Chapter 2 My Rapist My Lover 2

Okay this car following me was becoming a habit now I was also scared I mean who would take time out of their busy day just to follow me around. This one afternoon I was coming back from work it was a public holiday which meant half day for us I noticed this white BMW just outside my place it wasn't the same car that used to follow me around so I had no worries I just passed it. I heard someone calling for my name I turned, it was the guy the very same guy that gave me a lift the other day.

"What?"

"I am sorry I caught you on such a dreadful day"

"How can I help you?"

"I need some I..."

"I'm sorry but I'm rushing somewhere" he asked sincerely.

"Can I take you home?" I huffed, I could use some comfortable leather seat rather than those from the train that can make your butt swell in a minute but I didn't trust this guy

"I promise I don't bite"

"Fine" I said as I was going to the passenger seat.

"So, is a this a coincidence"

"What?"

You, here offering to give me a lift"

"Oh, I actually came to finalize a deal"

I raised an eyebrow enquiring him to go on but he kept quiet and drove me to this coffee shop I know it because Mrs Robinston always asks me to get her coffee there it's not my kind of place very expensive.

"I didn't know we were going to a coffee shop"

He smiled a bit but quickly collected himself, it's like he wanted to be this tough guy who doesn't take nonsense.

I thought you would love some coffee"

I looked at him with my eyebrows raised.

"Did you see the sun out? Its scorching hot and besides I don't even like coffee"

He looked hurt by my words, was that harsh? Well I don't like coffee.

"So can you take me to my place?"

"You really don't have to be this cold not everyone is out there to hurt you"

"What?" People really think they have me figured out.

I can see right through you it's like you built this wall around and you don't want anyone to break it"

"So, two seconds around and already you think you have me all figured out wow congrats Mr"

"My name is Sandile"

He said as he stopped in front of my house I was about to get off and it clicked I never showed him where I live I looked at him sternly.

"Sandile how do you know where I live?"

"I like the way you call my name well you showed me where you live"

Mxm it seems like I won't be getting any answers from this Sandile guy I made sure I bang the door when I got off.

My feet up on the coffee table, coffee on one hand and some snacks catching up on some series is what I always look forward to after a crazy afternoon at work. Being a receptionist is not my idea of fun and contentment but what choice did I have. I decided to check on my son he was grow up fast. I needed to go home soon I had avoided them for a long time it was time I went back home. I avoided home because it brought memories I had buried at the back of my head.

As days went by this Sandile guy made sure to be in my face forever, he never takes no for an answer. He took me to this secluded place once for shooting lessons I mean who does that but I have to admit I enjoyed it ever since he has been acting like I am his girlfriend I don't get it because he has taken me out once or twice well maybe five times it doesn't mean we are now dating or friends even because he has never asked me to date him I don't even know what gave him the idea, I can never say no to free food though.

This one morning I found Mrs Robinston all stressed out at work as soon as I made my way in she commanded me to email everyone and notify them about the meeting at 10am, we all knew that whenever she calls a staff meeting there is a problem brewing she never calls for a raise. I emailed everyone and made sure to tell them also when they get to work in case they check their emails too late. We were all scattered in the boardroom everyone asking those next to them what was happening, I was silently praying that I don't get fired if there was one person Mrs Robinston would fire first it would be me I mean I had never been on her best books ever. As soon as she got in we all sat down and kept quiet.

"As you all know that the place hasn't been doing good for the past two years management has decided to close it down, someone has already bought the place and will do whatever they want with it which means that we have no business you will all get your rightful packages. Should anyone have any questions people do come to my office. This will be our last month unless we get a miracle".

We all gasped we did not expect this at all I mean yes, we knew about low profits but we didn't know it was that bad. In a month's time, I will be jobless life can really be unpredictable one minute you have it all well not really have it but surviving and the next you have nothing. Yes, I did not have the best job in the world but I was content.

As much as I did not want to I found my self calling Sandile I mean he is the only person whoever showed interest in me and so I regarded him as my friend because well I'm a loner.

"Why, what happened?" he asked me after I told him that I was jobless I then explained the whole thing to him and he listened attentively.

"I am sure the buyer will turn the place around but he could at least think of our jobs"

"But your manager sold the place" how did he know that.

"Sandile how did you know she sold the place?"

"Because I am the buyer!"

It's been a month since Sandile bought the place he offered me a job but my pride wouldn't let me take it. I had decided to go home for few days just to clear my head I was worried about the next chapter of my life I really didn't know what it had im store for me but I could tell that I was on a road to struggle and poverty. Also, I had a son to think of in whatever I do I wanted my son to have everything I ever wanted as a child with me having no job meant he will not go to a private school as I had wanted to. His father, that is a story for another day.

I am squashed in a taxi backseat with three huge ladies who have been eating since the taxi took off if I had a choice I would have taken a bus but I decided on a last minute that I was going home. Sandile will find an empty house when he comes to my place he really has helped me over the past two months after I lost my job I even agreed to be his girlfriend for the benefits not that I loved him, I hope he finds someone who loves him as he deserves to be loved he is such a kind person just not for me. I found myself smiling thinking about him, could that be love. Not! I enjoyed his company that's all.

I got to my home town Mandeni around about 5am I called my drunkard of a cousin to come and fetch me I knew he was still coming from a party now or accompanying his "one night stand". He picked up almost immediately and told me he would be there in a few minutes. My aunt had just woken up sweeping the yard that's what she does every morning before she can do anything at all. She stopped what she was doing and looked at me as I made my way to the house.

"Ngiyathemba awuxoshiwe njalo" she just had to. (Let's hope you're not fired)

"Morning, I am really tired can we talk after I wake up"

She just looked at me then shook her head not thatI blamed her I was known to be the troublesome one in the family. I dragged my suitcase to the house amd took it to my room. My son was still sleeping I was going to see him when I wake up.

My name is Minenhle Zuma I was born and bred in a small town called Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal. I am the only child from my mother's womb she died while giving birth to me. My father is somewhere in our location he drinks day in and day out he is just useless, he always asks for R10 when he sees me. My aunt took me in she had no choice really. At the age of 16 I was raped but I never told anyone about it that is how I conceived my son, I did not tell anyone because I was ashamed I thought maybe there was something wrong with me that made provoke the guy. It must have

something I was wearing since I liked short things and I was half drunk since I was coming from a party. Till this day I don't remember the face of the guy who raped me my mind must have blocked it to protect me. At first, I didn't love my child he was a constant reminder of what happened but as time went on I grew fond of him he loved me tirelessly, he showed me love I never got I connected to him in a way

I can never connect to anyone. I made a vow to live for him.

At the age of 18 I passed my grade 12 at that time my son was 2 years old, my results were not that good so I was luckily accepted at MUT to do Diploma in HR which I dropped out on second year since I had no financial means of carrying on so I had to that is love I ended up in Joburg earning peanuts.

I woke up to find my son playing with my eyes trying to open them, I smiled and woke up.

Look at you all grown" I said tickling him he laughed while trying to hide his face he was still shy even at 6 years old. I decided to wake up anyway it was round about 3pm. Lihle was following me around, it's like he was scared that I was going to disappear well I last saw him 2 years ago I don't blame him. My aunt gave me my food and told me to do the dishes after I was done even at 21 years I was still ordered around like I was some child.

"You will cook supper for the whole family"

I agreed well it's not like she was asking me, well my aunt is strict and rude at times we don't really get along but we love each other if you get what I mean. She raised me I will forever be grateful for that.