Chapter 4 Insert 4

SQALO

His brother has been in a sour mood since his return from Joburg. He has tried countless times to know what was eating him up to no success. He ended up letting him be, he was going to talk when he was ready.

That day was the happiest day for him, he has just been promoted to being the Managing Director of the company. It was high time their acknowledged his efforts in the company. Regardless of it being owned by his father-in-law, he was one of the hardworking employees in it.

He settled on the chair in his new office and smiled satisfied.

He reached for his phone and called his wife.

Bongi: Babe.

Sqalo: Hey, are you busy?

Bongi: I can spare a few. Is everything okay?

Sqalo: What time are you going home?

Bongi: As soon as I finish here....Relax I'll be in time for dinner.

Sqalo: Okay. Everyone will be present please be there.

Bongi: I always sleep at home you're making it sound like I sleep out.

Sqalo: You know that's not what I mean. Just be in time for dinner.

Bongi: Okay I will....Bye I love you.

Sqalo: I love you too.

She hang up and he placed his phone on his desk standing up.

His colleagues wanted them to go out and celebrate but he politely declined. He wanted to spend time with his family not with a bunch of strangers from his workplace.

He looked at the time and packed his bag then left.

BONGI

She concluded her meeting with a client and then the client left her. She looked at the time and ordered a glass of wine before keeping herself busy on her phone.

The day has been busy for her. From addressing her team early in the morning to back to back meetings that prevented her from having her lunch. With such a busy day, she was not up for fake smiles and endless giggles her in-laws was about to subject her too.

She just wanted a long warm bath and her bed, her husband definitely had other plans for them but no, she was sitting that one out.

She waved her hand when she saw her sister by the entrance. She spotted her and made her way to her. She got up and hugged her smiling.

Bongi: Uright mtase?

Zipho: I'm good sis, look at you, looking dazzling as ever.

She rolled her eyes flipping her weave to the side.

Bongi: Dazzling in my state?

Zipho: Oh please!

She waved her off and picked the menu. Her sister has always made efforts on her looks. Even on her 'lazy days' at home you would find her on her best outfits pouting endlessly, obviously feeling abused for spring cleaning.

It was safe to say, getting married to a guy from the rural areas was an inconvenience to her snobbish self.

Bongi: Can we please order? I'm starving.

Zipho: Oh yes...I heard about the promotion.

Bongi: I'm sure the whole Khanyile clan heard.

Zipho: It's not like that. Father was just making a conversation.

Bongi: When people run out of topics Sqalo should be the next thing on their tongues. Thank you, next!

Zipho: Sarcasm doesn't suit you.

They placed their orders and she turned to her as she took a sip on her wine visibly annoyed.

Zipho: Okay. I'm sorry but he wasn't gossiping, he was just mentioning it in passing.

Bongi: Realy now? Oh maybe he was looking down on him as he always do?

Zipho: No. He was...

Bongi: I didn't call you here to discuss my husband. Can we please move on to the next topic?

Zipho:(sighed) B it's not like that.

Bongi: I know, believe me I know.

She took a deep breath and quietly waited for their orders.

An hour later they both left the restaurant to their cars as Bongi attended to the phone call then took the route to the caller's house.

SQALO

MaNjinji finished preparing their dinner. Sqalo walked to the kitchen and went to the fridge. He raised his eyebrows looking at Ndabenhle with her son strapped on her back. The last time he saw her holding her son was when he was only a few weeks old.

The promotion really did the things in their household.

MaNjinji: Is Bongi here?

Sqalo: No she's not.

MaNjinji: It's late. Where is she?

Sqalo: She's probably held up at work. The traffic is a nightmare during the rush hour.

MaNjinji: Ummh.

She curved her lips down rinsing the bowls clearly not convinced. He wasn't about to humuor her either.

Sqalo: Ndabe where is Khathi?

Ndabenhle: In his room or out with his friends.

Sqalo: Let me go and check.

He left them as they started setting the table and went to his younger brother's two roomed house.

He knocked and stuck his head in then got in.

Sqalo: Khathide do you have a minute?

He nodded and continued highlighting the newspaper he was holding. He closed the marker and closed the paper giving him his undivided attention.

Khathide: Am I in trouble?

Sqalo: No. I need you to take the cattle...

Khathide: Ai bhuti the herdboy is there for that. I'm going to town tomorrow to drop my cv I can't. Can't you ask Bhut' Mmeli?

Sqalo: No I can't and I won't because you're going. Khehla is going to Nongoma for a funeral tomorrow he won't be available to take the cattle and you're available and very much free.

Khathide: Is it because I'm not working?

His eyes darkened and he frowned. How dare he?! He was not that kind of person and he knew that.

Khathide swallowed realizing what he has just done.

Khathide: I'm sorry I'll go.

Sqalo: Mase kuqine isende ung'tshele Khathide ungavele ungkhulumele inyongo nje mangiktshela izinto. Nxx

He walked out and tried Bongi's number again. It took him straight to voicemail.

He sighed and went to his house by the gate where he laid down for a few minutes waiting for her and eventually gave up and went back to the main house to eat.

MaNjinji: Where is Bongi?

He cleared his throat and drank water before forcing a smile.

Sqalo: I forgot to say, she's not feeling well so she'll skip dinner.

Ndabenhle: Really?

Sqalo:(sternly) Yes.

Ndabenhle: Her car...

Mmeli: Eat your food and leave Sqalo alone.

She shrugged and went back to her plate. His food suddenly lost taste as he also lost his appetite. It was unlike her to not come back home. And to switch off the phone? That raised a lot of questions in his head but the person who could answer him was out there probably drinking herself to the next rehabilitation center.

If their family were to find out how much of a drunk she was, they would definitely send her packing. Bongi was exhausting!

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