BONDED FOREVER.
8. AFTER THIS EVENING.
SHAMISO
With the sudden change of plans, I race against time to get ready and make it to work on time. The last thing I need is Simon breathing down my neck about late coming when he’s the one who switched things up at the eleventh hour. It’s crazy how this thing with Simon is playing out exactly how I imagined it would, imagine if I had agreed to go on that date with him for my birthday.
As irritated as I am, I cannot afford to gamble with the one thing that’s standing between me and poverty so I suck up my anger and make sure I’m walking out the main door without wasting anymore time. Anaishe is nowhere in sight when I leave our apartment and I’m partly glad for that. I’m not saying that it’s her fault that Simon is proving to be a douche like I figured he would of things don’t go his way, I just feel like she should have listened to me instead of trying to play matchmaker.
The entire way to work, I’m thinking of how I was prepared to get through today. To meet Andziso, I had even imagined how the scene would play out and it further infuriated me how Simon’s bruised ego is interfering with my own plans. I’ll need to call and reschedule, hopefully I can see him soon, while I’m still holding on to my bravery.
When I arrive, moody Simon is already there and making his rounds around the restaurant. Our eyes meet and I stare for a few seconds before proceeding to where I want to go.
“Shami, didn’t you say we will see you tomorrow?” one of the waitresses asks when she sees me and it’s loud enough for Simon to hear from where he is standing.
“I was told to come to work this morning.” I answer and leave her with a raised eyebrow. I also don’t care to turn and look at Simon. I just head straight to the changing rooms to put on my uniform and get ready for the day. I decide that I’ll call Andziso’s office during my lunch break and try to get another opening. It will have to be on my day off or I’ll have to fake a sickness.
I head to the room where we keep our cleaning things and I’m preparing to go mop the floors when the door opens and he walks in. “Was that necessary?” he lowly asks.
“What?”
“What you said earlier to when asked why you’re here.”
“She asked and I answered, I wasn’t aware that I’m prohibited from telling the truth.” I stop what I’m doing and look at him.
He looks at me too, intensely and as intimidating as he is, I know that looking away will make him believe that he can stomp on me whenever he feels like it so I keep my eyes on him too with a straight face until he backs away.
“Fine, go do your job.”
“On it.” I say and walk passed him while dragging my bucket and ringer trolley. I’ll be counting down the hours till knock off time.
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NARRATED POV.
She messed up. She knew it the moment Shamiso’s mood changed after reading the text message and when she shut the door on her face, that just put a stamp to just how pissed her the only true friend that she has ever known is, at her.
She meant no harm, really. She has seen how closed off Shamiso is and she thought that maybe if she pushes her to live a little then it might put a genuine smile on her face but it seems that she pushed a little too hard. This is a bad habit that she needs to work on.
Damn Simon.
That douchebag who can’t handle a woman saying no to him. Now that she sees him for who and what he really is, she is glad that things never went far with him and Shamiso. Imagine being stuck with a man child like him, having him throw tantrums whenever things don’t go his way. Shamiso would have been screwed.
She should have listened when her friend asked her to stop and she will be sure to apologise when she sees her later today as for now, she has some serious damage control to do.
She took a picture of the information that Shamiso jotted down on the day that she made an appointment to see Sarai’s father and now her Uber has just dropped her off in front of one of the tallest buildings she has ever seen.
She looks up and admires the place from the outside while gathering her nerves. Since Simon decided to make himself a weapon formed against her friend, she is here on her behalf. She will meet Andziso and tell him that what he needs to know then she will leave it up to him to show up, if he doesn’t then he will definitely be seeing her again. She’s not like Shamiso, she’s not quick to cower… There she goes, this is the same behavior that got her in trouble with Shamiso in the first place but no, she’s going to do this one thing and then she will start practicing to not push too hard… Only after this one last push.
She makes it through the main security after producing her documentation then she lets them know where she’s going and they let her know which floor to go to. She’s alone in the elevator and counts up as the numbers light up. She’s feeling a little nervous but it’s nothing she can’t control.
She braces herself as the doors slide open and and she steps out in her confident walk, she’s so glad she chose to wear heels, this is a serious place and she needs to look just as serious. She looks around the place and it appears to be quite busy. Everyone seems to be working and no one is lazying around, even those who ware walking together seem to be discussing something important. This is way out of her element and intriguing at the same time. Seeing all these men and women dressed so nicely, smelling the expensive coffee, the fancy furniture itself. Everything is just… Formal.
