Chapter 5 Insert 5

SQALO

He was woken up by their neighbor screaming at his wife in his drunken voice. Minutes after that he heard the 4am bus passing and turned laying on his back.

A car stopped by the gate and he scoffed in disbelief then rubbed his face waiting for her to knock on the door.

Just like he had predicted she softly knocked on door and called his name...

Bongi: Sqalo. Please open for me.

Sqalo: Phindela la ovela khona.(go back to where you came from)

She rolled her eyes at his dramatic reply. What were they? 13 years?

Bongi: Babe please. I can explain.

He looked at the window watching her silhouette and the lights in the main house came on. He quickly got off bed and went to open for her.

Bongi: Thank you.

She flicked the switch and he clucked switching it off.

Sqalo: So everyone has to know your shenanigans? What are you switching the lights on for?

Bongi: So I must undress in the dark?

Sqalo: No you can go back to where you came from.

Bongi:(sighed) I lost track of time at home. I'm sorry.

Sqalo: Whatever Bongi.

He gave her his back after switching on her side lamp.

She dropped her shoes and popped her knuckles moving her neck sideways.

Bongi: Thank you.

He ignored her as she undressed and joined him on bed.

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Hours later they both got inside the car and Bongi looked at herself on the mirror and pouted her lips before starting the ignition. He absent mindedly watched her perfecting her looks and wished she could put the same effort in their marriage. Spend hours making him happy. But that was just a wishful thinking that didn't seem like it would ever come to life.

Ndabenhle came running holding her bag.

Ndabenhle: Please give me a lift.

Bongi: Aren't you taking the baby vaccination today?

Ndabenhle: Mom will take him to the mobile clinic around 10, there's no need to take him to the clinic anymore.

Bongi: Oh. Get in.

She got in and they drove out.

Ndabenhle: Bhuti are you okay?

Bongi looked at him and quickly changed the subject.

Bongi: How did your interview go?

Ndabenhle: I didn't get the job.

Bongi: Don't give up you'll find something.

Ndabenhle: I'll since I'm waiting for a call from Durban and Mpumalanga.

Bongi: You'll travel to Mpumalanga with a baby?

Ndabenhle: Mom will take care of him.

Sqalo turned to her.

Sqalo: Mother will look after Salu when you're out there gallivanting?

Ndabenhle: I'll be working.

Sqalo: You'll take your son with you.

Ndabenhle: But...

Sqalo: That's not up for discussion!

He increased the volume on the radio and leaned back on his seat.

NDABENHLE

She walked out and sat on the benches outside the clinic. She cursed under her breath shutting her eyes as the pain temporarily paralyzed her leg. She has just got her depo injection.

She took a deep breath and reached for her ringing phone. It was her baby daddy, she clucked and picked up...

Ndabenhle: Bhuti weee uyayfaka imali yengane noma ngiylande mina? (Bro are you sending the money or I should fetch it myself)

Voice: I'll send it tomorrow.

Ndabenhle: Futeg wena! Your pay day was last week. Don't patronize me. If the money doesn't report in the next few minutes I'm coming to your house. You were probably throwing parties uzenza irich nigga now you're failing to send the baby's money?...I'm coming there, your family better be ready! Nx you want to shit on me. You weren't making excuses when we were having sex, don't start with your nonsense.

Voice: Cha Ndabe I'm not making excuses. I lost my father last night and I can't send the money today....

She looked sideways and stood up walking towards the gate. She stopped and listened to him narrating what happened. The words he said to him a few months back came back. Anger brew up inside her as his voice shook on the other end.

He had the nerve!

Ndabenhle: I don't care about your dead father! I didn't kill him. Now my son is supposed to die of hunger because of dead people?

Voice: Maka Salu how can you say that? Don't you have a heart?

Ndabenhle: I have a heart but I have no business when it comes to father's affairs. Mine died remember? Or now you want me to feel something when it comes to your father now that it suits you?....You said I shouldn't say/feel anything for you and your father's affairs and I'm doing exactly that....Send the money today and stop telling me about dead people!

Voice: I can't believe you.

Ndabenhle: I couldn't believe you either!

She hang up and continued walking. He had to send that money. She was owing a perfume lady and she has been pestering her since the pay day. His dead father was going to wait!

Her phone beeped, she fixed her scarf and read the email. A car honked infront of her and she screamed bringing her phone to her chest. The driver rolled down the window as she smiled relieved seeing that it was her boyfriend's car.

