where she was sitting. Her boyfriend was a
looker, she wasn't about to delude herself that her
cousin's boyfriend wasn't hot.
Shawn smiled at her as she talked his ear off. She was
nervous. It was radiating off her in waves.
He paused and dipped his head to kiss her to shut her
up and she smiled into the kiss.
"O ntse montle."(you're beautiful)
She smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
The continued walking and fifteen minutes later tbey
were at Shawn's place.
He unlocked the door and he stepped aside so that she
can enter. She stepped inside, a bit unsure.
"You're sure you live with your brother?"
He chuckled.
"Yes."
"It's so clean. Ekete le a cleanelwa.."
"Make yourself at home Miss Puso."
She looked around.
"Come see the bedroom first."
She followed him to his bedroom. He puy her bag on the
carpet before he pulled her inside the room.
She looked around. It was so clean and spacious. She
paused as she saw two picture frames by the bedside
table.
"Can I see the pictures?"
He nodded.
She shrugged.
"As long as it's you. We'll wing this thing." She looked up
at him and he rubbed her chin.
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"Do you want to eat? Let me show you the rest of the
house."
She went through her song list and played Jhenè Aiko's
Bed Peace before she got up and walked to him.
"We can make food. It's almost noon."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~11~
***
Alone giggled when he put her down once they got to
his place. He locked the door while she walked to the
bedroom. She opened her bag and took out her towel.
She removed her top just as he walked inside. She felt
his eyes on her, burning a hole into her back. She
turned to face him as blush crept on her cheeks.
Intimacy was weird. A weird step in their relationship but
one in the right direction.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~12~
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~12~
#EXPLICIT
***
She removed her hand from his and she ran to their
room. He still followed her there.
When she got to the room, she just packed her clothes
back into the suitcase and got her handbag, the door
opened.
"Wait, let's talk about this."
"There is nothing to talk about."
***
***
"How are you feeling?" His hands ran through her braids
and he held the back of her head to make her look at
him.
"Okay."
"Are you sure?" He searched her eyes looking for any
hint of pain.
"I'm only a bit sore but it's nothing compared to period
pains so I'll live."
He kissed her again and she wrapped her hands around
his neck. She moved her head back.
"I loved it."
"Our first time?" She grinned. Their first time. They were
each other's firsts and although she went in with zero
expectations she did get more than what she bargained
for. It wasn't that serious and they laughed while doing
some things as he learnt her body and she his. A win.
"Yes. Now you have to promise that you won't find a
white girl go kwa ko Oxford, nka go betsa gore
Shawn."(I'll beat you)
"O bogale yang. I swear on my life"(You're aggressive)
"Good. I swear too. Let me eat and then take a shower"
"You'll join me for a movie once you're done? I want to
clean first"
She nodded as he kissed her head before he got up.
***
***
With her mind made up, she picked her car keys. She
walked out of the house and locked it before she walked
to the car. Typical of her husband. His car was gone.
She sighed.
***
***
***
She dialled the police toll nunber and decided against it.
Kutlwano Police was in block 4, she can be there is less
than ten minutes. She turned on her heel and started to
walk out of the room
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~13~
"Tebogo?"
"Ma?"
She wore her shoes and tried to call Alone again but it
wasn't being answered. She quickly typed a message
and sent it to Alone before she walked out. She locked
the door.
She walked to the car and sat in the back.
Mma Alone started the car and she took a good look at
Tebogo before she reversed.
"You better be telling the truth."
"I swear."
***
It was Alone who heard the gate open and she looked at
Shawn.
"Is your brother supposed to be home?" she sat upright
and pulled the sheets to her chest.
"No. Let me check, stay here okay?"
He got out of bed and picked his boxers and jeans. He
wore them.
"I'll be right back, maybe ke batho ba neighbourhood
watch."
She came face to face with her mother and she closed
her eyes, preparing herself mentally for the beating of a
lifetime.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~14~
"So Alone was not home when you came. She had sex
with a boy?"
Meme asked, trying to keep up while nursing her
headache after a long meeting in London.
"Yes. I should have never dropped her at your house,
none of this would have happened. She was okay with
me."
"Batho ba Modimo Jacqueline yaanong it's my fault?"
"You shouldn't have let them stay alone."
On the other end of the line, Meme rolled her lies. This
woman and trying to blame anyone.
"If you called me to blame me, hang up. If you talked to
Alone like she is a human being maybe you wouldn't be
in this predicament. Tebogo? She told me when she
wants to have sex and we have had the sex talk since
she was 15. Sje knows my stand on the issue, akere
wena o nna o bogolela Alone ekete ene ga se motho no
wonder she hides things from you."
"Now it's my fault? My parenting is perfectly fine."
Meme laughed.
"Fine? When you believed a man over your own child?
Chose a man over your child? I won't let that issue go
because Alone ke ngwana wa nkgonne."
"At least I have a man."
"At least I don't put anyone above my daughter and put
her life in danger by letting her stay with a man who
falsely accused her of wanting him. Nkampa ka na ke
sena monna ee Jacqueline! Akere ga ke desperate for
nyalo."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~15~
She opened her bag and took out her asthma pump.
After a few pumps she smiled at Tebogo.
"And I don't regret breaking my virginity. Mama has beat
me once to the point of almost meeting my father so.."
She shrugged and Tebogo wondered how Alone could
rebel when she had such a strict mother.
"The only reason I'll ask for forgiveness and everything
is because of Shawn. He doesn't deserve my mother's
wrath. And sorry if she somehow lashed at you autwe?"
Tebogo nodded
"How was it?" Tebogo nodded.
"I loved it. That's all I'm going to say."
"I want details Alone."
"Ng ng. That's between Shawn and I. That was our
special moment." She grinned as she pushed her braids
back.
2 hours later
Kagiso got out of his car just as Mma Alone got out of
the car. He walked inside the yard and Mma Alone
walked out to him. She didn't expect a good looking man
who looked like he was almost in his late thirties to be
here.
"Hello."
Kagiso greeted her.
"Kana there is a situation, with the two kids."
"Let me talk to Shawn first."
She nodded and watched him walk into the house.
Shawn took a deep breath and told his brother what led
to the situation they were in right now.
She shook her head as she got up and took out her
phone. She sobbed as she called him. His phone rang.
He answered
"Hello." He put it on loudspeaker.
"Shawn uhm what happened between us was a
mistake."
Shawn closed his eyes painfully.
"Please stay..stay away from me."her voice shook.
"Lolo-"
"Please. It felt like rape and if you don't stay away I'm
going to the police to report y-you." She sniffed.
"Alone-"
"Shawn please stay away from me. Please! Delete my
number and don't contact me. Ever again. Ka go kopa."
Shawn's eyes welled with tears as he bit his lip. The call
cut and Kagiso looked at his brother.
"I'm sorry." He squeezed his shoulder and Shawn stood
there, not sure how to process all that.
"It's a lesson my boy. Focus on you and forget
temptation. You can't have her and le ene she no longer
wants you, you'll be okay."
~16~
She didn't even notice she was crying until one of her
cousins handed her a handkerchief. She emotionally
took it as she rubbed her eyes. She picked her bag and
took out the wipe, wiping away the mascara. Did she
think applying mascara was going to make the tears
stop?
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~17~
She opened her bag and took out her car keys and got
inside her car. She placed her head on the steering
wheel and sighed. She took out her phone and saw the
million missed calls. Her phone started vibrating in her
hand and she wiped her tears and cleared her throat
before answering.
Alone laughed.
"Go back to your friends and tell them I'm still trashy.
People like you always want back what they can't have
and I'm way past that. I'm not a joke. Akere wena o
utlwa ka ditsala. Fotshek autwe? Fotshek!"(you listen to
your friends)
She cut the call before he could say anything and she
blocked his number. She looked behind to see if there
were any cars parked behind her and reversed out of
her parking spot.
***
"I know today is a sad day but you looked pissed off
when you got out of the car."
"You can't believe who called."
Tebogo folded her arms and chuckled.
"Oteng?"
"That fool thinks I'll get back with him? And that was like
his third number.."
"Alone, what do you feed these men. Why do they crave
you this much?"
Alone shrugged. She didn't know why they were on her
case. Her two instances of dating after Shawn blew up
in her face. The first person she dated which was the
year she finisher her Master's degree, he introdiced her
to his parents only to marry another woman and she
found out through social media but he wanted to keep
her a side chick, he practically begged her. Then came
along this fool, Oteng. A rollercoaster ride.
"Nothing." She sighed. The man she wanted to blow up
her phone seemed to have disappeared off the face of
the earth.
After her mother had broke her phone and crushed her
simcard that fateful night, she was driven off to the farm
to stay with her uncle. Hell, she was nursing herself from
that horrible beating. She almost died.Luckily she
borrowed their phones three days later after she arrived.
She knew his number by heart and tried to call but it was
unavailable. She spent the whole week trying.
Meme had comforted her and the tears rolled down her
cheeks. She already missed her aunt.
The view from his office was a pleasant one but it didn't
make his mood any better. He looked at the wedding
picture on his desk with unbridled rage but he kept it all
in as his brother spoke.
"Did it get any better?"
"No. Actually I stopped bringing it up."
"Even after the elder's interventions?"
"Her family would let her do as she pleases. I'm over
this. I have my lawyer engaged on this." And more. He
flexed his hand, his ring finger displaying initials of a
woman who wasn't his wife.
"But please don't stray, it never goes well. Temptation
will always knock but don't give in to it."
"Sure. I have to go."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~18~
Still in his office, his landline rang shattering his thoughts
about the what ifs.
He picked it up.
"Lucas."
"Shawn, the company will need you here this side for
the next year or two."
"Isn't it something I can manage here in London?"
"I'm afraid it isn't." He covered his face. More frustration.
"It's about the Monday pitch isn't it?"
"That and more. Be in the country by Friday so we can
meet."
"Of course Mr Carmichael."
His boss cut the call and he groaned. F*ck!
***
She cut the call and she busied herself with the
magazine that was on the table. The door opened and
she smiled, standing up to go get his jacket but frowned
when he came in with a box full of his stuff.
"Hi, what happened? Did you get fired?"
If he got fired, their plan was as good as dead.
"No. We're moving."
"Moving?"
"Back to Botswana."
"This week."
"I'll start packing."
"Sure." He watched her turn her back to him. He shook
his head and placed the box on the table. He undid his
tie as he walked to the bedroom to find her looking for
the suitcases.
She turned to face him.
"Do you know where the suitcases are?" He placed his
tie on the bed before he started to unbutton his shirt.
Owame swallowed. How long before she gives in to
him? What her sister doesn't know won't hurt her, his
dragon tattoo was on display as neatly folded the shirt
and started unzipping his pants. She looked the other
way. She should focus. How can Lorato want to leave
this man? He looked like he gave good sex too. All
nerdy but beneath the suits, he was all muscle and
hotness.
"You know where the suitcases are. Remember?"
"Oh right!" She laughed nervously.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~19~
Shawn got out of the shower. His mind whirling with all
sorts of conclusions. He wore his sweatpants and
walked to the lounge. She had left the suitcases in the
bedroom.
He picked his phone and looked at her.
"Do you want to pick our temporary house?"
"No. It's fine. Lunch is in the microwave. Let me go
pack."
"Shawn."
"Mrs Carmichael, I have a favour to ask."
"Mia. It's Mia."
"I know that." She didn't like other co-workers being too
formal with her and she preferred they use her name. It
was always amusing to have her correct everyone who
called her Mrs Carmichael instead of Mia.
He heard the keyboard in the background.
"I need you to look into my wife."
"Trouble in paradise already?" He leaned against the
kitchen counter.
"Something like that."
"That's basically stalking."
"And who will know?"
***
First of all she has never loved her puppies like that.
She touched her locket. She hoped to see him for him to
at least give her some tips to forget him. At least that
and the closure that he wasn't mad at her. She knows
the last thing he wanted was the rape threat and that's
what she did.
And now came the stress of her results. If they turn out
to be positive, she'll be all alone. She didn't want to
burden the family again. They were going through it
while Meme had surgery at first then it came back then
she went through the most aggressive chemotherapy
treatment and they thought it was gone.
"Alone, don't rush the process. Finding the one just
happens."
"I have a love and hate relationship with the 30th of
November."
"And you thought having the date tattooed on your wrist
would set you free."
"Kana gongwe badimo ba gagwe ba mo emetse ka
dinao and they are punishing me until I
apologise."(maybe his ancestors are with him)
"A decade is too long for a grudge. You were kids."
"When you are young people assume you know nothing.
I knew him, I knew his heartbeat. I knew his smiles, how
sweet he was and how he hated conflict. Always
carrying himself with an air of seriousness. It feels like
he marked me and I can't move. I'm still there. He still
lingers like a tattoo kiss and he haunts all of my what ifs
and the smell of smoke never lingers that long. I knew
everything when I was a teen."
Alone whispered to Tebogo.
"I silently curse my mother for making me do that. I
curse Shawn for showing me what love is and then
disappearing."
She got up with her blanket and she smiled to the rest of
the family telling them she'll have an early night.
Mma Alone saw Alone and she also got up and followed
her.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~20~
She made the bed before she packed her clothes. She
was still on yesterday's clothes and her hair probably
needed a flat iron and fixing the edges. Or she should
remove the whole damn weave in preparation for her
pitch on Monday. She had deadlines to chase and
regardless of what was falling apart in her personal life,
life had to continue as normal.
She was grateful she got the room with the bathroom.
Having to wait for her turn was something she didn't
want to do now, she wasn't even in a chirpy mood.
Alone walked out. She went to find the rest of the family
to let them know she was leaving. With that short
announcement, she got her bags in the bedroom and
went to her car to put them there.
Minutes later, she was hugging everyone goodbye
before she headed to her car. When she got inside she
called her doctor.
"Ms Puso.."
"Hi doctor, hope I didn't catch you at a bad time?"
"Not at all."
"I know I said we should meet on Friday but is Thursday
okay?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Unless of course you're busy."
"No. Tomorrow I have a free slot before lunchtime."
"Perfect. I'll be there. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Bye."
***
~21~
12 hours later
***
***
He put his phone away and rubbed his jaw. The ring on
his finger feeling heavier than usual. He had to stop
himself from removing the piece of metal and throwing it
outside the window. He'll deal with this calmly. Like he
always does things. He was starting to think that his
choice in women was…questionable to say the least.
***
He pulled the chair from the desk and sat down as they
got to business. Shawn gave him an update from the top
of his hear about everything and what he observed from
everything he got from all the branches.
Lucas nodded. They did good by taking him as intern
ehile he was still studying in London. His strategies and
IQ was out of this world.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~22~
***
She cut the call and deleted the call log before she
looked around the room. She breathed out.
***
Around six pm, Shawn and his 'wife' were getting ready
for dinner while Shawn was makibg quiet and
undetected observations. He now had access to
everything in her phone. This was the long game and he
was prepared to see it through.
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~23~
Shawn rolled out of bed, fresh and ready for his birthday.
He had said something about needing his space and
that's why they weren't sharing rooms. He thought anot
how he had been played as he headed to the shower.
Like clockwork, he gave himself a handjob in the shower
before he got on with his shower. Maybe rhe reason he
hadn't looked for her was because he was afraid of his
reaction to seeing her. Even a decade later, he knew he
would remember her. Kagiso had been right. He'd take
her back immediately.
***
She cut the call and ran back to the bathroom. When
she came back, she picked an outfit, no matter how over
the top it was it was enough to elevate her mood.
She even took the time to straighten her weave and lay
her edges. She did her eye makeup and applied blood
red lipstick. She should probably go out after work too.
She just wore jeans and an FNB t-shirt along with
sneakers.
***
At FNBB
***
They walked up the stairs and when they got to the VIP
section, they sat down and ordered drinks as they
startee catching up. Laughter could be heard on their
side as the call girls eyed the gentlemen. All they could
see was moneu as they served them.
***
***
At FNBB
She started her car and entered the location in her car
gps.
***
At The Exclusive Club
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~24~
He smiled at her and his eyes pulled her into him. Too
similar to the ones of the boy who was haunting her
every single day but she chastised herself from seeing
him in every man she meets. That was not a good thing
and maybe she might be officially insane if she accuses
him of being Shawn.Their breaths mingled as he looked
down at him. The more she looked, the more familiar he
felt. That scorching look and him pressed up against her.
He was hypnotic,she knew those eyes. Her heart started
as it beat furiously in her chest.
Heavy breathing filled the air. She parted her lips for him
more as he gripped her waist hard, her back against the
wall. She broke the kiss and placed a manicured hand
on his open chest, the dragon tattoo faint in the dim
light. She smiled at him, looking like the seductress she
was.
Shawn said bye to his friends, they all gave him a look
and then they laughed it off. He walked down the stairs
and out of the club. He headed to the parking lot and he
found her next to his car.
***
***
Alone and Shawn kissed as Shawn led them to the room
he booked, he couldn't get enough of her. Her little
moans got to him and they were still the same.
