BONDED FOREVER
19. YOU KNOW WHY.
PEARL
“Thank you for doing this, I swear I won’t overstay.” Mika says while rolling in her extra large suitcase into my apartment. Her words and her suitcase are not agreeing with each other but I guess understand, I also struggle with the concept of packing light.
” No worries, I don’t mind having you around. “I assure her, now that we’ve mended our friendship, I’m ready to move on from the past.
She asked to come and stay with me for a few days, they don’t have water in the areas that she stays in and they received messages that it might take days to fix this and seeing that it’s a Friday, the issue will probably drag on until the following week.
“I hope I won’t be cramping your style, especially if Andziso wants to come over.”
“You’re over thinking. I’m not expecting him… Although, I think he might be sleeping over tonight so it would be good if you could make yourself scarce by the time we arrive later tonight. “
“Pearl, are you asking me to hide from your boyfriend?”she sounds a little offended. I’m in a tight spot here, she’s my friend and she needed help on the other side, Andziso is my man and he can’t stand her. I wish they could be able to get along, I hate being caught in the middle.
” I am. “
” Why? Is he still upset with me over that little incident with his baby mama? Because if he is then I don’t understand why it’s rubbing him off the wrong way so much when you say that he said there’s nothing going on between them.
I see where this is headed and I choose not to go there. “Andziso has reservations about you, because I overshared and in turn you used what I told you.”
“But I said I was sorry.” she whines.
“To me, not to him.”
“Okay, I’ll apologize to him too.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll just let it be.”
“Let it be? Pearl, we are both in your life.”
“And you both occupy different spots. Don’t worry about Andziso, he’s not not worried about you either.” I say and mouths a ‘wow’. “Come on, I don’t mean it like that.”
“What do you mean then?” she raises her eyebrow at me, looking ready for a confrontation.
“I mean that you should get the rest of your stuff so we can head to work.”
“Can we ride together?”
“We can’t. I’m planning to slip off early to come and prepare for my evening. Now get up from the couch Mika or we’re going to be late.”
“Okay, okay. I’m coming”
ANDZISO
When Bakang said he would make a plan, I wasn’t expecting that it would be this soon. Not to say I’m complaining though because I’m not, the sooner this gets done the better.
“Start thinking of ways you’re going to thank me, a night of free drinks isn’t a bad start.” He says as he makes himself comfortable in my office “Damn, I haven’t been here in quite some time. Things are changing, I see you have a nice assistant too.”
“Just yesterday you wanted to screw Enelo, now you’ve moved on to my assistant?”
“I love having options and you said Enelo is off limit.”
“So is my staff.” I assert.
“Now you’re just being unnecessarily bossy. There’s nowhere in work contracts does it state that an employee can’t have a good time with their boss’s friend.”
“That clause should be there, for people like you.”
“Ouch, the judgement hits hard, brother.” he places his hand in his chest and fakes a grimace.
“Tell me something good.” I urge him. I know this isn’t just a visit.
“Something good is that I managed to get something for Fine Shamiso.” he smirks and when I don’t say anything he chuckles “Anyway, it seems you are just in luck because one of our front people is leaving, she can fill that post. That’s if she doesn’t mind answering calls and greeting people all day.”
“It beats cleaning up after people, I think she will appreciate that.”
“Have you spoken to her about it?”
“Not yet. I didn’t want to lift her hopes before getting something concrete yet.”
“Alright, well she still has to go through the proper channels even though they will be altered to suit her. Just so talks don’t start.”
“Oh yeah, anything to not turn the place into a hostile workplace for her, I have a feeling that she’s had enough of that already.”
“Why is that?”
“Her manager is a pain. He’s been giving her hell because she rejected him.” I repeat what Anaishe told me and the same look of irritation that hit me hits Bakang too.
“In this day and age we still have people who can’t take an L?”
“We do, I don’t like that guy and the sooner she’s away from him the better.”
“You don’t like him, because of his pig behavior or because he likes your girl?”
“How many times must I say she’s not my girl?”
“Does Pearl know that you organised a job for Shamiso?”
