LUXOLO

I get to work, and the first thing I do is head straight to Sol’s office he allows me in after 6 knocks, I open the door and settle down. He doesn’t look well I wonder what’s going on with him, he is even shaking. Or maybe he’s catching colds, ey.

“Evening sir.” I sit down.

“Evening diamond. I wasn’t expecting your presence tonight.”

Me: “Well, I couldn’t afford another night off the girls already hate me, and I don’t want them hating me any further.”

Him: “Let them hate, and besides TK doubles the money if you aren’t around. Are you guys a couple now?”

Me: “No. We ain’t a couple, not yet anyway.”

Him: “I must say that you look cute together, perfect match,” I chuckle. “You guys should date once.”

Me: “What happened to dating clients is not prohibited?”

Him: “Some things don’t need you to fight them diamond, you must allow nature to take its cause.” Okay. This is not the Sol that I’ve ordered, what happened to the old Sol? The Sol that would’ve been on my throat immediately as I stepped inside his office? He’s changed, and I don’t like it one bit.

Me: “Are you okay? I mean, this is not you, I’m basically seeing another version of you.” He heaves out a sigh.

Him: “This is me, but with a twist. I can’t always be angry, and throwing tantrums diamond, remember that everything has its own time. You can go and get ready, clients are waiting.”

Me: “Oh, okay. Are you sure that you are okay?”

Him: “Yes. I’m okay. You better get going I need to finish up sorting these papers,” I get up from my chair nodding.

Me: “Take things slow Sol, don’t strain yourself.”

Him: “I will do. Thank you diamond, give it your best out there. Who knows? Maybe it might be your last pole dance this very night.” I look at him one last time before walking out of his office. Last pole dance this very night? What did he mean by that? Argh, I hope my life is not in danger, and he has something to do with it. Sighs, but then he is really not looking well, I guess he thought that I didn’t notice that he was hiding that his in pains, letting out slight whimpers unaware. Damn, I wonder what’s eating him. Nah, this fucker better pull through for this club’s sake, honestly I don’t know what will happen to this club if it were about to go through profit loss, wuhhh people will lose their jobs. Ai, I shake my head. Why am I worrying myself with things that don’t concern me? Huh.

I step inside the change room, and I find the ladies chatting & laughing, as soon as they see me they stop on their chatting, and laughing then look at me with their usual boring looks. Sighs. I bluntly ignore them, and settle down my station, and take out my make-up kit.

“It must be nice dating one of the X- gang members neh? Especially their boss, the man who calls all the shots. I mean, you are the current queen in their circle, and Sol is giving you off days as much as he wants without fighting you, and not giving you any warnings. But if it was us, hhe, let me not get started. Your inyanga is working overtime neh? You are abusing the poor soul just because you want to be relevant, and have these men eating at the palm of your hands right? Tell you what; all that will end very soon my dear don’t get too comfortable.” Zama says to me.

“K.” I respond, and focus on my face I’m really not in the mood for her, I have much bigger things to attend than entertaining their bitterness & jealousy.

Octavia: “Don’t K us you bitch! Your days are numbered here shame, you will be history soon wena msunu, we’ve been far patient with you out here acting like you are some sort of a queen, or you own this place. We’ve had it with you, we’ve had it with your nonsense!” They are angry at me bafwethu, extremely angry for no apparent reason they need deliverance from whatever is tormenting them, their demons are burning.

Me: “Do whatever you want ladies I don’t give a fuck, but be rest assured that I’ll be the last woman standing in all of this fucking plot you are planning for me. You ladies think that you know me, but I have news for you ladies; you don’t know me, and you don’t want to know me because once you know the real me, I doubt that you’ll even sleep at night because I’m a walking nightmare. Now, if you may please excuse me. I need to finish up here, I have clients to entertain. Anything else?” They just stare at me. “Perfect. Let’s all do what we came here for, and move on with our lives rather than stepping on each other’s toes because it won’t end well.”

Mapule: “This is not over diamond, not over.” Look whose talking, hahaha. Wuuhh, this life will show you flames shame, even Mapule is in this too after all that I’ve done for her, and supported her? But it’s all good, no worries.

Me: “Right.” She clicks her tongue, and they all go back to their stations talking amongst themselves. Okay, now this is my 3rd time someone telling me that I’ll be history soon, but Sol said it in a different way, now more than ever I’m convinced that something big is going on, and I’m the target. This is fucking insane, and the worst part is that I don’t know their plans or when will they strike, fuck maarn. And this is making me very uncomfortable, but ngizoyimela naseyi shubile.

The door flies open, and TK steps in looking around the room until his gaze stops on my station, he flashes me a smile, and walk toward me bese the amantombazana the girls bafuthekile kuthi banye mus. He wraps his arms around my neck from behind, and rest his big head on top of mine.

“Bubbles.”

Me: “And what brings you here?”