He tapped his access card on the door and held the
door handle opening it thrn quickly closing it once they
were inside,pining her against it..
"Shaw-Kgotla!" She moaned as his finger found her
sweet spot..
"Pleasee!" She begged him. If she doesn't come in the
next second-
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~25~
Alone opened her eyes and looked at his face, her nails
on his tattoo.
"Aaawww!!!"
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~26~
The following morning at the hotel, Shawn woke up with
Alone still fast asleep on his chest. She was even
drooling over his chest. His hand softly moved over the
curve of her hip and she sighed softly on his chest. He
watched her shift and he gently rubbed her. She has
another thing coming if she thinks she's walking away
again.
***
Owame nodded and cut the call. She looked around the
apartment and then went to make herself breakfast.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~27~
Monday came by quickly. Alone couldn't get Kgotla out
of her mind and she couldn't shake off the feeling of
familiarity with him. At least she had the best sex she
has ever had in her adult life. The fact that he was
married just-she sighed. Men are exhausting.
She cut the call and looked at the mirror. Her straight
back carrot cornrows making her forehead shine. She
had to go.
***
***
At FNBB
Her whole team watch him sit down, his wire framed
glasses making him look studious and nerdy. He was a
blind cheater but him in formal wear, her little heart
started beating a little too loud.
Alone faced the white wall. She wanted to run away. Her
chest constricted painfully. Shawn? And why the hell did
he say that? An-tears filled her eyes and she had to
remind herself this is not the place nor time. She fanned
her face as the lights dimmed for the presentation to
start.
Two hours later, after her team members have said their
part, Alone concluded the presentation.
"May I speak?"
Alone's heart pounded. He wasn't smiling, just looking at
her and the people he came with waited. Her team was
nervous?
"Of course." Her soft voice replied.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~28~
She heard his zip and cry left her lips when he plunged
into her after shifting her thong to the side.
"You're mine Alone." He moved in fast strokes, his hand
on her waist, the other one pulling at her braids with his
mouth covering hers.
She trembled against him, crumpling his shirt.
"Kiss me back angel."
He watched her struggle to kiss him back and with one
final stroke, he watched her come undone on the
boardroom table. He kissed her one last time before he
came and slid out of her. He was never going to get
enough of her.
***
Lorato laughed.
"Money! We are about to be more than a million richer
very soon. Good job."
"Thanks."
"Hmm…life is good waitse. Let me start packing. Le
wena start packing, leave my expensive persumes and
designer labels though."
Owame looked around the apartment. Going back to
that one room of hers and struggling again?
"You're coming tomorrow?"
"Yes. Mission is complete. You have to go back, don't
forget you are living my life."
"Okay…I'll start packing."
"Good."
Lorato cut the call and Owame bit her lip. Shawn won't
say no to sex and he thinks she's Lorato so obviously he
won't use protection. If she falls pregnant, she'll have
security regardless of the possibility of this blowing up in
their faces. She had an idea.
***
At FNBB
Alone breathed in and out, looking at him.
"You're real?"
He pecked her lips.
"I'm here aren't I?"
"Shawn don't hurt me. Ka go rapela."(I beg of you)
He pulled her to him and she pushed him back.
"You got me in trouble with my boss."
"Your presentation sucked Alone."
She hit his chest.
"I hate you so much."
"That's not the behavious of someone who was on my
d*ck less than an hour ago." She fixed herself one last
time, preparing to leave and face her boss.
"On a serious note, it bored the hell out of me and you
could do better. Fix that."
She rolled her eyes at him and she turned to walk out of
the boardroom, her heels clicking on the tile and he
watched her behind with a little smile.
She turned to look at him as she opened the door.
"My office? At lunch?"
He grinned. F*cking yes.
He winked at her and she laughed closing the door,
leaving him in there.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~29~
Alone sat down in her boss' office and she waited for the
crtique. Her boss looked at her and Alone placed her
hands over the desk, nervous.
"Ms Puso, I am disappointed in you and your team.
Maybe it's the grief and the pitch should have been
given to others because that was embarrassing."
"I'm sorry. I'll do better."
"You better because you can't have low quality work. We
will be dealing with their billions and it already shows
incompetence."
"I understand and we'll work on it."
"Good. Another thing, your husband…"
"My husb-ooh! That."
Her boss looked at her. Waiting for an explanation.
"We're estranged. We got married while in Uni and we
never got to annul the marriage and all. Just grew apart
and we went to different universities in different
countries."
"I was wondering why you are using your maiden
name."
"It's that and this is the first time seeing him in years."
"Okay. You should probably get divorced if you want to
mlve on."
"I definitely will. Can I leave."
"Of course."
She walked to her office and locked the door once she
was inside. She sat on her chair and closed her eyes,
she could still feel him inside her. That husky angel'
escaping his lips while he buried himself to the hilt inside
of her and hearing him whimper a bit as he came inside
of her. She buried the thoughts of his wife, choosing to
feign ignorance. For now.
She checked the time. Lunch hour was in two hours and
he'll be here again. She blushed. She wasn't going to be
able to get any work done today was she? She'll meet
her team tomorrow. They needed a break after Shawn
made all of them cry.
***
At C Corporations
Shawn and his accompanying colleagues were in the
baordroom with Lucas as they gave him feedback.
"Shawn made them cry."
Lucas looked at Shawn who shrugged. They needed to
develop a thick skin, it wasn't his fault.
"And to be honest, that was the best pitch we have
heard in a while."
Shawn raised a brow.
"I was sold on one thing in the pitch and they need to
focus on it. Better feedback will be delivered on Friday.
Today felt more like a brainstorming session, I'm the
client. I shouldn't be doing the thinking for them."
***
She placed her phone down and cleared her desk. She
sprayed her perfume and reapplied lipstick and she felt
sixteen again, getting ready to take walks with him. Her
hair was fine.
"Babe, where did you go?" She looked into his eyes and
she was sure he could see right through her.
He squeezed her waist.
"Trust me. I won't hurt you."
"Okay." She smiled at him.
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~30~
"Hello mama."
"Hi my girl, are you busy this weekend?"
She looked at Shawn. She was busy. Definitely busy.
"Yes. What is it?"
"I was invited to a wedding and I wanted to go with you."
"I can't this weekend. Maybe next time."
"Alright. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I have to go. Bye."
"Bye."
She cut the call and put her phone back in her bag.
***
Hours later, at the apartment Owame cooked a
wholesome dinner. She was going to feed him and this
child she will be pregnant with will be her only way of
security. She should have thought about it sooner.
He cut the call and she smiled some more. She also
wanted to know why Lorato didn't want her to have sex
with him. She will be finding out tonight, she couldn't
wait.
***
Alone parked her car as Shawn's car parked behind
hers. She got out of the car with her things but he
caught up to her and took them from her hands.
"Is your cooking still horrible?"
She hit his chest.
"I'm offended. I think I'm better now. A decent cook."
"I'm cooking for us. I'm not risking it." She rolled her
eyes at him.
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~31~
~32~
***
***
At FNBB
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~33~
***
"Hey my love."
"How long will you be there for?"
"As long as it takes to get the money."
He sighed.
"I make enough money for the both of us and you got
your inheritance from your grandfather's Will."
"We agreed."
"You're going to sleep with him."
"He's my husband. Of course I'm going to sleep with him
for him not to be suspicious. We talked about this my
baby."
She could feel his frustration. She opened the wardrobe
and picked out a pair of heels and a cute dress. Thank
God she did her hair. She'll tell him she undid her
previous hairstyle should he ask. Men don't bother too
much with these things.
"Lorato, this is going to hurt me."
"It's for the greater good and we'll be together forever.
I'm already pregnant."
She cut the call and she placed the phone down. A quick
shower and she'll be off to C Corporations to drop lunch.
It was almost lunch hour.
***
At C Corporations
***
***
Lorato got out of the cab. Traffic had delayed her coming
here on time. She saw the building. With the confidence
of a runway model, she strutted to the doors that opened
automatically when they sensed her. She fixed the
fakest smile as she greeted the receptionist.
"Good afternoon."
"Hi ma'am. May I help you?"
"I'd like to see Mr Kgotla please."
The receptionist who had seen him walk out looked at
the lady.
"He left almost thirty minutes ago, he's not in his office."
"Really?"
"Yes ma'am. Do you have an appointment to see him so
I may let him know he had a guest."
"Mrs Kgotla was here."
Her phone rang in her bag and she took it out. Why was
that fake woman calling her? She answered the call.
"Hello."
"Hello Fiona."
"Lorato, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad tjme. There is
a wedding this weekend and Kagiso and I were
wondering if you and Shawn would like to come."
She wanted to say something offhand to Fiona but she
thought about it. She could use this weekend to her
advantage.
"I'll let Shawn know, send the details and we'll be there."
"Perfect. And I genuinely enjoyed dinner the other day.
So glad we finally buried the hatchet."
She rolled her eyes.
"Me too. I have to go."
"By-"
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~34~
Shawn had made some calls and now they were viewing
a very cute house. It had a small backyard pool, three
bedrooms and it was spacious. Looked newly built too.
Shawn saw how happy she looked as she walked into
the kitchen and the dining room.
"I love it."
"Finally a house you love."
"The last one we saw was okay-ish."
"Whatever you say."
***
Along the way, her petrol tank indicated red and she
closed her eyes. Sh*t! She was far from the petrol
station and she hadn't even thought about refilling her
tank. She slowly drove off the road and closed her eyes.
Dammit.
She got out of the car as other cars passed her BMW X5
and she leaned against it. The sun was starting to set.
A car stopped and a man walked out.
"Hi, I saw you by the side of the road. Is there a
problem?"
"Hello. Unfortunately I forgot to refuel and it's kind of
dying on me."
"You have a nice car."
"Thanks. Yours looks nice too."
He smiled.
"What fuel does it run on?"
"Diesel."
He chuckled.
"Unfortunately I have petrol but I can pass by the filling
station for you-"
She cut the call and walked over to where that man was.
"Someone said they'll bring the diesel, thank you for
stopping though."
"Okay."
She was too beautiful. Not the type you bring home to
mama to marry but the type that gives you wild sex and
you keeo just until you find the one. She looked far from
being marriagr material. Men didn't want extremely
beautiful women as wives, they needed peace and
stability.
"Tla bo ke le phoso to know your name?"(Will I be wrong
to know your name?)
"Alone."
"Pretty name for a pretty woman."
"Thank you."
"I'm Kennedy."
"Nice to meet you."
She rolled her eyes even though she knew that that
would be the case if she was married.
He shrugged.
"Maybe it's money. I do have the money, I can tell you
like expensive things."
Alone chuckled.
"Ehe rra." She rolled her eyes and checked her phone.
He was taking far too long to come.
She stood next to her car while the Kennedy duded
waited with her silently.
He parked his car ahead of the two cars that were by the
side of the road. Kennedy saw the Range. It was too
beautiful a car. He saw a man get out of it and he
walked to the back to retrieve the jerry can.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~35~
She got out of the car. She had tucked in the braids from
her carrot and had a short bob wig on and the most
natural make-up look.
She held her little purse that matched her light lilac silk
dress. It was a last minute thing because Shawn all of a
sudden had said something about going with his wife.
She almost puked. She chose to believe him when he
said he won't sleep with her. She shook her head.
Shawn wasn't here now and she was prepared to enjoy
this wedding to the fullest.
She walked from the parking lot and when she got to the
green grass where the chairs were set up, she was
guided by the ushers inside after she told them her
name.
"This way ma'am."
She nodded, watching her ex. The one who had the
audacity to want her back when he had probably paid
magadi for her cousin. So she had been his side chick
unknowingly. She resisted the urge to clap her hands
twice in disbelief. Unfuckingbelievable.
She seemed like she didn't even care. She has never
loved him has she? Of course she never did. She wore
a locket that some man gave her and even had his
birthday tattooed on her wrist. She never even tried to
sugarcoat the truth. He hoped her seeing him get
married ate her up inside and hurt her.
The bride walked out. So pretty and Lolo took out her
phone to take a short video of her cousin. She looked so
pretty.
"Shawn?"
He turned to his brother as the gentleman walked away.
"Yes?"
"Isn't that Alone?" Shawn followed his brother's gaze
with a smile.
"That's her. You remember her?"
She squinted her eyes. Her heart beat picking up. Okay
this was exciting, her pulse raced. Everyone watching
them not knowing what they do when it's the two of
them. None of them being the wiser. She played along,
hiding a smile from her face.
"Not sure."
Mma Alone looked at the tall man. She could remember
him. He turned out to be a fine young man and she
watched the interaction.
"It's Shawn."
"Shawn? as in Shawn from FFS?"
Sbe exclaimed softly and he nodded.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~36~
At the wedding
Lorato could see that the smile was so genuine and she
wasn't even looking at her man in any other way.
"Where did you buy that wig? Because it's beautiful."
"From this Instagram shop. I can give you the lady's
number. Quality stuff I tell you."
Shawn chuckled. "Well seems like this talk about wigs
does not concern me, let me say congrats to the
couple."
Alone laughed.
"Really? I have to go see it for myself then."
"I can take you."
She grinned.
"I'm flattered but I have a busy schedule."
"In December?"
"Money doesn't sleep does it?"
"No it doesn't. At all."
"Exactly."
"Can I have your number then?"
***
She removed her hand from his grasp and it went back
to his pants.
~37~
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~38~
Her phone rang and it was her boyfriend. She cut the
call. She needed to think. Fast. Okay, a trip outside the
country? It qas December so they could go spend it in
some cold country in a cosy cottage and she'll play the
doting wife, as they rekindle their spark. That was okay.
She sat down and started searching places online for a
little Christmas getaway.
***
He said that to shush her. The less she knew about the
plans he had, the better, it was a side of him he didn't
want her to witness. He kissed her forehead.
***
***
She walked to his room and his cologne was fresh in the
air. He had come and left. Wow.
At FNBB, Alone sat in her office and she called that guy
from the wedding.
"Hey, about that lunch date. I'll have to cancel."
"Oh. Rain check?"
"No, it's fine. You're a great huy though. I have to go and
have a great day."
She cut the call and deleted his nunber from her call log.
She rubbed her makeuo free face. The door knock had
her composing herself.
"Come in."
She slid down him and she picked her phone from the
desk to call her cousin.
***
His phone rang and she watched him answer his phone.
"Lucas? Not yet. I'm on my way."
He walked past her and headed to his room. Still no sex
and she was at a point of being scared that her tummy
would show if they didn't have sex soon. She closed her
eyes. If it showed, he'll know and she'll leave this
marriage with nothing. Shawn wouldn't give her a single
cent.
"I can still go to the trip with you. It's almost Christmas a-
"
"And you can spend it with your family here kana do you
pay the bills?"
"N-No."
"Good. I'm almost late."
"Will you call when you get there?"
He shrugged. His phone rang again and he put his work
bag on top of his suitcase.
"I can drop you off at the airport."
"It's fine."
He pulled suitcase.
"Hello."
***
***
***
Shawn drove inside the yard with his phone behind his
ear.
"Hire her. I need her close by when it all happens.'
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Better than to get her kicking and screaming which
was going to happen either way. Update me on how it
goes."
He cut the call and got out of the car. He walked to the
house and knocked before he opened. He found her
tying her hair.
"Hey baby. I'm ready..how do I look?"
"Like my type."
She picked a pillow to throw at him.
"Be serious."
"Gorgeous. You already have me at your feet."
He held her waist and dropped his head to kiss her.
"How about one for the flight?"
She laughed against his lips.
"Ijaa! Can we go?"
He pecked her lips before he stepped back.
"And who are you trying to impress with the fade?"
"You. Is it working?"
She nodded with a grin.
"Yes.."
He got her bags and walked to the car while she looked
around before she locked the door with her phone in
hand.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~40~
***
***
***
***
Alone moved her head from the warm body and woke
up with a startle. Hands held her steady and she could
feel the corner of her mouth wet. She closed her eyes
trying to gain clear consciousness. It took her a few
minutes to defrost from that long nap, when she did she
rubbed her mouth and cheek. She drooled all over him
didn't she?
"Hey. I'm sorry." She stifled a yawn as he unbuckled her.
She had refused to go sleep in the bedroom in the jet,
she just wanted to sit beside him as he worked and
ended up falling asleep on his shoulder.
"About?"
"Drooling over you."
He looked at his wet shirt and shook his head as he
unbuckled the seatbelt.
"It's okay. We're here."
She covered her mouth to yawn as he stood up and she
got up too.
"I think I need to sleep."
"You look tired. Warm enough? It's snowing out here."
She nodded. She watched Shawn pack up his laptop
and iPad before he held his bag and took her hand. He
walked down the stairs holding her hand and she
couldn't help the smile on her face as they walked
towards a car waiting for them.
"Our luggage?"
"It's in the car, sleep on my chest."
"I'm no longer sleepy."
"Your eyes are puffy and they keep closing. Don't force
it."
