Enhle eventually went back to the bedroom and found Manqoba still asleep. She bit her lower lip doubtfully before approaching him. He was hugging onto a pillow sleeping flat on his stomach. She climbed the bed and led her hands to his back, then sleeping on top of him. The touch grew into a hug and she sobbed ruefully. He raised his head with squinted lazy eyes, surprised at the what was suddenly weighing him down in his sleep. She let go and sat up awkwardly. He sighed and turned over so he lays on his back. He shut his eyes before opening then again to look at her.
"I'm sorry", Enhle apologized, twiddling with her thumbs. Manqoba bit the side of his lower lip and fixed his gaze.
"I'm willing to start from scratch. To try again", she went on and he sat up. Eyes tired, painful and heavy.
"I want to book us a weekend away so we can talk things through. I really--", Manqoba's phone began vibrating from the top of the pedestal, interrupting Enhle. He looked towards it before languidly picking it up. He swiped his thumb across the screen before placing it on his ear. Enhle sighed and looked away.
"Yebo?"
"Mm", he coolly agreed to whatever he was being asked.
"Hm?"
"Kuphi?"(Where?)
"Wenzani wena lapho?"(What are you doing there?)
"Okay mama ngiyeza"(I'm coming), he said and Enhle brought her face back to him. The only time she ever heard him saying "mama" to anybody is when he is talking to her. He cut the call and pulled his legs off the bed.
"Mbulazi", she softly called out.
"Hm?", he replied as he gathered the strength to stand, burying his face in both his hands.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes"
"When are we going to speak about this?"
"About what?"
She stood up from the bed and went round the bed to go kneel in front of him.
"Wenzan manje? Sukuma"(What are you doing now? Stand up), he pulled her teary self up with her hands clasped together.
"We will talk. Just not now. I don't have the energy", he let go of her and his feet led him to the shower. She wiped her tears with her mouth slightly open. She scratched her head and dropped her whole weight on the bed, frustrated.
...
"She's still not replying to your texts?", Melo asked a sullen Mxo after walking into the living room, drinking juice. He sat down next to him and Mxo switched off the television.
"I'm worried about her now"- Mxo
"Surely she's fine. Now that indaba ye morning after indlulile, how are you going to deal with her finding out about Zee?"(... the issue with the MAP has been dealt with...)
"Ey yabo leyo. My head is even hot"(See that one...), Mxo said and dropped the very hot head on the sofa.
"And also, her mother could walk in here any minute now"
Mxo was about to reply when his phone rang. He quickly answered it when he realized that Ndalo was calling.
"Baby! Uright?"
"Kuphi? Are you okay?"
"Okay I'm coming "
He dropped the hand with the phone and turned towards Melo.
"She knows?", Melo asked. Mxolisi shrugged and stood up to leave, after throwing on his black bucket hat in a hurry.
When he arrived at the ruins of the house they once met at, he placed himself on a rock under a tree, waiting for her. She finally arrived. He stood up to hug her and she hugged him back. He leaned in for a kiss but she pulled her face away. She broke the hug completely and took out her phone from the pocket of her jean skirt. She handed it to him and he asked,"What's going on?"
The expression that hung over her face wasn't mad neither was it happy.
"It's over Mxolisi", she finally said. He frowned.
"Over?"
"Yea"
"What do you mean? I'm sorry your mom had to beat you that hard because of me I--"
"What happened between you no Nele?", she interrogated. He gently held her by her wrists.
"Zanele was a mistake baby--"
"WHAT happened?", he was taxing her patience.
"Before I tell you, won't your mom be mad that you're here?"
"She's already mad and disappointed kyafana"
"Ndalo..."
She threatened with her eyes and he knew he had to start talking.
"Okay. Zanele and I met at Lungelo's 16th birthday. She was initially supposed to be Melo's but his girlfriend showed up without warning and I had to save his a**. One thing led to another and we ended up dating for a few weeks"
"Did you sleep with her?", she interrogated further and he momentarily dropped his eyes.
"Yes"
"Were you her first?"
He nodded in approval, biting his lower lip.
"So, I was just another Zee to you?"
"Ha ah baby. I told you I love you Ndalo and I meant every word. Please don't do this?"
"Sne is your main angithi? You just entertain yourself with us here then you go back to your real girlfriend"
"That's not true. I officially ended things with Sne after I met you. She and I are over baby", he explained and placed his hands on her cheeks. She looked away.
