Unmasked
Chapter 05

‘You really need to stop worrying about your clothes.’ Thando says as I look at my reflection on the car. We have just arrived at his mother’s farm and I am skeptical about the body hugging dress that I am wearing. My baby bump hasn’t yet started showing but I just don’t want her to pick it up before we tell her.

‘Babe what if she notices? What if it ruins the surprise?’

‘What do you mean surprise?’

‘Thando you are not being helpful right now. I told you that I was organizing this.’ I say showing him the gift bag.

‘Babe you know I heard what you were telling me but I just didn’t pay that much attention. Do we really need to do this?’

I feel irritated. The pregnancy hormones today are flying over the roof and this man keeps testing me.

‘But babe I told you there was no need to go all out.’ He says as I hand him the gift bag. Inside are a baby’s shoes and a little notice board that says ‘You are going to be a grandmother.’

‘Thando I am not doing this with you right now.’ I say walking away from him.

‘Why does it look like you have pissed off my daughter?’ his mother asks joining us at the front door. He shrugs his shoulders and that irritates me even more.

‘Well she had this surprise planned for how she was going to tell you that we are going to have a baby.’

‘Wow. How wonderful Thando.’ I say feeling even more irritated.

‘Babe what have I done?’

‘What have you done? Are you seriously asking me that question? I had this planned out on how we were going to tell mum and you just go ahead and ruin it.’

He looks at the gift bag realising what he has done.

‘Babe I am sorry.’

‘We are having a baby.’ I say to mum.

‘Come here.’

I go into her arms and we embrace for a few minutes before she lets me go.

‘You are truly your father’s son Thando.’ She tells him as we walk towards the house.

‘What is that supposed to mean? Because it doesn’t sound like it’s coming from a good place.’

‘Well he also knew how to ruin surprises.’

‘But mother.’

I give him the side eye and he stops talking.

‘You really don’t know how to read women do you?’ She aids as I settle down.

I make myself comfortable on one of the kitchen chairs. Everyone else follows suite.

‘We got you this.’ He says handing his mother the gift bag and I click my tongue in irritation. Thando has done the most getting on my nerves. I know the doctor warned us about the emotions but honestly speaking it’s not about the pregnancy, this is all his doing and it’s getting on each and every one of my nerves.

‘There is some ginger juice in the fridge, how about you pour us some.’ She tells him .

When he stands up she turns to look at me.

‘Congratulations child.’

‘Thank you so much mother.’

‘How are you doing? How have you been feeling?’

I breathe out deeply.

‘I have been feeling okay, I can’t stand some scents but everything is the same. I think I am starting to get easily irritated but I know I can manage.’

‘Don’t be too hard on yourself, remember it takes a village and if ever you need help don’t hesitate to call on all of us. Best believe we will be there.’ She says that whilst holding my hands.

‘Thank you for that mother.’

Thando puts the juice on the table and brings some glasses, he pours each of us a glass then excuses himself.

‘How does your brother feel about this?’

‘Why do you mean?’

She just stares at me without responding expecting me to answer like I know what she is asking.

‘We haven’t yet told him because we haven’t had the chance.’

‘I see.’

‘Is there something you want to tell me?’

‘Is there something you want to tell me?’ She repeats.

I shake my head.

‘Did Thando tell you that he went ahead and studied Psychology only because his father and I were psychologists.’

‘He never mentioned.’

‘You know what makes me and him different?’

‘He is in love with you and his judgement is clouded.’

‘I don’t get you.’

‘I believe that you love him because he made me believe so. I don’t want to doubt him, he is my son.’

‘I am listening.’

‘For what it’s worth, he’s the only one that I have. And I wouldn’t want anything happen to him. So I hope, just as he believes that you love him, you actually do.’ She says it with a smile but the chill that runs through my spine gives me shivers.

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️