"Aren't you cold?" Snowflakes weren't falling at the
moment but it was still cold. She missed this white
Christmases.
He opened the door for her and she got inside before he
got in. He shut close the divider so they could talk
privately.
"Lolo?"
"Rra?"
"Are you on contraceptives?"
She shook her head.
"No. I have never been on them." What if they mess up
her already-well cancer susceptible body?
"And you're the first man who has slept with me without
protection."
"Your virgin breaker and that? Well I'm honoured."
She laughed softly and snuggled into him.
"But what if you fall pregnant?"
"I have the money and capability to take care of a child
once you go back to your wife. I'll be fine."
"Lolo don't speak as if I'll let you parent alone."
She closed her eyes. She didn't need to tell him he was
married. He knew it and he was the one who said his
vows at the altar not her.
"But I'm not pregnant now so there is nothing to worry
about okay?" She closed her eyes.
He watched her and rubbed her arm.
Shawn got out of the car and got their bags as she
yawned and stretched. She'll call Tebogo when she
wakes up and luckily Botswana and Paris had the same
time zones so basically the same time.
She got out of the car and the cold hit her face, making
her clench her teeth. She followed her married boyfriend
who wasn't wearing his ring into the hotel. A butler got
the luggage from him and he was given two access
cards and keys for rhe penthouse at the top of the hotel.
C Corporations was really where it's at in terms of
employment because of all these?
Shawn held her waist as they took the lift up to the last
floor. She rested her head on his torso and stifped
another yawn.
It pinged and the doors opened. Shawn thanked and
tipped the butler before he tapped the access card on
the scanner and opened the door. She just walked in as
he brought their bags in.
She looked the white bedding and how inviting the bed
looled like.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~41~
Alone spent the chilly day wandering Paris and she even
got a stranger to take pictures of her in front of the Eiffel
tower. She smiled in her puffer jacket, beanie and
mittens as she walked into the nearest coffee shop and
ordered coffee and croissants, why would she be in
France if she didn't order croissants?
Tebogo called and she placed the cup down to get her
phone from her bag. It was a video call even and she
held the phone.
"Hello."
"Bonjour madame."
Lolo chuckled.
"Hiii..I missed cold Christmases."
"Let me see around."
The following day it was the same thing, except this time
Alone went shopping with his card. She didn't know the
limit but she had tried not to purchase too much. There
were a lot of things she had wanted from the shops.
Chanel purses she'd never find in her country. She
walked out with four shopping bags as she got inside the
car that had picked them from the airport. So the guy
was their chauffeur for Paris. She was helped by the
butler with her bags and when she got inside he was
there. Her heart dropped. She hadn't seen him leave in
the morning but that cashmere sweater and those dress
pants along with his shoes made him look scrumptious.
"Hey baby. Didn't expect to see you here early."
"Well, I finished early. Time for the holidays and now the
rest of my time is yours."
She chuckled.
***
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~42~
She opened the gift bag and she saw the handbag
inside. She rubbed her tears. It was the hormones. She
wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. Let me go to work, I'll see you later
today for your birthday dinner, okay?"
She nodded letting him go. He picked his bag and she
watched him walk out. She looked at the LV handbag.
Just continuous spoils. She hummed heading to the
kitchen. This dinner was her chance. She was going to
wear sexy lingerie underneath and make him drink
before seducing him and boom, the baby will be his. The
Lord is sooo gooood!
***
At FNBB
Lolo tapped her pen against her desk. Shawn has been
distant after their France trip and she tried not to be
clingy. She really tried. She really felt like a side chick
now, she was told which times to call and now? He had
said he'd be busy the whole day. She really was seeing
that she was starting to become one of his problems.
She was compartmentalized and she hated it so much.
Her stomach churned and her breakfast came right up.
She quickly got up from the chair and into her little
bathroom. She held the toilet seat as she vomited, tears
filling her eyes.
She took out some mints from her bag and she chewed
on them. Minutes later, there was a door knock.
"Come in."
She had a sew in now and the curls framed her face
beautifully. She watched the door as it opened. She
looked at the man then realisation set and also
confusion. He looked like that guy who had stopped by
the side of the road wantjng to assist her.
"Good morning."
He got up.
"It's not like he's gonna marry you." He snarked.
"And it's not as if I'll still want you. O dusty. Get out."
He walked out, fuming. If she continues having that
attitude, she'll watch her peers getting married and
wonder why. He quickly went to facebook and turned off
notifications for her posts abd unfriended her then
blocked her. It will be soon when she is desperately in
need for marriage. In her late thirties and she'll wonder
why.
***
She giggled as she went to get her bag and she sent
Shawn a message thanking him for that.
***
***
***
~43~
At FNBB
Alone spent the whole day nauseous and she was just
unproductive all the same. There was a knock on her
door just as she started packing up her bag to go home.
Her ears perked up and her eyes lit up thinking it was
Shawn.
"Come in."
Her smiled disappeared when Tebogo walked in.
"And what did I do?"
"Nothing. I was expectiong someone else."
"Oh. I wanted us to have dinner."
"I'm not feeling too great. I wanted a quiet night in."
"We can have that. Mofenyi dropped me off, I'll ask him
to pick me up from your place."
"Okay. Let's go."
"You seem down, what's up?"
"Stomach bug." Lies Alone. You know what it is but you
are in denial because he isn't speaking to you.
"Okay. Don't eat anything that'll upset your stomach
further."
She nodded. She didn't even know what foods to avoid
as she got her bag. Tebogo's bump was now visible and
Alone tried to lighten up. Just because her married
boyfriend is focusing on his marriage doesn't mean she
should sulk like a baby.
She placed a hand over her head to block out the sun.
"We're ordering pizza and drinks."
"Should we pass by the pizza place first? It's easier than
having them take their sweet time."
***
At the apartment, Lorato smiled as she was getting a
facebeat. She couldn't wait for the dinner and he did all
this?
"You're so beautiful."
"Thank you."
Ten minutes later, the makeup lady was done and she
stared at her reflection. It took her back to her wedding
da-
She paused. Today was also their one year wedding
anniversary.
"Shawn…" she breathed out with a smile and looked at
her ring. She removed the robe that covered her dress
as she slid her feet into the new shoes.
***
***
***
"If this isn't love then I don't know what is " she said on
the live as John Legend's Nervous played in the
background and the lights dimmed. It was swoony…
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆.𝑴𝒆
~44~
Mia smiled into her third wine glass of the night. She
was invited for the drama and she just came for it. If she
was the Lorato woman, she would have been going into
hiding at this very moment because imagine your dirty
laundry being aired out like that?
She sniffed.
"Wipe those crocodile tears. You created this mess, fix
it. Almost a year? Wa peka."(you're crazy)
Her mother walked away angrily and people were
looking at her with disgust. She didn't love Shawn. She
just wanted his money. Wouldn't they do anything for
money?
***
***
At the hotel, Kagiso finalky spotted Shawn who was
holding his phone.
"Shawn, what was that?"
"The end of a marriage."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"So you can say I resolve it peacefully. Lorato is
manipulative, she got everyone turning against me
saying I'm cheating when it's the other way round. At
least now everyone knows who she really is."
***
At the hospital, Tebogo switched on Alone's phone. She
was preparing to go home. She guessed the password
and it was Shawn's birthday. It unlocked Alone's iPhone
as it loaded. She placed the phone down and got up
from the chair. She stretched when the phone started
ringing and she quickly picked it up. She saw the caller
ID. Whoever was calling was saved as My Heart….
She wondered whether to pick up or not but she ended
up picking up the call.
"Alone's phone, hello."
"Hello, can I speak to Alone?"
Her mouth parted softly. That voice was to die for. She
didn’t even know the owner of the voice but….
"Uhm-huh?"
"Kopa go bua le Alone."(Can I speak to Alone.)
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~45~
Inside his car, Shawn removed the ring and rubbed his
finger. By the end of next week he was going to be a
free man. His lawyer had said it was uncontested and
very clear so it was only going to take a day at court.
And part of the divorce conditions he had stated was
that Lorato had to stop using his last name and had to
revert back to her maiden name and Lorato had to sign
the papers so they are processed as soon as possible.
There is no division of property or anything like that so it
was a clean and fast break.
She cut the call and he reversed out of the parking spot
calling his lawyer. He was even paying extra for this. But
as long as it was out of his hair for good.
"Kgotla?"
"Are you at the house?"
"Yes. Waiting for her."
"Good." It didn't need a sheriff and he technically didn't
have time for one.
***
At the hospital
She got the keys to Lolo's car and house and placed it
by the bedside table.
"Sharp."
She walked out and closed the door behind her. Shawn
sat on the chair and he switched off his phone. He
placed his head on the bed and closed his eyes. He
missed her so so much and it killed him to give her the
cold shoulder but he had to fix his own mess without
dragging her to the mix. His eyes closed as he went to
sleep.
***
She shook her head with tears. She could feel her
bladder pressing on her.
"Where there is a line, sign."
"I want to go to the bathroom." She pleaded.
The gun cocked and she screamed, pissing herself and
it flowing down her leg.
"Sign the papers."
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~46~
At the hospital
She sighed.
"Maybe this was a mistake Shawn don't you think? I
thought I'd love you till you had enough of me but it
actually happened. This whole month you were so cold
and that showed that the end was near."
Shawn didn't say anything. He wanted her to continue
and try to drive her point home.
"You love your wife, it's evident and this is you revenging
what happened ten years back. Maybe I'm not cut out to
be a side chick and the first few weeks were fun, hiding
in plain sight and the sweet nothings whispered in each
other's ears. The white Christmas, it was fun but it came
to an end. I had specific times to call and my stupid
heart agreed because why? I love you. It's simple as
that but can we put an end to it? Just-let me go because
I'm not strong enough to do that and while at it rip this
damn heart out of my chest so the feelings can die and I
can forget you."
"Alone?"
"Rra?"
He rubbed her chin..
"I'm sorry angel, you still haven't told me why you're
here. Ke a go utlwa autlwe? Mma Kgotla? Ntebe."(I hear
you okay. Mrs Kgotla? Look at me)
Alone looked at Shawn.
"I asked you to trust me and this was where the trust
came in." He kissed her hands.
"I love you Alone."
"Yet you are married."
"Should I tell you why I got married?"
Her eyes welled with more tears. He wanted to nail the
last nail in her coffin right?
She nodded and moved her hands away from his. She
was still ending this.
"It was two years ago, I was getting older and me and
Lorato had been dating for a month then. Just regular
dates..she seemed perfect at the time."
"Then go be with your perfect wife Shawn!"
He breathed out and took her hands. He watched her
wear the oxygen mask.
"I thought perfect would do as my wife but even if at the
time she was perfect, I still wished it was you. I had your
initials on my finger…I couldn't bring myself to remove
them. Perfect still doesn't mean it's working and I forced
it. I tried to fall for her touch but I kept thinking of the way
it was, I tried Lolo but I was passing time in her arms."
He wiped her tears.
"I did find out that she had been planning on defrauding
me, even before we saw each other again. I long
planned the divorce."
He looked at her.
"I'm walking on eggshells here aren't I? We still don't
have to share a room. Alone, I'm not leaving you. At all."
She nodded.
"I'll communicate better and not hide things from you."
"Thank you."
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. And I still love you okay?"
"I know angel. I brought food. Eat."
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~47~
At the hospital
She paused.
"But it happened. I'm pregnant and I still love him. It
changes nothing."
"Alone? Are you hearing yourself? O ineeletsa bo side
chick?(you're gladly accepting being a side chick?),
soon it won't be just him. He might forgive his wife, men
who built with their wives never let them go because
from the little videos I saw he didn't mention a divorce
even. She was there when you were not, she was
picking up the pieces of a heart she didn't break
because you stupidly decided to have sex while
underage and broke his heart because he was nice and
you think he'll leave for you. He might have spent the
night here but that might mean nothing."
Alone looked at her cousin. She was not defending
herself. She loved Shawn. It was as simple as that for
her.
"And when he goes back, you'll go after our men
because you do married men now."
Alone smiled with a broken heart and tears filled her
beautiful eyes.
"Is that how you see me? You think I'll come after your
men?"
"Go pala eng? Side chicks have no limits and a smart
girl like you limited herself to be one."
Alone looked down.
"Do you think your men compare to Shawn? I don't even
see married men like that but okay. I don't want to say
anything I'll regret. Please leave."
Alone got under the sheet and closed her eyes, not
saying anything further.
"Alone-"
She didn't reply and Tebogo got up and walked out.
Alone cried silently in the hospital room.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~48~
At the apartment
She needed to go. Get out of this space. She won't feel
threatened but what if they think she ran and killed her.
She wiped her falling tears and walked barefoot to the
bedroom. She opened her bag and she called her
boyfriend.
"Hello.."
She started crying on the phone. Her words not audible.
"Lorato, I'll be there okay?"
"Okay." she wiped her tears and sat on the bed. Her
phone buzzed in her hand and she saw her mother call.
"Lorato? Did you fix things?"
***
He cut the call and Alone just looked at her toes before
looking at him.
"You were about to say something baby?"
She had said separate rooms but here they were in her
room and he eas half naked. She had helped him pack
his things into rhe wardrobe and it was oddly satisfying
for their clothes to be in one area.
"Nothing. I'm tired."
He wore a fresh pair of boxers before he walked to the
bed.
"You barely ate too."
"Juat tired."
He rubbed her chin and she smiled a little.
"You're sure sure that your marriage is over?"
"Yes. I explained this earlier Alone."
"Okay okay." she pulled the comforter over her body and
he kissed her head.
"You don't want to do anything? It is a Saturday after
all."
She shook her head. Her mind replaying Tebogo's
words over and over again. It was wrong that she had
been dating a married man, she knew that. He
conscience had been dealing with that bu-but being told
that she'd come after the men her cousins had? It was
below the belt and it hurt her. She would understand if it
was someone outside but her own cousin? They
basically grew up as sisters. She had stopped herself
throughout the day from texting a long paragraph
explaining how that made her feel.
"Okay, get some rest. I'll catch up on work."
"Cuddle me."
He looked at her before he pulled back the covers and
joined her in bed.
***
At Tebogo's house
He chuckled.
"And I can't wait to see you in a white dress."
"I wish mama was here."
He hugged her.
"She's watching over you. She's resting now."
"I know."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~49~
She closed the door and bent over the toilet. What was
the right moment to tell a man you're pregnant? Should
she send him flowers tomorrow with a cute message?
Should she wake him up?
She flushed the toilet and then started to brush her teeth
before walking back to bed.
Alone paused.
"I'm fine just a stomach bug that didn't go away the
whole week."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I swear."
"Okay." He kissed her and she wrapped her arms
around his neck as she opened her legs for him.
***
She got up as he put his iPad away and pulled her into
his lap.
"You're my marriage partner okay? You'll be a beautiful
bride ka patlo magadi autwe mogatsaka?"
She blushed more.
"Shawn, you're distracting me."
"I'm just telling you the truth. You were saying?"
"Ehe, okay fine. She is a married woman and obviously
she won't understand and I get that. What really hurt me
ke ha ne a re I'll want their men. Keore gatwe ke tlo
batla banna ba my cousins at home."(Apparently I'll
want my cousins men.)
"And you dating me gave her that impression?"
"O married man. O lebega o tla ka dipuo wena."(you're a
married man..you come with a lot if issues)
"Mxm!"
She laughed.
"That really hurt me."
"She is probably projecting. I'd say ignore her but you've
been so close with her since childhood and kana basadi
le tshele, tla ga gotwe kana monna ne a leka gore
kgaoganya bosika."(and women are such gossipers.
Soon youl be saying a man tried to come between your
relationship)
"Kana Shawn ha o kgatlhe."(you're not funny)
"Sorry. But tell her how you feel, just like you decide
when you want to call me a blind cheater or tell me it's
over while you're in oxygen masks."
"Kana Shawn tla ga ke go koba mo game. O kopile
boroko kana."(Shawn, I'll chase you out of my place.
You asked for accommodation)
He laughed.
"Sorry ee. O bogale yang."(okay, sorry. You're so
defensive)
She placed her head on his shoulder.
"The fact that she thinks I don't know boundaries and
would go for her man or any of my rlatives' men says a
lot."
Shawn kept quiet knowing that from those two instances
he was with her cousin alone, the said cousin didn't
know boundaries.
"I'd never date her man. Or even her exes. That would
be vile and ny relationship with her was valuable than a
man."
"Was?"
"I don't know where it stands now."
"Just take your time and make a decision that makes
you happy. Is it off your chest now?"
"Yes. It's been bothering me since we left the hospital.
Kana we are like sisters and-"
She held back tears. He rubbed her back.
"And she's my aunt's daughter. My aunt was also a
mother to me and besides my other aunts and uncles,
Tebogo looks like my aunt so much and I wouldn't want
to lose that connection to my aunt."
Alone rubbed her eyes.
"We're erecting her tombstone next weekend and-"
***
That same afternoon, Kagiso went over to Shawn's
apartment to talk to him but he had knocked and
knocked with no answer. He finally called Shawn.
