{SHORT}

TSAKANI

So, Milan saw it fit too to take her own life just because Batista is no more, it’s not as if like she wasn’t going to survive or find love again, but she, too, just like Batista & Talon is selfish. She shot herself inside their pool. Milan, is the one who found her, water filled with crimson and unfortunately the baby didn’t make it too. The week has been such a drag luckily for us we had no funerals to arrangements to make they’re all going to be cremated this evening and their ashes will be thrown in the river in the early hours of the morning. It was Talon’s & Batista’s wish to be cremated and not buried, and since we don’t know any family members of Maxine, we’ve agreed to cremate her too, only close family members are allowed. Thembeka is not coming, she said she doesn’t want anything to do with Talon or Khalasi. They don’t exist in her life, poor Khalasi, but Nomalanga is willing to raise him as her own, well, she is raising him after all. Khalasi will grow knowing that she’s his mother. Once he’s old enough he will be told the truth.

“What time are we departing to the burning deport?” Dakalo, implores looking at the time on his wrist.

“Around 18:00 pm.”

Him: “At least I have 2 more hours, I’ll be back before you know it,” I nod, and he dashes off.

“Hey, TK. Has Tammy eaten, yet?” Lindiwe implores.

Me: “I don’t think so. She’s refusing to open for me,” she sighs. “You too?”

Her: “Yes. She actually blames herself for Maxine’s death, she says that if she didn’t come with Maxine here, she would still be alive.”

Me: “I told her that is not her fault that Maxine couldn’t handle the grief, and she decided to cut things short and take her own life without even thinking twice, inflicting more pain on our already shattered hearts. Nxa. Selfish human being.”

Her: “I know right? Guess she didn’t care about how we are going to feel about her death, or maybe she saw it fit to die the very same day as Batista & Talon did so that we can mourn all of them same time, and move on move on with our lives. Guess she didn’t want to shatter our hearts as days moved forward and halfway through our healing journey.”

Me: “I guess, but still…, ”

“She was selfish,” Lindiwe finishes the sentence for me coming behind us. “She was definitely selfish, how could she? Argh, anyway, it’s all said & done now.”

Milan: “But we haven’t cremated them though, so it’s not ‘said & done’ just yet, or maybe to you, it is I don’t know.”

Her: “Yeah, you’re right. Okay, let’s say I will behave until we’ve cremated them, then we move away from this heartache. My heart is too heavy, this week was such a drag and emotional too. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to move on from all this, I’m so over this week.”

Milan: “Same here.” Easy for them to say because they didn’t grow up together, done a lot of things together, and created plenty of memories that will last for a lifetime with them. Batista & Talon were my brothers, they may not have been by blood but I was much closer to them than my brothers we ever were. We’ve shared a lot together, so it will take me some time to move on from their death.

Me: “Easy for you to say. Let me go and check on bubbles, I’m sure she will grant me access now to get inside the room and give her- her food.” They nod as I walk away.

The door yanks open after countless times of knocking, I was on a verge of kicking it down.

“I’m sorry, please get in.” She tells me. I step in and observe her, she looks like a mess. You can tell that she has been crying.

Me: “I’ve brought you food.”

Her: “Thank you. Let me go and cleanse my face, ” she disappears to the bathroom connecting to our bedroom. I put her plate on top of the dressing table, and wait for her to come back. “I’m back, ” she sits down next to me.

Me: “How are you holding up?”

Her: “Fine, now that I’ve cried it out, and stopped blaming myself for her death.”

Me: “That’s good. You had me apprehensive there.”

Her: “I couldn’t keep the strong facade for too long, one way or the other I was going to break down.”

Me: “It’s good to cry it out than bottling it, I cried too.”

Her: “Yeah, I guess. Have you eaten?”

Me: “No. I can’t stomach anything.”

Her: “Well, we can always eat together the food is too much for me, you know I’m on a diet.”

Me: “Diet?” Chuckling. “You on a diet?” She growls. “Okay, I believe you. Let’s eat.”

