SOMEWHERE IN FRANCISTOWN
Huney's POV
Me: I knew you were not a saint. After all, you are Hun Whale.
I said, casting a sidelong glance at my brother. I was at his place, a stranger in what once felt like home. It had been over a week since Royalty had vanished from this house, and not once had he bothered to pick up the phone and ask if I had seen her. Who does that?
*Hun:* What do you mean?
*Me:* Does your father and elder brother know what kind of man you are?
*Hun:* Stop talking nonsense and tell me what you want.
*Me:* Well, I suppose everything seems just fine when your snake of a wife is right beside you. You two complement each other, you know—like a pair of mismatched socks that somehow still make a statement.
*Puleng:* Eeeh eeh eeh! You can't just waltz into my house to insult me. Leave, or else...
*Me:* ...or else what? You'll chase me out like you did the real owner of this house?
She fell silent, her eyes flickering from me to her husband as if seeking strength in his presence.
*Me:* I thought as much. Here are some documents I was asked to drop off for you, dear brother. Please sign them and deliver them to this lawyer at the address indicated. Have a nice life.
*Hun:* What are these documents for?
*Me:* Open them and see for yourself, man. I don't have all day.
I said, turning on my heel and walking out of the house.
Upon arriving at my place, I was greeted by a familiar sight—Ralph standing at my door.
*Me:* What the hell! I thought...
*Ralph:* I came to take you to the doctor.
*Me:* For what? You said you didn't want this baby, Ralph!
I exclaimed, unlocking the door and stepping inside, with him trailing closely behind.
*Ralph:* Yes, I don't want it, which is precisely why I'm taking you to the doctor.
*Me:* I don't understand.
*Ralph:* You have to abort this thing. I don't leave unfinished business. What if it comes back to bite me in the future? Never! I can't have that.
*Me:* Please tell me you're joking.
*Ralph:* Do I look like someone who came here for jokes?
*Me:* Oh, I see. Don't worry; you can leave my house and don't look back. Nothing will come back to bite you in the future. Your future is secure, man.
*Ralph:* You think I'm stupid, huh? I don't want your crazy mother coming after me and your whore of a brother...
*Me:* Hooo hoo, what the... where is all this coming from?
*Ralph:* Oh, you haven't seen the posts. (Chuckling) Well, let me not call it a rumor, because social media has it covered.
*Me:* What?
*Ralph:* That he married a village girl and is now divorcing her after going back to his whore, Puleng. I mean, they really deserve each other; after all, he's also a manwhore.
*Me:* Get out of my house. Now!
I said, shoving him out and slamming the door shut, locking it with a sense of finality. I rushed to my handbag, fished out my phone, and opened Instagram. The first thing I saw made my heart plummet—the story.
*ARTICLE:* Tragedy strikes as it comes to light that the one and only business tycoon, Hun Whale, has been married for two years to a village girl, whom he just divorced after reuniting with our girl, "The Puleng."
*Me:* Oh my God.
I delved into Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter, only to find that this scandal was the talk of the town. Everyone was buzzing about it. I switched off my phone as messages began flooding in, each one a reminder of questions I had no answers to.
I was already stressed with this pregnancy. What was I going to do? I wasn't worried about taking care of my baby; I had everything I needed—except my parents. The thought of humiliating them when the truth came out was unbearable.
For now, I was safe; my secret was still tucked away. But how could anyone hide a pregnancy until the day of birth? It was impossible, as it grew by the second. I sank down onto my couch and began to cry. My father might brush aside the whispers of the world, but my mother? She would rain down insults as if I had committed the gravest sin.
---
I took a deep breath, grabbed my phone, and called Van after a few minutes of tears streaming down my face. I dialled his number, but he didn't answer. Determined, I tried again, and this time, he picked up.
*Me:* Brother, did you see the blog?
*Van:* Yes, I did.
*Me:* Did Royalty leak this to the media?
*Van:* How could you even think that, Cuddles?
*Me:* I'm just asking, brother. It doesn't make any sense. I never showed anyone those papers, and I don't think...
*Van:* And you think Tee is capable of doing that?
*Me:* I never said that.
*Van:* Come to the surgery.
*Me:* I have work in three hours.
*Van:* Then you better get here in twenty minutes; that's when I'll be done checking my patients.
*Me:* Okay, brother.
I hung up the phone and hurried to take a quick shower. Once I was finished, I changed into something warm since the chill in the air hinted at the winter's approach. I gathered my work belongings and left my house, the weight of my worries pressing down on me like a heavy blanket.
When I arrived at the surgery, I found Royalty peacefully asleep, so I settled in beside her, grateful for the quiet moment.
"Oh, you're here already!" Van said as he walked over, and at the sound of his voice, Royalty began to stir.
*Me:* "Hey."
*Van:* "Hey, you okay?"
*Royalty:* "I think so. Huney?"
*Me:* "I'm supposed to be asking you how you are today."
*Royalty:* "I'm okay, but you don't look okay at all."
*Me:* "I'm fine."
*Van:* "How about I talk to you outside before you leave for work?"
*Me:* "Sure, I'll come see you, babe, before I go."
*Royalty:* "Sure."
I followed Van to his office, my mind heavy with fatigue as I plopped down in a chair. I was exhausted just thinking about going to work in this state.
*Me:* "Yes?"
*Van:* "Turns out there was a nurse who overheard my conversation with Royalty, and she leaked the news."
*Me:* "And she really spiced it up. It's the blog of the year, really. Why did—"
*Van:* "I'm coming."
He dashed out of his office and returned with a nurse in tow. I exchanged glances between them, dread creeping into my stomach.
*Me:* "Please don't tell me she's the one."
*Van:* "Well, unfortunately, she is."
*Me:* "Damn, lady, your blog is sizzling. Why did you choose to become a nurse, though?"
*Nurse:* "What do you mean?"
*Me:* "What I mean is exactly that. You could have been a journalist; you're really good at it! Maybe even better than you are at being a nurse."
*Van:* "Really, Cuddles?"
*Me:* "What? I'm just pointing out that she chose the wrong career. She has a knack for spicing up stories—basically, she's a better journalist than the experienced ones."
---
I said taking out my cout and wear it with a cunning smile looking at this nurse.
Van: That's nasty.
Me: At least take your time and ask some of us what you have to think of before you choose a carrier. Ypu better pray my mother doesn't find who did all this nonsense because trust me, that lady turns into a dragon when it comes to her sons other than when it comes to her daughter.
Van: I dont think the last part was necessary, though.
Me: You think so?
Van: You know what, leave.
He said referring to the nurse, and she left running terrified. I just laughed my lungs out.
Van: You also chose the wrong carrier.
Me: What!
Van: Yeah, you should have become an actress and not a nurse.
Me: What the...ypu don't know what you are talking about. Bye, let me go and see my sister.
I left him standing there and as soon as I arrived in Royalty's room he also arrived.
Me: broe, why can't you give us some privacy.
Van: My bad, I thought it was now her checkup time.
Royalty: Sure, but can I talk to her for 2 minutes.
Van: Sure.
Van left, and I looked at Royalty, she looks drained and tired, anything you could say to someone who had nothing left in her.
Me: How are you?
Royalty: Can I be honest?
Me: sister to sister, yeah, sure.
Royalty: I don't know.
Me: You can't give up now, sis. You have come a long way.
Royalty: I'm trying, but it seems like there is no tiny strength left in me.
Me: Oh God.
*To be continued...*
*STAY TUNED*