NURSE THEMBENI
CHAPTER 11
THEMBENI
My mind is spinning like someone threw it in a washing machine on high speed. Five million rand. The number keeps echoing in my head, loud and shiny and impossible. But something about the whole thing smells wrong, like fish left out in the sun too long.
I cross my arms tight over my chest, and let the questions out before I lose my nerve completely.
“Why are you so desperate for me to marry your son? What’s really going on here? Are you people planning to sacrifice me or something? Use me for some ritual money or what?”
He laughs, he’s genuinely amused by my simple question.
“Sacrifice?” he repeats, shaking his head. “KaMajola, you watch too many of those nighttime movies. No one is sacrificing anybody.”
I don’t smile back, nothing is funny here.
“Then explain. The whole village knows the palace’s wealth is in cattle, goats, maybe a few good fields. Livestock, not suitcases of cash. Where exactly are you going to pull R5 million from? You printing it in the kraal at night?”
His eyes narrow just a little, but the smile stays.
“Are you considering the offer, then?”
That makes my blood heat up fast, I hate that he thinks I would do anything for money.
“Don’t twist my words. Answer my questions first. Why do you want me to marry your son so badly that you’re coming to my workplace to bribe me like I’m standing on the side of the road selling vegetables? I’m from a poor family, my parents have no name, no land, no connections. Nothing that benefits the Hlongwane name. So why me? Why this much effort?”
I step back as he steps closer, he’s still calm, as if we’re just having a friendly chat about the weather.
“Chief Menzi loves you, he truly does. And I want my son to be happy. A happy chief makes a strong community, that’s all.”
I’m not buying that story. I look straight into his face. Those eyes are too steady, too practiced. I’ve seen enough patients lie about how they got their injuries to know when someone’s feeding me half a story.
“I don’t believe you, there’s more to this. I can feel it.”
He reaches out and pats my shoulder, it’s gentle and very fatherly, but it makes my skin crawl anyway.
“Think about the offer, Thembeni. You have less than three days. The money will be waiting.”
He walks past me, opens the door, and he’s gone, leaving behind the faint smell of expensive cologne.
I stay in the room for a full minute, breathing slow, trying to put my thoughts back in order. Part of me wants to run after him and shout more questions. Another part wants to laugh at how ridiculous this all is. And a tiny part, the part I hate admitting exists is still whispering *five million rand, Thembeni… five million, girl.*
I finally walk out.
Qondi is already coming down the corridor, eyes wide and curious like a cat that just spotted a bird.
“Chommie! How did it go? What did the big chief daddy want?”
Why is she calling him that?
I pull her into the empty nurses’ station nearby so no one can overhear.
“Sit down before you fall over from gossip. He offered me R5 million to marry Menzi.”
Her mouth drops open so wide I can see her back teeth. “Five… million? Rand? Like… actual money money?”
“Yes, Qondi. The kind that makes your eyes water just thinking about it.”
I want to scream, I don’t know how to act. That’s a lot of money.
She whistles low. “That’s suspicious, Themi. Very suspicious. Why would he pay you to marry his son? If Menzi wants you that bad, why not just let love do the talking? Why bring out the chequebook?”
“Exactly what I asked him.”
I lean against the counter, rubbing my temples because my head is starting to throb.
“He says Menzi loves me for real and he wants him happy. But I don’t buy it, not one bit. And get this, he knows about Golide, everything, chommie. The pick-ups, the money, the nickname.”
Qondi’s eyebrows shoot up. “He knows about Golide? How?”
“He obviously had someone spying on me. Digging into my life like I’m a criminal case file.”
She shakes her head, I also can’t believe it.
“But chommie… be honest. Was it ever really a question between the chief and Golide? Golide has never wanted anything solid. He’s all sweet talk and weekend vibes. The chief at least wants a wife.”
I think about yesterday, Golide’s face when he looked at me, the way he held me longer than usual, the things he said about wanting more than just fun.
“I think he’s changed his mind. He told me straight up… he wants a real relationship, not just a fling. He wants me.”
Qondi stares at me as if I just grew a second head. Then she bursts out laughing.
“Did he actually say those words? ‘Relationship’? Golide? Mr-I’m-Too-Busy-Living-My-Best-Life?”
“Yeah, he did.” I say, feeling my cheeks get warm even though I don’t want them to.
She stops laughing and studies my face.
“You believe him?”
“I want to, but I also know men can say anything when they think they’re losing you.”
Qondi sighs and squeezes my arm.
“Don’t rush into believing anyone right now. Not Golide, not the chief, and definitely not the chief’s father waving money around. This whole thing feels like a trap wrapped in a pretty bow.”
