Taken By a Mafia King by Hlengiwe Mathebula (best fiction books to read txt) 📖

face or I’m going to vomit. He sits on the bed but he doesn’t say anything. His phone rings it must be his mom because I hear him saying I’m not feeling well so he won’t be able to leave the house. As if he cares.

“Have you eaten?” I hear tenderness in his voice. But the tenderness doesn’t drive away the hate in my heart.

“I’m sorry. I thought the baby wasn’t mine. And when I saw the muffin it was too late”

The more he speaks is the more I hate him. I didn’t know my heart could have so much hatred especially for someone who’s my husband. He leaves the room. He comes back with food and my stomach grumbles. I haven’t eaten in 2 days. He’s doing this because he lost the baby otherwise he wouldn’t even care.

“Can I go visit my dad?” I don’t know why I’m asking for his permission but I ask for it anyway. He doesn’t answer me instead he leaves the room. He send maShezi to tell me that I can leave. I look at the time it’s 2pm. It means I’ll travel all night. I don’t mind as long as I can see my dad. I take a long bath, make the bed and walk downstairs to eat. The fact that I’m leaving this house even if it’s not forever makes me super happy. I’m in the kitchen singing while making lunch.

“I’ve never seen that side of yours. I was starting to think you’re always grumpy” Zweli comments when he walks into the kitchen. Leaving your house can put someone in a better mood but I don’t say that out loud or so I thought. Because I see the smile on his face being wiped out completely as soon as I finish that sentence.

When it’s time to leave, I run out the door. No time for goodbyes. I’ll see them when I come back that’s if I do come. Lucky for me when I get to the bus depot there’s a single seat. I’ve never used a bus before so I googled and most people recommend Greyhound. I’m counting hours till I see my dad. I’m planning on going to the workshop apparently there’s a new guy. I’m so happy I hardly sleep.

I keep checking the time. I’m now counting minutes until we get to Park Station. Been up most of the night, I must’ve fallen asleep. The bus driver wakes me up when we get to Park Station. I thank him and head out the bus. It’s 6 in the morning. I walk to the taxi rank. An hour later, I’m knocking on the door. Momo opens the door, she’s very shocked and embarrassed. I’m speechless but I smile and greet her. I find my dad in the kitchen, he chokes on his saliva when he sees me. I wanted to surprise him but clearly I’m the one who got surprised. I’m very excited to say it’s a beautiful surprise on my side. Momo tells me that she’ll be out of my way. I tell her she can stay. I walk to my room, I take a bath. When I’m looking through my suitcase, there’s an incoming text and Zweli’s name pops. Why would he text me? I wait till I’m fully dressed, then I walk over to the bedside table.

Zweli: Hey, I hope you’re home and you had a safe trip.

Why is he acting like he cares. I head to bed. My phone rings I look at the clock in the bedside table. It’s 11:20. I have been sleeping for a little over 4 hours. It’s Zweli, what does he want? I decide to ignore his calls. He stops after 7 missed calls. There’s a knock on the door, it’s my dad. He hands me his phone. He mouths it’s your husband.

I don’t want my dad asking more questions. I came here to rest.

“Hello?”

“Hello. I got worried when you didn’t take my calls. I thought something terrible happened to you”

“More terrible than the rape and losing my baby” I ask him getting angry the nerve. He goes mute. I hang up make the bed. When I’m done I look for my dad and I find him outside I give him his phone.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming”

“I wanted to surprise you. But it looks like I’m the one who got surprised” I reply pretending not to see Momo eavesdropping. My dad doesn’t say anything but he’s avoiding looking at me like he did something wrong.

“Baba, I keep telling you that I don’t have a problem with you marrying another woman. I always wished you’d marry Momo. She’s been the closest thing to a mother. I told you years ago that I like her. This is your house no need to be embarrassed. I have one request though” he looks at me probably expecting me to say something bad.

“What is it?”

“Marry her as soon as possible” I reply smiling. He sighs, he’s relieved.

“I was afraid you’d never approve” Momo comments. I smile and I tell my dad that I’m heading to the workshop. He drops me off.

“Hello?” I call out when I get to the workshop. A young man walks over to me. He must be the new guy. I introduce myself. He also does the same. He’s Samkelo, Simon’s nephew. I ask to help him he lets me. We chitchat the whole time and I enjoy his company. I leave around 4. I decide to walk home and I start feeling like I’m being watched. I turn to look, I don’t see anyone but I can feel someone out there hiding in the shadows looking at me. Thirty minutes later, I’m at home. I take a long bath. Momo cooked supper. They look so happy and in love. Makes me wonder how long they’ve been together. Looks like they’ve been seeing each other for longer than I thought. I hope my dad marries her. I know she’s going to be the best wife ever.