Him: “Must I have a reason for coming to see you unannounced?” He wiggles his brow.

Me: “Of course. Phela we aren’t dating, so you can’t come here anyway you want I’m on duty here.”

Him: “And you think that I don’t know that? Besides, I was bored I had nothing to do,” He shrugs then spins my chair making me to face him, and he gets in between my legs.

Me: “I thought you said you have things to take care off.”

Him: “My boys are taking care of things. So, should I wait for you until you knock off or must I leave?” I’m about to say no then I remembered that these women will make me disappear. I look at the girls, and they are all focusing on me & Tsakani. Rha, banna babaloi.

Me: “You can come back later and fetch me, I don’t think I’m safe here. People want me dead,” his joyful expression changes, and it’s now replaced by anger.

Him: “What? Who are those people? Do you know them?” I look at the girls from the corners of my eyes, and they all look scared some are even giving us their backs. “Bubbles!” I jump snapping out of my thoughts. “Who are those mother-fucking-nonsense trying to test my patience!”

Me: “Calm down TK. Breathe sweetheart breathe, and it’s only rumors making rounds,” he chuckles, and turns around slowly looking at the ladies.

Him: “Aniringeni ke misunu. Who amongst you is trying to test my patience? Who amongst you is fucking tired of living?” No one says anything.

Me: “I don’t think they know anything,” he laughs.

Him: “Is that so? Oh, I forgot to tell you something bubbles. Remember the time you left your phone in my house?” I nod. “Well, one of these girls here called you using a private number, and she was warning you that you must be careful, and always sleep with one eye open. She said a whole lot of bullshit, bekanya ngom’lomo bubbles lo mdeed kuzolezinja lezi!” I look at the girls, and they are all not meeting my gaze, but I already know who called me, and that person stole my numbers from Sol’s office because none of these ladies have my numbers, none.

Me: “I’ll deal with them my way, and I think I know who called. Don’t worry yourself about this.”

Him: “I trust you. I was ready to turn this club upside down one time, even Sol wouldn’t have done anything about it, but I respect him only because you work here. Nina bo swine, I’m watching all of you. Should something happen to bubbles, hhe,” he whistles. “Kuzonuka bo lovey, amasimba.” He gives me a kiss, not just a kiss but a deep kiss that couples usually kiss, gish, gosh. Hha, he pulls out as I try to catch my breath.

Me: “Sies,” I wipe my lips.

Him: “But you enjoyed it, and it got you wet no lies about that.”

Me: “Now move, I need to change the panty liner,” he laughs as I push him away.

Him: “Well, I guess I’ll be hitting it tonight plus u Mamba have been fasting, Ishuuu. Habashwe, I can’t wait.” I give him a stare as I get off the chair, he winks, and I softly laugh. “Let me escort you.” The other ladies have already, but Zama? I will deal with her, ebile I will push her off the stage making her to fall flat face

and all her teeth come out. Silly. I know, but she deserves it. TK links our arms as we walk out of the change room. 

★»★«

NOMALANGA

It’s 13:00pm in the afternoon, and the sun is out to play, the birds are chirping, and the flowers are very beautiful. The kids are happy, and so are the young adults having fun in the water. I’m sitting in my room watching everything from this gigantic window. Breakfast in the morning was very awkward I must say, I don’t know if Tsakani’s family eat breakfast silently or maybe it was because of my presence I really don’t know. But what I do know is that I’m never having breakfast with them, ever. They are just a bunch of weird family, wuhh let me not get started about these other wives the way they annoy me I was not even interested in knowing their names. Mmathabo is the only one who’s tolerateable as for the rest of them, hhayi shame bayabhala they bhal’ and they have a very stinking attitude, sighs. This is going to be one “safety vacation” from hell I don’t even think I will survive 3 more days here, ku too much, and I’m tired and the kids are forever making noise, well, at least the husbands are friendly, and very accommodating. The doorbell rings, I wonder who is it. I get up from my chair putting my book down, and attend the door. I yank it open and it’s one of the makotis.

“We are about to have lunch. Shall we wait for you or must we eat?” Her voice carries so much attitude, and you can tell that she’s annoyed its like she was forced to come here, and let me know.

“Urh…m, what’s your name again?”

Her: “How is you knowing my name relevant here because I’m here to tell you about lunch, not to make friends with you.” I nod.

Me: “Very well then. And no, I will not join you, enjoy.”

Her: “Thought as much,” she looks at me as if I’m disgusting. She clicks her tongue, and walks away. I close the door after her, and walk back to my chair. Yazi, I don’t remember Luxolo disrespecting me, or talking to me as if I’m her age mate, but what I just witness few minutes ago its shocking, sometimes I wonder what some parents are teaching their kids, sighs. Speaking of kids I need to call Luxolo I know that is almost midnight in South Africa, but I still need to call her, and let her know that we’ve arrived safe, even though she already knows that, but I still need to assure her. And again, I wonder how lindiwe is doing there in Colombia phela naye she never tried keeping in touch with us, and unfortunately for me, I can’t call her because we are both using international numbers, and she doesn’t have WhatsApp I would’ve called her, and checked up on her. I look at the time, and Luxolo’s shift have already started, right. The doorbell comes through at the door again, now what? Can’t these people just let me be, and not disturb my peace? I get up from my chair, and attend the door. Oh, it’s another makoti.

