MABUTHO ZUNGU
It has become a norm to spend at least two Saturdays with Nqaba. Sometimes it's just us two and sometimes I'll spend the day with him and Lwandle. He just texted that I'll meet them at the arcade. This has Lwandle written all over it. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my day.
I swore off relationships after the last one I had. The woman cheated and got pregnant, I just could not deal with it. I loved that girl, I guess I now know the reason why I couldn't ask her to marry me. Now I just get myself an escort when I need to release. At the present moment, that works better for me. This weekend is exactly what I needed after the long week I've had.
I've been friends with Nqaba from our university years. We are three friends, me, Nqaba and Mnqobi. They used to call us the three musketeers. As we grew older, Nqaba and I, we became closer, you could say we are best friends. Mnqobi has been part timing this friendship. He hasn't been the friend he used to be. He always says he can't be with us because we think we are better than him. I don't know when his insecurities kicked in. Mnqobi is just draining. I choose not focus on him.
I remember when Nqaba met Milani. It was like he had seen an angel. She was very pretty, and sweet but something seemed off about her and I used to tell Nqaba that something is off with his girl and he would just brush me off saying I'm seeing things. Looking at what is happening now in their marriage and looking back to when they first met, I was right. Something was definitely off with her.
Nqaba has always been the optimistic one, the one that always sees good in people. As good that may be but it can also be his downfall which in this case it is. I always tell him to walk away from his marriage with Milani but as an outside I can only do so much and the best thing I can do, is to be there for him when he needs me. I watch him as he settles the bill so that we can leave. I can see the peace that's washed over him. The peace that is always there whenever he is with his son.
As we pull out of the arcade's parking lot, I can't help but wonder if he is going divorce Milani because that would be the best thing he can do for himself and for his son. They don't need that woman in their lives. She once tried to be all mature with me, one time, telling me that I am a bad influence to Nqaba and how he doesn't need me in his life. I told Nqaba about it and he told her straight up that she do whatever she wants to do to him, he is not cutting me off. Since then, she doesn't talk to me, it's probably because she knows that she cannot control me the way she control Nqaba.
We pull up at the Pick 'n Pay and walk in with Lwandle holding both our hands. This child loves being loved. "I'll go to the liquor store and get the drinks. You can get the meat. I'll join you guys once I'm done." I say dividing the tasks between us to make things quick and easy. We go our separate ways. I quickly get the drinks for everyone not forgetting wine for his mom. That woman loves her woman. I can't wait to see them. I haven't seen them in a while. I push the trolley out and head towards the grocery store where Nqaba and Lwandle are, but I accidentally bump someone's trolley and when I look so that I can apologize, I decided right there and then that God doesn't like me at all. Out all of the people I can bump into today, he chooses my ex.
"Mabutho, hey. How have you been? I never thought I would see you again." She says with a widest smile on her face. "Nomonde, you can just pretend that you didn't see me. It's easier that way. If you'll excuse me, I have to go." I try to move the other way but her voice has me standing still.
"I'm sorry Mabutho. I never meant to hurt you. I loved you and believe it not, I still love you and I miss you everyday." She spews the nonsense and I don't know what she is expecting me to say. I just look at her and without a word, I walk away. She is unbelievable. How do you hurt someone you claim to love. My parents always taught me that love doesn't hurt and I've always refused to be hurt intentionally in the name of love. I am not going to stand there and listen to her vomit nonsense. I find Nqaba at the till with Lwandle holding a basket with his own goodies.
"Come Lwandle, let's pay for your things this side." He smiles and walks towards me and we walk to the express till and we are done. We decide to go to the car while his father pays for the rest. He doesn't take long and he has joined us. He gets into his car and I get into mine. Lwandle decides to ride with me this time. "Thank you Uncle Butho for being here today." He says, gratitude written on his face.
"I wouldn't have been anywhere else. You know I'm always here for you no matter what." I tell him, assuring him about where I stand with him. He is like my son, I've been there since day one and I'll be there till the last day.