"Hello."
"Shawn, I'm at your place. Open the door."
"I moved out."
"So fast?"
"Let's meet by Airport Junction mall."
"Okay."
***
***
She parked her car in front of the yard and pressed the
intercom. The gate opened. She parked her car inside
and breathed out for a few seconds before she got out.
She walked to the door and it opened before she
knocked.
"Babe I th-"
Alone stopped speaking and and blankly looked at
Tebogo.
"Hi Lolo."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~50~
She opened the door wider and Tebogo came in witb the
takeaway and drink. She placed them on the table,
noticing the iPad on the table. That wasn't Alone's.
"Can I sit?"
Lolo nodded as she sat down too.
"I came to apologise."
"Okay."
"Just okay?"
"I was hurt that you thought I'd come after every married
man I set my eyes on. That I'd cross boundaries and go
after my relatives' men. That hurt me but okay. I accept
your apology."
Tebogo breathed out. That was too easy and too fast.
She had watched Alone tell her mother she is okay and
watched her distance herself.
"Lolo, I am really sorry. I wasn't even thinking and I know
you would never do that."
"Mhmm..
"Lolo?"
"I am listening. I forgive you."
"I brought a peace offering. Your favourite comfort
meal."
"Thank you."
"A hug?"
***
Shawn sat with his brother as he ordered a takeaway
meal for Lolo and himself.
"Shawn, everything happened on Friday and you
already moved out?"
"There is nothing tying me there. I just want to move on."
"So fast?"
"Kagiso I've been knowing about this since November."
Kagiso's forehead scrunched. And he didn't say
anything?
"The dinner? It was Owame and not Lorato."
"Yoh!"
"Yes. Lorato signed the divorce papers so…"
"The speed at which this is happening is scary. It seems
like you have a backup plan."
"Sometimes letting go is the only way."
"Okay. You're divorcing and you already don't have your
ring."
"I'm a free man."
"You're an adult. You do what makes you happy. Have
you talked to her parents?"
Shawn chuckled.
"They did call to tell me I have to fix things with Lorato
and because I'm an orphan and they welcomed me with
open arms."
"Ba tla nyela kana."
Shawn chuckled, a bit sad.
"You used to believe them over me you know. Take their
side and all." Sometimes when it came to issues with
Lorato, Kagiso rarely took his side. He had needed
someone in his corner.
"I'm sorry. I'll do better okay?"
"Thanks."
"I mean it. And I hope this time you find a woman who
loves you and won't scam you."
"Hopefully."
***
She yawned.
"Are you checking on me tomorrow?"
"I have a busy day, I'll have food sent to you. Make sure
you eat, we'll see a doctor around three okay?"
"A doctor?"
"Yes. Goodnight okay?"
"Night." She closed her eyes.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~51~
***
At FNBB
Alone who was one hour late to work, sat in the car and
looked at the little baby socks she just bought and the
romper. She put it in the gift bag along with a note she
wrote. She'll drop it off after her meeting. She got out of
her car and locked it.
Just as she cut that call, her cousin called. She took
deep breathes before answering.
"Tebogo."
"Hello. How are you feeling this morning?c
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Great. I was just checking up on you."
"Alright. I have to go, my meeting starts in five minutes."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
***
Around lunchtime, for the first time ever Alone walked
through the doors of C Corporations. She looked
around. The building was beautiful and she loved the
interior as well.
She got to thw reception and she smiled holding her gift
bag.
"Hi, is Mr Kgotla here?"
"He is still stuck in a meeting. Any messages?"
She watched him pick it up and open the gift bag. The
little tiny romper was so small in his large hand. Shawn
blinked and he held it up. His eyes filled with tears and
he took out the little socks in there as well. He glanced
over at Alone who was smiling at him. He found the note
and started reading.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~52~
Lorato rubbed her tummy that was starting to show. The
first part of the divorce was done and she didn't want to
cross Shawn's people any further and she showed up at
court on Tuesday. She closed her eyes, tears rolling
down.
***
***
The lift doors opened and they both walked out of the
building.
"Okay."
They both got to his car and she was already getting
used to be driven to and from work.
He put her things at the back and got a bowl of fresh
fruit to hand it to her.
"Try eating that."
She got it as he opened the door for her. She got inside
and placed the bowl down to buckle up before she
picked it up again.
***
There was silence in the room and all he heard was the
baby's heartbeat. He took out his phone to take a short
video so he can always watch it when he's alone.
He started recording, showing Alone's face as she wiped
her tears away and she smiled at him. He moved his
phone to the monitor screen. Nothing beat this.
Absolutely nothing. When he was done, the doctor
removed the wand from Alone's stomach and handed
her a tissue towel to wipe. Shawn djd the honours
though as the doctor left to go print.
He pressed his head against hers, their eyes caught up
in the most intense stare and their breaths mingling in
the little breathing space between their close lips.
"Thank you. So so much okay?"
She nodded and he brought his thumb to wipe her tears.
"You're precious, okay?" She nodded.
"A rarity. I love you more than you'll ever know." He
covered her mouth with his for a few seconds before
breaking it. He pecked her lips and looked at those
adoring eyes of hers. If someone had told him ten years
ago that he'd be here with rhe love of his life, expecting
their first born he honestly would have believed them. It
was this little life had had always had in the back of his
mind at senior school but never really voiced it out but jr
was happening.
This was the kind of peace she had always wanted. Her
man, work and family here and there. Nothing too hectic
or major. It was that simple for her.
"Tla reye o ye go ja."(let's go eat)
She just walked by his side to the car. She'll try her best.
She'll really try.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~53~
***
Alone sat on his lap as she brushed away her hair from
her face. She thought of telling him about rhe cancer but
that would be unnecessary. She didn't have cancer right
at this moment and it would dampen his spirits about
their baby.
"Did you pack enough warm clothes? It gets chilly an-"
"I'll only be gone for he weekend and it's not like I'm
moving abroad."
He sighed. He knew that.
"I know. I'll miss you."
She lifted her head to kiss him.
"Same here."
"And I'll call to remind you to eat." she nodded. He didn't
know when he'll break the news to his family. That was
going tk be an issue for another day but maybe after the
last decree in six weeks and he is a free man, he can
talk to his brother and marry her too in the process.
That's if Lolo will want to marry him and he didn't want to
pressure her.
***
***
***
At Mma Alone's house, she had been waiting for Alone
to call so she can go pick her up but maybe she was still
on her way. The intercom rang and she went to answer
it.
"Hello."
"Hi mama, ke nna."(it's me)
***
Outside, she brushed over her hair with her hand. She
hoped she looked good. She also sprayed cplogne to
smell good. She breathed in and out, hoping for the
best.
***
Lolo had a few spoonfuls of the food and she had tried
to keep the nausea down. She drank water after every
bite and it felt stronger. She opened her mouth but it was
already coming. She covered it with her hand and ran to
the bathroom, her mother watching. Her forehead
creased with lines of worry as she stood up from the
table and walked to the bathroom. She could hear Lolo
retching her guts out.
***
At the fast food place, Shawn did hear reason and a part
of him understands why she did that. Owame who was
sitting in front of him, wondered if he noticed how she
looked. How she had her hair done in a simple high puff
that accentuated her face.
"Now that you apologised, I have to go. Don't call me
ever again."
"We have no bad blood between us and-"
"Owame!" She smiled and nodded. She liked the way he
said her name. It was hot.
"Okay."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~54~
She placed the phone down and started the car with a
sigh.
***
She placed the phone down and got out of bed. The chill
air hit her. She sighed and slid on her slides, taking her
phone with her.
She looked at the screen.
"So today, I saw Owame."
"Oh?"
"She apologised for what she and her sister did."
"Okay. Are you happy with the apology?"
"Not really but I partly understood."
"That they conspired to scam you?"
"Not that, that she was the sister not adopted and did
everything to have a relationship with her twin when they
got separated."
"Shems. I hope she heals. I can't imagine being a twin
and you're separated."
"Hopefully but that's a closed chapter on my part. I dealt
with the mess and I can now focus my time and energy
into you and work."
She smiled.
"I have a trip coming up. A work trip to Tanzania by the
way."
"Ee mma."
"Want to come along? It's just three days.."
"Give me the dates and o ntse o re o boa ka Sunday
yaana, just know gore Monday I'm expecting a proper
report on the company investments."
"Mixing business with pleasure now Mr Kgotla?"
He laughed.
She placed the phone down against the coffee and
crouched to look at the screen.
"I should put it up..it only shows my lower body."
"And I am fine with that view. Not even complaining."
"Pervert."
He smiled and she turned her back as she opened the
fridge. She is trying the chicken and rice.
"Alone?" Her mother called out.
"Ma? Ke mo kirchen'ng mama ka apaya."(I'm in the
kitchen mom, I'm cooking)
"You don't have to. Let me make something for you."
"Ng ng. It's okay mama. You can sleep. I'll be fine."
She heard silence then footsteps a minute later as her
mom stood by the kitchen door tying her gown.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure sure. I'll be fine. Re tsamaya nako mang
kamoso?"(we're leaving what time?)
"The therapist said nine and we'll probably leave for the
village around two. Is it okay?"
"It's fine. Goodnight mama."
"Goodnight."
***
***
She mixed the food and had more. This was just to feel
full and not starve this baby of theirs.
She finished the plate and smiled. Her first full meal in
two weeks? Wow.
"Okay, I feel full. I didn't particularly enjoy the meal but I
ate it without vomiting."
"And that's progress. I think we'll add other things as
time goes on. Maybe there is something in food that you
react to.."
"Makes sense if put like that."
She washed her plate and everything before she picked
up the phone and switched off the lights on her way to
her room.
***
~55~
"Then she got married. Fine. I saw the man like a father
and then before I knew it, I was being sent off to my
aunt's place because I came onto him. A sixteen year
old coming onto a man I see as a father figure? A man
who was more than double my age and I come onto
him?"
She got up from the chair with her phone in hand and
walked out. Mma Alone watched her leave the office and
she had this sad look on her face.
"I love Lolo. So so much."
The therapist nodded. Just taking the step to come to
therapy with her daughter was enough proof.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~56~
***
She did. Did he come and bail her out? She closed her
eyes,feeling so dirty and all sorts.
The officer handed her a phone.
"You are only allowed two phone calls."
She nodded. Grateful for that. She knew his nunber by
heart and she heard his phone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi babe. It's me. I'm under police custody, Owame
reported me an-"
"She did good."
"I'm pregnant."
"And that didn't come to mind when you beat your twin
boue black? I'm honestly tired of your antics Lorato. I
won't bail you out till Monday. Maybe you'll self reflect
and make better choices in future."
"I-" he cut the call on her and tears stung her eyes as
she bit her lower lip to stop herself from releasing a loud
sob in front of all these people.
She released her lip which was starting to bruise as she
called her mother. The phone rang for a minute before it
was answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello mom, it's Lorato."
Her mother sighed deeply and Lorato burst into tears as
she told her what happened.
"You are very stupid! Too stupid for my liking!"
She rubbed tears stained cheeks as her mother berated
her before she cursed.
"I'll come bail you out."
***
She chuckled.
"Must be Paris." She covered her face with one hand
and laughed pulling her bag into the house.
Tebogo was in the lounge on her phone and she looked
up.
"Hey Lolo."
"Hi Tebogo." she smiled as she headed to the room she
always used here and put her bag there. She breathed
in and out for a few seconds before she walked out of
the room. Her mother was outside talking to her other
aunts and it was how they both pretended like the
therapy session didn't happen and that emotions had
been high in that room.
"Okay."
Lolo headed to the bedroom and she got her handbag.
She felt her phone vibrate in her jean pocket.
She saw the caller id and smiled.
"Hey babe."
"And how are my babies doing today?"
"We're good. Kana we arrived and I attended therapy in
the morning."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~57~
***
Lorato walked out to find her mother waiting for her. She
opened her mouth to speak but a slap that had the
police officers turning landed on Lorato's cheek as she
sniffed.
"Did I teach you to fight in public?"
Lorato shook her head.
"Thank you officers."
"Her court hearing will be communicated." She nodded
and dragged Lorato out.
"You are going to call that girl and apologise to her so
she can drop the charges. Na wa poka Lorato?"(are you
crazy Lorato?)
"Nyaa mma."
She let the tears roll down her cheeks, trying to keep up
with her mother's fast pace and the fact that she was
squeezing her wrist too tight and it hurt so much.
She was hauled into the car and she burst into tears
over that.
Her mother walked in and took out Lorato's phone. She
had got the car keys as well from the officer.
"Call her."
Lorato looked at her mother with teary eyes.
"Lorato, you embarrassed me at your party with your
shady dealings and you still went ahead to trend. Kante
wa peka ne wena? O setsenwa?"(are you crazy? Are
you a madman?)
She shook her head as the phone was thrust in ber
hands and she bit down her lip.
"Call."
She called Owame's number and it rang for a few
seconds before it was answered.
"Owame, hello."
"H-hi." Her voice shook as her mother glared at her."I
wanted to apologise, I shouldn't have beat you
maabane."
"Okay."
Her mother nudged her and she sniffed wiping away
more tears.
"Can you drop the case?"
"So you can harass me again?" Lorato wanted to
scream so bad.
"I won't. I swear."
"Hello." Her mother had snatched rhe phone from
Lorato.
"Hello. Ke bua le mang?"(who am I speaking to?)
"Lorato's mother. I'll pay you if you drop the charges,
she's your twin and I'm sure you love her."
"Ng, I don't know. The first instance she insulted me and
now she assaulted me for no valid reason."
"You have my word. She'll never harass you."
"Okay. I'll drop the charges."
"How much do you want?"
"Nothing. Please keep her away from me. Thank you."
The call cut and Lorato wiped her tears. At twenty nine,
her mother could still boss her around like that.
"You're exhausting. Are you still with Shawn?" She
shook her head.
"Why?"
"He sent a gun man to kill me if I don't sign the divorce
papers."
"It was too quick. He has another woman. Wa bona your
stupidness cost you your marriage?"
Lorato leaned back, tired of the crying and too
exhausted now.
"But it might not last. That man loves you and is still
angry."
"Men never forgive cheating." Lorato said, her eyes
heavy and slowly closing.
Her mother looked at her. She started the car. Where did
Lorato live? This child was so frustrating.
***
She got the plain oats and another tub of plain yogurt.
She hated. Mofenyi took the basket from her, his fingers
brushing with hers as she moved her hand back.
"Thanks…I guess."
He nodded with a smile as he trailed behind her while
she walked to other shelves. One guy stopped him.
"You have a beauty in your hands. Bo ntša ba ja
tlhebanna."(some men are enjoying life)
She got biscuits off the shelf and she saw him walk
towards the line with her basket. Alone quickly walked
past the people and she caught up to him.
"I'm done and thank you."
"You are welcome."
She put the biscuits in the basket and opened her bag to
check for her card. She took out her purse and got her
card.
Minutes later, they were both out of the shop and Alone
thanked him.
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~58~
Silence was filled by the sparks from the fire as Lolo
opened her mouth and closed it again.
"Expecting?" Her mother broke the silence.
"As in you're pregnant?" Her other older cousin asked.
Everyone's eyes were on Tebogo.
"No…she is talking about expecting another promotion."
Lolo tried to keep her voice even as she waved her hand
in the air.
"Right?" she pointedly looked at her cousin.
"Ah-yes." Tebogo answered and Alone smiled a little too
bright.
"I've been doing exceptionally well at work and they said
I should be expecting another promotion."
"Banna! We are so proud of you." Her uncle's voice
beamed with pride. Her shoulders sagged in relief and
she looked at Tebogo before she looked at her food.
Now the food lost taste and she didn't want to eat no
more.
Alone chuckled.
"You thought? About my secret? Ne o thought'a?"
"Lolo, pregnancy is a happy thing."
"Did I reveal yours?"
Tebogo sighed.
"This is no-"
Alone breathed in.
"I'm so close…this close.."
Alone brought her index and pointing fingers together
and there was only a small gap in between as she
looked Tebogo dead in the eye, her eyes blazing even if
she was a few inches shorter than her older cousin.
"To being fed up with you. One you accuse me of
wanting other people's men. Two you had no right…no
f*cking right to reveal information that's precious to me. I
will reveal it when I want to. I'm not even past the first
trimester yet an-"
She chuckled.
"Look at you being responsible already."
"I just want the best for both of you and to plan my
budgets accordingly. The next few projects I have in
mind might leave me broke for a couple of months."
She frowned.
"What did you have in mind? We can work on the
budget together."
He gave her a lazy smile that made her heart stop.
"I'll tell you in a few months." She yawned and nodded.
"I'm so tired. I wanted to see your face before i
showered and slept okay?"
He smiled.
"I'll call after your shower okay?"
"Ee rra. I love you."
"I love you Mma Kgotla."
She cut the call and placed the phone against her chest,
laying her head on the soft pillow with a cute smile on
her face.
