BAYANDA
12 .
SBAHLE
The feelings are still the same, the memories are still lingering in my head. There’s nothing that’s different, the only difference is that 3 years later, we don’t want anything to do with each other. He looks at me like I’m some disgusting piece of dirt, his stare is not the same anymore.
“Look at how she’s smiling with him, they already have that connection shame.” Khanyisile says, making a shiver run down my spine. When Kuhle woke up, she suddenly started crying—Mbuso calmed her down, I don’t know but he did.
“I think we should get going, she needs to be admitted to the hospital again. It’s quite late and also her bedtime.” I say, she glances at me and rolls her eyes.
“Can’t you give Mbuso a few hours to bond with Kuhle? it’s been an hour, it’s too soon Sbahle.” She says, I glance at her—she probably didn’t hear the part where I said I need to get Kuhle admitted to the hospital today.
“She needs to go to the hospital, Bayanda asked that she gets admitted today.” I say picking up Kuhle’s toys from the floor.
“But you can’t leave without talking to Mbuso about the child. You two have to meet a common ground, talk like adults for the sake of your daughter..” She says, I was so good with Kuhle for the past 3 years—even though she was sick, I was never this anxious. Mbuso makes a comeback in my life and I suddenly can’t breathe.
“What could I possibly talk with Mbuso? if he wants to be a part of Kuhle’s life then that’s his choice. I have nothing to do with him, I’m only concerned about my child.” I say, walking into the lounge. Mbuso glances at me, the softness in his facial expression disappears as soon as he sees me. He clears his throat and stands up from the floor.
“You’re leaving?” He asks, I nod.
“She needs to be in the hospital by now.” I say, he picks Kuhle up. She’s been giggling and laughing all this while, crazy how she took his entire face. Their smiles are exactly the same, the dimple too.
“Can I see her tomorrow? I’d like to spend more time with her. I will get in contact with my family and let them know.” He says, I heave a sigh.
“I want us to talk about Kuhlekonke before you start getting used to her. She is my daughter and I want to trust you with her first.” I say, he glances at me like he’s shocked.
“You don’t trust me?” He asks, I confidently nod.
“You’re a stranger to me as of now so I don’t trust you with my daughter. You were once a criminal, after all.” I say, a frown slowly forms on his face.
“You cannot keep me away from my daughter any longer, I want to start being a father to her. So whatever conversation you want to have with me, make sure it’s in my daughter’s presence. I wouldn’t want to see your face alone.” He says, I think my heart just dropped to my stomach.
“Khanyisile will give you my contact details if you want to meet up so we can have the conversation in Kuhle’s presence.” I say walking off, my arm is being pulled back. I glance at with a frown, how dare he grab me like that?
“I’d like to see my daughter tomorrow.” He says, I sigh.
“I’ll send you the hospital address, there are visiting hours so make sure you are in time.” I say, Khanyisile walks in.
“Okay daddy, we have to leave now. You finally got to see your little princess. She even looks like you, I can even see that you are the happiest man on this earth.” She says, I fold my arms and look at Kuhle who’s wiggling in Mbuso’s arms.
“Can I take her?” I ask him, he glances at me then at Kuhle. He leans over and tries handing her over to me. She immediately refuses, almost bursting out in tears.
“Kuhle, we have to leave. Please don’t do this.” I say, I’m already defeated as it is—she’s making it harder for me to be around Mbuso.
I try taking her again and she starts crying, I heave a sigh and glance at Khanyisile. She chuckles.
“You can walk us to the car.” She says to Mbuso who walks ahead of us, we step out of the house following him. Kuhle has stopped crying, drama queen. We reach the car and she’s holding onto Mbuso like she’s staying behind.
“Come on, let’s go.” I say forcefully but gently carrying her out of his arms. She’s already crying and kicking around, Mbuso opens the door for us and I place her in the car seat. I buckle her up, her cries have gotten louder.
“This is going to be a long drive.” Khanyisile says getting in the driver’s seat. I get in the back with Kuhle, so I can be able to calm her down.
“Don’t forget to tell everyone that you have a daughter now. Her ceremony must be performed as soon as possible and also get a chance to introduce her to Thabisile. Maybe she’ll get better, I’m positive though.” Khanyisile says talking to Mbuso. I keep hearing the name Thabisile over and over again. I’m having mixed emotions about all of this.
“I won’t, I’ll call father once you guys leave. It’s up to her mother if she wants to allow her to go to the cemetery to meet Thabisile.” He says, he can’t even call my name.
“Bye then, goodnight.” Khanyisile says starting the engine and driving off. I feel like he’s still the same age, he hasn’t changed—facial and body appearance.
“That wasn’t too bad. The only thing I’d advice you to work on is the constant attack on Mbuso—he was happy to see Kuhle and you just ruined the moment in a second. You can’t also change the fact that Kuhle is his daughter, his only daughter at the moment. Grow up and deal with it.” She says, this is how I remember that she’s older than me—she gets stricter by the day.
“And I’m definitely not taking Mbuso’s side, I am on Kuhlekonke’s side on this one. My niece is unwell, atleast try to cooperate with Mbuso.” She says, if she’s speaking on the name thing then she has another thing coming.
“I’m not changing her name to Thabisile, promises are meant to be broken and I did exactly that.” I say, she sighs.
“Broken promises might have consequences. Can you see the consequences?” She asks, there is no way that my child is sick just because I didn’t name her Thabisile. There has to be another reason and that is because she hasn’t been introduced to her father’s side of the family—that’s it, nothing else.
“Khanyisile, please. Just be quiet for a second, I can’t breathe right now.” I say. She nods and continues driving. Although his reaction was the opposite of what I was expecting—Kuhle seems to like him, well I don’t.