I nod, but I’m exhausted. I look down the corridor at the ward doors, I’m not even happy here. That money will change my life, but will I be happy knowing I was bought?
“I’m going back to work, at least patients only lie about their symptoms, not their bank accounts.”
She gives me a quick hug.
“We’ll talk later, okay? And Thembeni… don’t decide anything big while your head is spinning like this. You’re too clever for that.”
I force a small smile.
“I know. I’m not letting anyone play in my head.”
But as I walk back to Room 6, the uncle with the goat-cursed leg is still waiting, I can’t stop the thoughts circling, five million rand on one side, Golide’s promises on the other, Menzi’s desperate eyes somewhere in the middle..
I have three days to figure out who’s lying, who’s buying, and who…if anyone… actually wants me for me.
.
.
The shift finally ends, I clock out, grab my bag, and slip past Qondi before she can corner me with more questions. If I tell her or Nala I’m heading to Golide’s place alone, uninvited, there’ll be a full committee meeting right there in the parking lot. “Themi, are you mad?” “Chommie, think!” “What if he’s with someone?” Nah, I don’t need the debate. My head’s already a battlefield.
I requested a cab, it’s outside the clinic gates. I’m not going to wait for Menzi’s fancy car. The driver asks where to, as uf he doesn’t already know. I say Cathkin Estates. He nods, but looks at me like it’s not normal for a tired nurse in scrubs to head to the posh side of the berg after dark.
His black SUV is parked outside, the gate is wide open, either he’s expecting company. Or maybe he’s just about to head out. I don’t even know what job he does, I have never asked. Makes me wonder sometimes if he’s really just “in business” or if there’s more to the story.
I thank the driver and step through the gate, my heart is doing that stupid flip-flop thing. This is only the second time I’ve been here. First time he brought me here was just yesterday and it’s hard to believe that so much has changed in such a short time.
What we had was whatever flings are called when nobody asks questions, now I don’t know where I stand with him. Showing up uninvited feels weird, bold, maybe stupid. But after Ngiyabonga’s bribe, I need answers from the one guy who says he wants something real.
I knock on the double doors, loud enough to be heard, soft enough not to sound desperate. The door swings open, and a woman in a neat maid’s uniform smiles at me.
“Sawubona, sisi. Can I help?”
“Sawubona. I’m Thembeni, Mehlo’s friend. Is he around?”
“Yes, he’s in the lounge. Come in.”
She leads me through the hallway, my stomach twists tighter with every step. Then I turn the corner into the lounge and stop right there.
Golide is on the couch, has his arms wrapped around another woman. They’re kissing like the world is ending tomorrow. Their hands everywhere, all over each other. My chest burns. I knew I wasn’t the only one, flings don’t come with exclusivity, but seeing it, right here feels like someone poured cold water over my head and then slapped me for good measure.
I clear my throat, loud.
“Excuse me!”
They jump apart. Golide stands up fast, eyes wide for half a second before that calm mask slips back on. The girl is really pretty, she has nice cheekbones, expensive weave. My sister wife looks annoyed.
“Themi? What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I came to see you.” I cross my arms. “Tell your guest to leave. It’s important.”
I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m annoyed. He gave me rights over him, just yesterday. Now I walk in to this. What the hell am I supposed to think?
The girl laughs.
“Who are you to command Mehlo’s girlfriend to leave his house?”
Haibo! Girlfriend. I look at Golide, he’s staring right back with no shame, or any sign that he’s about to apologize. The man is just calm.
I turn to her.
“Leave. I want to talk to him, alone.”
She scoffs. “No.”
“I’m not playing with you.”
“Who even are you to talk to me like that?”
My eyes run to Golide again, he’s staring right at me, as if he wants to see how I will react to all this.
“Has he ever introduced you to his parents?” I ask her.
She frowns, glances at him, he doesn’t move his gaze from me. She looks back at me.
“No…”
“Then baby girl, you and I are not the same. Don’t ever compare yourself to me or think you’re competing. You’re not.”
She laughs, nervously this time.
“A whole nurse talking to me like that? Baby, I’m an engineer.”
As if that should mean something. And wearing this uniform has come back to haunt me.
“And what has that done for the community lately? If you were dying right now, bleeding out on this fancy carpet, I’d be the one deciding if you see tomorrow or join your ancestors. I hold life and death in these hands every single day. Don’t you ever look down on nurses again.”
Her smile dies, she looks genuinely rattled. I catch Golide smiling, its small but full of pride, he’s enjoying the show.
“What are you smiling at?” I snap.
“You would make a great queen, Phakade lami.” He says softly.