***
She didn't know how long she slept but she was abruptly
woken up by a shake then she was picked up.
Disoriented, she opened her eyes to find herself in her
boyfriend's arms.
"Hi.." she smiled at him but the smile died when she saw
the panic in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
He swallowed as he quickly walked out the door.
"You're bleeding." Her heart stopped and she looked
down. The blue dress she had changed into was soaked
and so was his white shirt.
"Don't panic, we're going to the hospital my love."
Lorato blinked, her emotions slowly processing what this
much blood means. It took her a few minutes before a
sob escaped her lips.
"We'll be fine. I promise."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~59~
***
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~60~
***
All she had was porridge and not too nice food, in
between feeding their son, there was nothing else to do.
He took her hand and led her out the nursery. Fiona
yawned, covering her mouth.
"Are you sure you're up to the dinner?"
She nodded.
"Shawn said he wanted to introduce someone to us so
we should meet his someone."
"But you look exhausted."
"Junior is an active baby, let me freshen up." She said
pointing to her t-shirt. He had vomited on it earlier and
she-she sighed. Was she going to have a second born
after this one? She highly doubted she was going to
have one.
"Sure?"
She nodded. He walked with her to the bedroom and he
left their door open to hear if their son will wake.
***
***
Lorato paid first and when she was done, she put the
plastics in the trolley. Not noticing that she dropped the
bank card as she walled to the entrance pushing the
trolley.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~61~
Fiona offered to show her and left the men in the dining
room. Shawn started to pile the dirty plates.
"Why didn't you tell me in advance?" Kagiso started.
"So I get a lecture first and be told the woman I love isn't
suitable or that I'm moving too fast?"
Kagiso went quiet knowing he was going to say that.
"Why did she look uncomfortable?"
"Because she thinks you hate her for what happened
ten years ago."
He breathed out.
"She's right." Shawn went quiet.
"I didn't get a criminal record and she was forced to say
that by her mother. Her mother threatened that before
the call. She was sixteen and it was either she breaks
up with me or her mother reports me for something I
didn't even do and she chose to push our feelings aside
and end it."
Kagiso kept quiet at that. Shawn walked to the kitchen
and he followed.
"I'm sorry. I just care too much about you and I don't
want to see you hurt."
"Sometimes you have to let me be an adult. I'm almost
thirty and I'm not a little boy anymore. I know that mom
and dad would be proud that you raised me but at some
point, you have to see that I'm a man who can make his
own decisions and not be dictated by anyone or
influenced."
"I know…"
"You have your son to fully parent like that, you have the
family you always wanted. I'll be there but I am building
my own life with the woman I love."
Kagiso nodded. Shawn looked happier with Alone. He
had been observing his brother the last two months and
he had to let that ten year old grudge go. She was a
child, as his brother just stated.
"I hear you. Okay."
"Good. Thank you."
Silence.
"The ink on your divorce papers has not even dried yet."
"It's been two weeks since it's final. Besides, that
marriage has been long dead. Time is money."
Kagiso chuckled.
"Magadi? When?" Shawn smiled. That was more like it.
"In a month's time, and also add danages."
Kagiso's eyes widened.
"You got her pregnant?"
Shawn shrugged.
"Will that be possible?"
Kagiso nodded.
"I'll talk to Fiona's family akere they are your family now
as well gape they handled your last negotiations."
Shawn smiled.
"Thank you. It wasn't that hard to accept that I'll always
choose her over everyone right?"
"But will she choose you?"
"Definitely."
Kagiso chuckled.
"About that comment you made about not meeting at the
wedding.."
Shawn just looked at his brother.
"You don't want to know. Trust me."
Kagiso raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Okay."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~62~
He kissed her lips. Their son's wails broke the kiss and
he rubbed her lips.
"I'll take care of it. Go relax okay?"
She nodded and she watched him walk away.
***
***
She tied her gown and looked around the house. Her
bosses were only coming back next week.
She walked to the red gti and he opened the car door for
her from the inside.
"Hi.."
She smiled as he looked at her.
"Hello. Gofaone it's late and you can't tell me you came
all this way to say bye."
He smile in a cute way and she placed her hands on her
lap, looking at him.
"I just wanted to see you again."
Owame, not used to such male attention just nodded.
"You saw me, can I go?"
Gofaone looked at her then threw his head back
laughing.
"You're cute, do you know that?"
She blushed a bit as he played soft songs in his car and
she looked down.
"I was serious about earlier on. I want to get to know
you."
Owame wasn't sure about that. He was way out of her
league. She was a maid for crying out loud, she had a
useless degree that couldn't get her acting gigs and she
didn't want to be abused or anything like that because of
her social standing.
"Gofaone what if it doesn't go anywhere?"
"How will we know if we never try?"
"How about we become friends first?"
"Being friends first means you might friendzone me and
I'll be waiting then some guy you meet randomly gets to
be your boyfriend, leaving me there ka my own
feelings."
"You sound like you have experience."
"I've been through a lot." She nodded.
"Can I at least think about it?"
He nodded. She smiled at him as she faced forward.
"Me being a maid is okay with you?"
"Why wouldn't it be? You are making your own money
and I respect that."
"Okay."
Gofaone took out snack for them and they started
munching on them as they talked. Owame threw her
head laughing and Gofaone just looked at how her eyes
welled up with tears as she laughed and the way she hit
her own thigh when it got too much and she was beyond
dead with laughter.
***
***
At FNBB
Alone sat in her spinning chair as she went through the
maternity leave conditions, wondering how she eas
going to work through some of the things as she looked
at the long term projects.
She bit her lower lip thinking of calling her mother, to tell
her before she gets surprised. She closed her eyes,
hoping for the best.
Alone breathed out. It felt like she was a kid again, her
heart pounding in her chest like she was about to tell her
mother about accidentally breaking something and the
whipping she'd get immediately after that confession.
Alone licked her lips not minding the lipgloss and she
wiped her tears again.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~63~
She cut the call and she sucked in air, her lungs not
taking in enough air to her satisfaction. She cried into
her hands in her office.
***
***
***
When she was done, she walked out with her bag and
said goodbye.
She walked to the car where Shawn was waiting for her.
He opened the door and she walked inside.
"Hey, ready to go?" He pecked her lips.
"Mhmm…"
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~64~
Alone yawned.
"You tire me out."
"I'm sorry."
"No…no…don't be. I like it." He thought of the shower
but a bath might do her good.
***
At the hotel room, Tebogo sat in the chair. She had long
been awake since four. Some of the bridesmaids had
arrived at five when she finished bathing and was about
to get started on her hair. She checked the time. It was a
little after seven and Alone wasn't here.
She walked out and Tebogo sat on the chair again. Her
nerves were starting to get the best of her. She called
Mofenyi who answered immediately.
"Hey love."
"Hi. Arr you almost ready?"
"Not yet, Tebogo are you panicking?"
"No. Okay, yes."
He chuckled and she rubbed her eyes. She should
change and wear her dress now before the makeup
artist walked in a few minutes from now.
"Breath babe. How's the baby treating you this
morning?"
"Okay. We're okay."
"Get ready. We are getting to the altar okay?"
She nodded just as a door knock had her glancing at the
door.
"I have to go." She cut the call and went to open the
door.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~65~
When they got there, she smiled as she took her seat
next to him. She was surprised that Tebogo had made
sure she sits next to her plus one. That
was…unexpected.
Shawn held her hand tight as she led him to her mother.
~66~
A month later…
***
Her phone rang and she sniffed. She picked up the call.
"Hello."
"Hello, Lorato. Why are you ignoring me?"
She wailed.
"Lorato, where are you?"
Her mother asked again and Lorato cut the call. Her ex-
boyfriend didn't even mourn the loss of their child with
her. Did he even love her? She was such a failure. A
failure and so so stupid.
***
At Maun
He chuckled.
"It will. I swear to God."
***
She heard her phone ring in the lounge and she slid her
feet in her sleepers before she walked to the lounge.
She took out her phone and Shawn'd name flashed. She
smiled answering.
"Hey babe."
"Hey, I got a little busy. Hoe was your day?"
"I just arrived."
"Did you eat?"
"I had something on my way back home. I'm good."
"Okay, as long as you're good, then I'm good."
She listened to him talk and she told him about her
plans for theit new house. She chose the plan and she
was already looking for floor tiles for every single room.
It was something she enjoyed and she just couldn't wait
for her day off this week so she can sleep in.
"I love you okay?"
"Okay."
"I have to go angel. Bye."
"Bye."
He cut rhe call and she sighed. She walked back to the
bedroom. Hmmm…
***
She was so excited, the baby's room was ready but she
had to to Tsamaya for botsetsi and that was the
downside of it. Mofenyi would have to travel long
distances to see them. Speaking of Mofenyi…
She picked her phone from her side and called her
husband.
"The number you've dialled is unava-"
She cut the call as her head dropped in pain and a pitiful
scream left her lips. She tried his number but it wasn't
going through too.
***
Alone dropped the gown as she wore the dress that was
closest and she slid her feet into the sleepers. She
literally ran out of her bedroom and got the car keys and
handbag. Men were useless. She tried calling Tebogo's
husband but it didn't go through. Men were so useless.
Her man wasn't here and he left her all alone and her
cousin's man was not answering his phone. So useless.
She got out of the house and locked the door before
rushing to the car. She pressed the gate remote as the
gate slid open. She started the car and took her time to
breath. She checked her handbag for an asthma pump
and she used it.
***
She went back to the pictures she took with Lolo last
week by her car after their little lunch. She drove an x5.
She went back to the article and the plate numbers were
blurred but that was an x5. No one was identified as of
yet. Her heart started racing as she jumped off the
couch and tried to call Alone. Her phone wasn't going
through.
She wemt back to the article and she took screenshots
and immediately sent them to Shawn. It didn't take long
for Shawn to call.
"Fiona, tell me this isn't-"
"It's an ongoing story..her phone isn't going through..
what if Lolo is-"
The call cut and she rubbed her eyes. Dead? She can't
be right?
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~67~
"Any news?"
"Fifi are you sure?"
"I just saw the post and I freaked out because Alone
drives an X5."
Kagiso rubbed his bearded jaw that was slowly starting
to have streaks of grey hair.
"Let's wait for confirmation from the police. Shawn is
panicking right now."
"Okay." Her reply was soft.
"And I'll keep trying to call Alone here."
"Alright."
"Breath, let's have hope." Kagiso reassured her.
***
Alone drove her car and she didn't wait to part it so she
can start it, she stopped and jumped out of the car.
"Please let her be alright."
She walked towards the house to get the keys and lock
it. She half ran to the car.
"You're speaking to Alone Puso. I'm about to arrive with
a woman in labour."
She listened biting her lip.
"Ee mma. In twenty minutes. Tanki."
She cut the call and got inside the car.
"Tebogo it's going to be alright."
"B-be fassst!"
Alone rolled her eyes.
"I didn't make you pregnant Tebogo, don't raise your
voice at me."
Tebogo closed her eyes and she felt her dress get wet
as the contractions intensified.
"M-my water just broke." Tebogo whispered with a
broken voice.
"Sh*t." Alone stepped on the accelerator on that cold
night.
***
He looked at the stars, the sky dark and his own heart
slowly breaking.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~68~
At the hospital
She lifted her head and nodded. She didn't even know
what time it was.
"You seem tired. It's almost midnight." She yawned.
Midnight and Mofenyi wasn't here? What a nonsensical
man or maybe she was judging him too harshly.
"I'll be back." She yawned into her hand and stood up,
stretching her body still in sleepers and that long dress.
She didn't even bring a jacket and winter was fast
approaching. It must be so cold outside. She walked
outside and the wind blew past her leaving goosebumps
on her skin and her hair blowing in that direction. She
shivered and brought her hands up to rub her arms. She
walked to the car and got inside. She needed to distract
herself and she might have a jacket somewhere in the
back. She switched on the car lights and looked at the
back. Oh. It was wet. Great.
***
Shawn had the cab man drop him off at their house and
he pressed the remote. The gate opened. He was about
to smile seeing the lights on but her car was gone. He
paid and got out with his things. Now that he was here,
he can ask the relevant authorities questions. He pulled
his suitcase to the house and unlocked the door. He
looked at everything and he left it in the lounge as he
headed to the bedroom.
He got his car keys from the table and he walked out of
the house, locking it while unlocking his car. He quickly
walked to his car and jumped in.
"Please be okay."
***
***
"Hello."
"Babe, what is it?" Her soft voice brought relief to his
already alert body. He heaved in a heavy sigh. F*ck!
"Shawn? Baby? Ke eng?"(what is it?)
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine and just hungry. You sound so worried. Is
everything okay?"
"You're okay? You're not at the hospital, you're safe?"
"I'm okay but I am at the hospital."
"Why? Which one? Why didn't you call me?"
There was a bout of silence.
"Shawn you didn't tell me what's wrong. I missed calls
from almost everyone…including mama. I should call
her. What's going on? Did someone post my nudes?"
He laughed despite his initial panic.
"Mxm, I'm the only who has accesss to those."
"You never know kana."
"Which hospital? I'll be there."
She told him the name."And bring food. You'll find me in
the parking lot."
"Okay angel. I love you autwe?"
"I love you Mr Kgotla. Waiit. You're in Gaborone?
Shawn? When? How?"
"I'll explain when I see you."
***
She cut the call and she rubbed her own teary eyes.
Everyone thought it was her and they were all worried.
She cried into her hands.
She literally ran into his arms and he picked her up,
making her wrap her legs around his waist as he kissed
her head. His body was warm enough to warm hers.
"I love you woman!" She smiled, burying her head in the
croak of his neck as he held her.
"I was scared for a moment. The thought of doing life
without you was fucking scary. Something I don't want to
do ever again."
She nodded and lifted her head to kiss his lips. He let
her down.
"Lock the car." She got her phone and she locked her
car. He took her hand and led her to where he parked
his. He opened the door for her before he walked over to
the driver's seat.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~69~
At the hospital
Alone and Shawn watched Mofenyi walk away with rhe
doctor and she leaned into him as he held her with a
single arm.
"I'm so scared for her."
"She'll be fine. Have hope."
***
He did.
Alone watched.
"We'll wait."
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~70~
At the hospital
The door opened and she smiled seeing Alone stick her
head in.
"Hey. Is it safe to come in?"
She nodded. She still wasn't moving from the angle she
had been sleeping in. Hopefully her aunts will help with
the C-section scar and taking care of it. She closed her
eyes in pain, the medicines starting to wear off. Well this
was a shitty situation to be in.
Shawn who had spent the last few minutes assuring his
brother and sister-in-law that Alone is fine nodded as
they walked out of the hospital. In less than six months
their baby would be here and it was all exciting. Their
hoise wouldn't be finished by then but maybe once their
baby was a year or so, it will be done and they'd be
moving in into their new home. As a married couple.
***
She took out her phone and started pressing it, scrolling
through Facebook job posts. She was now determined
to do this life thing even if she was alone and lost
everything dear to her. She raised her eyes and a frown
covered her face.
That was Shawn right? She blinked a couple of times,
not believing he was with that girl he introduced at the
wedding they were invited to. Alone.
She shook her head. It was the truth but right at this
moment she didn't want ro believe it.
"Do you really want to know where I was November
thirtieth?"
He chuckled.
"Do I really have to tell you how she brought me back to
life?"
~71~
***
***
***
This was how her future was looking like. She bit off the
fork and chewed on that. He stood up on his feet as his
phone rang.
She watched him leave the lounge and she fed herself.
Content.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~72~
Three years later…
When she heard the soft click of the door closing, she
took out her notebook and laptop. Long day. Long life
and the only light at the end of the tunnel was going to
be at half four when she gets her hands on that little girl
of hers who cried so much when she left in the morning.
Husband? She never hated his job as much as she did
right now. He was supposed to have relocated back to
London right now but because their whole everything
was here, he was stuck in between two places and he
was currently in London.
Alone waited and she smiled hearing her two year old's
giggles.
"Hey babyy.."
"Mama…"
"Ke mama.."
Her voice softened as Paris stringed words together and
Alone just nodded.
"I have to go baby okay? Ke a go rata autwe?" she
repeated the words Shawn never fails to say to both her
and Paris.
"Rata mama."
Alone smiled.
"Yes."
The call cut and Alone was about to put the phone on
silent when it rang in her hand. Her heart pounded. Not
in the scared way but the happy way.
"Hello." Her voice rose a pitch higher as she started to
twirl her hair with her finger.
"I need you to show up at-"
"Show up?"
"Alone, listen." He commanded and she crossed her
legs at his authorotative voice.
She breathed out.
"Ee rra."
He gave her the location.
"Get the keys from the front desk. The penthouse suite."
"But Pa-"
"Alone did I stutter sweetheart?"
"Nyaa rra."
"Good. See you tonight."
The call cut and she bit her lower lip. Her mind already
fleeting from work. Too short notice and a lot of factors.
She looked at the two rings on her ring fingers. She
called Tebogo.
