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29
29A DAY LATER
THANDO’S PLACE
Because the trip out of town ended earlier than expected, Sandile decided to spend the rest of the remaining day and Thando’s place since his wife expected him back home the following day. About Nomhle, he was not sure whether he wanted to raise divorced issues with her. She was heavily pregnant, they had two kids together and mostly, their marriage was not completely theirs but their parents. His father made it very clear what stood at stake and why he had to marry him off to Nomhle. He was on the brink of bankruptcy and joining hands with Nomhle’s father was the only way to save his business. Being this grown and finally ventured into the business world himself, he understood him a bit.
He treasured his business too much to let it flop and return to nothingness like that. He had standards and a family to feed. There was just so much hanging by the thread and at stake for him to let something he has worked so hard on fall to the ground. Besides, it was not like after he’d passed on thins would go to someone else. All his father’s belonging were to go to him, he was going to inherit the businesses so, staying with Nomhle for a little bit--- maybe a few more years, his father would die, and he’d get all that belonged to him, bring up the divorce and elope with Thando.
Thando: what are you thinking about?
Sandile: nothing…
Thando: not this again.
Sandile: something just took me back to the office a few days ago. I’m feeling some way--- I don’t know how to explain how I’m feeling.
Thando: let’s take it step-by-step then. We’re finally alone and have all the time in the world. There’s no way to escape. Let’s talk.
Sandile: let’s talk.
Thando: why do you feel I left you, ‘tied you down’ in your words?
Sandile: because after waking up at that damn hospital you were nowhere to be seen or found.
Thando: okay, did you take a second and think why I was gone? Or you just immediately thought I tied you down and left.
Sandile: I did, I called you, texted you and emailed you a countless time after that but you never replied, you blocked me and disappeared.
Thando: did you think for a second what might have been the reason I disappeared on you and blocked you from contacting me?
Sandile: because you were done with me---
Thando: well, I also have a story to tell since we’re uncovering both sides. At the hospital, I got a very clear and threatening message from your scary father telling me to **** off your life. He even went as far as calling me a faggot and told me to use the women’s bathroom instead. He offered me money and asked me what price would be enough for me to stay away from you.
Sandile: and you took the money?
Thando: is that how lowly you think of me? No!! of course I did not take the money. I just went my way because I was not about to be the reason for breaking your family.
Sandile: I am sorry. I am sorry that you had to deal with that. I am sorry that my father even uttered such words to you and made you feel like less of a human that you are. I should’ve been there and stopped him or did something but--- I was – I was ---
Thando: it is not your fault. You didn’t know. Don’t blame yourself.
Sandile cuddled close to Thando who welcomed him into his arms and embraced him as he shed some tears. He could not believe that he finally got him to actually talk about the past. They were having a moment finally and he liked very single bit of it. There was still a lot to be unpacked and this was a beautiful beginning. Of course, he long noticed the scars on his writs, that was another book he was not going to open soon knowing how it can be triggering and be a risk to end everything he’d worked so hard for. At least this evening a layer of confusion and misunderstanding was taken off their minds.
THE FOLLOWING DAY
SANDILE’S HOUSE
Nomhle looked relentlessly at the clock on wall as time passed by. Sandile had promised to be back a little earlier by he was not here. This was not his first time bailing on Mini and it was getting annoying now and Mini’s questions were getting a little hard to answer. Nomhle could not bring herself to be the one to disappoint and dismiss her child, so she opted they call the man and hear from the horse’s mouth just what the hell is going on.
The phone rang unanswered for the first two tries and was answered on the third try.
[on call]
Nomhle: since you’re not home as promised, here’s your daughter. Go ahead and disappoint her, try to explain to her why you’re not home yet and why you’re bailing on her again.
Voice: huh…
Mini: daddy, where are you? You promised to tuck me in tonight. I ma feeling sleepy already and you are not here. I will not forgive you if I go to bed and you’re not here.
Voice: give the phone back to your mother.
Mini: you are not daddy, who are you? What are you doing with my daddy’s phone?
Voice: I work with daddy, we’re still at work. I will get him to call you later.
Nomhle: I ma sorry, who is this? and what are you doing with my husband’s phone?
Voice: I am sorry ma’am; sir is currently out of the office, but I will pass the news to him that you called and make sure he gets back to you.
Nomhle: and you are?
Voice: an intern at his office.
Nomhle: okay, don’t forget to pass the message. Thank you.
[calls end]
The line disconnects abruptly on the other end.
SUNNYSIDE APARTMENTS
Thando: the temper, she should’ve at least let me wish her an amazing evening.
Thando looks at the phone still in disbelief and feeling anger brewing inside of him. He quickly deletes the call log and tosses the phone back on the couch as he hears footsteps coming closer to the door. Sandile enters with two bags on his hands.
Sandile: please help me with these.
Thando: what exactly did you order that you needed two whole bags?
Sandile: a lot, for you to have when I’m gone.
Thando: gone? Why?
Sandile: because I care about you, and I want to take care of you. So please, less protesting and more helping.
Thando: I am sure you can handle that.
Sandile: are you upset with me?
Thando: no. why? Are you guilty of something?
Sandile: ehh--- no… just that I ---
Thando: well, no need to worry then.
Sandile: I’ll dish up.
Thando: don’t dish up for me, I’m not hungry anymore.
Sandile: but you’re the one who wanted to order Thai food. See, you are angry at me. What did I do this time?
Thando: just don’t do anything, eat up and go back to your place.
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