“Lunch is ready.” She’s tells me already walking away. I shake my head, I might as well go, and eat rather than starving myself I can’t take my medication on an empty stomach after all. I put on my slippers, and walk out of my room going to join them, I find them already seated in the big table laughing as soon as they saw me approaching the women stopped laughing. This is just crazy I tell you. I greet sitting down only the boys, and Mmathabo respond, and the rest keep quiet.

“I think I’ve just lost my appetite, excuse me.” Tsakani’s mother says getting up from her chair.

“Me too.” Says the other makoti, and she too gets up from her chair too.

Hlulani: “Sit down Okuhle. What nonsense is this? Why are you behaving like a high school girl who just entered the adolescent stage, huh?” She looks at her husband.

Her: “Bu…” he bangs the table

“Damn it maarn! Don’t but me, sit down at this instant Okuhle!” He roars at her, and Okuhle quickly sits down. “Eat. And Sabelo you better talk with your mother because we are going to be here for a very long time, tell her to start acting her age because if I do she will hate me for weeks, as for you Okuhle stop being a pushover! How many times did I tell you to stop being a pushover? I swear my ancestors gave me a weak wife, a wife with no backbone! Excuse me, I need some air.” He huffs getting up from his chair leaving Okuhle wiping her tears. From the corner of my eye I see Mmathabo smiling dishing up for herself, and the table is dead silent.

“We can start eating guys, and as for me, I already love this safety vacation. Eat up guys, we still have some side viewing to do, I can’t wait to see how beautiful this place is seeing that the sky looks beautiful at night. Asidleni,” she throws a Russian in her mouth, and the guys laugh. The other Makoti’s are not even trying to smile, well, tough luck for them because we are all here to stay. Sabelo’s phone beeps indicating a message, he views it, and smiles.

“Well, please excuse me I need to fetch more guests,” he’s already on his feet.

Mmathabo: “More guests? What guests now baby?”

Him: “Tsakani’s friends families are here,” she laughs.

Her: “Wuhhh, I think I like this vacation more drama coming, as I wait for Mmangwane to arrive hahaha. Akusemnandi, go, and fetch them baby I want someone’s high blood to go up, up in the heavens.” The others shake their heads. Okay, its official. Mmathabo loves drama, and I wonder who this Mmangwane is because she sounds like trouble, mina I’m not in the mood for many people, and drama, I also pray that we won’t be sharing rooms. I dish up for myself, and start eating. The afternoon is still long hey, but I will endure the vacation until I don’t know when. God, please give me strength to pull through, and not step on anyone’s toes.

★»★«

TSAKANI

I’m outside the club waiting for bubbles to come out of the club, and its 02:45am I’m sleepy as hell. I see her coming out of the club with some customers who are busy groping her, and some pulling her by her hands trying their luck. Erh, is this what she experiences every time she knocks off? This is bullshit, I don’t like it, at all. I open the door wanting to step out of the car to meet bubbles halfway, but someone pushes it, closing it. What the actual fuck? I try again, and he/she does the same thing. I bring my face near my window trying to see who it is, but the person is wearing all black. She/he’s back is the one closing the door, I chuckle, and take out my silence gun underneath my seat I check if have some bullets, and there’s one I will not miss. People really love annoying, I’ve never encountered any drunk person daring me & disrespecting me like this. I open the passenger’s door, and take one foot out and my upper body aiming at this person, I shoot him/her straight on the neck, and he/she staggers moving away from my car surprising the people he’s standing with.

I take my gun from my waist, and walk around the car I want to see who the fucker is. I remove the hood, and I don’t know him. Sighs, I’m sure it’s one of those random drunkies, but still uyaphapha. Mxm, I shake my head, and step inside my car… Seconds later bubbles joins me looking tired.

“Hey Tk.”

“Is this what you go through every time you knock off?”

Her: “If you mean the customers touching me anyway they want, then the answer is yes.”

Me: “I don’t like this job of yours bubbles, and I know that I said you hav…” she brings her hand up stopping me from talking.

Her: “Please don’t. I’m tired, and I need some massage, and some gin to relax my body.”

Me: “I will deal with you bubbles, I will. Today it’s you & me, but I will allow you to rest as much as you want.”

Her: “Please!” I queue in some music as I drive, I look at her, and she’s sleeping, lightly snoring. Shame, she’s tired maarn, but I must have a talk with Sol, he needs to do something about his customers. Bayadelela, yuhhh.