VOLUME 3
NTWENHLE
Waking up I’m a bit disoriented. My head and body feels heavy. I’m not in any pain but I feel groggy and fuzzy. It takes a couple of blinking sessions and stressing my brains to remember that I fainted.
The thought makes me freeze for a while. I never faint. I have never heard even once my father telling me a story about me fainting when I was young. I honestly don’t know what could be the reason behind my sudden English behaviour but that cane…….my body still recoils in horror at the thought of that cane. I discard the thought immediately before it turns me into a bougie person once again. I focus on my surroundings.
I’m on an enormous bed slipping over some real silk sheets, the comforter covering feels like heaven comfort. Damn it smells fresh! I inhale the vanilla scented fabric softener on the comforter until my mouth starts watering, suddenly I’m craving a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is what they call sleeping clean. I bet even my dreams were so soft and tidy probably why I don’t remember them.
This is the fanciest I have slept in a while. The last time I slept on some Egyptian sheets was when Thabiso and I stole from Ndaba, we were enjoying the fruits of our hard labour. I feel like a princess though my heart still somersault in fear at the thought of the cane.
I sit up straight from the bed, yawning and rubbing my eyes, and immediately as drowsiness wears off, my eyes fall on a man seated on the couch by the window. At first I think I’m seeing things but I blink a couple of times to make sure that I’m really in company of a stranger.
First thing is first. I clench my vaginal muscles to feel if nothing penetrated me while I was still consumed by sleep. With this other gender we are never safe. I think I’m good, my one month virginity is still intact.
I want to think that he is some sort of a body guard but something about his posture and aura tells me he isn’t that. He looks very comfortable for a guard man. I don’t even think he is aware that I’m awake. He is got his back reflected on me and the only thing I see is a black hoodie and some really serious knees stretched wide apart as he sits on a one seater couch.
I gather myself with a deep breath before I greet him,
“Hi” I wait for his response or reaction but nothing……. it seems I greeted a wall.
“Hello?” I try again, increasing the volume a bit and still he doesn’t even as much flinch. Is he not supposed to talk to me? I want to call him again but something tells me to bite my tongue. His aura tells me that he is not one to be messed with.
I decide to leave him alone and go find Bra Mindlos. I honestly don’t know what our fake marriage entails. I want to know if it’s just a smash of the season kind of thing so I prepare myself. I fainted before he could explain what exactly all this means and how long it’s going to last.
As I slide out of bed the door opens and my fake husband walks in. I want to roll my eyes but I’m trying not to die. His smile is priceless as he walks through the door.
“Your awake” that cane of his is still in his hand and making a sound that awakens the hairs at the nape of my neck,
“Have you introduced yourself to your husband?” his smile broadens with each step he takes towards me,
I frown. He looks between me and the stranger by the window with a smile,
“I trust you to introduce yourself sweetheart” he winks at me and turn to look at the stranger,
“I’m glad you have calmed down son, Boli was just doing his job” he say looking at the guy but the guy doesn’t afford him even a glance,
I’m a bit confused,
“What do you mean have I introduced myself to my husband?” I ask,
He frowns “Why do you think you’re here Ntwenhle?” he asks back,
“I’m here to clear of my debt. You told my parents you’re marrying me so I can………” his terrible laughter cuts me in. He laughs like a damn hyena!
“You’re not my type sisi! I love my women with flat stomachs!” says a pig with a belly that I’m damn sure hides his pinky finger di8ck!………When I catch Mandla one day! When I catch him! He’ll regret coming for me and my belly.
There is a silent chuckle somewhere in the room and I damn sure as hell know it’s that mute thing by the window that didn’t even acknowledge me.
“And what the hell do you mean clear off your debt? I don’t do business with takalanies. It’s your father that owes me and he is the reason why you’re marrying my son over there. That is Zenzele Mabaso, your husband!”
My jaws meet the floor. I don’t know if it’s the discovery of my innocent father being the reason why I’m in this mess or it’s the fact that I’m being married off to his son that I don’t know and didn’t even know existed until today.
“Don’t worry, as soon as you give him a son you can go. Your just my makoti of the season until I need another son” bra Mindlos continues to add but I’m not focused on him, my mind is drawn to the stranger by the window,
“That door leads to the bathroom and the small passage falls into the walk in closet. Brenda brought your bags in the room and dinner will be at 7pm sharp. Make sure to bring your husband down with. A doctor will be here in the morning to check you up, I don’t want you fainting again when you’re pregnant with my grandson. In the main time you can get to know your husband but don’t touch my son until your checked Ntwenhle. Other than that, feel at home and welcome to the Mabaso household” he grins and blows me a kiss before he lifts that cane of his and walk towards the door.