The words echo, and I remember the queen word coming straight out of Menzi’s mouth, his father’s too. This one says I would make a great queen. My skin prickles. Is Golide really some hidden prince like my dad hinted? Or is this just smooth talk from a man who collects women like trophies? I shake it off.
“We need to talk, alone.”
Golide smirks, he turns to the girl. This man always has that collected vibe that drives me crazy.
“You heard my queen, leave us.”
She gasps, eyes widening but doesn’t argue. She grabs her bag, shoots me one last glare, and walks out.
Golide turns back to me, eyes locked on mine. His hands are behind his back. How am I noticing now that he stands like royalty?
“I’m listening.”
Nxa! I’m still fuming from the kiss I walked in on.
“The chief’s father came to the hospital today and offered me R5 million to marry his son in three days.”
I wait for the explosion, jealousy, anger, something. But he gives me nothing. He’s just here, with his eyebrow raised, calm as ever.
“You’re not going to say anything?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I told you a man offered me five million rand to be his son’s wife. That’s a lot of money.”
“Do you want to take it?”
I’m shocked.
“I… don’t see why not.”
“Then go ahead, take it.”
My mouth drops open. This guy was chasing me yesterday, talking about real feelings, a relationship, and now he’s okay with me being bought?
“You’re not going to do anything? Top it up? Fight for me since you were the one saying you want something serious?”
He closes the space between us, eyes never leaving mine.
“Themi, I’m not going to buy my woman, forget seeing a cent from me. If you don’t want my heart, then let’s forget we ever met. Let’s go our separate ways, right here, right now.”
He’s put me on the spot, he’s not playing games, no bribes, just him and his stupid calm confidence. My heart bangs so hard I can feel it in my throat.
He’s waiting, eyes locked on mine, with a raised brow, hands behind his back. And for once, I don’t have a clever comeback ready.
“You’re really just going to stand there and say ‘take the money’ like it’s nothing?”
“I said if you don’t want my heart, we end it. Right here, right now.”
I take one step closer, then another until I’m close enough to smell his cologne. I’m close enough that I have to tilt my head up to keep glaring at him.
“You were kissing her not ten minutes ago. Lips on lips, hands on her waist. And now you’re talking about your heart?”
His gaze drops to my mouth for half a second, it stays there long enough for heat to crawl up my neck, then it flicks back to my eyes.
“You walked in unannounced and saw what you saw. But you’re the one who came here tonight, Themi. Not her, you.”
“Don’t twist this.” I poke a finger into his chest. “You said yesterday you want something real. A relationship, me. And today I find you tangled up with Engineer Barbie.”
He catches my wrist but doesn’t pull me closer, he doesn’t let go either. His thumb brushes the inside of my pulse point once, and slowly. My breath hitches before I can stop it.
“I never said I was a saint, I said I want you, all of you. Exclusively. If you say yes.”
My heart slams so hard I swear he can feel it through my pulse.
“And if I say no? You just shrug and go back to kissing whoever walks through your gate?”
His grip tightens, just a fraction.
“If you say no, I let you walk out that door. I won’t chase, Themi. But I also won’t pretend I’m fine watching you marry some chief for five million rand while I sit here knowing exactly you belong with me.”
I yank my hand free, but I don’t step back. We’re inches apart now, I can feel the heat rolling off him.
“This is not easy for me, Mehlo. Some old man shows up at my job waving cash as if I’m livestock. Menzi looks at me like I’m already his. And you, you act like you don’t care if I take the deal.”
“I care.” His voice drops so low it vibrates through my chest. “I care so much it’s burning holes in me right now. But I’m not going to beg, Themi. And I’m definitely not going to outbid the old man like this is an auction.”
“Then what do you want?” I whisper-yell it. “Tell me straight, no games.”
He leans in, just enough that his breath brushes my cheek. “I want you to choose me because you can’t breathe without me, not because I paid the highest price. Not because some elders say it’s tradition. Because when you close your eyes at night, it’s my name you whisper. Because you look at me the way you’re looking at me right now, like you hate me and want me in the same heartbeat.”
My lips part, no sound comes out. His eyes trace my face in slow motion.
“You’ve got three days to decide if you marry the chief for the money… or if you stay here with me and we figure out what real actually feels like.”
He doesn’t touch me again, he doesn’t have to. There’s something screaming for one of us to close the gap.
“And if I walk out right now?” I ask.
His jaw flexes.
“Then I will watch you go and spend the rest of my life pretending I never tasted what it’s like to almost have you.”
I’m so confused, I’m not sure which scares me more, walking away… or staying.
.
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