—
—
BAYANDA
I’m dealing with a heartbreak, well it’s not a heartbreak but it’s just a phase where you need to deal with your breakup—I expected to be in my room, laying in bed and crying my lungs out. It’s the total opposite, I’m in my lounge area—putting on my Spotify Playlist on full blast, in pajamas. I just knocked off 5 hours ago by the way, I spent all night nursing my babies. I just came back home a few hours back, I’m not even tired.
I’m very energetic, it must be the coffee that I was taking the entire date. I don’t have anyone to send a good morning text to because I am no longer in a relationship, how nice is that? I don’t have to stress about a man being angry at me for not doing what he ridiculously wants.
My music is interrupted by my phone suddenly ringing, I sigh annoyingly. I just wanted a chilled morning, not a morning that is disturbed by phone calls. I should’ve just put my phone on do not disturb mode. I glance at the caller ID and something jumps in me, I’m not sure if it’s my coochie or my heart—must be both.
“Katlego..” I say heaving a sigh—why am I smiling like I have been expecting his call? I’m such a fool.
“You sound happy, having a great morning?” He asks—he knows me very well, I’m having such a great morning.
“Something like that, what’s up?” I ask him.
“Can we talk? I mean, you call yourself my best friend but you don’t take me out for breakfast or brunch. What’s the matter with you Yanda?” He asks me, I place my hand over my forehead chuckling.
“I’m supposed to be taking you out? oh, hello. You are the man here, you are supposed to be taking out a lady out for breakfast or brunch. Not the other way around.” I say, walking around my house.
“But in our case, we reciprocate everything. If you remember well, I was the last one to spend money on you when we went to the movies back in the days. So it’s your turn, real best friends treat each other.” He says, I heave a sigh.
“You should be available for brunch at 12pm then, I’ll take you to a nice restaurant.” I say, he groans a bit.
“I don’t like resturants. I want us to go to a local food spot in the township. Maybe get some kotas or something.” He says, I smile—remembering that he used to buy us kotas when he visited me? man, those were the good old days. It feels like they’re replaying themselves slowly.
“Okay then, you get ready and I will pick you up wherever you are. Make sure to keep it casual, no formal wear please.” I say, he laughs.
“Understood ma’am, let me get ready.” He says, I say my goodbyes and hang up. I should clean my house quickly before taking a shower. I still have a few hours left.
—
Causality comes with putting on something that you’d be comfortable enough to walk and sit in. I don’t wear oversized clothes often but today I decided to try something different. I have my cute oversized jeans on with an oversized tee. I don’t want to say I have a nice body because you guys will say I’m bragging. Let me just keep quiet, I have my sneakers on.
I feel good, I also smell good—I’m good to go, I walk down the stairs with my handbag. I have cash only, I don’t think there would be anywhere I need to swipe my card. I already requested for an uber, I meant picking him up in the uber—where the hell would I get the money to buy a car? I can only dream for now, I’m saving up though.
The uber arrives shortly after I request because it was in the area. I get in and give him the location to Katlego’s place. It’s about 25 minutes away from me, it’s not a distance.
We arrive shortly at his place and I text him telling him the uber is outside. He comes out of his house 5 minutes later, looking like the best thing that has ever existed on earth.
He opens the door and I shift to the side so he can get in. He gets inside and closes the door. The cologne? the whole bottle fell on him.
“Are you trying to block my nose? damn, Katlego!” I say closing my nose with my fingers. He glances at me and we lock eyes for a minute.
“Stop the drama.” He says, I finally blink and look out the window—what the hell was that?
“You’re not shy, what are you doing right now?” He asks me, hiding my blush is what I am doing. I compose myself and finally glance at him.
“Nothing, how are you?” I ask him, he smiles.
“I’m okay.” He says, I nod. The uber driver has already drove off, we’re on the way as we speak.
—
—
KATLEGO
Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d make it back to this township with the same person I used to galavant around with. I feel a little bit emotional because this place brings so many memories of us as kids, how are we grown ups now?
We get off the uber and she looks around, she seems to be shaking. I’m glad she still recognizes the place.
“Katlego, is this…” She pauses before looking at me, I nod. She walks ahead of me, looking around.
“Oh my God, I..I can’t believe it.” She says, I heave a sigh. She came as a different Bayanda physically this time around, she can walk on her own now. That is the only different thing.
“How did you even think of this? I never thought I’d come back here again especially with you.” She says.
“Why would I want to forget the place that our friendship revolved around?” I ask her, she sighs and smiles.
“Thank you for this. Like.. I can’t even believe my eyes right now.” She says, instantly wrapping her arms around my waist—quick, fast in a hurry. I hesitate for a while before hugging her back.
“I’m happy that you are back even though you took 14 whole years to do so!” She says hitting my arms and stepping back.
“I am making it up to you.” I say, she nods.
“Let’s go then, I know sis Nomsa’s food spot is by that road. Let’s go!” She says pulling my arm, she’s too excited. She’s all smiles, I’m glancing at her as she’s walking.
“Can you slow down? I don’t walk that fast.” I say, she glances at me and laughs.
“We need to hurry up! I don’t even know if she’s still the one who makes the kotas but that doesn’t matter. Let’s just go!” She says, I shake my head.
“I’ll carry you on my back if you stop walking so fast.” I say, she stops immediately and I almost roll my eyes.
“Then carry me on your back carrier.” She says, jumping onto my back without wasting anytime. Good thing she’s not heavy, I can take her.
“If I could re-live my life 14 years ago, I’d only re-live the time when I met you.” She says, laying her head on my back. SAME ..