I’m numb. From head to toe I’m just numb. I, Ntwenhle Mbatha I’m numb and speechless, and watching this fat tall ass old man walking out of the room leaving me with nothing to say.
“And oh before I forget, your husband is blind!” he drops the bomb that dislocate my jaws before he closes the door. I’m beyond frozen at this moment. Everything in me is still and looking at the figure seated by the window. I’m screwed!
I don’t know how long I sit on the bed for staring at the man who won’t even look at me. I now know he can’t see but he won’t even acknowledge me, or at least turn to look my way. The room feels like a mountain between us. I don’t know what to do or say. Bra Mindlos is got a son? I honestly didn’t know this one.
As I sit on the bed I let my thoughts run wild. I realise that Bra Mindlos doesn’t know about me owing him. I’m here because of my father. My innocent father who sleeps with a bible opened on his bedside table is the reason I’m getting pimped to the most notorious gangster’s son.
I need my phone. I want to call my dad and find out what exactly he did. I also have to check on Thabiso and update him about my latest developments.
I drag my feet to the passage that bra Mindlos said leads to the closet. Hopefully my handbag is in there.
I find it on top of my one suitcase that I packed planning to go stay with my uncle.
There is a long wooden bench in the closet that separates the room into two. The other half hangs blinding white shirts, formal pants, sweaters, sneakers, formal dress shoes and I see a few casual wear but it’s all a man’s clothes. Definitely my mute husbands’ clothes. And the other side is empty, just racks and shelves with nothing.
Since I have a mute cold husband in the bedroom I decide to sit in the closet and call my people.
Senzo’s WhatsApp pops on my screen but I don’t open it. Senzo is that boyfriend that is there because a girl must have a man. I’m not emotionally connected to him or love him but I’m with him because sometimes my nunu needs some scratching. And he knows how to scratch nunu. I give him a 10/10 on that.
First I call my dad but his phone rings unanswered. I try Aunty Joy as well but it also rings unanswered. Thabiso picks on the second try……..
‘Ntwana, you’re okay?’ he asks immediately as he picks,
‘I’m fine Ntwanas. He didn’t kill me’ I had sent him a text message when I saw bra Mindlos pulling up in my yard and I told him to run because I thought I was late for my escape as well,
‘Ntwe even as I’m driving to Free State now my heart is with you. I got you in this mess. What is he saying? You didn’t mention me, did you?’
‘I don’t think he even knows about us being involved with Ndaba. We haven’t really talked and I’m not going to say anything if he doesn’t know anything about us stealing his money’ I say,
‘Let me pull up on the side, you’re not making sense’
I make myself comfortable as I wait for him to pull aside,
‘I’m steady Ntwana. Ware bra Mindlos doesn’t know about us stealing his money?’ (…..you say bra……..) he asks,
‘Yes he doesn’t know we stole his money from Ndaba. Apparently my father owes him and it’s the reason why he came for me. He wants me to marry is son and give him a grandson to clear off my father’s debt. I’m still to call my dad and find out how he got mixed with bra Mindlos’
‘Bra Mindlos is got a son?’ he is as shocked as I was,
‘Apparently’
‘Where the fu8ck was he all along?’ I asked myself the same question because not once have I heard of any rumours or whispers of bra Mindlos having a son,
‘The son is not our problem right now, let’s talk Ndaba’ I sigh,
‘Okay. So Ndaba looking for us has nothing to do with bra Mindlos?’ he asks,
‘I think Ndaba wants that money for himself. I don’t know bra Mindlos that well but I think he lays his cards on the table. If Ndaba had told him about us he would have told me straight up. He knows nothing about our involvement’
‘I have no reason to leave if that’s the case’ what’s this fool saying now!
‘Ndaba is still looking for us Sthabi. Don’t be stupid. I’m safe here at bra Mindlos and you’ll be safe at your aunts’
‘Ntwana you’re not stupid, use your brain. If bra Mindlos wants you to marry his son and give him a grandson that automatically clears our debt. I don’t have to run anymore. You can cut a deal with bra Mindlos and agree to give him the baby in exchange for our freedom’
‘You’re such a terrible friend Thabiso you want me to sell my womb for our freedom!’
