“You want me to talk? Now I talk,” I said, pain heavy in my chest. Wringing out every shred of strength left in me. “I’m not your Zioh, Tshabina.” My voice broke. “The one who kept you safe, did what you wanted, cooked your favourite food, stayed with you, taught you things, made you happy.”
My breath stuttered, sobs tearing from my lungs. “I’m not your hero anymore.”
Tshabina trembled harder, crying into me. “Zioh…”
I held her tighter, burying my head in the curve of her neck and inhaling her warmth, clinging to herpresence.“Not until I’ve found a way out of this darkness, Tshabina,” I rasped, firm despite the break in my voice.
“Find a way to see you the way you are again.”
Open your eyes. She is a traitor.
Drawing back, I searched her with my eyes, letting my resolve speak through them. “I’ll come back to you.”
“Zi—”
“I know it’s much to ask… But please trust me.” I pleaded, gripping her shoulders with my shaky hands. “Wait for me, Tshabina. I’ll find a way… I will heal, I promise.”
Even if it took crossing every line.
Even against my father and Cindy.
With or without my brothers.
This time, I’d keep my promise.
I’d return to her whole.
I pulled something from my wallet. My hands trembled as I opened it and showed her the broken object. Tshabina’s eyes widened, her shoulders trembling as her sobs swelled. She looked from the object back to me, her eyes brimming. “Since I was four, seeing you beam and bounce around in your pink dress,” I said, holding her gaze. “I knew my heart would always belong to you.”
I cupped her face, needing to touch her to make herhearme. “I don’t know how to be anything but yours, baby.” I poured my heart out and pressed my lips to hers. I whispered against our lips, “Only for you and only you.”
« -- * -- »
Dawn had broken, and now we were soaking together in the bathtub. I washed her hair while she sat across my lap, rinsing out the foam until the beautiful black of her hair showed again. Our lips kept finding each other—over and over, nothing could ever be enough.
Her warm body rested against mine in the steaming water, and she hummed under her breath. However, I couldn’t resist pressing kisses to her neck, cheek, forehead, and lips—slow and deliberate, nothing wasted.
Peace surrounded us, and we surrendered to it together. Her calm voice drifted to me as I ran the sponge down her back. “Can I ask a question?”
I smiled, brushing my hand along her shoulder before kissing it. “You can ask anything.” I wasn’t sure I could answer everything yet—but I would one day, love.
She hummed again, then spoke without turning her head. “If you could choose one One Direction song that makes you remember me the most, which one would it be?”
I laughed. Clever girl. Such a gentle way to open up a conversation—she was always so gifted at that. A melody from the back of my mind surged to the surface. The one that had always lingered in my heart. “Strong,” I murmured.
She tilted her head, her brow arching.
I smiled. “Every time I hear it,”and I had, countless times these past years, on repeat,“it’s only your face I see.”
Tshabina’s smile softened, her eyes glistening beautifully. “You still remember?”
I kissed her cheek until it gleamed. “I still remember?” I whispered in her ear. “How could I ever forget you,Tshabina?”For the past ten years, the only thing that has kept me here has been the memory of you.
Her smile widened, radiant, too beautiful not to kiss. I gently kissed that beauty, and she turned her gaze forward again.
Her soft voice returned, quieter this time, almost cautious. “When I came to your penthouse… I saw them.” She flicked a glance my way. “The sketches of you. And of me.” Her eyes lingered on mine. “The ones you drew of me.”
Her voice trembled. “Out of all those people you sketched, only mine had color. Why?”