We pull up at his grandparent's house and already his grandma is already waiting for us at the front door. I see smoke from the back, Nqaba's father must have started with the fire already. Lwandle takes the bags with his snacks and runs to his grandma. I grab the drinks out just as Nqaba parks next to my car. We both offload everything from the cars as we walk to the house, his brother Sizwe pulls up as well. He has a few plastics with him as well. I guess his parents called him. We set everything in the kitchen. We start helping ma in the kitchen. Spicing the meat, salads and pap after which we go to the back yard join Nqaba's dad and it looks like the fire is ready.
"I'll get the meat." Sizwe says and walks into the kitchen and comes back with the meat. Nqaba takes over the braai stand from his father. We sit there enjoying our drinks, the company of each other. The smell of braai meat feels the the atmosphere. Ma comes to set the outside table. The weather actually allows us to sit outside.
"After the week I've had, this is exactly what I needed." Sizwe says taking the last sip of his beer and opening another. "It looks like you all had a long week. You should come home more often. We love having you boys around and look at Lwandle, these weekends, he always enjoys them." Ma says placing the pot of pap on the table. We sit around the table as Nqaba brings the meat to the table. We enjoy our meal with an easy flowing conversation catching up on what has been happen in the past week. I have noticed that Nqaba has not said much about Milani. I think he doesn't want to stress Lwandle and his parents. When we are done the parents and Lwandle retire to bed. We continue sitting outside drinking after cleaning up the kitchen.
"I noticed your mood change when we were at the arcade after the call you didn't answer." I say to Nqaba who seems to be miles away. "It was Milani man. I was not in the mood to talk to her. She wanted to talk about Lwandle's birthday." He says sounding very annoyed.
"Nqaba I know that you love this woman but it's time my brother. It's time to put Lwandle and yourself first. It's time to walk away before this woman destroys you completely." Sizwe says and you can easily hear the concern and the worry from his voice.
"I know Sizwe, I know. I am in the process of getting out. I don't want to just jump it on her. I'm planning everything. I spoken to my lawyer, I have a meeting with on Monday. I am moving all my assets to under Lwandle's name, in fact it's a trust in his name. I've made my parents his legal guardians so that she cannot have excess. My dad is going to be managing the trust. I've also changed the company director to be Lwandle and you my brother will be named as CEO, the current CEO has resigned and Mabutho, my shares at the hotel, I've put them under Sizwe as you know. Monday I am finalizing everything with my lawyer." He says with a smile on his face. I am glad he has everything under control for now and I just hope nothing happens to derail the divorce. I wonder why he doesn't want people to know he has money. Even his wife doesn't know how much money this man has. I guess at this moment it is good thing she doesn't know.
"She still doesn't know you own the accounting firm, that you are not just an employee there?" I ask.
"I don't know but she is too busy trying to control me, but I am not sure if she doesn't know and if she knows then she is good at acting dumb. I won't put it past her since I am moving everything." Nqaba has always been smart. I just don't know why he couldn't see through Milani. We all did but he was just too blinded by love and all we could was just to be there for him. We continue chatting, by the time we retire to bed it is late. It was definitely a good Saturday. Exactly what we needed.
MILANI CELE
Tonight is the night I am out with my girls. We are currently at our favorite chill spot, the VG Palace. The place has a restaurant and a club in one. Which is the best option for people like us. We don't like moving around. If you can be in a place that offers everything, then what's the point. It's always full here.
"You look distracted Milani. What's going on?" Emihle asks
"Nothing Emmy. Just that I tried calling my husband earlier, I wanted to talk to him about Lwandle's birthday. What annoys me is that he didn't answer his phone or respond to my text." I say, not being able to hide the annoyance in my voice.
"Come on Milani, give the man a break. He was probably busy with his child and his parents. Doesn't he spend Saturdays with Lwandle? He spends the whole week with you, you have more than enough time to discuss that with him when he is back." Khazimla says taking Nqaba's side as usual.
