Chapter 3 Insert 3

MMELI

Later the same evening he laid on his bed on his back facing the ceiling. A knock sounded on the door, he turned and sighed allowing the person outside to enter then sent his eyes back to the ceiling releasing a sharp breath. Sqalo walked in and removed his shoes stepping further into the room and settled nicely on the one seater couch by the window.

Sqalo: Can you talk?

Mmeli: Are you here with another lecture?

Sqalo: No.

He sighed and sat up leaning against the headboard. He wondered how long that was going to last. He was grateful for his brother's presence and role in their lives but sometimes he was too much, that sometimes including that moment. Couldn't he just let him be and stop forcing Thabile down his throat together with their mother?

Atleast his sister, Ndabenhle and his brother, Khathide were understanding. Those never questioned anything in their home anyway but still, he was happy they understood where he was coming from.

Sqalo: The uncles want to know what happened? They dropped their things for you. The least you could do is to give them a serious reason why you aren't doing it anymore.

Mmeli: Bafo I don't want her anymore, infact I don't want to get married at all. It's not about my love for her or anything for that matter. It's me.

Sqalo: Mmeli you're old, in a few years you're turning 30, you should start being responsible and stop all of this.

Mmeli: And I'm well aware of my age but marriage, No. I'm sorry. You know I listen to you but not this time around. You'll have to forgive me. Please pass my sincere apologies to the uncles. It wasn't my intention to waste their time.

He squinted his eyes at him and rubbed his beard before gently tapping the armrest his eyes still set on him as if the answers were suddenly written on his forehead.

Sqalo: You know whoever she is, this family will not accept her. They loved Thabile and that loyalty will not suddenly go away just because you don't want her anymore. A lot of people are involved...Can't you just do the right thing?

He clenched his jaws and tightened his hold on his grey bed covers. What was it with married people thinking being unmarried is wrong? They were once unmarried in their lifetime surely they should understand, but seemingly not his brother.

Mmeli: I can't get married for the wrong reasons. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and I can't just marry for the sake of it especially to someone like her.

Sqalo: Her? Since when is she a problem?

Mmeli: She's not I just want to get married when the time is right. I don't want to find myself in a union like yours and Bongi.

He covered his mouth realising what he just said. He wasn't supposed to say that out loud. It was the truth but the truth that should remain unsaid.

Sqalo: I see. Really I do.

He took a deep breath digesting his words. Yes his marriage was shitty but he wasn't aware that his siblings saw it.

If he was also able to turn back the hands of time. He could go back and be that unmarried breadwinner but it was impossible. Now he was practically a father to his siblings who refused to grow up and a husband to a woman whose taste was way over his budget.

Sqalo: What should I tell them since they're blaming me as usual?

Mmeli: Apologize for me.

Sqalo: Maybe it's time you start taking full responsibility for your actions.

Mmeli: I think we're done here. I have to prepare for my trip to Joburg in a few days.

Sqalo: You'll gamble all the lobola money when you're there like you always do?

Mmeli: I'm not justifying that with an answer. You know I'm going there on work. My gambling addiction is over.

Sqalo: Like that ever stopped you before... When are you coming back?

Mmeli: In a week.

Sqalo: I'll see you when you get back.

He got up and walked out and he got off bed butt naked and went to lock the door behind him before getting back under the bed covers.

.

.

.

It has been a week since he has been in Joburg and the experience there has been nothing short of amazing. It was his last day there and even though he missed his mother's and sister in law's cooking he certainly enjoyed his stay there. Uninterrupted peace and meeting different people discussing what he loved most-money. He was a happy generation!

He read a text from an old time friend three times still contemplating whether to do it or not. Like an addict he once was, he has been clean for almost a year. No gambling nothing and he wasn't going to lie and say he didn't miss it.

He took a deep breath and looked at his banking app.

Maybe he was going to be lucky and win and besides one round wasn't going to hurt anyone.

"I'll be there." Message sent. Minutes later a message popped up with the time and venue.

"I hope I'm doing the right thing," he said to himself and took out clothes to wear before jumping into the shower.

An hour later he was parking outside the club they were said to meet at.

He got out and walked inside meeting his friend by the entrance.

Friend: I wasn't sure if you were going to make it....It has been a while.

Mmeli: It has been a while indeed.

They shoulder bumped and he led him towards the table. Seemed like he was the last person to arrive because immediately after him, the doors were shut and everyone started assuming their positions as he got himself a drink.

There was a lot going on from topless waitresses to naked women working the pole a few feet away from the table. He settled down on a chair as two women went to him. He waved them off and took a sip on his drink.

His mother was going to die if she were to witness what he was doing, his subconscious scolded him but he shrugged it off, he wasn't a mama's boy anymore. Those thoughts about her alone were making him pathetic.

Chips were placed infront of him and an ashtray with a cigar besides him.

He downed his scotch grimacing as the liquid burned his throat. The round started and they examined their cards and their hands.

More chips were piled up in the center as he took a sharp breath his nerves settling, thanks to the scotch that was already refilled by one of the waitresses. He was more calmer now.

The tension rose higher as a few men folded, leaving 4, then three and suddenly they were two people left, including him. The chips were piled even higher with the cards laid down.

Everyone was focused on them, lit cigars abonded on the ashtrays besides them. He had four queens, his opponent had a royal flush!

"Sead wins the hand!" The dealer announced shooting through the deadly stares piercing over the men at the table. He pushed the chips towards him, "Congratulations sir."

Mmeli swallowed visibly disappointed and got up.

Dealer: Another round sir?

Mmeli: No thanks.

He went towards the exit and went through the necessary security checks before he was allowed to leave. Feeling more dumber than ever, His brother's words rang in his ears. He really gambled all the lobola money.

He leaned back on his seat and shook his head chuckling in disbelief.

Mmeli: Mmeli you don't learn my guy, do you?

He drove to another club to get atleast a few drinks before returning to his hotel room.

In a club he enjoyed a few drinks with a woman next to him. He looked over at her and continued drinking.

Mmeli: Trouble in paradise?

She looked at him and rolled her eyes downing her drink.

Lady: What paradise?

His eyes went to the ring on her finger.

Lady: This? It's nothing.

Mmeli: Wanna talk about it?

Lady: One of my cousins is getting married this weekend....Oh! It's not a wedding it's a lobola. But aah same difference....You know the fucked up thing is that we were the only the unmarried daughters during the family gatherings and now I'm the only one left.

Mmeli: That's heavy.

Lady: I'll live. I've finally accepted that I'll be that rich unmarried aunt from Sandton. I tried forcing guys to marry me but it was useless and funny enough all those guys I tried to force myself down their throats are all married but not to me.

Mmeli: You'll live.

Lady: What brings you here?

Mmeli: Gambling gone wrong.

Lady:(chuckled softly) Sorry. You'll live.

Mmeli: Yeah well. You win some, you lose some.

He looked at her face as she kept on drinking. People were taking this whole marriage thing way serious for her to drink like that.

Mmeli: You should slow down on that.

Lady: And do what after that?

Mmeli: Yooh phuza sisi.(Drink sis)

Lady: Akhona.

Mmeli: What?

Akhona: That's my name.

Mmeli: Oh...Mmeli.

Just like that, they started chatting more. After having 'too much' to drink, they both drove to his hotel where they allowed their bodies to do the talking.

Nobody was inconveniencing the other, it was just one night of passion which left him with blurry memories and her white bra.

.

.

.

.

.