Her: “The food was good. Who cocked?” The plate is cleaned out, I think I need some more.

Me: “Mmamgwane with the help of Okuhle.”

Her: “They did a great job, but I’m not full, ” she pouts.

Me: “Same here, let me go and ask for a refill.”

Her: “Bring some beer with,” I nod getting up from the bed. “Add more meat.”

Me: “What happened to your diet?” I narrow my brows and she laughs. It’s good seeing her smiling.

Her: “I’m mourning, allow please.”

Me: “Fine.” I mumble stepping out of the room.

Mmangwane: “The plate is clean, that’s good. Want some more?”

Me: “Please, and don’t forget to put more meat. Bubbles orders,” she laughs nodding.

Her: “You look much better now.”

Me: “Yeah, bubbles is fine, so I’m also fine. Her being miserable affects me too.”

Her: “Young love. I wish you guys all the best, and I’m choosing myself to be your maid of honor no discussion,” I laugh. “I’m serious njalo Tsakani.”

Me: “I know. I have a lot planned for our future, she’s the one for me, and there’s no turning back.”

Her: “That’s what I want to hear. Who would’ve thought that one day you will finally settle down?”

Me: Smiling. “No one, well, except God & my ancestors of course.”

Her: “Impressive. Go and eat now, I’ll ask one of the girls to come and fetch the plate when you’re done,” she hands me the food once done dishing up.

Me: “Thank you.” I take the plate. “But I prefer not being disturbed I will bring it back once done

” she nods and I walk back to the bedroom. 

Her: “Le ska dira matlakala mowe!” She calls out after me, I laugh. Hhayi lo Mama. We can’t disrespect them like that.

★»★«

LUXOLO

Everyone has departed to the burning deport and I decided to remain behind. Oh, and my mother remained with me together with the pregnant Okuhle. We are sitting in complete silence in the lounge, Khalasi is sleeping on my mother’s lap he loves sleeping this one.

“I need to go and lie down a bit, can I please be excused?” Okuhle informs us.

“You are excused,” I respond.

Her: “Thank you.” She starts walking away leaving me with my mother. It’s so sheepish being around her after months of not conversing, sighs.

Mom: “So, how have you been?”

Me: “Fine, I guess. And you?”

Her: “Been surviving, but Bulelwa is just impossible to live with. She always reminds me of my preceding as if I have learned from it. I’ve made terrible choices that’s for sure, but I know better now.”

Me: “Just let her be. She needs to get a life or a boyfriend, or something.” She laughs. “I’m serious, she’s so stuck up and it’s annoying.”

Her: “Tell me about it, but we no longer take notice of her anymore.”

Me: “That’s good. So, I spoke to Tsebo the other day.”

Her: “Oh, what did he say?”

Me: “He said that he wanted us to talk. I agreed. So, I’ve scheduled a brunch meeting with him for next week Tuesday.”

Her: “That’s good. I pray that everything goes well, and possibly build a father-daughter relationship.”

Me: “I hope so too. Can I please ask?”

Her: “Go right ahead.”

Me: “Who’s Luxolo’s father because I’m quite sure that we don’t share a father.”

Her: “It’s Mr. Mazibuko. He used to be Tsebo’s friend.”

Me: “Whoa, so you slept with Tsebo knowing that he’s friends with this Mr. Mazibuko character?”

Her: “No. I slept with Mr. Mazibuko years back before I met Tsebo.”

Me: “Hmmm, so you were dating married men?” She sighed and shakes her head. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Her: “No, it’s okay, Nono. I was not dating married men I was a prostitute,” I gasp then cover my mouth with my hand, not that I’m surprised or anything because I already know that, but I’m sure that she thinks that Thembeka didn’t tell me everything about her past. “A high profiled prostitute that is, but I got carried away in the process, if I had sensations for that certain client I’d make sure that I seduced him to a point where I finally find myself living with them, but it never ended well.”

Me: “Wow. You have a very interesting past.”

Her: “I know and I’m not proud of it.”

