THE INCARCERATED STRANGER

 

Chapter 7

 

RILEY

 

She gets to work and greets her fellow lawyers in the firm, exchanging friendly smiles and quick hellos. As she heads to her office, her colleague and friend, Pari, follows closely behind. 

“How are you, lover?” Pari asks, her tone light but concerned. She sighs, placing her work bags on the desk before taking a seat.

“I’m okay, lover. You?” she replies, forcing a smile.

“I’m okay,” Pari says, but there’s a hint of knowing in her voice. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” Pari asks gently. Sometimes she forgets how well Pari knows her, how easily she can see through her facade. They’ve been close for years, from the same university to working in the same law firm together—though Pari isn’t a lawyer, she plays a crucial role here.

“It’s my mother. She called this morning,” she admits.

“Let me guess, she was asking for money!” Pari says with a knowing glance. She nods in response; Pari understands all too well how her mother gets under her skin and manages to unravel her.

“You know what’s funny? It’s the fact that I’m a lawyer. I can stand up for my clients; I can stand up for myself against anyone. But I can’t do that with my mother, Pari. Uyandizala loya Mfazi; she birthed me. It’s hard to stand up for myself with her—she has power over me. I don’t understand why she has to be so hard on me like I’m not her daughter,” she says, her voice breaking as tears well up in her eyes.

Without hesitation, Pari gets up and walks over to her, pulling her into a tight hug. The warmth of the embrace envelops them both, offering comfort in the midst of the storm swirling inside.

 She sinks into the hug, feeling Pari’s warmth and strength wrap around her like a shield. The tears spill over, and she allows herself to cry, releasing the pent-up frustration and heartache that have been building for so long.

“I just don’t get it,” she murmurs, her voice muffled against Pari’s shoulder. “Why can’t she see me for who I am? I’ve worked so hard to get here, to be independent. But every time she calls, it feels like I’m that scared little girl again.”

Pari pulls back slightly, looking her in the eyes. “You’re not that little girl anymore. You’re a fierce lawyer, you’ve built a life for yourself. It’s okay to set boundaries, you know? You don’t have to carry her burdens on your shoulders.”

“I know,” she replies, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “But there’s this guilt that creeps in. Like if I don’t help her, I’m failing as a daughter.”

Pari nods knowingly. “Guilt is a tough one to shake off. But remember, you’re not responsible for her happiness. You have your own life to live.”

Taking a deep breath, she tries to absorb Pari’s words. “It’s just so complicated. She raised me, but sometimes I feel like she doesn’t even really know me.”

“Maybe it’s time to show her who you are,” Pari suggests gently, her voice steady and soothing. “Have an honest conversation with her. Let her know how you feel.”

“I have tried to do that for years, Pari. I really have tried,” she says, her voice breaking as the tears spill down her cheeks. “But I fail to address it because she lashes out at me. That’s what she does when I try to talk to her about the things she says when I tell her I can’t send them money.” She sobs, Pari brushing a comforting hand along her back.

“It really hurts, Pari. The fact that she treats me this way while my sisters and brothers are treated differently. She doesn’t insult them like she does to me.” Her voice trembles as the pain spills out.

“I’m so sorry, friend. I’m really sorry,” Pari replies, blinking away her own tears. It breaks her heart every time she sees her friend cry because of her mother. How can some mothers be so cruel? Just because Riley works hard and earns money doesn’t give anyone the right to demand it constantly.

Pari clenches her fists, feeling a surge of anger on behalf of her friend. She hates Riley’s mother for this and thinks about the day she finally meets her. Oh, she has so much to say—so much that needs to be said.

“Listen,” Pari says softly but firmly, “you deserve better than this. You shouldn’t have to feel guilty for standing up for yourself.”

Riley nods, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand but unable to shake off the heaviness in her heart. “I know you’re right, but it’s hard.”

“I get it,” Pari reassures her, pulling Riley into a tighter embrace. “You’re not alone in this fight, okay? We’ll figure it out together.”