The phone rang for over a minute before it was
answered.
"Lolo…"
"Tebza, I need a favour. My boss just told me I'm
working late and-"
"You want me to stay the night with Paris?"
"If possible."
"Okay. I don't mind at all."
"Thanks. I owe you one. I'll call later today to talk to her."
"Alright."
***
Owame held the phone in her hand as she talked with a
customer who wanted a refund on the dress ordered.
"Okay. Send the dress back."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~73~
She placed the card on the desk and turned her back to
walk out. Owame pushed any thoughts about Lorato
back as she called Gofaone.
"Hello?"
He answered with enthusiasm and she smiled.
"Hi motho wame. Will you be home for supper?"
"Uh-I can't. I'll be working. Trying to reach deadlines and
all."
Her smile dropped, heart crushed and her eyes were a
few moments away from shedding tears.
"Wame? Are you there?"
"Yeah-uhm sure. Should I wait up?"
"No. I'll be home late."
She nodded.
"Go sharpo."
"Owame, wait…it's not by choice. I have to work and
very hard for that matter."
"I understand. Let me go. A customer is calling."
"Don't be sad. I'lm make it up to you."
"Okay." She cut the call.
Placing the phone down, she switched on her laptop
again. Maybe he wasn't marrying her because she was
an orphan. Who'd receive her bogadi? She literally grew
up in an orphanage and it wasn't nice.
***
She unlocked the car and put her bags inside. She took
out her phone and she saw the missed call from Fiona.
She called back.
"Hello."
"Lolo, are you free?"
"No. Still busy at work can I call you tomorrow?"
"Yes but you and Shawn are invited to a family wedding
function next week."
"Okay. If he's back we'll be there."
"Alright. Ko Maun autwe?"
"Ee mma. Say hi to KJ for me."
Fiona chuckledo. "I will, let me not delay you with work.
But on a Friday?"
"What can I say? Comes with the title and being at the
top."
"True. Go sharpo mma."
"Bye bye."
Alone cut that call and started the car. It was going to be
one long night. Did she feel bad that she dropped her
baby like a hot sack of potatoes to stay with Tebogo?
Only a tiny bit.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~74~
Alone flickered with the lights until she found the right
light settings, creating a low light sultry ambient mood.
He kept his eyes on her, starring hawk eyed and she
licked her red lips. She had all of his attention. Just her.
Only her. She blew him a kiss and he chuckled, swirling
the bitter alcohol in his glass before he took a sip.
Slowly, she unbuttoned the coat. Taking her sweet time
with the buttons. She let out a little whimper.. She let it
drop to the floor slowly and she heard a curse. She
giggled, walking over to him. Her @ss jiggling in that
white thong and the lace exposing her nipples. She
walked over to him, pushed him back with her heel and
he smiled mischievously, licking his lips. She saw the
tent bulging in his pants and placed the tip of heel right
there. He levelled his eyes on her as she moved her leg
dropping it on his side and slowly dropping on his lap.
Her ring caught light and they both looked at how her
fingers started unbuttoning his shirt, her nails scratching
his chest.
"It's all yours tonight." She whispered in his ear, her
waist moving making her @ss bounce on his thigh.
"I know." He held her jaw, bring her face to his kissing
her roughly, the wet sounds of the kiss filling the room
and she pushed him down with a laugh.
"I'm still lap dancing at your order. Hands off."
He raised his hands, his own erection painful and
straining as he watched her remove the garters and
using them to tie his hands back. She knew his muscle
strength but he let himself be tied up.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~75~
At the hotel
She found her profile. Her eyes widened. It was that girl,
the one whose pictures had been circulating on
Facebook two years ago for her gorgeous wedding
facebeat and rings. She never posted her husband and
it was just Alone K or Mrs K. A married woman? In a
hotel with some guy? Did she see a ring on the guy's
finger? She couldn't remember.
***
***
At the hotel
Her bag. Her bag was not by the bed and he left. Her
thighs were sticky and she just didn't have the energy.
Forcing herself, she got out of bed and winced. That
man annoyed her to no end. She walled funny to her
small bag and she checked her phone. So many missed
calls…
She froze.
"Paris!" Sh*t!"
Her baby. She slowly walked to bed and pressed her
phone, to send Tebogo a message. She stopped
midway, the paper by the bed catching her attention.
***
***
Alone had wrapped herself in a soft gown. A massage
then she leaves. She sat with a corner of her butt
breathing out. The bed was made and there was even a
tray left. She was glad they were fast and efficient.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~76~
At the hotel
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~77~
At the mall
***
***
At the hotel
"The gift is in the car, she was crying for more teddy
bears."
Alone watched Shawn walk towards her and he kissed
her head.
"How was your alone time?"
"I loved it. Let me ba-"
"I'll do it. Just relax and I'll join you in an hour."
Later that night, Paris had been put to sleep by the both
of them and they walked out of the room heading to the
living area. She laid on top of him as he squeezed her
behind.
"We have a wedding to attend next week."
He nodded and she placed her chin on his bare chest
looking up at him. She loved this man.
"You're really here and not going to London?"
"Yes ma'am. Can I let you in on a little secret?"
She moved closer, nodding.
"I got promoted." She grinned and sat up properly to
clap for him.
"Congratulations, re jela kae promotion?" He chuckled.
"It's not been announced yet. In two weeks, the official
announcement will be made and we are attending the
function."
She kissed him.
"I'm proud of you okay? Of everything you achieve and
are still going to achieve rraagwe Paris. You make it so
easy to be your wife and submit to you. Ke a go rata
Shawn."
"I love you more Alone."
She pecked his cheek and placed her head back on his
chest.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~78~
She picked out the white long sleeved dress and a white
blazer with her pearly heels. She walked over to the
vanity table and she looked at her hair. She still had a lot
to do to make it look better for the cameras and she
didn't get time to even do her hair this weekend.
An hour later, she was done. Makeup done, edges laid
the sew in looking new as she placed pearly pins on it
after gathering it into a stylish style.
She walked over to the mirror and she twirled. She loved
this.
She left the room after the bed was made and walked
down the stairs to Paris' room. She was probably still
asleep. She opened the door and Paris stared right back
at her.
"Morning baby." She walked over to the bed as Paris
moved over to her to try and settle in her lap.
"Kiss kiss mama."
Alone kissed her baby's lips and her forehead, leaving
lipstick stains.
"Papa…o kae?"
Alone smiled. Being used to not seeing her father that
often prompted that question.
"He's here autwe?" Paris nodded and Alone got up
taking her hand. She should make breakfast for Paris
and her father before she leaves for work and before he
leaves for work too. She hummed as her daughter
blindly followed her.
Alone smiled.
"He's here to stay."
"Really? That'd wonderful. You always look lonely when
he's not here."
"Bathong.."
***
Azania's phone rang while her big sister was driving her
to Btv studios.
"Hello? Ma? Traffic Mrs K I'm on my way."
"I didn't get her coffee. Today was bound to fail because
I woke up late."
Half an hour later, they had arrived and Azania got out of
the car holding her bag and her iPad.
"Thank you Mera, see you later."
"Bye bye."
***
At Btv studios
***
~79~
Alone got to the car and she removed her shoes. She
checked her phone. Should she buy him lunch first or
after? Will he even eat lunch after? She felt so giddy
surprising her husband. She opened her compartment
and looked at the blue blindfold, she was too short to
hide his eyes with her hands or should she demand he
remove the contacts so he can't see? She chuckled.
***
At C Corporations
Shawn leaned back in his office chair. His new office will
be ready in a few days so…
***
Alone stopped the car by the road after their lunch.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"So babe…You were right, something is going on." She
opened her compartment and took out the blindfold.
"Babe put this on."
"Lolo?"
She looked at him with puppy like eyes. He relented and
wore the blindfold.
"I don't-fine love." She clapped her hands and she
touched his head to check if it was not loose.
"Don't worry. You are in good hands. Safe hands."
He leaned back in his car seat not knowing what his wife
was planning and he stewed in his thoughts.
She parked her car by the parking lot and got out of the
car. She opened the car door for him and took his hand.
She took out her phone as she took a video of their
intertwined hands.
She was all giddy and couldn't wait for his reaction.
"Where are we angel?"
"It's a surprise. You trust me akere?"
"With my life."
"Good." She saw the manager and smiled as she led
him to where his car was. She stepped back as she
gave the employee her phone to take a video. The sales
assistant took the phone with a smile as Msaki's
BestFrjend started playing. Alone stood in front of her
husband and brought his head down.
"Lolo?"
"Rra?" She slowly untied his blindfold.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~80~
***
***
She chuckled.
***
At FNB
Alone parked her car next to the GD6. She got out of the
car and Shawn got out of the car too. He walked over to
her and held her waist.
"You don't have to go to the office with me."
"I'm killing time here."
Inside the GD6, Azania saw her boss' car next to her
sister's.
"Flip! My boss is here. Let me run."
Merapelo turned her head and frowned. Seeing Shawn
with Alone.
"The one with that guy?"
Of course she knew Alone but Shawn?
"That must be her husband. I'm assuming because I've
never met him. Let me run."
Azania quickly got out of the car with her doggy bag.
Alone and Shawn were still standing next to their car
and Merapelo watched them.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~81~
She heard Shawn's new car leave the yard and she
laughed. He was so proud of it and she was sure he'll be
back later tonight after doing a roundabout of the city
showing off the car. She sat on the couch still holding
Paris. Paris decided to get off her mother and Alone
watched her closely just as she picked her phone to
start editing the video from the car dealership.
***
***
***
***
She hit her head. Not sister. Lorato never treated her
like a sister. She is just a stranger she happened to look
exactly like. She sighed and placed her head against the
head board. Like all days, she shouldn't wait up. He'll
probably be gone in the morning when she wakes up so
what's the use?
***
Alone opened her eyes in the dark. Now that it was night
time, her thoughts were clearing. She had been getting
the clean bill of health these past few years but the
appointment she had with the doctor two months from
now scared her so much. She just hoped there was no
cancer in her body. Sbe needed that but there was a
niggling feeling that kept on making her feel as if this
bubble of happiness would burst soon. She moved
closer, closing her eyes and she felt his lips on her
forehead.
.
.
.
TWO WEEKS LATER
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~82~
***
Alone tried to get out of bed but her husband pulled her
back.
"Just a few more minutes."
"I overslept Shawn and besides we have your function
to attend later. I need to be done with work by lunch."
He murmured but he didn't let her go at all. She sighed.
"Okay fine."
***
She pressed her phone and closed all her tabs. Thank
God she used the incognito mode or else…
Aza got the stuff and Merapelo closed the door. She
breathed out. Now she waits. She went to her call log
and she deleted most of her calls. She removed her
mittens as her hands started to sweat. Should she call
her therapist?
"Merapelo, breath."
She started her car and looked back to make sure she
wasn't crushing into any car.
***
Alone rushed to her car. Her husband was off for the day
and she stupidly allowed herself to be delayed by him.
"Let me drop you off."
"Ng ng. O tlo ntshwara tshwara wena and ke
late."(you're going to fondle me and I'm late)
"Kill a man for trying to be a gentleman."
She put her bags in the car. It was almost eight. So late.
She walled over to him and pecked his lips. She placed
her manicured hands on his chest, the dragon tattoo
standing out. She lightly scratched and he raised an
eyebrow.
"See you later okay?
"Okay."
"My dress is being delivered here. Make sure it's okay or
else me and the designer are going to have a problem."
"Ee mma."
She pecked his kissable lips and ran to the car. Shawn
watched with a smile.
Alone settled in her car and she started it. Her phone
rang and Tebogo's face flashed on the screen. She
answered the phone, putting it on loudspeaker.
"Tebza.."
"Alone are you free?"
"It's eight am, I have work. How can I be free?"
Tebogo sighed.
"I don't know. I just wanted to talk to you and spend time
with you."
Alone reversed, the gate sliding open. She waved at her
husband.
"How about Sunday? Brunch and mimosas?"
She heard a sigh.
"I just felt the need to call you. Can we go see mom's
grave when we have time next week?"
Alone's throat closed up. Her vision blurred. It's hard to
believe life went on after her aunt's death. The gate
closed and she placed her head on the steering wheel.
"Okay. We can."
"But to be honest I don't know why I called Alone. I just
feel like going out with you right now but I'm down for
Sunday."
"Okay. I'll call later okay?"
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~83~
At FNBB
When she got to her office, she placed the cup down
and took out her laptop to place it on the desk. There
were five more donuts left in the box. She had a sip of
the coffee and she closed her eyes in delight. She could
function again. She picked one of the donuts and took a
bite.
"Yum."
Four donuts later and an empty cup of coffee she felt
ready to tackle her day fully.
***
She found the keys and she got inside her cars. She
wiped her tears and checked her phone. She went to
Facebook and she searched Alone. Did Alone know
her? She didn't know her like that but that girl had
everything. Her guilty conscience came out full force and
she went back to trying Azania's number
***
At FNBB
She cut the call and held Lolo who groaned in pain.
"My heart…Teb-ah…pelo y-yaaka e-eta e ema."(my
heart keeps on stopping)
She said weakly. Tebogo's eyes filled with tears. Lord
no! Not her cousin.
"We are getting help! Help! Bathong thusang!"
She screamed, feeling Lolo's weight weigh on her.
"E-" Lolo closed her eyes at that word and Tebogo's
throat closed up tears streaming as people burts into the
office.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~84~
At FNBB
***
At the hospital
Tebogo jumped out of the car and she ran to the door.
"Hi…I need help!"
She followed the nurse after she got her phone and
locked her car.
***
Shawn who had arrived ten minutes after Lolo was
admitted sat on the bench, his own heart a mess. She
was fine when she left home in the morning. Late but
fine and she-
His phone rang in his pocket and he saw his boss' name
flash on the screen.
"Hello, Mia I won't be at the function tonight."
"Shawn you sound stressed. What happened?"
"Lolo is in hospital."
"Consider it canceled. It was in your honour and I pray
she gets better…I'll pass by the hospital later okay?"
"Alright."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~85~
At the hospital
Merapelo who sat in the corner, all alone saw the people
who had come here for Alone. Everyone looked
distraught and emotions choked her. Shawn had a
support system. People who dropped everything for him
and she was alone. Waiting. Her throat clogged up and
the tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn't….let her
sister be okay. She was hoping for her sister to be okay
and begging that she wasn't…
She stood on her tip toes to try and kiss him and he
brought down his head to lightly peck her lips. She gave
him a sweet smile and walked away.
"Shawn follow me.."
"I need footage from FNB's parking lot this morning till
Alone was out of the building. As well as the footage
from outside her office, not sure if she has cameras
inside her office. I need footage from her floor."
"I'll work on it. What else?"
"Her PA. Start with an investigation on her. She said her
name was Zan-Azania. Azania..her family and also
Alone's co-workers..f*ck! Footage from the past two to
three days."
Mia nodded.
"Okay. I'll find that information." He tried to look into his
own past.
"I'm not getting anything or anyone who'd have an
agenda from my past but look into Alone's exes as well
as mine. Business deals going sour and the likes."
"Alright. She'll be alright kiddo." Mia hugged him.
"Thank you. I hope so."
At the hospital
***
***
Mia walked out of the small cafè. She had to really zoom
into whatever the PA had carried into the office and a
something that was quite the surprise was it seemed as
if the food only poisoned the two of them. The rest of the
clients who ordered from the same batch, the ones who
had come pick their orders were fine.
Her hunch never lied. She'll ask Rafe. He's not impulsive
like her so he'll be her voice of reason and he was
smart, she liked not having to think too much when he
was around. He did it for her. Simple.
***
At the hospital
~87~
At the hospital
***
He sat upright.
"She said something about me stomping on her love
and how it was easy to move on. Bathong we were
hooking up and I was never looking for anything serious
in Uni."
He rubbed his head.
"There is no reason for her to try and kill my wife. She
had agreed to hooking up. All the nonsense she blurted
about the initials and competing with a ghost the last
time we talked was…odd because I already had the
tattoo and I never made anyone compete with anyone."
~88~
At the hospital
With a little hum, she unlocked her car and got in. The
hairs on the back of her neck rose and she looked
around. Seeing nothing but a few cars in the parking lot.
She started the car and connected her phone as she
played gospel music.
The journey to her house was soothing as she reflected
on her decisions. She'll never try to play god in people's
lives. It almost backfired on her, with losing the only
person whom she'd move the mountains for. Now that
Aza was fine and awake, she hoped this little incident
will be forgotten. No one was onto her and it was just
her guilt eating her up.
She slowed down her car and got out to open the gate.
She quickly got inside the car and drove inside the yard.
Gospel music was still blasting in her car, soothing every
little hurt she had experienced. She smiled. Hopefully
Alone will be fine. She went to close the gate before she
got her things from the car.
She hummed the tune that she just cut off, unlocking the
house door. She opened the door and closed it before
she switched on the lights.
She turned and screamed, everything clattering to the
ground as she held her heart.
