INSERT 4
TSAKANI (TK)
The smell of blood touches my nostrils, and I almost laugh. Perfect. Just perfect. I lodge the knife deeper in his stomach, and watch him scream writhing on the cold, hard ground. Blood oozing from his stomach. I hate people who double cross me, and deny double crossing me, whereas the evidence is staring at them right on the face. Now, tell me; how do you not kill such a person? They are exhausting honestly. I watch him as he gasp taking in his last breath, I spit on his face. Rubbish…
“You called for me boss man,” Lee says stepping inside the garage.
“I want you to find out who the girl we met at the club is. What is her name and where does she live, who she lives with, who are her friends, who is she dating find me everything you can about her even her age if possible,” wiping my bloody hands.
“Bhoza?” (Boss)
Me: “Did I stutter?” He shakes his head. “Good, then find me the information about that girl.”
Him: “Where will I start looking for her? It was my first time seeing her around.”
Me: “Go back to chisanyama or something. All I want is her information that’s all, find me her information and I’m good.”
Him: “If I may ask sir, why are you so keen in finding information about her? You’ve never asked us for any information on your mistresses before”.
Me: “Did you just question me? Who said anything about her being my mistress?”
Him: “Sorry boss I’ll find everything about her”.
Me: “Good. You may be excused.”
Him: “Bhoza,” before he walks out I call his name, he turns and looks at me. “Bhoza”
Me: “Call the guys to come, and clean up this mess,” he nods, and walk away.
I sit back down. There is something about that girl, but I just can’t put my fingers into it, and well, she’s average looking not the type to introduce to my parents though. I liked the fact that she stood up for herself, she doesn’t shy away from situations she might be useful to me in the near future I Stan her bravery. Sasha throws herself into my chambers without even knocking, Sasha? She is just Sasha she is not the type of girl one would want to introduce to your parents or want to marry just like the “girl,” I’ve mentioned earlier on, Sasha likes material things.
“Hey babe I’ve missed you” she kisses my cheek and sits on top for me.
Me: “What happened to knocking?”
Her: “What’s up with the cold shoulder? I, last saw you 2 days ago, didn’t you miss me those past 2 days?”
Me: “I was busy and no I didn’t really miss you?” If it was any other day I would’ve entertained her but today it’s just not that day.
Her: “Wow. But some days you used to entertain me and drop everything for me. What changed?”
Me: “Nothing has changed, and right now I’m very busy as you can see”
Her: “Who is she?”
Me: “Who is who?”
Her: “Stop acting dumb. The bitch that is trying to take you away from me!”
Me: “I always knew that you are crazy and for your information I’m not seeing anyone not that it concerns you though”
Her: “You are a such a jerk Ali”.
Me: “I know and quite frankly I don’t give a fuck.”
Her: “Fvxk you!” She stands up and get out of my chambers, she seems mad but it’s cool because she is not my girlfriend but my fuck buddy, and I think she is getting too comfortable right now I need to remind her of her place. She is too blinded by material things, nc nc nc. I lit up my cigar and place my feet on top of the table, I hope Lee comes through for me with the information, I really need it.
★»★«
LUXOLO
I tried calling Bella for the whole week but her phone is still on voicemail, I am really worried about her, and my mom’s health is not doing any justice for her. It’s like she became worse overnight, I’m fearing for her life & mine too, she is the only person I have left. No one else. I finish cooking and I dish up for my mother and go to give her -her food then go and fetch mine and join her, she says grace, and we start eating.
“Xolo mntanami there’s something I want to talk to you about.” I stop eating and look at her it sounds serious. “I was talking to my sister Bavumile earlier today, and she has asked me to come back home” Bavumile is the second born with my mother being the 3rd, well the last time I saw her was at a family gathering, and I was 5/6 years old around that time.
“That’s a good thing right? I mean you will have people who will take care of you and I will go look for a job, so long. I’m sure there are a lot of job opportunities that side.” Bavumile stays in Jo’burg… Since Bella has vanished without a trace, I’m forced to start job hunting again. I’m sure something will come up. This must be a good start for me. She gives me a faint smile.
Me: “So, when are we leaving?”
Her: “I declined her offer”
Me: “What? But why Mom”? She heaves a sigh.
Her: “It was for the best”.
Me: “For whom?”
Her: “Both of us, me moving in with her has terms & conditions.”