"I chose to ignore everything that's being said about you, believing that you actually love me. I had my doubts when she called when we were in the car but I still allowed you to make a fool out of me"
“Please believe me Ndalo I really do love you. You’re not Zanele. I know I was a jerk with her but that doesn’t mean I’ll treat you the same. Give me a chance to prove myself. Give me the benefit of the doubt.”, he begged and she shook her head.
“I don’t think I will ever be able to trust you Mxo. This won’t work. Also, the last time I saw my mother cry was after my dad died. I’ve hurt her. Badly. I don’t want her to give up on me like she did with my brother. I’d die. I made reckless decisions because I can’t think straight where you’re involved. There’s just a lot of reasons why we can’t work. If Nele finds out that I’m dating her man she’ll go crazy”
“I am YOUR man Ndalo nobody else’s!”
“If I knew you were her ex I wouldn’t have dated you. I don’t want to be that kind of friend”
“So in other words, you’re choosing her over me?”, he asked and she shrugged.
“Your reasons are not good enough for me. I’m not gonna watch myself lose you over nonsense”
She yanked her hands away from his grip.
“My mother’s tears are nonsense to you Mxo?”
“That’s not what I mean but I want you to fight for us Ndalo because I know I’d do the same. She is well within her right to be mad about this and I don’t blame her but she will see how serious I am about you as we grow”, he held her shoulders and gazed into her eyes intently.
She kept shaking her head in disapproval. He tried to kiss her but she drew her sad face back. He sighed.
“Ngiyak’thanda Ndalou. My daydreams are filled with imaginations of us as a married couple one day, of you heavily pregnant with my babies, of us travelling the world together. I want you in my life. BUT, if there’s one thing my father taught me when coming to women, it’s consent. I am not going to force you into anything you don’t want to do. Tell me now and forever that awungifuni and I’ll immediately leave you alone. In the short space of time we’ve known and spent with each other, I believe I never missed a chance to tell and show you how much I love you. If you refuse to see it, I am not going to over-explain myself ngikhuluma into eyodwa engapheli”(... now and forever that you don't want me... saying the same thing over and over again)
“Ndalo!”, an exasperated voice called out before charging to the two. Ndalo rolled her eyes at the boy Melo once rescued her from.
Mxo’s eyes reposefully moved from him to her. Then back to her.
“Ubusy uthi awujoli kanti uyafeba?!”(You keep saying you don't do relationships but you're out here being a whxre)
“Ngifeba nobani Sthe? Angizangi ngithi kuwe angijoli. Ngithe angikufuni!”(Who am I whxring with? I never said I don't date. I said I don't want you)
Mxo continued watching in silence.
“Kodwa uyayifuna le cheeseboy? Ngowakuphi yena lo?”(But you want this cheese boy. Where is he from anyway?), he scanned Mxo from top to toe before grabbing Mxo’s bucket hat and throwing it on the soiled and dusty ground. Mxo scoffed, taking a moment before picking it up and dusting it of the dirt.
“Ngithi ungubani Danone ? UNdalo ngowami hamb’ uyofuna eyakho icherry!”(I asked you who you are. Ndalo is mine go look for your own girlfriend), he stated before spitting on the ground and waiting for a reaction.
Mxo lost all of it and pushed him against the tree trunk. The rough surfaced collided with his back in a flash as Mxo strangled the disrespectful life out of him.
“Mxo no uzombulala!!”(You're gonna kill him!), Ndalo yelled and cried as she looked around to see if there wasn’t any elder to help. The streets were clean and uncaring.
“Ubiza ban ngoDanone? Unganginyeli ngoba awungazi angikwazi. Angaz uqhamukaph’ kodwa ngizok’posa back to the correct address ngempama eyodwa uyezwa?! Unganginyeli”(Who are you calling as Danone? Don't shxt on my head because you don't me just as much as I don't know you. I don't know where you come from but I'll post you back there with a single slap?), he hissed as Ndalo cried for him to let Sthembiso go.
“Hade mfethu. Hade bra”(Sorry bro), Sthe breathlessly tried to convey his apologies. Mxo dropped him when he remembered how he almost killed Mzwanele and Sthe coughed out.
He turned his sight towards a freaked out Ndalo and she handed the phone to him since she wanted to leave that approximate of a crime scene.
“U serious?”, he questioned with a straight face.
“She nodded as she sobbed her tears away”
He looked away and bit his lower lip in brown study.
