TOO FAR TO REACH 16

 TOO FAR TO REACH

CHAPTER 16

Jeff was soon out of sight and I was left sitting right opposite the woman I once feared so much, Mrs. Cloud. Why did I fear her? You must ask. Well, firstly I just believed most men were good and women were problems as I saw it with my aunt. Secondly, I just thought she had an attitude but had soon softened up to me when she learnt how hard working I was. Mrs. Cloud dressed so well and she made sure her perfumes left lasting impressions, she was beautiful.

“How are you?” She greeted.

I smiled and respectfully responded “I am very fine madam” I said.

Mrs. Cloud had a moment to scan me with her eyes like she had never seen me before, she also had a smirk on her face almost like she was wondering what in the world made me think I would fit in to their family. However, Mrs. Cloud said none of that but instead asked me to choose what I wanted to eat from the menu before me. At that moment, a part of me felt so bad.

“How could you be so stupid Pumulo” I thought to myself.

Nonetheless, I scanned through the menu very well and of course I could only stomach Asian food so that is what I ordered. The waiter was standing before me taking the order when Mrs. Cloud cleared her throat and interrupted.

“Dear, take what you eat, you don’t need to impress me…”

I did not know if that was her being nice but it came out like an insult.

“I actually like this, it’s all I have been able to stomach since i…” I posed realizing that discussing the pregnancy would be inappropriate as I did not even know how she felt about everything.

“I .. I just like Asian food” I said.

She nodded her head and let me finish my order and when it was her turn, she ordered nshima to my surprise. She did not only order nshima but she ensured it would come with dry fish. I felt insulted again. I honestly had no idea why Jeff

thought this would be a good idea but I was beginning to hate it. It was not long after the waiter left that Mrs. Cloud asked me a very shocking question.

“Pumulo dear, so how much did Jeff give you to be convinced to bear him a child?… what was the motivation?” she asked.

I was so shocked that my mouth became stiff, I couldn’t speak. My eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

“you heard me…” she said,

“Madam I am not that type of woman” I said as I felt tears linger in my eyes.

“Which type are you Pumulo?” she asked.

I was so shocked that she could speak to me like this but even more shocked that she kept a straight face as she waited to hear what I would say.

“Madam Jeff and i…”

“Are from two different classes” she interrupted.

“I had a hard time accepting Mosha but I realize she was a much better option. If we are talking about class then yes, I think Mosha is better for my brother… I see you are trying to fit in.. asian cuisines and all.. no my dear, this world is different. Do you know how much money I invested into my brother to even be half of what he is today? That boy is very educated but I see he still wants to act like a boy… bedding all you black girls… so what am I supposed to do with two pregnant women?” she asked.

“Two pregnant women?” I asked in shock.

“Oh yes… Mosha is pregnant and I suppose your lover boy has been playing you two very well… well she is pregnant and I am sure he knows too… but that’s the least of my worries… how much? How much for this entire fracas to be over? She asked.

I swallowed hard again… this time my heart ached and I felt like my blood pressure was dropping slowly. Mosha was pregnant? How? How could this be?