Me: “What are those terms & conditions? I’m sure they are not that extreme”
Her: “I can only move in with her if I leave you behind” I tilt my head, and laugh.
Me: “What? But why? I thought Bavumile liked me mama?” Yes, that was 20/21 years ago.
Her: “She was pretending to like you. She always called you a child of a rape.” I feel tears stinging my eyes but I hold them back…
Me: “Wow! It’s fine mama. You can go. I’ll stay behind, I’ll… I’ll stay here, and start looking for a job.”
Her: “I can’t leave you alone Luxolo. What would I be without you? How will you survive on your own?”
Me: “I’m a big girl mama and I know how to guard myself. I will look for a job, I guess I will have to learn to live without you but where will I start? You are all I have and the only person I know.”
Her: “I know baby, but this will be my first time without you. This also gives you an opportunity to stand for yourself, spread your wings, and experience life.” What’s the to experience? I am too old now to be experimenting things. And I’m also not ready to let go of my mother, but her health comes first.
Me: “Your health comes first mama and I don’t want to derail you from healing. Call Bavumile and tell her that you are agreeing to come and stay with her. You are right. It’s time I stand on my own two feet.” I hug her, It’s going to be hard living without her but I will learn to.
★»★«
My mom is officially gone. Bavumile came and fetched her that very same day she did not even look my way let alone greet me
I am preparing myself to go to work, I’m working as a waitress in a strip club in town, the tips are good I won’t lie even though I wanted to work at Penny’s adult club, but after witnessing the owner chopping someone’s head off I decided otherwise. That man recruits you, you don’t go to him and ask for a job, some girls went there with hopes of getting a much better pay, but a day was enough for them they were already complaining about treatment that side, and unfortunately for them they are stuck in that place for life. The owner told them straight up that they will die working for him, he did not recruit them they offered themselves.
My uniform is a short black & white scotched skirt and a white crop top with half knee socks and black heels. Sometimes we wear bum shorts with white shirts and tie them in front or at the back, is up to you. My shifts start from 18:00pm to 03:00am at least we have stuff transport. I get to work and go straight to the changing room and I find the girls already changing into their outfits. We (strippers, prostitutes and waitresses) all of us use one changing room. I’ve been working here for 2 weeks now and the tips are not that bad we get paid month end, I’m yet to get my first pay anyway.
“Hey babe Mr Sol is calling you to come to his office immediately” calls out one of the strippers.
“I wonder what did she do, she’s hardly a month working here but already she is in trouble with the boss” comments another. I exit the change room and walk to Mr Sol’s office I take a deep breath before knocking.
“Come on in”, he shouts from inside. I make my way in.
“Please take a sit” I sit down.
Him: “Don’t worry you’re not in trouble. I called you here because I’m promoting you” I don’t like the sound of this.
Me: “Promoting me? To what if you don’t mind me asking”
Him: “To being a stripper.”
Me: “What? You must be kidding me!”
Him: “I’m serious and you are starting month end.”
Me: “I’m sorry I can’t do it.”
Him: “You don’t get to tell me that I’m the one who makes the rules, I’m the one who hired you!”
Me: “Then I will have to quit sir. I am not about to parade my body for those thirsty men out there, never!”
Him: “Scar please play her the video. I’ll leave you to it. There is only one way to leave out of here.”
He stands up patting my shoulder on his way out. Scar plays the video and what I see is disgusting, I stand up and go to throw up in the nearest bin that was at the door. What I saw it’s just inhuman! I wipe my mouth and signalled scar to stop the video. The door swing open and it is the devil himself, I thought that Billy was ruthless? But him? He takes the cup. Mr Sol he has a smirk on his face. This man is a monster I tell you. I have no choice but to agree, I don’t know what I have I gotten myself into. I should’ve known, the money was too good to be true. Now I am in too deep! After here what then? I am not coming back here tomorrow.
“The choice is yours and don’t even think of not coming back because I will hunt you, I will find you and kill you.” I swallow hard. Not coming back it’s out of the table for now.
Me: “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Him: “That’s music to my ears. I’ll get your contract ready.”
Me: “Why me? I mean there are a lot of girls who’ve been here before me.”
Him: “The customers wanted you and what the customers want they must get. I will not lose money because of you!”