“Take it or else ngizoy shiya phansi”(... I'll leave it on the ground), she threatened and he just looked at her blankly before extending his hand to take it. He turned to see what Sthe was up to and he was gone, he looked ahead and saw him walking away with his hand on his neck.
After Mxo took the phone, Ndalo distorted her lips regretfully before walking away.
“Ndalo!”, he called for attention and she kept walking.
“Ndalo!”, he called out again and she stopped before turning in his direction.
“This is it vele?”, he questioned and she nodded. He dropped his face and brought it back up again.
“Okay. Can I at least have one last hug?”- Mxo
She pursed her lip undecidedly before turning back to go fall in his open arms. He still had his hat in one hand and her(or his) phone in the other.
He held on to her tightly and she broke the hug after a moment too long.
“Bye Mxo…”
“Sharp…”, he voicelessly let out.
…
Betso was still trying to piece the dream together while waiting for Muzi to come back. She remembered that she saw Kgantsho in the dream but couldn’t remember the correct contents of that dream. She heard the door open and went into the kitchen to go meet him.
“Hey baby”, he greeted with a smile and placed the plastic bag on the counter. She hugged him before they shared a brief kiss. He tried to deepen it but she cut it short. She peeked into the bag and saw an oily brown paper bag encasing the full chicken. She also saw a tub of her favorite ice cream- Country Fresh, Blueberry flavored. She screamed and hugged him some more. He laughed and rubbed her chin adoringly. She was already indulging on the chicken when he informed that he was going up to freshen up.
“Going out?”, she asked as she settled down on the chair.
“Yeah Mandla, the guys and I are going to have a couple of drinks in Randburg”
“Okay baby. Please drive safely? And drink responsibly”, she said and he smiled before kissing her on the cheek.
“Ngizwile mkami”(Noted my wife), with that he left her singing along to the tune of the deliciousness of the chicken.
…
Manqoba arrived in Phosingwenya and waited at plaza as instructed by Sphesihle. He called to let her know that he’d arrived and that she should come. He continued to wait until he saw her approach. He opened the door for her from the inside. She hugged him and he hugged her back.
“You smell good”, she complimented and he gave her a faint, small smile.
“Thanks I guess”, he said and pushed the dangling strand of hair behind her ear, lovingly brushing her chin with his thumb.
“Let’s go”, she said and he sighed heavily before igniting the engine.
“You look tired. Did you get some sleep last night? Turn left”, she questioned with her light frown on her face. He shook his head and kept his eyes on the road as he drove with one hand over his mouth and another on the steering wheel.
“Why?”
“There was just a lot happening at the house”
“Being inkosi can’t be easy?”
“Yeah. It’s not”, he said as he took another corner. They shortly arrived at the rooms and he parked outside.
“No drive in. There’s always space for parking inside when the landlord is not here”, she said as she got out of the car to go unlock the padlock to the larger gate. She pushed it back with both hands as a means of opening it. It was a bit heavy so it needed the strength of both arms. He couldn’t help but admire lustfully at her behind in her short but not-so-short two-step frilly summer dress. It was just above her knees. Her brown legs were shiny and glowing. He reprimanded himself as he drove in. They were a decent set of rooms, painted in light brown with a touch of neat maroon, electric fencing and all. A few of her stay mates were seated on camp chairs having their booze on a chilled Sunday. He greeted them and they greeted back. He put his arms around Sihle’s waist as she walked in front him, marking his territory. They conversed lightly, sharing a laugh. One of the two ladies coughed and nudged the other, admiring Manqoba. The other one laughed silently and one of the guys seated with them shook his head nonchalantly with a little smile.
Sihle unlocked the burglar door and they walked in. She had left the wooden one on the inside slightly open. The smell of the citrus air freshener welcomed him first. The room was a typical feminine single room, just larger- fit for a working adult. The windows were open, allowing the curtain to fly freely in the fresh air. A sense of peace flew about in the room as well. Something that has grew unfamiliar to him.
“Make yourself at home”, she said to him as she went out with an empty bucket for water. He sat on the bed and took off his shoes. He then laid comfortably on his back, waiting for her to come back. To absolutely no intention at all, he fell asleep. His military green tracksuits contrasted badly against the color of her violet bedding.
When she came back, she found him in deep sleep. She smiled to herself and shook her head. She got down to cooking as she had initially planned, playing RNB, perfect for a Sunday.
When he eventually woke up, the sun was already setting and leaving for other parts of the world. She closed the window and he stood up from the bed.