She stops by the reception table and is greeted by the widest customer service smile. Even after confirming that she’s here for her appointment, they request to see her identification documents yet again. She remembers how Shamiso used her name when setting this appointment, what proof would she have submitted if she had been the one to come here? This thought makes her scoff, making the receptionist look at her. “Oh sorry, that wasn’t for you. I just thought of something.” she clarifies and the little tension dissolves.
She has to go up another floor to get to Andziso’s office and it’s more quiet compared to where she’s coming from. “Miss. Mabhiya, welcome.” a lady around her age greets.
“Hi, I’m here for my appointment…”
“Yes, I already got a call from reception. Mr. Rhangani is still on a phonecall but he will be done soon. You can wait for him over here.” She shows her the cosy waiting area and Ana goes to take a seat on the expensive looking leather couch “Would you like anything to drink in the meantime?”
Shamiso would say no. Thank goodness she is not Shamiso “What do you have?”
“We have coffee, tea, juice and water.”
“Is it the same that I smelled downstairs?” she quizzically asks and the lady smiles.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll have that, thanks… With milk… If you have. “
“We do, coffee is coming right up. “
In just moments, the lady returns with a little white tray that has a disposable coffee cup which is branded with the company name and logo, a lid, sachets of sugar and a spoon. She places the tray on the coffee table in front of Ana” There you go, ma’am. We apologise for the delay but he won’t be long now. “
” It’s okay, I’ll wait. ” Ana reassures her then helps herself to their amazing coffee. She chooses to close it so she can keep it hotter for longer, plus she’s planning on taking the cup home, it looks too nice to throw away.
She’s barely had a lot of sips when the telephone rings and when the assistant hangs up and says “He’s ready for you now,” then she leads her to his door and knocks once before telling Ana she can go in.
Andziso is already in his feet, ready to welcome another potential client. “Miss. Mabhiya, welcome. My apologies for keeping you waiting, the phonecall took longer than I anticipated,” he’s already holding out a hand for a handshake.
“Wow, you’re more finer in person,” the words slip out from Ana and she immediately covers her mouth. Okay, she needs to work on that too.
Andziso gives a confused look and she can’t help but smile, she can see why her friend was taken back in their tertiary days.” I’m sorry, that was totally inappropriate,” she goes ahead and shakes his hand.
“I won’t waste anymore of your time, why don’t we take our seats and you tell me what Khanyisa Tech can do for you.” he decides to ignore everything else. She’s not the first woman to react like that and she’s probably not the last. He doesn’t let it get to his head though, he remains a grounded guy.
” I honestly have no idea how tech stuff even works, “she tells him and he stops walking to look at her.
” I thought you’re here to discuss services that you’d like for your business, “
” Business, oh”she stops and laughs a little “I’m no business owner,”
“Uhm-“
“I lied…no, my friend lied just so she could be able to see you,”
“Miss. Mabhiya-“
“Anaishe, please. Look, I’m sorry, I came with a prepared speech and now you’re looking at me and it’s quite intimidating honestly. Which makes me glad that it’s me because if it were her then she probably would have passed out by now, but you know that about her already because-“she stops when she realises that the more she rambles the more intense looking he becomes.” I’m sorry, Andziso. I don’t mean to waste your time, “
” Yet that’s exactly what you’re doing. I don’t know what you think this is but I don’t have the time-” He changes direction and heads towards the door.
“Wait… I know, I know. I’m sorry,” she cuts him off again “I came here on behalf of my friend. She wanted to come here herself but that ass of a manager that we have decided to screw her over last minute because she doesn’t want him,”she quickly says then takes a breather” Anyway, I came here because I know that missing this chance will make her crawl into her little hiding hole again and I don’t know when she will come out and tell you that she’s back,
The last words catch his attention and he feels his heart start to race as he asks ” Who is back? “
” Shamiso… The mother of your child is back.”
PEARL
“How does this look?”
“Ohhh, now that’s risqué. Will you guys have a private pool or something because I doubt your man will want you wearing that where everyone else can see you.” Mika asks while I eye the sexy bikini set.
“I don’t know, he just sent me money and told me to get whatever I want for our weekend away. I asked if there will be a pool and he said yes so we’ll see.”
“You should have asked for his card instead.”
“What? No way, I’ve never done that and I never will.” I pick another set, not as risqué as the first one just incase we’re out in public, I’m still taking the first one too though.
