Chapter 2 Insert 2

MMELI

He joined his family in the main house where he had his breakfast.

His mother, MaNjinji was seated across him with his nephew on her lap, Salusiwe.

His brother walked in followed by his wife and sat down after greeting them.

Sqalo: Bafo, I didn't see you last night.

Mmeli: I arrived late.

Sqalo: I see. The uncles are coming tomorrow, we need to sort out the sleeping arrangements.

Bongi: I will come back early and clean the...

Mmeli: The wedding is off.

He took a long sip on his tea and leaned back ignoring the stares on him. Sqalo scoffed in disbelief and brought his hands together trying to wrap his head around the bomb he just dropped on them.

MaNjinji: What do you mean the wedding is off?

Mmeli: Exactly that mother. Thabile and I broke up.

MaNjinji: Is there another woman?

Mmeli: No. I don't want to get married anymore.

Sqalo: Since when?

He narrowed his eyes at him, what kind of question was that? What answer was he expecting? He scanned his eyes across the table and sighed realising that everyone was waiting for an answer.

Mmeli: I just don't okay?

MaNjinji wiped Salusiwe's mouth and placed him on the floor allowing him to crawl away from them. She didn't want him to witness what was going on.

MaNjinji: What are the Baleni's going to think of us?...Why are you embarrassing the poor child like that?

Mmeli: Mama.

Sqalo: Don't say ma Mmeli! You're being childish right now. The date has been set, we're paying lobola next week for this woman.

Mmeli: Bafo I'm not a child. Don't treat me like one. Why must I be tied to marriage I do not want?

Sqalo pinched his nosebridge feeling his anger build up. His calmness was fueling his anger even more. In a way it made him feel stupid, the matter was serious but here he was, unbothered. Typical of him, he was never gonna grow up.

Sqalo: Are you gambling again?...Is that the reason you called everything off?

Mmeli:(offended) Wow! That's low even for you. Why must you always assume the worst of me?

Sqalo: Because that's the only thing you're good at!....When will you grow up and start acting like an adult?

Mmeli: I don't expect you to understand.

Indeed he wasn't expecting them to understand. His reasons only made sense in his head and he wasn't going to tell them to the world.

Sqalo: I can't believe this!

He sighed and got up.

Mmeli: I need to leave.

Sqalo: I'm still talking to you.

Mmeli: And I'm leaving.

He walked out reaching for his phone.

He called the florist and cancelled the delivery before getting in his car and left.

THABILE

She parked her white Polo vivo in the parking space infront of her workplace. She took a deep breath setting her eyes on the huge Rubcon Industrial logo infront of the building. The thought of bumping into Sambulo in the building made her stomach tighten in shame. She probably destroyed their friendship by bedding him.

She shut her eyes and said a silent prayer then stepped out with her bags then locked the car pacing inside the building.

She greeted the receptionist and looked around the reception desk.

Thabile: What day is it today?

She pulled the chair towards the computer resting her manicured fingers on the keyboard.

Receptionist: Wednesday.

Thabile: I don't have any messages?

Receptionist: Not that I know of Ms Baleni.

She swallowed a lump in her throat her heart skipping a bit then slowly nodded before walking away.

He really wasn't joking. He even cancelled the delivery of her flowers.

That wasn't normal, someone probably bewitched him. That was the only reasonable explanation.

That was her high school sweetheart, he can't just break things off like that.

She settled in her cubicle and buried herself in her work trying to pass time.

Hours later she closed her laptop and gathered enough strength to go to Sambulo's office.

She got in without knocking and he quickly got up shocked to see her. She forced a smile trying to locate the strength she had coming from her office.

Thabile: Sambulo I need...

Her eyes fell on the envelope on his desk, next to it there were pills. Pills she was very much familiar with.

Thabile: What is that?

Sambulo: This is...

Thabile: Don't patronize me. I know what they're for but why do you have them with you?...What are you insinuating exactly?

Sambulo: Nothing. I just don't want to infect my wife.

Thabile: He continues!!

Sambulo: Look, this has got nothing to do with you. I'm merely protecting myself as well as my wife....With you I made a mistake, a mistake I gravely regret and right now I'm doing the best I can to salvage the situation. I don't know where your fiancé has been and I'm not going to be reckless and gamble with my wife's health. If that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth then I'm sorry but I'm taking this PrEP.

She pressed her lips together as her eyes glistered with unshed tears. He was hurting her, yes the previous day wasn't planned but to run to the doctor and get prep is the worst kind of insult. He was behaving like he dipped himself in a disease carrier.

Thabile: You're a jerk!!

Sambulo: I know okay but can we please be professional in these premises? My wife is coming back to work tomorrow and I don't want any hostility.

She reached for the telephone at the far end of the desk and threw it at him. He ducked and it hit the wall as tears betrayed her.

Thabile: I will never forgive you for this!

She walked out with tears flowing in her eyes. She wasn't expecting a love declaration but to assume she's sick! She wasn't going to forgive him for that.

MMELI

He called out his colleague just as he picked up his files.

Mmeli: Why did you get married?

He frowned and sat down.

Colleague: Is everything okay?

Mmeli: Yes. Did you always wanted to get married or it was a spur of the moment thing?

Colleague: I always wanted to get married and with me it was different, we were in a foreign country and very much inlove with each other so getting married seemed right at that time.

Mmeli: Do you regret it?

Colleague: No. That was the best decision I ever made in my life. If I were to go back I would marry her again....Getting cold feet?

Mmeli: No it's not that.

He shrugged and got up leaving him alone.

He sighed getting more frustrated. What if that was his only chance at love?

Was he being childish for wanting more money instead of a wife?

Financially he wasn't ready and marriage was going to set him back. Marrying someone like her was going to be a drag on its own. His financial clock was ticking and he had nothing to show except a car and an empty plot.

He turned to his computer and finished up his work before his trip to Joburg in a few days. Where he was hoping to find peace.

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