Unmasked
Chapter 07

We get home a little after 6PM. The day was really nice with Thando’s mother treating me like a princess although I noticed that he was a little off for a few hours.

I get into the shower immediately we arrive. Mum packed food for us in case we get hungry but I don’t think I will because I have eaten my soul out. When done, I get into comfortable pajamas and it’s only then that I notice that Thando has showered in the communal bathroom.

‘Should I warm your food?’ I ask not wanting to get into why he chose to bath alone.

‘I am not hungry, plus I might need to pass through the office, I am just waiting for a phone call.’

‘Mr. Mwape it’s almost 7PM.’

‘You know my job requires me to step out even at awkward hours if I have to.’

I notice the tone in which he spoke to me is raised but I choose not to get into that. If I address all these little things bugging me, we might just end up fighting and I don’t want that.

His phone starts to ring disturbing my thoughts.

‘Hello.’ He says.

‘I am fine thank you, how are you?’

‘Great, yes she is here.’

‘On it.’ He says handing me the phone.

‘Who is it?’ I whisper.

‘Zac.’

I breathe out deeply getting the phone from him.

‘You blocked me.’ He accuses immediately I pick up.

‘I wanted time to think.’

‘What is there to think about? You know you can’t carry that thing. Has your husband told you that he is being put back on the case?’

I look at Thando who is also looking at me.

‘Zara we might have thought that clipping his wings would buy us some time but it looks like your so called husband is playing games of his own. An alibi has been found for Lona and I am pretty sure they are coming for our heads. I need you to be really smart and get out whilst you still can.’

‘Did you just say get out?’ I ask that angrily and walk to the bathroom, making sure to close the door so that Thando doesn’t hear me.

‘Are you insane Zac, you think I can just walk in and out like it’s a house? You put me in this situation,’

‘That is why I am asking you to get out of it!’

Tears start to roll down my eyes.

‘Zac why do you do this to me?’

‘Zara I want you to remember that everything I have been doing has been for you. I have loved you from the time we were kids and from the moment dad started to molest you, I knew that I had to protect you with everything in me.’

He pauses.

‘So the next time you want to question my love for you I want you to remember every God damn thing you have been through! I want you to remember the nights you were abused! The abortions! The emotional, mental and physical trauma! I want you to remember everything I have done for you because trust me given another chance I would do it again!’

‘I didn’t ask you to do it!’ I yell tears falling vigorously.

‘What did you just say?’

‘Zac I didn’t ask you to do it. You have never asked me what I want. Everything you have done Zac has been on you, everything.’

He doesn’t respond but I can hear him breathing out loudly on the other end of the line.

‘What do you want Zara?’

Silence.

‘You have told me that I have never asked what you always wanted now I am asking, what do you want?’

‘I want to keep this child, I want to stay married to my husband because I love him.’

‘But does he loves you?’

‘What?’

‘Does he love you Zara? You without the mask on? You who has so much dirt? You who will be the death of his career? Does he love you?’

Zac cuts the line without waiting for me to respond. I want to bitterly cry, I want to feel sorry for myself for everything that’s happening but then again Thando is in the bedroom and I don’t want to give him any answers so like the big girl that I am, I wash my face, wipe it and join him.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Sibling fights.’ I say feigning a smile.

‘I can’t relate.’ He says returning the smile this time opening his arms.

I get into them and we embrace for what seems like forever and I couldn’t be more grateful.

‘If you want to talk about it you know I am here right.’

‘I know babe.’ I respond.

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️