‘You’re already paying for Shandu’s debt, you might as well tell him about our involvement so that we are all clear and free of that virus called Mandla’ he say, and as I think of it, he is making sense,
‘I hear you ntwana. Maybe you can lay low at your aunts until I clear this thing off and make sure bra Mindlos gets Ndaba off our backs’
‘Tell me about this stupid son. What’s his name and when did Mandla have a son?’ I hear him suck in breath and I know he does that when he is angry,
‘Why are you mad?’ I laugh,
‘I don’t like this idea of you being pimped to a foolish cheese boy but since it might be our only chance to freedom…….’ He trails off and I hear him inhale sharply through the phone,
‘I don’t know his name or anything about him. I don’t even know what to say or do, he is just sitting there and saying nothing’ the thought of that son freaks me out,
‘Don’t worry ntwana. Don’t be afraid or overthink anything. Sleep with him once and give them the child they want. After giving birth we’ll start our lives together and free’
‘Let me sleep on everything tonight, ntwana. I’ll speak to bra Mindlos tomorrow and give you an update’ I sigh,
‘Sleep on it ntwana and think about our freedom. You can give them the child. You’ll have your own baby girl one day with the man who loves you’ I can’t help but smile. Sthabi knows that I dream of having my baby girl some day in life,
‘Be safe ntwana, let’s talk tomorrow’
‘Love you ntwana’ he say,
‘Love you too’ I drop the call, and immediately I feel the heaviness I felt in the bedroom behind me. I know it’s my supposed husband before I even turn. I don’t know why I feel guilty but I do.
He doesn’t move and I don’t turn either. I’m scared. Another first as well because I’m never scared of people unless you’re the likes of bra Mindlos or the John Wick types. I don’t know why I’m scared to look at this person but I am.
His father said he is blind but I swear I feel stared at, from my back I feel his eyes on me and it’s not a kind look at all. It feels like he is burrowing into my soul, like he is trying to figure me out or reach for something deep inside me with just his eyes.
Seconds turn into minutes and we are both just standing there like statues. I don’t know what to say or what to do. I offer him my back and he offers me his penetrative stare. No word comes from either of us but I can feel his scorn and rage seep through the air in the closet. My bladder clocks in on me. It happens when I’m terrified. I just become so pressed I know if I stay in this heavy room any second longer I’m going to pee on myself.
“Lord take me out of this situation please!” I mutter a silent prayer to myself before I take in a slow deep breath to gather my strength.
Like an errand child caught with a hand in a sugar jar, I finally turn and look at him. From the bench where I’m seated on I’m welcomed by a tall slender figure in black joggers. I drag my eyes slowly taking him in from his knees up to his manly face.
Okay he is not the most handsome of them all but damn he is a man!……lord have mercy! His posture, his aura, his cologne, his elegance, everything about him makes him an effortlessly neat and well-kept man with a masculine aura in his lean stature.
He is just staring down at me with his hands buried in his pockets but I’m not complaining. I would chow him on Jesus’ birthday. That’s how cute I find him. I know someone might give me a side eye for calling him cute but my heart and I have made up our mind, he is cute. Finish and klaar!
He is not a well build guy with buff shoulders and all that but he is just tall and the kind of lean that makes me want to wrap my arms around his waist.
“What’s your last name?” lord he speaks! He speaks! His voice….. Lord knows this is the kind of voice that would drop my panties with just a hello,
“Ntwenhle” I curl my tongue just so I sound cute,
“Last name?” he raises an eyebrow. I’m too taken by his handsome face…..eish my bad…
“Mbatha” I say,
He nods, and keeps his eyes on me. I lock my eyes with his, and minutes turn into time that I want to stand still forever. The silence between us is not uncomfortable, it’s more of a silence of mystery and the way he frowns and stresses his face I think he is caught between thoughts just as I am. He is looking at me and I feel seen but something about the way his pupils dilate tells me that he is actually battling with eye sight.
Like he can feel that I’m now focused on his eyes he turns and leaves without another word and I’m left speechless. Something clutches at my heart as I watch him walk out. I wonder what happened to him? Again I’m throw aback. He is not using the mobility white cane to scan his surroundings. He walks out like a man who can see and knows his house. Why the hell is Bra Mindlos messing with me? This man can see. I refuse to believe that he is blind.
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