“Why not? The guy is monied and you know it.”
“I make my own money too, incase you have forgotten and I love that I don’t have to ask him for money, he just sends it.” what he’s doing is more than enough, demanding his card is just greed and overstepping. I doubt even Khanyisa demands his card and she’s his dependent.
” Hmm, some girls are lucky the rest of us are just here to clap hands for you. “she playfully claps her hands and I snicker. I am lucky, lucky enough to have a man who not only spoils me but respects me too and makes me feel loved.” Anyway, let’s continue shopping for this maybe trip. “
” Will you stop calling it that. “
” What? People with kids can be annoying, friend. They plan stuff with you then from nowhere, they come up with excuses.”
“Andziso is not like that.”
“He’s never left you hanging?” she asks although she already knows the answer.
“His little girl was sick, it would have been selfish of me to expect him to continue clubbing with me knowing well that he left a sick child at home. Relationship are about being considerate, Mika. It’s not always supposed to be about me.”
“Let’s hope this weekend doesn’t become about little Khanyisa then, keep your fingers crossed.” she gives me a closed mouth smile but she’s already left me feeling unsettled. I really want this weekend to happen and so far he had shown interest in it. I get lost in my own thoughts until I hear Mika gasp then I look at her” Friend, look at this set. “she checks the pricetag and her eyes go wide” please get this for me… Pretty please. “
” Hayi Mika, get it yourself. “I know she has the money to pay for it.
” But you have extra money. Your boyfriend sent you money to come shopping. “
” Exactly. Money to come shopping for our trip, not to treat my friend. “
” It’s not like you’ll tell him, he won’t know. Come on Pearl.”
“He won’t know but I will. Come, let’s go pay for these things.” I start walking towards the paypoints, leaving her standing next to the bikinis. Maybe I’m being petty but I don’t like how she speaks about my relationship with Andziso. She can’t be dissing him one moment and then want to spend his money the next, that makes no sense and as for our trip, I know it will happen. He promised.
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SHAMISO
The first thing I do when I get home is head to my room and change into cotton shorts and a loose t-shirt then I put on my slippers. It was one exhausting day, especially with the tension brewing between myself and Simon but I kept things professional, he’s still my superior after all.
Ana wasn’t in our living room or kitchen when I entered so I decide to go knock in her bedroom door, the door isn’t completely shut so it opens a bit as I knock.
She’s all dressed up, looking like she’s going somewhere and I try to remember if she mentioned these plans before. “You look beautiful.” I say, leaning against her door frame.
“Thank you.” she gets up from her vanity chair and gives me a full view of her look. Ana is a naturally beautiful woman and her confidence just adds to that, she doesn’t even need to try hard.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeap, Phillip finally remembered that I exist and he called asking to see me so this is me going to show him what he’s missing out on then I’ll leave him hanging the same way that he did with me.”
“Wasn’t it you who said he is a busy man who travels a lot?”
“Phones are there even when people are traveling, Shami.”
“True,”I mutter then straighten up” I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have snapped at you and I shouldn’t have shut the door on your face like that. You’re not in control of Simon’s actions. “
” But I encouraged him to pursue you. You were right, I shouldn’t have done that. I should have listened to you and let it go, he’s not all that anyway. ” she makes a disgusted face.
” He’s definitely not. Most of all, he’s not worth me fighting with my friend. I’m sorry, Ana. “
” I’m sorry too. I know I’m too forward and it’s annoying. I’ll work on this flaw of mine, I promise. “
” You swear? “
” After this evening, yes I swear.”
” What’s happening this evening? “
Before she can answer me, there is a knock on the main door. “Can you get that?” she asks then continues to fix herself for the evening.
I casually walk to the door expecting to see her… I don’t even know what to call him because she says they aren’t dating… Well, I’m expecting to see Phillip so I unlock the door and pull it open while a smile is plastered on my face. I’m expecting to see a slightly older man whose come to get my friend, so you can imagine the shock that hits me when I find that that’s not who is standing right in front of me.
My heart starts racing and there’s this ringing sound deep in my ears as I try to hold on to the door so I don’t lose my balance. He gives me an equally shocked expression as he looks at me. Without a word he steps forward and roughly pulls me to his chest. He wraps his arms tightly around me as though I’ll disappear if he loosens his hold. My head is on his chest and I feel his heart beating so fast. At this moment, I begin to feel everything that has helped me keep it together this long become undone, I start crumbling from the inside.