Me: “At least you’ve changed.”

Her: “Yeah, I have.”

Me: “Dating?”

Her: “I’m done with relationships. Been there, done that. I’m just waiting for your wedding now, then grandchildren and I’m a happy woman,” we both laugh. “I’m being for real, relationships are a no go area for me.”

Me: “You’ll never know.”

Her: “Know what?”

Me: “I was just saying.”

Her: “Hmmm. Anyway, I need to find all the women I’ve wronged and apologize to them for wrecking their marriages.”

Me: “Ask God for forgiveness, mention those people you’ve hurt to him, and he will do the rest. Don’t worry.”

Her: “I’ve never seen a gangster believing in God.”

Me: “Huh? I’m not a gangster. And gangsters do believe in God, Mama.”

Her: “Keep fooling yourself, pshhh. You take after your father. Just so you know, I don’t like these gangster things of yours, but I’ll just accept it because you are one,” I laugh shaking my head. “Anyway, let me go and put Khalasi down then I will start preparing lunch.”

Me: “I’ll get started with it so long,” I’m already on my feet heading to the kitchen. Sandwiches and chicken will do these people have finished my grocery. My mom joins me shortly…

Her: “I miss moments like these Nono.”

Me: “I miss them too.” She smiles at me and I return it, and we continue preparing lunch. I need my space these people must leave my house, it’s enough now.

★»★«

VUYO

My palms are sweaty as I’m sitting in this room waiting for Nomonde. Adele, called me an hour ago saying that they will be arriving soon, and now here I am waiting for her, nervous. I’m going to come clean to her this evening and maybe I will take her home with me if she agrees I’ve already spoken to Adele, and told her the truth. She didn’t believe me at first but after showing her proof she believed and said that I can leave with her once she comes back. And I haven’t told Blessing, but I did tell Dineo, she didn’t have a problem with the issue.

The door flies open and Nomonde steps inside with some girl and they are busy laughing not noticing my presence. Nomonde’s friend is the first one to me as I get up from the bed, she nudges Nomonde and points me, she turns and when she sees me she opens her eyes in shock, and a confused expression will follow shortly that’s for sure.

“Hello, Nomonde. Sisi.”

Hi, urhm, girl, I will check up on you later,” the girl tells her and exits the room.

Her: “Ho- what are you doing here? I just got back, I’m not in the mood to entertain you, I need to rest,” she throws her suitcase on the bed.

Me: “I know and that’s not why I’m here.”

Her: “Then why are you here?”

Me: “We need to talk.”

Her: “Talk? Talk about what? I don’t know you that well to talk to you.”

Me: “You will.”

Her: “Listen Vuyo, I’m not allowed to communicate with my customers Adele hates it.”

Me: “That’s funny because she’s the one who told me to wait for you here in your room.”

Her: “Really?” I nod. “Let’s sit then,” we both sit down.

Me: “I don’t know how to put this to you, but I’m your father.” I get straight to the point no time for games. She chuckles not believing me.

Her: “Hhe. What did you just say?”

Me: “I’m your father.” Yoh, she starts fanning herself, then difficult breathing follows, shit Asthma. “Where’s your pump?” She points at her suitcase… I unzip it, and throw her clothes all over as I’m searching for her pump. Finally, I find it, I give it to her, and watch her attentively as she breaths in & out using it, dammnit.

5 minutes later…

Her: “Please leave my room I need to think, process this and understand it.”

Me: “Fair enough. But here are my numbers just in case you change your mind and this envelope that you see there contains all the information, I’ll be waiting for your call,” I give her a slight nod and step out of her room. Well, that was unexpected. But I do pray that she calls me soon, the sooner the better.

I get to the front and Adele is not around, I wonder where did she go to. I’m not even in the mood for a beer let me just leave. Should Nomonde call me and agree on hearing what I say I’ll tell her about Blessing, she loves that little champ a lot. I step inside my car, roar the engine to life and take off, I’ll drive around here just t in case she decides to call.

We are nearing the end…