บท 25: Mending the past
Alden stood outside a small house that was situated in one of the many shanty towns found in Durban. He knocked on the old door before placing his hands in his coat and waiting for a reply.
"Who's there," Enquired someone in Zulu which was probably the language spoken the most in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the province that was best known for its excellent beaches, safari parks, green hills, and vast sugar cane and banana plantations.
"It's Al, Is your sister around?" Alden replied in the same language. Although Alden was a coloured South African, his mother being part Indian and white and his father being from Zulu origins, he could speak Zulu quite well. His home language was English but at times he would communicate using Isizulu with his father.
"Oh! You're here? Where have you been?" The boy asked, surprised.
"Well, I have been quite busy, your sis around?" Alden replied as he tucked his hands in his coat. It was early evening and it was beginning to grow extremely cold.
"Yeah, I'll go call her," The little boy said, disappearing from his sight.
A second later she appeared. She wore an oversized T-shirt, track pants, socks, and slippers.
His angel, his precious, and his heart. She had been all those many things to him. There were a thousand more that could have described her but Alden was sure his heart would burst with emotion before he reached the hundredth one.
Alden lifted his head to face his past and spoke, mustering all the confidence he could.
"Hello, Precious."
~~~
"What are you doing here, Alden?" Precious asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Not replying to the greeting?" Alden asked, raising his brow.
Precious rolled her eyes and looked at him expectantly.
"Fine, fine, we need to talk. That's why," Alden said to her. Precious took a moment to think before heading back inside and coming out donning a green jersey.
"So?" Precious asked him.
"Let's go for a walk," Alden suggested.
"To where?" Precious questioned him.
"That tuck shop down the road, I am feeling for some sweets," Alden said turning around. Precious followed him.
"Okay, wait for me," Precious said catching up to him.
"So, how is University going for you?" Alden asked as they walked along the dirt road that led to the shop.
Around them, little boys could be seen playing among the sticks and the stones, older boys passed a ball around while the oldest ones just stood around discussing various topics. Thin dogs could be seen walking around, searching for food among the dirt, and women were outside their door, gossiping about who knows what. The men could be seen sitting outside bars with half-empty bottles discussing the latest Kaizer Chiefs FC diabolical. Even at this time, the place was extremely lively and Alden had quite liked coming down here.
"It's okay, and how has no university been going for you?" Precious asked as her teeth chattered from the cold.
"Okay, so far," Alden said with a light laugh.
"So? Why are you here?" Alden's ex asked looking up at him. Alden could see her shivering from the cold. Alden removed his coat and placed it around her shoulders. He had a jacket and a turtle neck underneath so he'd be fine.
"You know why I am here, what really happened? There is no person I know better than you, so why?" Alden asked, turning toward her.
Precious kept silent before finally speaking.
"I had to. You know the situation with Thabiso. He's been having a more difficult time lately. He had to go to school without lunch or a proper uniform, the transport costs got higher and it has just been too difficult to pay for all these with my part-time job," Precious replied, her head lowered as she spoke.
Alden understood. Her stepfather had left her mother after her half-brother was born. He claimed the child was not his and his mother had to pay for costs on her own. Her mother passed away a few years back, forcing Precious to start taking on the burden of the costs. Even then, her father refused to return. So while she tried her best to finish school and university so she could get a good job that paid higher so she could help her brother, the costs kept increasing, and her part-time salary was soon not enough. Even with the grant given by the government, it was still far from enough.
Alden nodded, "And so did Gustin take advantage of that?"
"He offered to help settle most of the costs but, I was the one who accepted," She paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm so sorry Al, I'm the one to blame."
"Don't worry about it, here is some tissue," Alden said as he handed a piece of tissue. "I'll help the kid finish school. I have quite a bit of money myself so it won't be difficult."
Alden raised his hand to stop Precious from protesting.
"Anyways, we're at the store, what do you want," Alden said, a smile on his face. He was going to pay for the boy's fee not because he wanted Precious back, no, he didn't want her back. At least not for now. At the stage he was in life, love was a distraction and brought him extra responsibilities which he did not want. He did it because he didn't want Precious doing anything with Gustin just for money. Furthermore, Thabiso had not chosen the type of life he would have. Thus, Alden wanted to help.
And after that, the night ended quite uneventfully, with both heading their separate ways but, this time, Alden did not forget anything.
He left behind no broken pieces because he had been mended.
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