He stepped back.
"Goodnight." He side stepped her and walked out.
Merapelo cried into her hands. She touched the back of
her head, feeling blood. She needs to go get Azania and
run…she scrambled off the floor and dizzily walked to
the bedroom. She switched on the lights and she got
such a fright seeing a woman in her bedroom.
"Hi Mera. Mera right?" That was…Mia? She rubbed her
eyes, this was a fever dream.
"You're not seeing things. I do hope you're not planning
on running away."
Mia saw the way her face dropped.
***
At the hospital
***
She Didn't want to call Gofaone but she called him. This
time his phone rang and she held her breath.
She froze right in place hearing breathy moans over the
phone. She slowly moved the phone from her ear and
she checked if she called the right number. It was him.
The moans got louder and she fisted her hand under the
blankets.
"Gofaone?" Her voice was loud and the moans stopped.
She heard him curse in the background. She cut the call
and she didn't know how-
Her phone rang and she didn't answer. She silenced it.
***
He walked out, banging the door and she let the tears
roll. He told her he loved her? That she meant a lot to
him.
She let out a loud sob, followed by another till she let out
a loud wail, her heart breaking a thousand times over.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~89~
She didn't know where she was going right this moment
but she was taking her bags and leaving. For good.
She pulled the door open and the cold breeze hit her.
She was still in her pyjamas and she put the bags
outside. She walled back into the house, going back fro
her handbag and phone. She came back minutes later
and she unlocked the door to her small call. She put her
bags inside.
"Babe, think about how far we've c-"
"Did you think about that? No…goodbye and I hope it
was worth it f*cking over our three year long
relationship."
***
Alone cried for what could have been. Had her PA not
poisoned her. She looked at her husband.
"W-who did this?"
Shawn rubbed the back of his head, her eyes on him.
Wide and teary.
"I'm sorry my angel okay?"
"Who did this??" She screamed, hurting her own vocal
cords with that action.
"I-" He looked at her. "Azania is the sister to a former
hookup of mine from uni." He breathed out before he
continued. Unable to maintain eye contact with her. "Her
name is Merapelo and she's the one who poisoned you."
***
***
Merapelo sat down just after her sister slept. Azania had
been asking about her boss and if she was fine. Tears
filled Merapelo's eyes. If she didn't go to the police
station, Azania was as good as dead. Her throat clogged
up as she brought her head down and cried.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~90~
The officer looked at the pretty lady who just dropped by.
His jaw was on the floor.
"You came to report yourself?"
Merapelo nodded.
"You poisoned Mrs Alone Kgotla?"
Merapelo nodded, swallowing. She could tell they didn't
believe her.
"That is a serious crime, you know that? Attempted
murder charges are not lenient."
"Ee rra."
"I took your statement, I'll go interrogate the people
involved. For now you'll be put in a holding cell."
Merapelo agreed.
"Follow me."
***
Mma Alone got ready to go see her daughter. Finally she
was awake. Little Paris walked up to her extending her
hands and she picked up her granddaughter.
"Mama o kae?"(where is mama?)
"She'll be home soon okay? Mama is still busy with
work."
Paris held back tears and she rubbed her eyes with her
little fists. Mma Alone held the back of her head.
"She loves you okay?"
"Okay."
She hushed Paris.
"I have to go but I'll be back okay?"
"Papa?" She moved her head back to look at her
grandmother. She sniffed and wiped her face.
"O etla autwe?"(he's coming okay?)
She nodded. Mma Alone rubbed Paris' tears. A few
minutes with Paris won't hurt.
***
At the hospital
She sat down on the warm chair and took Alone's hand.
"Glad you're okay. You gave all of us a fright."
Alone slowly opened her eyes, her body heavy. The light
blinded her and she breathed out, misting her oxygen
mask and Tebogo got up to fix the pillow.
"Hey, do you need anything?"
Alone shook her head and she removed the oxygen
mask, jer chest closing in. She lost her baby..
"My…" her lips trembled as she sniffed, the tears rolling
down on their own.
***
She cried more, her little sobs making her chest beat
hard.
***
She licked her dry lips, closing her eyes as she resigned
herself to her fate
.
.
.
TWO MONTHS LATER
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~91~
Two months later
At Court
She did listen to what Shawn had to say and she didn't
know where she entered in this. She breathed out as
Merapelo sat next to her lawyer. She looked cold. Like
someone who didn't regret what she did and was okay
with whatever sentence she gets.
Azania sat a few seats behind Alone and her family. She
held back tears. Why couldn't Merapelo heal? Azania
lost her job. She had laughed and cried because of her
sister. She admitted that she did that and was sorry that
she almost killed Azania.
She placed her hands on her lap as she lifted her head
to wait for the verdict. She took a deep breath, she was
sure her sister was going to prison but she was hoping
for a lighter sentence even though she doubted it. By
the witness stand, it was proven and medical records
showed that her sister killed Alone's foetus who
according to law has its own rights and the right to life
being one of them. She could imagine the pain Alone
had been in, she probably regretted hiring her. She had
tried to apologise these past few weeks but her
apologies had been met with coldness and just one
word answers.
Azania broke the hug and wiped her tears as her sister
was escorted out with those chain handcuffs. Azania
waved at Merapelo, her tears free flowing. Two
decades? God…
***
She grinned as she let the sun shine in her face, a new
day.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~92~
The driver held his head. He tried to move but the truck
was so big to try and swerve on impulse.
"Jesus!" He muttered. The scene was absolutely
heartbreaking and so sad.
***
She quickly put her phone away. What was wrong with
people and posting accident scenes? Didn't they have
some decency to at least allow the authorities to let the
family know instead of spreading it all over social
media? She groaned and exited the Facebook app.
"Fenyi?"
"Coming." She laid on the couch sprawled like a cat
waiting for her husband. He came and she smiled.
"I need a massage."
Mofenyi laughed.
"You're not even showing and you're bossing me
around? Tebogo?"
"Your child wants it. It's fine."
***
Owame sat down and they were quiet for a few seconds
before Lorato started speaking.
"I'm so glad you got to come here and it means a lot that
you're here."
Owame nodded. It didn't sound like the Lorato she knew
even when her sister was apologising. Life maybe did
humble her and she is a better person now.
"I…" She looked around.
"I needed someone to talk to."
Lorato nodded. It was a start.
"Okay. I'm here..let me write my number too."
***
Merapelo felt her body fail her. Her sister? The only
thing that mattered? Gone.
"It wasn't orchestrated?" She had to know. Maybe they
killed her sister and if they did, they won. God!
"No."
That no solidified things. The world was cruel. The
universe was playing a wicked game on her because the
person she wanted karma on didn't get it but she got her
karma…
"Ms…"
Her laugh turned into a painful cry. She killed her sister.
It was her fault. Sue did this to someone who had a
bright future ahead of her. She'd never forgive herself for
this.
.
.
.
TWO YEARS LATER
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~93~
She held onto her drink as she looked around waiting for
her husband to come pick her. He insisted and she
wasn't complaining. She sat by a nearby chair and
sipped her drink. Her little FNB tote bag on her shoulder.
Her nose was too big and she hated it so much but she
had wished and prayed for these babies so…
"Alone?"
She turned her head to whoever was calling. She had to
remove her cap to see the person. The man stood there
with with his water bottle as sweat shone on his
forehead.
"Hi??" He could see she didn't remember him. It was in
that cute little scrunch on her face and how she squinted
her eyes. Cute.
The face was familiar but she wasn't good with
recognising faces she didn't see on occasion.
"Kaone.."
Her mind went through a lot of hoops trying to remember
the name and her history with the name.
"Oh..Kaone. Hi."
He chuckled stepping closer.
"You already forgot me? Geez!"
She rolled her eyes as she finished her drink and placed
the can down.
He looked at her pregnant body, her breasts full and he
could see them through that t-shirt she wore.
"You're pregnant…"
He wasn't the social media type and he saw the rings on
her finger. Someone married her? The baddie type he
was advised by his friends not to marry because what
do these ladies know about building a home? Yes she
was smart but he didn't trust himself walking around with
a woman like that. A woman men wanted and a woman
who didn't want to be told to behave a certain way or
wear a certain way. She had curves and it had shown in
the little pencil skirts she wore when she was on her
internships. Those tight dresses. He had been secretly
insecure and the funny thing? She was temptation
personified and she damn well knew it. Knew that and
she didn't hide that she knew she was beautiful than
most.
"Yes." She answered as she slowly stood up. Still
beautiful as ever though. He recently came back to the
country. To start afresh and that marriage of his? It only
lasted less than a year and she decided that being a
wife and bearing kids wasn't her thing.
"You stay in the country?"Alone picked her cap. It was
too hot and she had a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
"Nka nna kae gape?"(where would I stay?)
He laughed rubbing his mustache
"You're still beautiful. You know we never broke up?"
Alone eyed him.
"Now I'm back, o tswa go ntirela ngwana?(you made a
child for me?) I have no problem being a stepdad.."
Like the hippo she was, she stepped back but it took a
lot of effort, these twins were heavy ans her back was
going through it.
"Don't try me. I'm married."
He laughed licking his lips.
"So I can try you if you aren't married?"
Alone groaned in frustration.
"That's not what I-you know what, nice bumping into
you. Bye."
Alone removed her phone from the bag and tried to call
her husband. It immediately sent her to voicemail.
"Kgotla? Where are you?"
She groaned in frustration. She breathed out.
She sent the voice message and paced back and forth,
well paced as much as her swollen feet could let her.
Kaone saw her and the frustration on her face was
visible. He walked to her.
"You look angry?"
She glanced over at him. She was hungry and ever
since that incident, she refrained from eating food she
didn't buy herself and she preferential packaged food.
That meant she made her own coffee at work and would
rather carry a lunchbox to work. That's how cautious she
was being.
"I'm fine. Go away."
He stood there, wiping his face and he gulped down the
rest of his water. Alone tried calling Shawn again. It sent
her to voicemail
"Hi boss.."
She turned her head and smiled at their new intern.
"Hi. Did you enjoy the race?"
"I was there for the pictures."
She laughed.
"Of course you were."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~94~
Alone quickly broke the hug and wiped her tears away.
"Thanks…I guess."
He smiled.
"Was it something I said?"
"Aunt Meme is late."
He went quiet. Oh. Sh*t!
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
"Yeah. I know."
She sighed and rubbed her face again. She tried her
husband again and it wasn't going through.
"You're by the parking. Are you waiting for someone?"
She looked at her ex. He was here acting as if he didn't
marry someone behind her back. She chuckled. Get a
hold of your emotions Lolo.
"Kind of."
She pushed her hair back and wore the cap. That man?
Her husband? He was going to get a piece of her mind.
She swore.
"I won't jump you Alone."
She looked at him and sighed. She should go back and
sit down.
"It was nice bumping into you. Bye."
She turned her back and he followed her.
"Alone, you're acting as if I did something wrong."
Alone, the hug which was already out of her mind and
one she didn't even term as cheating looked at him. Her
emotions changed like the Gaborone weather. One
minute she was smiling, the next angry and another she
was crying.
"You're a fine one to say.."
"Eleore…"
"Imagine finding out your boyfriend was getting married
on Facebook after he spent the night with you?
Nonsense."
He paused.
"You knew? Ah…"
"Eleore why did you think you were blocked?"
She rolled her eyes.
"It's over and I changed."
He looked at her wrist. That tattoo. She had said it's her
father's birthday and she really loved her father. Now it
had the year added to it. That was new.
"You still have the tattoo."
She shrugged.
"And I lied about it."
He stopped in his tracks.
"What?"
"I love my father but it's not his birthday."
He caught up to her. Why was she walking fast for
someone who looked so heavy? He wished all pregnant
women would be beautiful like her but not everyone was
Alone Puso..
"Your aunt?"
"My husband."
He frowned.
"You knew him when we were dating?"
She shrugged. She kept on walking. God was she going
to kill said husband when he gets his behind her.
Strangle him in his sleep even.
"You never mourned our relationship?"
"Would you mourn a married man?"
"I want you."
"I'm not a backup plan you guys want when your
marriages don't work or when you need a side chick."
She cut the call. Kaone couldn't help but wonder who
the Shawn was and when she said Mma Kgotla, was it
the Shawn he had in mind.
"A stranger Alone? Whose had sex with you before,
mind you."
"The Alone from years back is not the same one so
yes…"
He sighed.
"We'll see each other around?"
"I doubt." She said sweetly and he laughed. "I still love
you kana Alone."
"It's probably lust…"
He smiled slyly.
"No it's not. I know myself."
She rolled her eyes as he walked away laughing.
***
The knock on the door was a well needed break for her
as she closed the file.
"Come in."
She fixed her smile. Surprised about who would show
up to her office on a Saturday. A man who looked to be
well into his Kate fifties walked in and she still had her
smile in place.
"Tebogo?"
His accent threw her off completely. He wasn't a
Motswana?
"Yes."
"Good afternoon, can I take a seat?"
"Of course. How may I assist you?"
She looked at him and he smiled taking out his wallet.
He removed a picture and he placed it on the table. Her
eyes bulged. That was her mother.
"Is Meme your mother? You look so much like her."
She nodded with a lump in her throat. Seeing her
mother's pictures still got her teary.
"Uhm-yes…do you need representation? I don't thi-"
"I'm…" He looked up, her eyes shining with tears.
Tebogo busied herself with piling up her files.
"It has taken me a long time and a lot of investigation to
find you."
Her eyebrows scrunched.
"I'm your father."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~95~
"Alone, hello."
"Hi Lolo, how are you? How are the boys treating you?"
"I'm a mess, look like a hippo everyday but I'm alive."
Tebogo picked the card and read the name. Her chest
heavy as the anger made her close her eyes to take a
deep breath.
"Tebogo? Are you okay?"
"You wouldn't believe what just happened."
"What?"
"My 'alleged father's showed up."
Alone laughed. It was the laugh that would make one cry
if they were too sensitive.
"Waaka nnaka!"(you're lying)
She cut the call and breathed out. Daddy issues? At her
old age?
***
Don't think about sex Lolo! Don't think about sex Lolo!
Shawn got the tote bag and he put the cap on her head.
Alone held his bicep as they walked away. One of the
people who was talking to Kaone started speaking.
"They are a lovely couple aren't they?"
"S-sure…"
"I was surprised he wasn't with her today, he always
comes along to support her and vice versa..I know we
are looking from the outside in but it looks like a lovely
marriage."
He choked and cleared his throat.
"I'm sure. I have to go."
"Of course. Nice talking to you. We should do golf some
times to discuss further business."
"That we will. How about next week Saturday?"
"That's fine by me."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~96~
She smiled. Last week like always, her doctor had ran
the tests even if she had to get a mammogram which
was new…
Her husband who knew that being tested for a lot of
things during pregnancy was standard didn't have a
problem.
She licked the sauce off her fingers. Her mind going to
Shawn's remark. It was nothing. She shouldn't overthink
this. At all.
She answered.
"Alone Kgotla, hello."
"Alone, hi."
She paused.
"Hi? How can I help?"
"I was wondering if we could do breakfast on Monday, to
discuss business of course."
She chuckled.
"What business?"
Alone paused.
"I-"
She went quiet as she dipped her hand in the fries.
"She doesn't have anywhere to stay now and I'm the
one who called her. For a month."
"Mma Kgotla before giving her an answer you should
have asked me."
He took a turn and the car was silent.
"I'm sorry."
"I was not looking for an apology mmaagwe Paris, I was
telling you how we were supposed to do this. We never
do things without consulting each other. You know that
akere?"
She nodded, his hand moving up and down her thigh.
"Ee rra."
"Next time, before you take such a hasty decision let me
know. Our house is open to family yes but not for too
long, you know they stay for a week or less. Our house
it's meant to be ours. You know that even Paris' nanny
doesn't stay in the main house regardless of how much
space it has."
"Ee rra. Ke a utwa."(Yes sir. I understand.)
"You already promised. There shouldn't be a next time
though."
She nodded.
"Good. Are you full?"
She nodded again.
"Okay angel."
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~97~
Shawn helps Alone get out of the car first before he got
the flowers at the back seat. He locked the car before
his free hand settled on the small of her back as they
walked to their house. She opened the door and Paris
spotted them first before KJ did and she was already up
and running towards the door. Alone laughed, knowing
she can't pick the children up.
"Hey baby. You've been good?"
"Yes." She gave her a toothy grin and Alone chuckled.
Shawn let go of her and he crouched to his daughter's
level.
"Hi angel."
"Hello daddy. Let me show you what we built w-"
He showed Paris the flowers and she hugged her father
not yet taking them. Shawn straightened up, holding
Paris and kissed her head.
"These are for you little lady."
She giggled as she finally took the roses and she kissed
her dad's cheek.
"Thank you daddy."
"Do you love them?"
She nodded. He let her down as he picked his nephew.
"And you're getting heavy."
"I'm strong."
He laughed.
"That you are."
