Unmasked

I expected Thando to throw a tantrum but it has been days and he just let everything slide. Of course I have been feeling guilty because I am taking advantage of his kindness and that’s unlike me.

‘You don’t look too well.’ Leo says.

We have had this date pending for months. I am not sure how we even became close but from the circle, he is the only one I have been honest with about my past.

‘I don’t feel too well. This pregnancy is doing the most.’ I say holding my belly. The bump hasn’t started showing yet but all the signs are there.

‘What’s the problem? Something you want to talk about?’

‘Zac wants me to terminate the pregnancy.’

Leo doesn’t look moved.

‘Say something.’

‘Zara you know we have to expect anything from your brother. Hedoesn’t look like the type that would be happy with such news. Remember I warned you about not being honest with your husband in the first place.’

I roll my eyes. Leo had warned me before getting married to Thando because he saw how I started falling for him even though I was trying so hard to deny it.

‘You and I both know that Thando is a good man, he is a great man. How can I not for in love with him?’

‘Well, it doesn’t change the fact that you lied to him and your foundation is crooked.’

I breathe out deeply picking my glass of virgin mojito. I take a long sip then put the glass back down.

‘So what are you going to do? Because we know that your brother is someone who won’t back down.’

‘That is why I am here Leo. I don’t want to lose this baby, of course I had a rough childhood but I have a chance of giving this child a better life than I had.’

He holds my hand. And I can feel my eyes welling up.

‘You know my position Zara, I believe Thando needs to know the truth. If he is a good man like you portray him to be, he will understand the reasons you did what you did.’

‘Or he might just leave me and put me in jail.’

‘You need to give him some benefit of doubt, you might be shocked.’

‘I don’t know Leo. Not so many marriages withstand the storm if they are built on lies.’

‘Yours could be different.’

I lean back in my chair and check the time on my phone. I am not rushing for anything back home because I know that Thando is working the night. I haven’t had a chance to ask him if he has decided to take back the Lona case but inwardly I wish he does because this case is big and can be his career breakthrough.

‘Earth to Zara.’ Leo says snapping fingers in my face.

‘I hope Thando takes the Lona case.’

‘I thought he already did.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘It’s been all over social media, I actually thought that’s why you called for us to link up.’

I deactivated all my social media handles because I didn’t want anything to stress me or the baby hence not knowing what has been happening. I tell Leo to show me from his phone and the news is everywhere. I take some time to scan through some comments and some people are talking about how our marriage will shake.

‘This is from two days ago, so you are telling me that Thando accepted this and yet hasn’t mentioned anything?’ I ask bewildered.

‘Maybe it was just an oversight.’

I shake my head.

‘Over sight? This is huge! This also involves me Leo.’

‘Well not directly because you were not found guilty. But maybe as a wife and life partner you deserved to know.’

‘Why do you think he hid it from me?’

‘He is the best person to answer that question.’ He says with an apologetic look.

I try to think of all that reasons why Thando would hide this from me but nothing makes sense. I guess I just have to wait for him to open up.

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

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