I wash the dishes and I give them space. I go to my room and I call my twin brothers. I haven’t had time to call them and I doubt they have my digits. I decide to call Melo with the hope that they are currently together.

“Hello?” he picks up just after 2 rings.

“Hey little brother. It’s Zekhethelo”

“Hold on I’m putting you on speaker”

“Hello sis” I’m thinking it’s Lindo.

“We are glad you called” they talk at the same time. Judging by their tones, they sound excited makes me feel guilty for not calling sooner. We talk for over an hour. We hang up with the promise to see each other this weekend which is only 2 days away.

For the past 2 days, I’ve been helping Samkelo at the workshop. He tried to make a move on me but I told him I’m a married woman. He backed off and I’m glad he didn’t take the rejection in a bad way.

Melo and Lindo come by at 7am to fetch me. I take my overnight bag. I say goodbye to my dad with the promise to see him tomorrow. We get to the flat and we find Nonhle and Joe. Day spoilt so early in the morning. I greet them but I don’t say anything. I don’t even ask how they are doing because I don’t care.

“I’m glad you are building a relationship with your brothers”

“Yeah, I’m also glad you put what happened between us and your father aside” Joe also comments. It’s the first time I’m hearing his voice and I hate it already. I decide to ignore them. There’s so much awkwardness in the room and I see the twins squinting on their seats.

“I was hoping I could have some time alone with my brothers” I tell them and I see tears in Nonhle’s eyes. I hope she holds them back, I’m not in the mood for this.

“Mom and dad regret what they did to your dad. You’ve punished them enough. I was hoping you’d clear the air with them so we can move on and have a good relationship. I’m sorry but we can’t have a relationship with you until you clear the air.” Lindo comments. Melo is quite like he isn’t in the room with us.

“I told Nonhle…”

“Mom” Lindo corrects me.

“Yeah, she’s your mom. I told Nonhle that I forgive her. But if you won’t have a relationship with me because I refuse to build one with her. Then we’ll continue to be strangers” I tell them. And then I turn to Melo and ask him to bring my bag when he returns with it, I leave.

I get home after 3 in the afternoon. I decided to go to a mall. Whoever was watching me the other day. He’s still watching me.

“I thought you were coming home tomorrow”

“Yeah, but Joe and Nonhle were there” I continue telling my dad and Momo what they said. I was hoping I’d spend some time with my dad before I go back to my jail. Melo decides to text me.

Melo: Hey sis. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t know mom and dad would be at the flat. What mom did to you was very wrong and terrible. I hope one day you’ll fully forgive her and my dad. But I don’t want that to get in our way of building a relationship. I’ll be in Durban for the next 2 months I was hoping we’d meet.

When I’m about to reply. Zweli also decides to text.

Zweli: when are you coming back?

My God, I haven’t been here for long and he is Zweli texting me.

I reply to Melo’s text first telling him that I’d like to spend more time with him. He should call or text me as soon as he gets to Durban. Then I text Zweli telling him that I’ll come back after 2 days.

                        ***

It’s time to go back to Zweli’s place. My dad and Momo decide to drop me off at Park Station. They kiss me goodbye. I wave when I’m at the luggage room. The bus will leave at 7pm and the expected arrival time is 4am. I don’t know my way to Zweli’s place but I know that I wouldn’t get lost. I get the feeling that anyone can direct me to his house. I take out my ipad and listen to my music. When it’s time to leave. I get uneasy. I’m being watched. I hope Zweli will be at the depot like he promised. As much as I hate him, I don’t want to be kidnapped and worse get killed before my family can find me. I know they wouldn’t even know where to start. They don’t have the money and the resources. But I know Zweli is powerful and well equipped he can find me in a matter of hours. My phone pings which makes me jump. I’m not used to getting texts or calls. It’s Momo.

Momo: I was scared you wouldn’t approve. The stuff you said to your dad mean the world to me. I smile at this text.

Me: Thanks for choosing my dad *smiley face*

I fall asleep and wake up when the bus stops at the depot. I get off and I look for Zweli he’s not here. I check the time it’s 5am. I stand here for 30 minutes he’s still not here. I call him he doesn’t pick up. I walk outside maybe he parked and fell asleep while waiting. Wrong move.

I feel someone standing too close. Then I feel a very sharp pain in my neck and I black out.

Chapter 5

I open my eyes and I feel dizzy. I look around and then I remember what happened. I wonder how long I have blacked out. A very beautiful lady walks in. Smiling cruelly. I’ve never seen her before. I’m a nobody why would anyone kidnap. Unless Zweli is punishing.

“Hubby hasn’t stopped calling you” the lady tells me. I try to talk but my throat is so dry. I