***
Hours later, Owame held the phone as she updated her
sister.
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"He asked me to be his girlfriend."
"What? Congratulations…see you're finally moving on
from that cheater Gofaone."
Owame's heart was bursting with joy as she kicked her
legs.
"Finally. If this one tries nonsense with me, I'm leaving.
I'm not ignoring the red flags anymore."
"Good. I'm happy for you. Really."
"Thank you. How are you?"
"Same old. I'm at home working, I have a presentation
for Monday and I barely slept yesterday."
Lorato yawned.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow is a Saturday. Another day to
work and since you won't be at the office."
"You're right but I should complete this. At least the
rough draft of it all."
"Le the not delay you then. Bye."
"Bye bye."
The call cut and Owame went to her gallery. She looked
at the pictures he had taken of her at their date. She
looked so beautiful if she could say so herself. She went
to Facebook to post the pictures with a cute little
caption.
She giggled.
"I'm not. Hiii…"
"Hi Wame, I was calling to let you know I enjoyed our
date."
"You said that when you dropped me off."
"I just wanted to hear your voice. Have you eaten?"
"Ng ng. I'll make someth-"
"Now I have a valid reason to come there. I'll get us
food. I'm on my way."
She giggled like a school girl. This was the thrill and
excitement that came with a new relationship.
"Okay. I'll be waiting."
"Give me an hour or less."
She chuckled.
"Alright. Bye."
"Bye."
He cut the call and she placed the phone against her
chest with a smile on her face.
***
Shawn #Explicit
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~98~
In the morning
Alone was spread out on the bed like a hot bun waiting
to be buttered as her husband took his sweet time in
shaving her.
"I'm almost done."
She watched him do everything carefully and he walked
to the bathroom. He came back with a warm towel and
wiped her clean.
"Done. A bit swollen from last night b-"
She threw a pillow at him and he chuckled.
"But we wouldn't have it any other way..f*ck Lolo you're
getting wet." She wished the earth could swallow her
right this minute.
"Let me take care of you. Give me a minute."
***
At Francistown
***
Alone sat in the dining room table with the kids on both
sides of her seat. She watched them eat as she had a
few spoonfuls of the oatmeal. Her phone vibrated on the
table and she smiled picking Fiona's call.
"Hello."
"Hi. Before you ask, KJ is good."
"I know. Kagiso and I are on our to pick him up, I hope
he wasn't a problem."
"Not at all. We are always happy to have him here with
us."
"I don't want you to tire out, carrying twins must be
exhausting. I was tired from just one baby now two?"
Alone looked at both kids and smiled.
"I manage though. You can come, Shawn and I are
leaving in twenty minutes."
"Okay. On our way."
The call cut and Alone finished her meal as the two kids
talked to each other.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~99~
The doctor breathed out as she placed the paper in front
of the couple. Shawn looked at the results and Lolo's
heart dropped to her f*cking feet.
"The mammogram…from two weeks back..uh it
revealed that Mrs Kgotla has breast cancer."
Shawn picked the paper again, reading it. Cancer? His-
he rubbed his face with his hand and Alone's tears rolled
slowly down her cheeks.
All she could think in her head was death, death, death,
death.
"Thi-this is a mistake right?"
She asked, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at her
doctor.
"Unfortunately it's not. I had suspected it when your only
sensitive breast was mentioned but breast cancer can
be hard to detect especially in pregnancy as in this
case."
Alone laughed like a maniac, her eyes dilating scarily as
she placed a shaky hand over her mouth, the room
spinning as the chant 'death got louder in her head.
That didn't soothe Alone..if she dies and her kids? What
if he chooses his new woman over her kids because
she's not longer there? Like her mother did? She placed
a hand over her chest..struggling to breath and
wheezing in between the tears.
The doctor pushed out her chair and rushed to the other
side of the table, crouching in front of Alone.
"Your asthma pump…"
Alone couldn't speak or breath as the tears choked her
and air couldn't get in her lungs. It was so easy for her to
fail to breath because of that stupid drug poisoning.
~100~
The door opened and the doctor walked in. She was a
bit surprised, taking in the way they sat with Alone on
her husband's lap. She walked over to her seat.
"I'm assuming you're better."
She blinked her heavy eyes and the doctor placed her
hands on the desk.
"As I said, you are a currently on stage 3A of cancer, we
don't know the hormone receptors on the cancer cells, a
biopsy will be needed to get those cancer cell samples
for testing."
Alone nodded.
"You're currently six months pregnant and it's not
advisable to start chemo or any treatment during
pregnancy because it will affect the foetus, there might
be birth defects. Twin pregnancies are never carried up
to term so in a month or two you'll give birth and start
treatment after."
***
***
Alone's head hit the pillow and Shawn covered her up
with the fleece blanket. He kissed the top of her head as
she closed her eyes.
***
"Bali? "
"Yes." The nice thing about being old was knowing you
worked and toiled as young person and now you have
the liberty to enjoy your money now that you have grown
up kids with their own families.
"Yes."
He kissed her and she smiled at him, her eyes shining
and sparkling.
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~101~
That late afternoon, Alone woke up in bed. She rubbed
her eyes, hoping it had all been a bad dream. She
closed her eyes for a moment but her chest was so
heavy and her eyes swollen, an indicator that it was not
just a bad dream.
She nodded.
"I'm sorry for keeping it away from you."
He sighed. He'll get over it even if it wasn't today.
"I know you won't accept my apology today but I'm really
sorry."
He nodded.
"Do you need anything?"
She shook her head.
"You haven't even eaten lunch. You should be eating."
He rubbed her tears away and kissed her head.
"I'll be back."
He straightened up and walked out. Alone wiped the
tears that rolled down her cheeks as he walked out. With
every step Shawn took, he wondered if somehow his
wife didn't trust him with her health or she was just
fearful that he'd leave. Her sentence about everyone in
her family who had cancer dying and now Alone had it
and what if Paris?
"F*ck!"
He can't lose all of them. He breathed out, medicine is
much more advanced these days. They won't die. Both
of them.
~102~
Her friend cut the call and Shosho looked at her packed
suitcase.
***
Alone who finished getting dressed after her shower
found Shawn sitting on the bed when she walked out of
the shower wearing her pyjamas and in flip flops.
"Come sit here Mma kgotla."
"After the twins are born? I'll go crazy thinking about the
cancer everyday."
He kissed her head.
"If you're bored you can be my PA."
She chuckled.
"Oh and about that, Shosho is no longer coming. I won't
need a PA once I'm out of work.."
"Alright. Smile a bit, you are not dying on me Mma
Kgotla, not by a long shot."
She smiled and looked up at him. He rubbed her chubby
cheeks and held her chin to French kiss her.
"I love you okay?"
"I love you too.." He deepened the kiss and she moaned
into it and he broke it smiling.
"Come eat. Downstair-"
A soft knock had both of them looking at the door.
He walked to the door to open it and Paris smiled
holding up a glass of milk.
"I had aunty warm it up..daddy said you are not feeling
better mommy."
Alone smiled and wiped her tears away.
"I'm feeling much better now that you are here…come
sit."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~103~
Monday morning
The cool wind blew her curly braids to the side as she
sat on the outside chairs of the eatery she was at. She
fixed her black coat and checked her watch again, three
minutes left.
A waiter walked to her table asking for her order. If she
orders and he doesn't show up she'll be forced to stay
longer than necessary.
"Just an expresso please. Takeaway."
Tebogo chuckled.
"I knew it. You ignored my mother, what do you want? Is
it money?"
"Tebogo I'm not done…"
She fisted her left hand on her lap under the table,
hoping her face didn't show how she was already
boiling.
She breathed out.
"Continue."
"I got a vasectomy a month prior to meeting your
mother so I thought she was one of those women who
was trying to trap me. Want a baby to demand child
support. And protection had been used at the time so it
was unbelievable that she'd fall pregnant."
"I ignored her. She called a year later and I told her that I
don't have a child, she had sent pictures but no name
but at that time I knew I had a vasectomy. I didn't need
nor want children and there was this girl trying to force a
child on me."
"My mother had integrity, it was something she could
never lie about."
He swallowed. Regrettably.
"It was only when I went for a check up five years since
she last called that it showed my vasectomy wasn't
properly done."
***
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~104~
Alone had her pumps off as she went through her last
report for the day. Her work phone rang on the desk.
She ignored it and it went quiet. She put the phone on
silent and she continued with work. Her personal phone
rang and she picked that one up without checking the
caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Hi Lolo.."
She scrunched her nose.
"Shosho? Hi, how are you? Is anything wrong?"
"No. I'm in the city and I wanted to pop in to say hi."
Alone chuckled.
"Oh, I'm at the office right now. You can pop in."
"Alright. I'll be there."
"Okay. Just ask the receptionist to show you my office."
"Ee mma."
She cut the call as her landlines started ringing. She
groaned and answered it.
"Alone Kgotla speaking, how can I help you?"
"Alone, you've been ignoring my calls."
"Ke bua le many?"(who am I talking to?)
"A potential client and don't pretend as if you already
forgot me."
"If you don't say your name I'm hanging up."
"It's Kaone. You're so difficult."
"If you have an idea, take it up with my boss. Have a
good day."
Shosho shrugged.
"It's mot like it makes much of a difference. Let me go
and I'll see you later."
***
Tebogo walled out of the private clinic and she looked
over to John. He looked defeated and-
She shook her head. No. She shouldn't even feel sorry
for the man who didn't believe her mother for all this
while. He basically denied her existence and now that it
was convenient for him, he wanted her to let him in her
life. It was not happening. Not by a long shot.
"Tebogo.."
She stopped as he caught up to her.
"Just know that I'm really sorry and if I could turn back
the hands of time, I would. I would be a different man."
"But you can't. It's impossible to turn back time. Have a
good day."
For the second time that day, Tebogo walking away from
him broke his weak heart and he placed a hand over his
chest in silent agony.
***
Shosho chuckled.
“That’s not how it works. You might like a man for what
her does for his current woman but when it gets to you,
he is a horrible human being because you aren’t the one
in his heart. Men are horrible like that. He is a fine piece
of specimen to be admired from afar and even have wet
dreams about but the truth is even if I’m to snatch him,
he’d never love me like that. He’d never treat me like
that and he might even be abusive so I’ll just pray for my
own love story.”
“Ijoo! You’ll never find a man at that rate. We take other
people's men and we are happy with them.”
Shosho chuckled.
“You still have burn marks from when the wife of that
man you were seeing burned you. Are you living happily
with him?”
“Ijoo mma. I hear you.”
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~105~
He kissed her head and got out of bed to pack her bag,
allowing her to rest.
She got out of bed and removed her bonnet. She looked
down at it and could see the large chunks of hair in it.
Her throat dried up as she looked at it, her hand going to
touch her head and it came out with hair on it. She
walked over to the vanity table and placed the bonnet
down to finally look at her reflection and she didn't like
what she saw. It looked like her head was missing big
chunks of hair and had been cut by a toddler.
Her sob escaped and she held onto the vanity table for
stability. Oh God!
"Paris!"
"I'm coming."
Shawn got their two month old and he was just about to
cry but quite down.
When she was done, she looked at her uneven hair and
bit her lower lip. With the bonnet now free of hair, she
wore it again and went downstairs.
Alone placed her arm over her mouth. She knew this
was going to happen. It was actually silly to cry knowing
she was going to lose her hair. This man knew her more
than she knew herself. She removed the bonnet and
Shawn saw the patches of hair missing on her head.
He rubbed her arm as she tried not to cry. If she cries,
Lefika is going to feel it and she wondered how Keletso
was not crying right now.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~106~
It was short but the fact that they did this for her? She
rubbed her eyes.
"I'll send a thank you email." She half whispered before
she walked to the door where her husband was waiting
for her.
Alone held his hand as they said bye to Mma Alone.
Shawn unlocked the car and put the bags in the back.
"Wait here, your electrolytes are in the kitchen."
***
***
At the Hospital
She nodded. The doctor got up from her chair and the
couple followed her.
It took ten minutes till she was fully hooked and she
looked at him. He covered her with the blanket and took
out her book. He sat next to her and squeezed her
hand.
The nurses that were there had been surprised the first
time this man was here with his wife. They were used to
some women coming alone or with their mothers. Men
were never this involved. It was refreshing to see.
"That's it. I'll be back in an hour to check how far so she
can get the next drug."
"Thank you doctor." Shawn replied and Alone gave a
grateful nod.
She smiled.
"I know. And also, after this is done, I want us to travel?"
"Your wish is my command."
"And thank you for that company you bought for me
months back."
"You wanted your own thing and it's running smoothly,
with our guidance it will perform exceptionally well, after
this."
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~107~
In Paris, France
***
At Francistown
She nodded.
"Have you told Alone?"
"I can't worry her. It's my duty as a mother to take care
of her, she is my only child but I can't have her take care
of me. I'll be fine."
Alone's aunt shook her head.
"Jackie, no. Alone loves you. She won't mind. At times
like these, you need to be with your daughter. Family. If
were in other countries abroad obviously you would
have been left in some home care for the elderly but you
are still able but weak. Tall to Alone.."
She sighed and agreed. She rubbed her chest, the urge
to cough coming back. She excused herself and went to
the bathroom to cough into a tissue, a lot of blood
staining the tissue. She flushed it and walked over to the
sink and rubbed her eyes that teared up from the
aggressive coughing.
***
Owame held the little baby in her arms. She was fulfilled
and happy about how her life has changed. It changed
in the bets of ways, from being alone in life to having a
sister and a husband now a child?
Her husband opened the hospital door and smiled.
"Hey baby."
"Heyy.."
***
This was what being happy was all about. Family and
enough money to make life easier.
Mofenyi sat next to her and she laid her head on his
shoulder.
"How are you feeling today?"
"The baby is fine. We are fine."
He placed a hand over her stomach and she looked at
him with a smile. To think there was a time she thought
she could cheat on this man because of a silly little
crush on her cousin's husband a decade ago?
***
Kagiso and Fiona stood by the stands with their six year
old who was wearing the same matching t-shirt as them.
"It's a goal!" They cheered Kagiso Junior on as he
scored tge winning goal his school team needed. He
jumped and like the supportive family the Kgotlas were,
the trio cheered louder.
***
She placed her phone down with a smile and went to the
video Shawn had taken of her by the Eiffel tower. They
went to other places but Paris was a must to be at.
Every single year.
She posted the video to her status with the caption 'Play
Paris by Taylor Swift'
and checked her emails to see updates on the NGO she
had started months after her last treatment. Being with
all those women was something sbe didn't know she
needed. And using some of the proceeds from their
business to fund it and fund breast cancer treatments for
those who need it? It was too close to her heart.
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
~108~
Ten years later…
Shawn stepped into the house and his soul felt weary.
Everyday he lived in fear of getting the phone call he
had been dreading for over a year now but it never
came. He untied his tie and walked up the stairs to the
room he used to share with his angel. The house was
silent. Paris was probably at work and the twins were at
school. With his daughter who recently graduated, he
had expected her to want to move out but she didn't so
he was grateful he still had his first born under his roof.
She chuckled.
"It's okay. I love you regardless. I'm happy with
everything we've achieved." She kissed his forehead
and he chuckled.
She smiled.
"I want to get out of bed and be in the living room."
She asked him and he rubbed his eyes.
"Okay angel.." he was careful picking her up and she
held onto him, he kissed her head and she giggled. He
walked out with her in hid arms and they passed her
nurse. The nurse smiled. A bit surprised at how active
her patient seemed.
"We'll be in the lounge."
Shawn chuckled but he headed straight to their bedroom
and she grinned.
"Let me take a quick shower. You can watch me if you
want."
"Yes sir!"
***
***
At the Kgotla's
***
***
There and then it hit him like a grenade. His wife, the
other half of his soul…was gone..
The tears rolled down his cheeks and he licked his lips.
His alarm rang. It was her birthday. He held her lifeless
body in his arms as he let out a heartbreaking scream,
his tears falling on her body.
And that love surely it did live on. In their hearts. Forever
and evermore.
THE END
𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆
Epilogue
Shawn smiled as he opened her side of the wardrobe.
Three years since his love departed from him. Three
years since he has lived with a gap in his heart. What
made him smile was the fact that his wife had loved and
she was now at peace. He couldn't wait for later tonight,
the moon always shone brighter on her birthday and it
brought a certain kind of peace. He put in his earpods as
Ghost of You by 5 Seconds of Summer played through
in his ear. He could remember their little dances
randomly at night. He had never understood fully when
people said their world went quiet but now he
understood. He didn't have her voice to fill the void.
"My baby, never forget that not every story has a pretty
ending so make sure the rest of the story is what you
decide it will be."
Shawn paused. He pulled his first born for a hug.
"We had a wonderful story, you our love child and your
siblings, rainbow babies after the loss of one of your
siblings..we wrote our own story."
She removed her glasses and cried into her dad's chest.
"I miss her so much."
"Me too but she is in a better place. God knew she was
in pain and she needed the rest."
***