He stepped out laughing as she rolled her eyes and met him halfway.

Ndabenhle: You want to kill me?

Boyfriend: Never.

He hugged her and opened the door for her then went to his side.

Ndabenhle: You didn't tell me you were coming.

Boyfriend: It was a last minute thing. I'm on my lunch break anyway so I figured you could do with my cute arse.

Ndabenhle: Nigga please.

He chuckled and joined the road.

Boyfriend: Check your phone on the backseat and leave that fainting thing alone.

She smiled and reached for the new phone at the backseat.

She blushed inspecting the box then leaned over kissing him.

Ndabenhle: Thank you babe...Wow I can't believe this.

Boyfriend: You like it?...I wasn't sure since you're a Samsung person.

Ndabenhle: I love it...A lot of people recommend these phones when it comes to battery life. Atleast it's not an IPhone, data bundles...Nka screamer!

Boyfriend: You and economizing everytime.

She shrugged and put the box away.

Ndabenhle: Since you're here I might as well tell you the good news.

Boyfriend: Are we pregnant?

To your cheating ass?! She muttered under her breath and he turned away from her. That was one of the annoying traits about her, she wasn't a forgiving person. He was a cheater yes, but she last caught him 3 months back and claimed that she has forgiven him but she kept reminding him everytime how much of a cheater he was.

Ndabenhle: No. I got the job.

Boyfriend: With what qualifications?

Ndabenhle: What a boyfriend you're...FYI one of my high school friends got me a job in an event's company in Durban.

Boyfriend: You're still in contacts with your high school friends?

Ndabenhle: I met her in the playgrounds with her siblings and she promised to plug me and...voilà!

Boyfriend: So what about me?

Ndabenhle: You're also looking for a job?

Boyfriend: No I mean our relationship.

Ndabenhle: We'll communicate and I'll visit you.

Boyfriend: What about sex?

She clicked her tounge and looked outside the window. He parked the car in the parking lot and she stepped out.

Boyfriend: Babe come on. I need to know. You can't tell me that you expect me to wait for you.

Ndabenhle: Then don't.

Boyfriend: What?

Ndabenhle: Yes. Don't wait for me. You can't expect me to let this opportunity go because of sex. Sex will still be here in 5 years and me, I'll still be poor.

Boyfriend: You're not poor.

Ndabenhle: Really? I'm 29 and I'm not working. I can't say I'm broke. I'm poor. If you can't respect my decision then let's part ways.

She walked away from him passing two guys who turned and stared at her. She was a beautiful lady no lie with her petite body and hairy legs. Her clear light skin glowed beautiful as the sun bounced on it causing her to frown.

Guy 1: Unjani sisi?(How are you)

Ndabenhle: Ngyaphila wena unjani?(I'm fine and how are you)

Guy 2: Umuhle sisi wami.(You're beautiful)

Ndabenhle: Ngyabonga.(Thanks)

She smiled softly and went inside the internet cafe.

BONGI

She went to Sqalo's office holding two paper bags. She had placed her phone on silent just in case someone text her while she was still with him. She didn't mean to sleepover the previous night. She has always been smart but lately she has been dropping the ball. She could easily blame Khathide's return because that meant more stress to her husband and less attention to her.

If she knew from the onset that marrying him meant marrying the whole Kubheka clan she wouldn't have...Or maybe she would've but still she was going to prepare herself for all the things she was getting subjected to.

Bongi: I brought you lunch.

Sqalo: You shouldn't have.

Bongi: I wanted to.

She walked around the desk and turned his chair around placing her phone next to him.

Bongi: I'm sorry my love.

Sqalo: Is that all?

Bongi: Babe don't be like this.

A message popped up on her phone. He looked at the screen and caught a glimpse of the first few words, "Thanks for last night...."

She quickly picked it up and faked a smile. He tried to take the phone from her and she stepped away and threw it out of the open window. He scoffed in disbelief.

Sqalo: Wow....okay, please leave my office.

Bongi: It's not what you think. I just don't like someone invading my privacy.

Sqalo: Okay...Leave then.

Bongi: Babe...

Sqalo: Bongi wee, leave me alone.

Bongi: Bongi?

She nodded realising that he was really angry.

Bongi: I'm sorry.

She walked out leaving him as a huge lump stuck on his throat. He swallowed as tears burned his eyes and shook his head turning his chair around, men didn't cry.

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