Unmasked

I look at Leo and I can’t help but feel bad about everything that he has been through. I can’t believe that after all these years Sasha is still as bitter as she was when they got married. I am trying to read his face but I can’t make out the emotions, it’s like he has mastered the art of shielding his emotions that now I can’t even get through.

‘You keep looking at me.’

‘I worry about you Leo.’

‘I know.’

‘So talk to me. I know it’s been years but why does a part of me feel like you have never really healed after what happened to Pearl. Plus losing your company too.’

I stop to assess if I am not digging deep.

‘Zara I really appreciate everything you have done for me but I need you to know that I am okay. I have my own share of regrets, I have been beating my head over what happened to Pearl. Some nights I wake up and wonder if I made all the wrong choices when it came to her, the company, my friendship with James and Sasha herself. But then I realize that I needed to go through what I did to get to where I am. Imagine if my life had gone any different, where would I be now?’

He pauses but I don’t respond because I know he is not looking for an answer.

‘I miss Pearl Zara. A lot, but I don’t hurt as much as I used to. If anything I am in a good place now, a happy place. I have forgiven myself for all the bad choices that I made, I am excelling in my business and I have good people around me.’

‘Well you have a good woman too.’

‘That complication.’

‘You my friend is the father of all complications.’

‘Too soon friend.’

‘Too soon.’ He repeats making me laugh

We eat the rest of our food talking about different things, I tell him about my plans for the future. I don’t think I want to continue with makeup as a business in the future, not that there isn’t good money but I guess I just want a different direction all together for my life. With the money that Zac left me, I can do anything else.’

‘What do you want to do?’

‘Get into real estate.’

‘That’s sounds like a good idea.’

‘Am just not sure if I will be able to execute that, with the baby coming and the future of my marriage being bleak I don’t know how this will work.’

‘Once the baby is here everything will just flow don’t worry, I mean we are here to raise her.’

I smile.

‘About your marriage, now that’s your baby to take care of.’

‘I know. Some days I wake up and I want out other days I am not sure if I can survive on my own. There is this part in my heart that still believes that Thando is a good guy and we can make it work, but again I am scared of getting hurt.’

‘You have every right to be scared, I mean he did wrong by you. They all did. But what I can’t get around is why James involved himself with those people, I mean he has a good head on his shoulders but why would he do that?’

‘We will never know until we find out.’

I look at my phone when it starts ringing.

‘Let me take this.’ I say excusing myself

‘Hey what’s up.’

‘She’s gone Zara.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘My mum is gone.’ Thando says crying on the other end of the line

‘Oh my God, where are you?’

‘The hospital, we just came to have her checked and make sure she is safe to travel but I don’t know what happened.’

‘I am on my way.’ I say dropping the line

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏽‍♀️