Chapter 3 The guard... the security guard

Melanie:

The ride back home, was fun. For my mother-in-law and her brothers, who sat on the seat before us and who occupied the front seats, it was more of a platform for them to catch up on the things they've missed out on each other's lives. I laughed several times at how their conversations were going.

"Sindi," the uncle in the driver's seat would gesture at her sister once in a while. "Don't lie to us little sister –" his eyes were red-rimmed with tears from all the laughing, and the whole car burst into laughter. "You knew that David was ugly from the first day you met him, let alone sleep with him."

She defended herself, but you could see that she too, wanted to laugh.

"We met at night dude. We met at a club and things turned out fine. We clicked like a house on fire."

"You went over and beyond."

"I can say the same about Lulu."

They laughed.

"Shame my wife's beautiful sis, I don't know why you resent her. She's a free-spirit that one. Ahh shame," he tutted. "Don't say that about my babe."

"Invite her over. You'll see why l don't want her."

"You want my wife to divorce me after you guys meet up? Sorry!" He threw his hands in the air. The uncle on the passenger's side joined in.

"You're making Sindi sound like a bad influence in our family Sbu that's not fair. That's blacklisting."

Sindu chortled.

"Wrongful arrest my brother."

"Oh so you too are ganging up on me huh? Fine. I'll invite her over, and you, Sambulo, make sure my wife never leaves me. Neutralize the conversation please, and bring Rene over. It's been a while since we sat down like this you know, mom and dad are probably turning on their graves because it feels like we've deserted them in a way."

"That's true, my brother. I think they're also trying to reach out to us in a way because l found mom's blouse on top of my bed the other day. I was surprised to find it there, so l asked Rene about it. She said she found it in a ditch outside. That broke my heart," Uncle Sambulo added. Shame, poor man, you could hear the hurt in his voice.

"We should go visit them some day," Sindi beckoned. "That will also make our lives easier. My brothers, my finances!" She clapped her hands.

"You and me, same What's app group my sister. Lulu is the sole bread winner at home l don't want to lie. Remember l told you about that case, Sambulo?" That was uncle Sbu.

"Yeah," Sambulo nodded.

"No, fill me in guys," –Sindi.

"My little sister. Things have been bad. I caught some guys stealing from the company, little did l know someone had already alerted the police about this. I was at the right place, wrong time, because from where l was standing, the police came in that direction, but those thugs managed to run away. I was caught red handed. They investigated the case, because l was innocent. I wasn't going to go to jail for something l didn't do."

"You were innocent indeed imagine what would have been of Lulu and your kids," that was Sindi.

"Yes, you see what I'm talking about sister?"

We were making a turn past a golf course, and entering a group of houses. Estates. Interesting.

"During that course, I lost my job. The case is still pending. I've applied to other companies, with zero luck."

Sbu parked the car outside a very big, and beautiful house. We had arrived!

"Care coming in for a cup of tea?" Sindi offered as the car came to a standstill. Things have been awfully quiet in the backseat, where my husband and l were seated. He didn't even talk to me. All throughout this journey to his house, he has been looking at his phone, typing things down, receiving calls, serious calls, and once in a while smiling to himself when he got the texts he received from whoever he was talking to over the phone. All along l was silent, listening to the conversation my mother in law and her brothers were engaging in. They kept me from overthinking. They kept me entertained.

"Okay. Let's..." Sbu was about to say when his phone rang.

"Haw... where is it ringing from?"

"The dashboard, uncle."

All eyes turned to the backseat. Even Sizwe gave me a cold stare. His mother's was even worse. I was the one who responded.

"Thank you, makoti."

Makoti means daughter-in-law in our language. That's what most people referred to me as these few hours since the lobola negotiations were finalized.

He answered his phone.

"Mhlengi's mother..." He smiled when he heard himself say that. I wondered how long he had been married. He was still happy in his marriage. You could see how he talked about his wife that she made him truly happy. I wondered if l would ever feel like that in my marriage.

He listened on.

"Hello, baby."

Silence.

"I'm good, how are you my love?"

My mother in law sighed, and opened the door so she could exit.

"These lovebirds could talk the whole day," she gestured to Sambulo and they chortled.

"Their conversation could also get pretty..." He eyed his sister and they both laughed.

"Don't even say it, brother. Are you coming in?"

He shook his head.

"I miss my wife, sis. But I promise, we'll pass by soon, and we'll talk over the phone."

They shared a brief hug.

"I'll miss you too," Sindi said. "Let me call this guard to help us with the bags."

Sambulo nodded, making his way to the garage. Sbu finally got out of the car. I was also standing outside, near the boot.

"Hey, guards! Ndumiso! Ndumiso!" She yelled as she went towards the gate.

"Ma..." A guy came out of the little house by the gate.

Oh crap! Ndumiso looked so yummy. He was a light medium skinned dude, skinny, tall, with curly hair and beautiful, pink lips. Shit.

"Bring those bags in. I'm so tired son, I would've helped you with them. No, we have a new makoti there. She's standing near the boot. She'll help you with them."

"Yes ma. It's nice to see you again."

Sindi smiled. She yelled to me.

"Melanie!"

"Yes, ma!"

"Help Ndumiso out with the bags, okay!"

"Yes mama."

Ndumiso opened the gate wide. Sambulo was driving out. He rolled down the window. I guess he had left his car here when they were coming to the village.

"We'll talk over the phone sis. I love you."

"Love you!"

He hit the hooter and all of us waved him goodbye. All of us, except, like always, Sizwe. He was leaning against his car, his shades on, looking at his phone. I didn't like his attitude. How was l going to cope with him?

As Ndumiso, with his curly hair of different shades of brown, walked towards the car, Sbu finished speaking over the phone and went to speak with his sister. They were inside the yard.

"Greetings."

I melted a million times. He flashed his smile at me. I couldn't help but blush. I wish Sizwe wasn't here.

"Sure, brother." That was Sizwe.

I glanced at him. Brother?

"Welcome to the Dlamini family, Mrs?" He stretched out his hand, and l welcomed it.

"Melanie."

He smiled.

"Beautiful name."

I blushed. Sizwe cleared his throat. I doubt he was even listening. His mind was preoccupied. Hell, l doubt he even knew my name.

"The luggage is in the boot."

Ndumiso nodded and opened the boot.

"Is the car going in?" He asked. Sizwe nodded. He closed the boot.

He got inside the car, and drove it inside. He parked it near the door. Sbu exited the house.

"I'll see you guys on Friday. Ndumi, please take me home."

"Alright uncle."

Ndumiso unloaded my bags off the boot and was about to hand them to Sizwe when he plainly looked at him and shook his head. He gave them to me.

"I'm sorry for this. I'll make it up to you."

"You don't have to. It's okay."

He looked at me one more time and went inside the car.

"Bye fellas!" Sbu said as he left and l waved him goodbye. Ndumiso closed the gate as soon as he was outside the yard, and drove away. Sizwe snatched my bags.

I looked at him.

"Go home, rural rat. You don't belong here."

He clicked his tongue and threw the clothes in the air. When gravity took its honors, he kicked them all over the lawn, stamping on some, and l watched in horror as dirt began to fill my clothes. He clicked his tongue.

"I hate you already."

He left me standing there, and walked to the front door. He shut the door closed.

What the hell?