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20
20THE MAGAGULA HOSUEHOLD
Somewhere in the crowd and unsettled and suspecting father watched as his son mingled away with some man into his house. For he could not bestow the task of stalking the guest in his house, he took the task upon himself. Glaring and watching closely the entrance of the house he realized that it has been too long since they went in, in his mind he given them at least 5 minutes to be in and out of the house, seeing they weren’t back by now, definitely something was going on and he was eager to find out.
Bantu: honey, I will be back
Sazi: where are you going? bed? Already?
Bantu: bathroom…
Sazi: okay, be back so we can bid our VIP guests farewell and leave.
A man on a mission left the secluded table on the patio with their VIP guests on a quest to right fault. Entering the house his regulated heartbeat started to increase. In his head there was a scenario he was most scared of, a scenario he did not want to come to life, a scenario he was determined to eradicate come hell or high waters. After searching less than 3 rooms he finally made his detour to Sandile’s room. From the outside he could hear very familiar sounds, sounds that proved his worst fear had come through. If news were to get out, he’d lose more than a son, and he was not prepared for that. He was not about to lose a business deal and an agreement over a child too focused on adolescent urges to think straight. The room was unlocked, with one turn on the handle he was in.
Bantu: what is going on here
Sandile: dad…
Bantu: don’t ‘dad’ me, is this what you have been doing the whole time I thought you were busy studying at school and trying to make a bright future out of that lousy life of yours?!! How many times have I warned you against this lifestyle of yours? To what lengths to I have to go to make you understand how disgusting, unhuman, and unnatural it is for a man to sleep with another man and go as far as considering them their partner. You know what is most disrespectful about this is the fact that you have the nerve to do all this in my house, on a day I worked so hard to organize, a day I was supposed to be a proud dad!!! What demon possessed you?! What sickness is this? In what world is what you’re doing normal?!
Sandile: it is my life!!! I shall live the way I want to.
Bantu: not by my name and under my house. You talk as if you have a plan or have anything under your name. Boy, I can destroy you or your life with just a single snap. You are who you are today because you are my son, without my name you are nothing. I brought you to this world and believe me when I say I have every authority there is to take you out like that. If you think I am going to let you throw your life away down the sewage and drag my name through the mud, think again boy!!! I had a life plan about you from the moment you were born and nothing, and I mean nothing is going to destroy my plan or hinder everything I have worked so hard for. you will stop whatever you are doing with that boy, come and greet your future in-laws, looking presentable. I dare you cost me this deal; I will break your neck without thinking twice. Try me!!!
A FEW MINUTES LATER
BACK AT THE PATIO
Bantu: sorry to keep everybody waiting, I invited my son to come and greet before you leave.
Sazi: that is a great idea honey, I was just about to suggest the same…
Sandile: elders, good evening. I thank you for taking time off your personal lives and coming to this party. It means a lot to me.
Woman: the pleasure is ours son, your mother was right you really have grown to be a handsome young man, I think our daughter will enjoy your company.
Man: Sandile! When did you grow to be this tall when you were just a baby yesterday. You really grew well. It was an honour to be invited to such a gathering, I am hoping to you soon and to make our family bonds stronger. Your father here already told me the good news, we discussed everything. Now that I’ve seen you, I am sure you two will live well and birth me great, healthy, and beautiful grandkids.
Sandile: yes…
Bantu: you may leave!
Sazi: let us escort you, it really has been a nice day. Thank you for honouring our invite again.
Woman: no problem, we know you would’ve done the same for our girl.
A confused Sandile excused himself from the elders as they also made their way out of the hiding. He caught it in their conversations that he was to be bethrow to someone he barely knew, a girl he last saw in primary school, someone he did not even love. He was going to be arranged to Nomhle, the daughter of the Bala’s who run a construction business and therefore are in a contract with his father who owns trucks. In this day and age---an arranged marriage!!
PAST MIDNIGHT IN SANDILE’S ROOM
Sibu visited Sandile’s room upon a text from Thando asking from help to escape and explaining what happened just a few hours ago.
Sibu: what were you guys thinking? Didn’t I warn you about this/!! Sandile this is all on you!! I thought you were way more mature at least about this. You just proved yourself to have a mindset of a 5-year-old. Like--- what the hell guys?!!
She was giving them an earful, seemed too angry as if she was the one who was caught but her emotions were justified especially after advising the boys to stay away from each other’s bodies.
Sibu: Sandile?! Don’t you have anything to say? Why are you quiet all of a sudden?!!
Thando: I just want to get out here..
Sibu: now you want to run… at this time of the night… where do you think you’re going to get transportation, because me and my car are off limits. I would be seen dead driving this time of the night!! Maybe your boyfriend has a plan, I hope that plan doesn’t involve me or my car. Since he looks like he lost his voice, I will be leaving!! And please--- don’t spend the night here. In fact, Thando you’re leaving with me!!
Sandile: don’t you think that is a little harsh, I have things to talk about with him.
Sibu: so now you can talk!!
Thando: it’s okay, I don’t want to see you guys fight because of me. I already feel bad enough that I am at the verge of breaking a family. I am trembling and scared when I think about what happened, what will happen when the sun rises, I can’t think straight and staying here any longer might just kill me.
Sibu: well, you don’t have a damn choice because I don’t want to be involved in your guys’ mess after I warned you.
Thando: please… can I stay just for 5 minutes; I will leave shortly after. I promise I won’t spend the rest of the night in this room.
Sibu: I will come back to check on you guys… things are already worse!! If this situation is misunderstood any further… we’ll all die.
Sandile: thank you…
Sibu: go to hell.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
The mood in the house surely contained mixed emotions as some knew what happened and some did not. Sazi was in the dark about yesterday’s events as her husband decided to feign ignorance and keep it a secret from here.
Sazi: everyone is so quiet, still hungover from yesterday?
Bantu: some of us are just trying not to ruin the mood.
Sandile: not the bigger person act again…
Sibu: Sandile?!
Bantu: no… no… let him talk. You have something to say boy?
Sandile: no, man… I am all good.
Sazi: what is this behavior in the morning!! Infront of a guest at that!! I know that you two always have it out for each other, but can we finish breakfast in peace? I am so sick and tired of these innuendos being thrown around. This is embarrassing!! I thought after yesterday you would’ve closed that nasty chapter in your lives!!!
Sibu: mom, mom… please calm down.
Sazi: no Sibulele, this is not right! This is tiring.
Sandile: as a matter of fact, I do have something to say!! I too am tired of this family, especially this man sitting across me acting all saint and sin-free.
Bantu: boy!!
Sandile: everyone in this table knows what you do on your ‘business’ trips. We are not blind. I just don’t know how mom keeps up with you and all the crap you put through.
Bantu: see what you raised?! That thing is not human!!
Sandile: at least she was there, unlike you. God knows how much hatred I have for you. I loathe you with all I have in me, with my whole being.
No one knows when and how things started but in a split second the table was turned over, glasses and dishes all shattered on the floor with Bantu mercilessly punching his son.
Bantu: say it again!! say what you said just now!!
Too bloody and messed up to talk Sandile laughed through pain as his father had him on floor, speaking over him and punching him to the ground as everyone tried to stop him. He as too strong to be separated from him which resulted in Thando being sent flying across the room as he tried to protect Sandile from a punch. Sazi wailed as she watched from the side, her family had gone crazy, her husband had lost his mind. Sibu disappeared somewhere around the house to try and call for help after they tried and failed separating Bantu from Sandile who was bleeding profusely and almost lifeless on the floor.
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