“Man, how do you just hop from what topic to the next?”
“Answer me.” He demands.
“No, I didn’t tell her.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know, I just didn’t.” I sound defensive, even I hear it.
“You know why, and that answers everything else. Anyway, keep playing like that and she will mee her tall, dark and handsome future husband at her new workplace. You better not lose your shit when she does.”
“I only wanted to get her a job, what she decides to do is on her.”
“Alright, buddy. Give me her number.”
“And why the fuck would I do that?” the words come out harsher than intended, Bakang laughs at me then shakes his head.
“You’re going to lose your mind one of these days. I want her number so we can call her and set up an interview, insecure baby daddy.” he clarifies and my words get stuck in my throat. Why didn’t I think of that?
I reach for my phone and share her contact with him on WhatsApp” You sure this is her job? “
” I’m very sure, everything else is simply a formality. “
He excuses himself and I think of calling her so she is prepared when they call.” Hey. “she answers with a happy voice.
” Hey, can you talk? “
” Yeah, I’ve got some time to spare. What’s up? “
” First, I want you to know that I did what I did because I want to help you. Consider this being a friend who is helping out a friend, because we are friends, right?”
“Yes, we are friends. What did you do?” she doesn’t even sound nervous and that makes me happy, knowing that she trusts me enough to know that I will never make decisions that will impact negatively on her is a damn good feeling.
“I asked Bakang to give you a job.” I stop and wait for her reaction.
“You did? Andziso… You don’t have to go through such lengths, you don’t owe me anything and I don’t want you living your life with that burden.” her soft voice comes through.
“I know that, like I said, this is a friend helping out a friend. Ana told me about your situation with Simon and no one should have to work under those conditions and this job comes with perks, you only work Monday to Friday, with fixed working hours, benefits and a better pay. “
” That sounds like a dream come true. “she whispers.
” It is? You’re not mad at me for meddling? “
” No, ” she chuckles” How can I be mad when you’re helping me. I appreciate your efforts and I promise not to disappoint you or Bakang. “
This eases some tension I wasn’t even aware I had begun gathering.
” That’s good. They will call to invite you for an interview. Bakang says it’s a done deal but you still prepare. “
” Absolutely, I’ll plan ahead. Thank you, so much for this. “
” You’re welcome, I’ll let you go now.” I say. One thing done, now I just have to focus on this evening. I check the time and decide that I’ll go pick Khanyisa up from school then I’ll go home to get ready so I can pick up Pearl on time.
PEARL
My day goes from a zero to a hundred in just a blink of an eye. I’ve been in endless meetings and I don’t think I’ll be able to get home on time so I excuse myself to make a call to Andziso.
“Babe, I’m on my way.”
“Hey babe, I’m not home yet. Please pass by my place and get my dress and shoes then come to my office. I’ll get ready here, my day got a bit hectic.”
“I’d need to get a key from you first.” He says.
“No, there’s no need. Mika is at my place.”
“She is?” I can hear the displeasure in his tone.
“I was going to tell you when I see you, she doesn’t have water at her place so she’s squatting with me for a few days. I’ll call and tell her to open for you.”
“Alright.” he says and I quickly hang up so I can call Pearl and tell her that Andziso is on his way. I’m nervous about the two of them being in the same space considering that I know how one feels about the other but I’m in a tight spot and there’s no other way around it. Hopefully they won’t strangle each other.
ANDZISO
I get to Pearl’s place and use the code she sent to access the estate then. Considering that she still had to get ready, we’re now pressed for time so I don’t waste any time heading up to her apartment and when I arrive I knock, a moment later I hear someone yell from the inside that it’s unlocked and I can answer.
I twist the handle and let myself in. I don’t see the clothes or Mikateko anywhere in sight so I head straight to Pearl’s bedroom, where she said I’d get her stuff. I first reach for the garment bag and check that the dress is in there. Once I’ve confirmed I throw it on my arm. I turn to look for the shoes and that’s when I find Mikateko standing by the door, in nothing but a towel. Before I can register what’s going on, her towel drops to the floor.