Riley takes a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Pari’s support surrounding her like a protective shield. In this moment, she knows she has someone who understands—not just the struggle but the strength it takes to confront it.…

“So, tell me what do you want me to order for you?” Pari asks, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

“Pizza! You know I love it,” Riley replies, her face lighting up at the thought.

Pari giggles, shaking her head. “I asked on purpose! I knew very well you would want pizza.” She pulls out her phone and starts placing the order for both of them, excitement bubbling in the air as they anticipate their breakfast feast.

As she taps away, Pari glances up, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “So, about what you said you would tell me—what happened at the mall?” She leans in closer, ready for the juicy details about the encounter that left Riley feeling threatened in the parking lot.

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As the clock strikes five, she gathers her things, the familiar sound of papers rustling and the soft clinking of her pen against her laptop. The day has finally come to a close. She glances around the office, noting that most of her colleagues are still huddled in meetings or buried in paperwork. 

Pari has already knocked off, and a small pang of envy tugs at her heart. Sometimes she craves the simplicity of Pari's job, where hours seem to melt away into early evenings filled with freedom. Lawyers, with their endless responsibilities and demanding clients, often find themselves tethered to the office long after the sun sets.

As she steps out into the cool evening air, she reflects on the nature of her work. Sure, there are clients who come to her with cases that feel trivial or unnecessary—issues that could be resolved with a simple conversation rather than a courtroom battle. Others are more serious, requiring her skill and expertise to navigate through complex legal waters. It’s a lot to juggle, but she thrives on the challenge.

She loves this work of hers—the thrill of unraveling intricate legal puzzles and standing up for those who need representation. When it comes to big cases, that’s where she truly finds her passion; it’s like a fine wine that invigorates her spirit. The weight of responsibility is heavy, but each victory fuels her desire to fight for justice.With a determined smile, she walks toward her car, thoughts swirling about the cases ahead and the strategies she wants to explore. She relishes the moments when she can dive deep into complex legal arguments and emerge victorious; they’re like exhilarating sips from her favorite drink—intense and fulfilling.As she drives away from the office, she can't help but feel grateful for the path she's chosen. Despite the late hours and challenging clients, this is where she belongs. And maybe one day, she'll find a balance between work and play—perhaps even snagging some early knock-offs like Pari! But for now, she's ready to tackle whatever comes next with enthusiasm and determination.

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MANGALISO

 

He’s been staring at the papers for what feels like hours, the legal terms swirling in his mind like a whirlpool of confusion. His eyes dart across the lines, but they refuse to settle into anything coherent. Fatigue pulls at him, and he feels that familiar sense of dread creeping in, reminiscent of those late-night study sessions before a big exam, where he crammed every note until his brain threatened to overflow.

With a frustrated sigh, he reaches for the glass beside him, hoping for a refreshing sip of water to clear his mind. But as he lifts it to his lips, he finds it empty. “Great,” he mutters under his breath, setting it down with a thud. He glances over at the jug on the counter—also empty. The realization makes him groan as he pushes himself up from the table.As he walks to the sink, he can feel the weight of the court appearance looming closer, pressing against his chest. He knows he needs to be sharp and ready; every detail matters now more than ever. But first, water. He fills the jug, letting the cool liquid flow and splash against the sides before pouring himself a generous glass. The refreshing taste is just what he needs to momentarily shake off the weariness.

Returning to his chair with a newfound resolve, he takes a deep drink before setting the glass down and staring at the papers again. His thoughts drift back to last night—those phone calls with people he trusts had gone surprisingly well. The relief that washed over him when they assured him that his lawyer was being watched and protected was palpable. He had needed that reassurance, especially knowing how much was at stake.

He smiles faintly at the thought of how careful they were being; no one could let Miss Qwane catch wind of her guard. It was vital that she remained unaware of the shadows that followed her every move. A sense of pride wells up within him—he’s not just sitting here helplessly; he’s taking action to ensure their safety.

With renewed determination, he leans closer to the papers again, focusing on each word as if they hold the key to unlocking his future. He knows that preparation is everything; if he can get through this, maybe there’s hope on the other side. He takes a deep breath, steadies himself, and dives back into the legal labyrinth before him, ready to face whatever comes next with a clearer head and a stronger heart.

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