“Morning sleepy head”, she teased and he laughed.
“What time is it?”, he questioned and stretched.
“7 am”, she continued and he laughed harder.
“I would’ve believed you if I was 8. Ikuphi itoilet laykhaya?”
“Step outside and walk straight to your right uzoy’bona ekugcinen”(You'll see it towards the end)
She said while packing away the dishes she had washed. He went out.
“You don’t enjoy staying at home?”, he questioned as he stood against the door with his legs crossed. She was dishing up. She turned briefly to look at him before she answered. She was busy slicing the dumpling.
“Not really. I used to stay here to be closer to my job. I can’t bring myself to let go of this place. We’re all family here”, she said with a warm smile.
He walked in.
“Bewusebenzaphi?”(Where were you working?)
“I was a manager at the Boxer store that just closed down”
“The one ePlaza?”
She nodded in agreement as she wiped the white small bowl for the stew. She combined her dumpling with meat on her plate but separated the two for Manqoba’s. She put the food on a tray and empty glasses then went to put them down on the small table in front of her double couch. He went over to sit as she fetched the juice and bowl of warm so he could wash his hands.
“This looks and smells good. Ngiyabonga mama”, he brushed and her held her hand. She smiled and asked if he prays for his food. He laughed and said no.
“Do you mind if I pray?”, she asked and she said, ”Not at all”, while washing his hands. She did as she requested. They then started eating after her ‘Amen’ officiated the end of the prayer. After she swallowed,
“I’m sorry for how I spoke to you the other day. It’s just—“, she was struggling to piece construct and together a sensible sentence. She dropped her hand down on her plate.
He stopped chewing and looked at her, concerned.
“What is it?”
“The whole thing brought back a flood of bad memories. I was drowning in them so bad that it made it difficult for me to think straight”, she confessed. He placed his plate down, wiped his hands and turned in her direction.
“Talk to me”, he said and took her hands in his.
“5 years ago, I was in a relationship with some guy…”
“Some guy?”
“Dumisane. Ngeke umazi”(You wouldn't know him)
"Dumisane who?"
"Mzobe"
“Okay. What happened?”
“We were happy initially. Until 8 months into the relationship when we were trying for a baby”, she explained and he listened attentively.
“We tried many times but I just wasn’t falling pregnant. He took me to a doctor and the doctor said he sees nothing with my womb or ovaries. Initially he thought I had ovarian cysts due to my paralyzing menstrual cramps but after tests , he said I was fine. Dumisane’s patience was wearing thin. He began emotionally--, verbally…”
“Emotionally verbally what Sihle?”, he questioned anxiously.
“He began saying stuff like I am barren because I did multiple abortions and I was being punished for it. He said he wouldn't marry me before I could give him a child. He called me loose and—“, she couldn’t bring herself to continue. She dropped a lone tear and he wiped it with his thumb.
“He eventually hit you?”, he questioned.
She turned her head to show him the scar she had at the back of her ear.
“Ikushaye ngani le mbungulu?”(What did this bustard hit you with?)
“A screwdriver. I was in hospital for two weeks”, she explained and wiped her consistently falling tears.
“I’d never lay a hand on you Sihle”, he stated and she never replied. He sighed and leaned in for a hug. She let all her bottled emotions rip and fell apart on his firm shoulder. He tightened the hug. Her music was still playing.
After a while, when she finally collected herself…
“I’m really sorry I wasn’t there to protect you”, he said in a raspy voice since he’d been quiet for a long time. She smiled and brushed her hair back.
Eugene Wilde’s ‘Gotta get you home tonight’ started playing.
“Woza”(Come), he prompted her to stand up so they dance.
“Hayi Mbulazi”, she said no reluctantly while laughing, but standing.
“You want to dance for the public but not for your husband?”
She shot out a laugh.
“…to be”
“Same difference. Yidonkey nehhashi. Six no nine. Konke k’yafana”(It's a donkey and a horse. Six and nine. They're all the same) he said as he held both of her hands and they danced. He made her twirl and she couldn’t stop laughing. They danced facing the same direction, his hands on both of hers over her stomach as Eugene excelled in setting the mood in the room. He turned her around and pulled her towards him closely, way too closely. She got completely lost in his gaze. He bit his smiling lower lip and she grew shy then dropped her eyes. He cupped her chin and brought her face back, leaning for a kiss to seal and wrap that intense moment in gold.
UNEDITED.