Broken

*6*

Thabile came back late in the night and Mo had just put Aphiwe to bed in the portable crib she kept for her goddaughter's visits. She heard a car pull into her driveway and because Tebatso had picked Thabile from her house, she guessed that that was his car coming to drop her friend off. She peeped through the window and indeed it was them.

Tebatso had on a grey shirt with black slacks as well as matching shoes while Thabile was dressed in a full-length black off-shoulder figure hugging dress which showed her assets to their fullest. Tebatso was saying something which was making Thabile laugh and Mo smiled to herself for her friend looked more radiant and happier than before. She expected Tebatso to make a move on Thabile but he kept a small distance from her which Mo found as odd. Her friend was the one who made the move and she kissed Tebatso slightly on the lips.

"Mo nke uena mogirl, (get him, girl)," Mo laughed as she continued peeking.

Tebatso pulled away and gave Thabile a small smile. Then he said goodnight, got into his car and drove off as Mo quickly jumped onto the couch and pretended to be busy on her phone.

She heard the front door opening and a second later, a blushing Thabile came into the living room. She threw herself beside Mo.

"So what happened in my driveway? I heard you pull up but it was a while before you came in."

Thabile's grin almost reached her ears. "I know you weren't on your phone. U rata litaba hampe (you don't mind your business)," she giggled. "Anyway, we went to the most amazing show. Some guy called Mopeli Thienyane was playing the sax and I've never been so in love. After that I thought we were gonna go to some fancy and ridiculously expensive restaurant but guess where he took me?"

"KFC?" Mo shrugged.

"To his house, bish!" Thabile yelled triumphantly. "He cooked me a 3 course meal and girl... that man knows how to prep a meal! And he looked so hot doing it... I couldn't look anywhere else but him."

"And you didn't take the opportunity to have him all to yourself? Get a piece of that goody goody?"

"I don't do that on the first date, hoe. And this could turn into something that's real, you know? I'm a soon-to-be divorcee and he's already one-I mean it shouldn't just be a one night thing, right? He's a gentleman and I really like him."

Mo's brow furrowed. "Look, I'm really happy for you and all but please don't jump into this with both feet. Take your time to get to know Tebatso better-I mean...i don't want go see you getting hurt."

Thabile smiled. "I know you have my best interests at heart but I'm a big girl. I can handle it sweety."

As Mo smiled weakly, she really wondered if Thabi could handle it. Thabi had had two boyfriends before she met her husband and he was the only man she had known for the past 10 years. Was she ready for all this and Mo didn't like Tebatso much because she thought he was stuck up. But on the bright side of things, he was a challenge for Thabile and Thabile enjoyed challenges which would help her get over her divorce. Maybe Tebatso Makoa was alright.

The following day after Thabile and Aphiwe had left, a call came through for Mo.

She stared at her screen. "Private number?" she whispered before answering. "Hello?"

"Amohelang Leballo?" a resonant voice said at the end of the receiver.

"Who wants to know?"

The man laughed. "This is Tebatso Makoa. I wasn't sure if I had the right number."

Mo frowned. "Is there a problem? And also this is my personal phone which brings me to my other question, where did you get this number? And I mean all this with all due respect, Mr Makoa."

"I...look... I stole it from Thabile's phone. I'm planning to surprise her with another dinner and I was wondering if you could help me. I don't know what she likes to eat or drink so..."

The doorbell rang and Mo quickly said, "Hold on," then went to the door. "Can we talk later please? I have an unwanted guest."

Rea stood at the door with a small cake in his hands and a smile on his face. "Make up? " he said.

"What are you doing back here? I thought I told you to leave." Mo was agitated. "Aphiwe is my godchild and you had the nerve to call her a thing. Take your no-good cake and your no-good ass off my property."

"I'm sorry, OK? It was wrong of me to call the little girl that and I promise I will learn to accept her. I'm sorry."

"Rea, what exactly do you want in my life? Why are you here? Why are you back?"

"I told you that I started a Tech business and I'm here for good now. I want us to start over, Amo, OK? I promise I'll try to be a better man but I want to make it up to you for all those times I was away. I apologise and..." Rea put his lips on hers and Mo knew that he had her. Why did she fall for this douche? Why did she keep letting him back when he was such an ass?

"Do you love me, Rea?" she whispered as Rea placed the cake on the counter beside the door and put his arms around her. He touched his forehead to hers and kissed her slowly until he felt her go weak in the knees.

"I would do anything for you, Amo." He took her in his arms and led her to the lounge where he proceeded to lay her on the carpet and unbuttoned the shirt she was wearing. Mo closed her eyes and savored the moment as Rea trailed kisses all over her body.

When Mo later opened her eyes, Rea was laying beside her, smiling. "You look so beautiful," he said as he trailed his fingers across her shoulder.

"Thank you," Mo blushed. "I hope what just happened isn't a thing that's just gonna end here. I am going to let you back into my life and just pray that you don't break my heart again because I will kill you, Rea, if you're just here to have your fun with me then discard me like a used Chappies."

Rea pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "I'm for real this time. I am turning 36 in a week and time for games is over. I'm ready to settle down which is why I want to tell you everything."

Mo lay on his chest. "Go ahead."

"After I left, I went to Barbados and there, I got to sell a certain software I had created for a lot of money which I invested in buying shares at this upcoming British Tech company-BlackDot. Hence all of this flashy stuff."

Mo smiled. "I'm proud of you. Making a name for yourself and an honest living...I'm so glad."

Rea suddenly sighed. "In Barbados, I met someone and we... stuff happened..."

Mo got off his chest as quick as lightning. "And you came to me because you were bored. Typical Rea." Tears welled in her eyes as she stood up.

"That's not it, Mo. I just wanted to tell you that...that I have a son."

Mo stared at him with disbelief. She tried to speak but words failed her.

"He's 2 months old and he lives in Barbados with his mom. I am telling you these because I don't want any secrets between us. I want us to start on a clean slate because you're the only woman for me, Amo."

"You have a son? And yet you treated Aphiwe like she had a plague or something." When Mo blinked, a tear rolled down her cheek. "Are you happy to be a father?"

"I guess but this was all not planned. But Corey is a beautiful little thing and I'm happy that he's here."

"Then what was with your attitude with Phiwe?"

"I don't have a problem with Aphiwe. It's her mom that I don't like and I'm sorry that I projected that onto her when she didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm going to take a shower. There's food in the fridge. " Mo left. As she showered, she couldn't help but cry.