"The way you defend this man, one would think you are sleeping with him." Emihle says
"EMIHLE! Now that was out of line. She is entitled to her opinion and she is not wrong. He spends the entire week with me. That was uncalled for Emihle." I say trying to calm the situation. Naledi looks at us shaking her head. She knows this will get out of control. Her and Khazimla are not exactly fans of how I treat Nqaba, especially Khazimla. She always says that I making Nqaba suffer something he had nothing to do with. I am not making anyone suffer for anything. Honestly I don't really care. Men just need learn that they can't control us.
"You know what, it's ok. I can see that I am not needed here. Just because I don't agree with how you do things, I get to be accused with sleeping with your husband. I'm sorry I said anything but I won't sit here and pretend to be in support of your nonsense. I'll see you guys when I see you." She says getting up grabbing her bag and phone. "You guys enjoy your night." She says and walks away walking towards the exit.
"Khazi please, you don't have to go." Naledi shouts after her. She stops and looks back us. "I wouldn't want to be accused of sleeping with your man just because I didn't agree with something you did to him. Bye." She leaves and I actually feel bad about this. Emihle was out of line this time. I know my husband would never cheat on me with any of my friends. I can put my money on that and beside he knows what will happen if I ever catch him cheating.
"Arg she can leave, we don't need her." She says with so much conviction. This one is my cheerleader in everything.
"Stop it. We are here to have fun not this." Naledi says taking a sip of her champagne and looking at the entrance. She is probably hoping that Khazi would change her mind. I know better. This might the end of our friendship with her.
Khazimla doesn't tolerate nonsense. She calls it as it is and if you can't take it, that's your problem. The woman can be brutally honest. She stopped talking about her relationship with us when she shared how her man takes care of her and I told her that she was nothing but a door mat to him. He is going to get tired of her and shove her on the side. I think that's when she started being distant from us. We are not as close as we used to be five years ago. The only one really close to me is
Emihle probably because we are the same.
We sit here and have fun drinking and chatting, catching up. I noticed that Naledi is drinking a lot more than usual today. Maybe this thing with Khazi is bothering her. "Naledi, are you ok, you seem to be drinking more than you normally do?" I ask, concerned.
"I'm fine Milani. Just having fun." She says.
"Ok. I'm going to the bathroom ladies." I walk to the bathroom, I do my business and walk out but someone grabs my arm pulling me into a dark corner. He wraps his arms around me by the smell of the cologne I already know who it is.
"What are you doing here? What if someone sees us?" I ask with a slight panic in my voice.
"No one is going to see us." He kisses me just as I was about to protest and I melt in his arms enjoying the kiss. "I miss you baby." He says as he pulls out and lets me go.
"I know you do. I miss you too. Just a few more nights and we put our plan into action. We can't be seen together." I say brushing his beard . This man is very handsome and putty in my hands. He is easy. He does anything I tell him to. I peck his lips and walk back to our table. I can't afford to screw this up. This plan needs to be carried out with smooth precision right to the tee.
"Guys we've been coming here for years and I still don't know who owns this place. Who's the guy that owns it? I ask, my curiosity piqued. I tried to look on their web page and google but the owner is never mentioned.
"I thought you knew who owned this place. The owner is not a guy, it's a woman. The most humble rich woman I have ever met." Naledi says.
"You've met her?" Emihle and I ask at the same time shocked that she personally knows the owner. "and how do you know her?" I ask, but I must say I am a bit jealous.
"My man works for her man. She is Khanyisile Mthimkhulu." She says with a big smile on her face.
"You mean the media guru married to the architect guru. Girl you must introduce me to her." Emihle says all excited.
"sure." Naledi says. That didn't sound convincing. Ok, it's official something is off with Naledi. I need to find out what is going on with her but not tonight. We continue drinking and and just having fun until it was time to go home. When I get home, the house is empty, silent just as I left it. I have to weekends myself since Nqaba is never here on weekends.