Me: “Thandaza ku nkulunkulu wakho ukuthy akuvikele ngoba once ngiyayishubisa uzoshaya Nge dolo phansi kube iscengani” (pray to your God to protect you because once I retaliate you will be on your knees begging me to spare your life) I see scar widening his eyes, I guess he is shocked that I can speak tsotsi taal. Deep down I’m scared, and my legs are shaking.
Mr S: “What was that”? Oh, he is a Portuguese by the way, you can imagine.
Me: “I said I can’t wait to bring in more money for you”
Him: “Scar?”
Scar: “That’s what she said and that she is willing to learn”
Him: “Good girl now go back and do your job” I stand up abruptly and walk out of his office, someone pulls me by my hand.
Scar: “Ungubani and uthunyelwe wubani?” (Who are you and who sent you)
Me: “Ngingu Luxolo and akho ondithumile (no one sent me) I’m only here to make money, and go back home.”
Him: “I don’t trust you I’ll be watching you like a hawk.”
Me: “Ungazihlanyisi” (don’t make yourself crazy) I look at his hand, and he loosens his tight grip from my hand I then walk away. Who does this man think I am? Nxa I am so angry and my heart is beating out of my chest, I first go to the toilet and get a grip of myself. I wipe my tears then rinse my face and walk out. I get to the change room and I find Lizo doing her face.
“What trouble did you get yourself into with the boss?” I laugh sarcastically.
Me: “Trouble? Oh, no sweetie. I’ve been promoted to being a stripper.”
Her: “What? But how? I mean you’ve been here for like 2 weeks some of us we were here for 3 years, but we never got promoted.”
Me: “The customers wanted me and what customers want they must get, right?”
Her: “This is unfair!”
Me: “I know right. Let me go and serve the customers before I get fired.” I leave her busy complaining. I know that by the time the shift ends everyone will know about my promotion.
★»★«
CINDY
Ever since that Sanele saga I’ve distanced myself from Sanele I told him that I’m going through some stuff I need a break, and he gladly gave me one without questioning me. Truth is I was still in shock about what transpired, ei, I was praying day & night for Vuyo not to find out about my infidelity he will kill me, and Vuyo can see that something is different, I hardly talk like I used too.
I am in my office going through some files when my friend Sasha steps in, she has a box of chocolate with her.
“I’ve brought you some sugar” she says sitting down placing the box on top of the table.
“Thank you babe”, placing the files on the side.
Her: “What’s going on with you, you hardly go out with us any more?”
Me: “I’ve been busy. Being a COO for a big company is no joke it requires one to focus” She laughs.
Her: “You’re lying and you know it. Is it your play boy?” I shake my head.
Me: “What about him?”
Her: “It’s him, isn’t it? He did something to you”
Me: “He did nothing. I’m just going through some stuff”
Her: Are you pregnant?” I laugh.
Me: “What? Don’t joke like that a baby is the last thing on my mind. Anyway aren’t you supposed to be with your man?”
Her: “I think he’s cheating on me”
Me: “That’s unlike him. Why even think that?”
Her: “It’s how he’s acting these days he no longer spends time with me. He is forever busy with something”
Me: “Maybe he is going through some stuff, not all guys cheat you know.
Her: “Maybe you’re right. He’ll come around. Let’s hit the club tonight” I wanted to turn down the offer but knowing her she’ll force me too.
Me: “Okay give me the name of the place & time”
Her: “Solz strip & adult fun club, 19:00.”
Me: “We are going to watch strippers?” My eyes lit up with excitement, I love watching those hunks they turn me on.
Her: “Yes baby!!!!”
Me: “I’m game I guess a night out will do me good”
Her: “It will do us good we will forget about our troubles for a few hours”. We chat for a while, then she bid me farewell and walk out of my office. I lock the door after, closing the binds, and take my laptop making myself comfortable on my couch, and start watching porn on my laptop. I strip off my clothes and get ready to pleasure myself…
★»★«
VUYO
I am home cooking I want to surprise Cindy, I want to make her smile she’s been moody lately. I set the table and place the food on the table, she should be home by now. An hour later she is still not home, and she is not picking up her phone, I hope nothing happened to her. I try again and this time it around her phone is off, where the hell are you Cindy? I don’t want to think of the worst like she’s cheating on me, it will really break me, I end up eating alone… Sighs. I clear the table and go to bed I am angry. I hope nothing bad happened to her, and she comes back home in one piece.