CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

[KUKHOKONKE]

One of the reasons I hate malls, too many people, too much noise, too many strange encounters. I didn't think it would be this packed today. This place is usually quiet around lunchtime. I sit down in one of the fast-food spots, the air smelling like fried chicken and burnt oil, and gulp down a bottle of water like I've just seen a ghost.

What the hell just happened?
Did I shift? Glitch? Time-skip? Whatever they call it in those quantum theories? Because there's no way that scene made sense. Why did that girl lie and say I was following her? She was the one walking behind me, staring holes into my back like she was trying to read my soul.

I lean back on the plastic chair, rubbing my forehead. "Nah, man… this day is too weird," I mumble under my breath.
I even left Mehluko and Sne at the grocery store just to see if she really was following me, and now I look like the crazy one. Great.

I grab a few fries from the tray, chewing slowly, still scanning the mall crowd. She's gone. Probably stormed off somewhere. Maybe good riddance.
But something about her… Something off. Not just the attitude, her energy. It's like she's walking around with something heavy sitting on her chest. Her eyes gave her away that mix of anger, fear, and sadness, all fighting for space at once.

I sigh, shaking my head.
I hope this isn't one of Ndleleni's little tricks again. That man has a way of attracting chaos and lately, it's been landing right in my lap.

That girl though…
She's got something in her spirit. I can feel it.
Weird, tall girl.
Probably unstable. Or maybe… just maybe… she'll end up one of my clients.

Mehluko and Sne join me, pushing a trolley full of groceries. To be honest, their relationship moved way too fast. Groceries, cohabiting… it's weird, but really none of my business.
Mehluko smiles as he sits across from me, lost in his own world, but Sne… her mood has shifted. She's been like this all day, moody, or maybe she just doesn't want me here. Could be.

"Let me go order," Sne says, standing abruptly and walking away.
I turn to Mehluko, who's completely oblivious to the tension, all smitten, not seeing what I'm seeing.
"Is she mad that I joined you?" I ask, taking a sip of my drink.
Mehluko sighs heavily and leans forward.
"Yeah, kind of, but don't worry, I've talked to her. She's fine," he assures me.

Well, that sucks. I should have stayed at my place, or gone to Cothoza and MaMngadi. Now I just feel… bad. Maybe she's not the sweet woman I thought she was. We tend to judge people based on their looks and behavior, without really knowing them. Because now, as I think of it, she never really liked me, not romantically, of course. She doesn't even know I once liked her, was infatuated by her.
I think our energy just doesn't align. She's always moody whenever I come to see Mehluko, always whining, nagging. I sometimes invite Mehluko to my place just to chill because I know I'll receive bad vibes from her. And I try to ignore them, because I built this perfect image of her in my head without really knowing her.

I'd hate to lose Mehluko as a friend because of her. I'd hate to let her mood, her energy, her attitude ruin something that's important to me. But damn… she's complicated, and somehow I feel like I'll keep thinking about her, whether I like it or not.

"Cool, you know how women are," I say, shaking my head. I really can't understand them. Women are wired differently. It even reminds me of my mother too. I thought I knew her, but now I'm not so sure anymore.

I've been taking care of them, making sure everyone's happy, but no, she goes behind my back, doing deals with Bonakele and getting money from her. Thinking about this whole Yibanathi and Zungus situation pisses me off, honestly. I'll have to call Yibanathi later and check up on her, clearly she's been brainwashed.

Mehluko laughs a little.
"I know, you should get someone soon. We're no longer getting younger," he teases.
Well, that's true, but this isn't my time to settle down. Not yet.
"You have a stable job, financial freedom, a lovely apartment. You need someone," he adds.
I sigh.
"Not in my books. I'm still busy with my spiritual journey," I tell him truthfully. And I know that woman Ndleleni said I'd meet at a place where money flows. It was just him mocking me.
"Yeah, I know… or go back to your girl," he says with a laugh.
I frown slightly.
"Phindile? No." I shake my head, chuckling. "I'm sure she's married now."
That makes me pause. She was from royalty too. Her father hated my guts, told me I wasn't royalty and that he wouldn't allow me to taint his bloodline. A good relationship of a year, gone. I wonder where Ndleleni was when I was being insulted by that royal man.

And then, of course, it reminds me of Yibanathi too. It makes me sad. Maybe that family won't accept her either because she's not royal. But she gave them a son. Isn't that supposed to be an important thing in those royal rules and laws? I'm not even that familiar with the Zungus, and honestly, I don't see any change they're bringing to our village.

"You'll find someone," Mehluko starts to say, but he's cut off by Sne as she places their food on the table.
I need to leave.
"Find someone?" Sne asks curiously.
Mehluko nods happily.
"Yeah, he has to. He's lonely," Mehluko teases.
I'm never lonely. I have money. I can do whatever I want if I'm bored. My plans are just being hijacked by a stubborn ancestor.
Sne scoffs.
"Are you sure? With the way you do things, one-night stands and sleeping with every girl you meet?" she says, tossing a chip into her mouth.
I blink rapidly, staring at her, then at Mehluko. He looks distraught too.
"What?" I ask in disbelief. "Who told you those lies?" My voice hardens. My eyes remain on Mehluko because I know he might've been the one to let that slip. I never sleep out. And that one-night stand? It was a once-off thing with a girl at a club. I got sick after that and I promised myself never again.
Sne just giggles and shrugs.
I scoff. I can't believe this.
"Mehluko!" I say sharply.
"Listen, it slipped out. I'm sorry," he apologizes.
Bullshit.
"Wow." A tight knot forms in my chest. I feel betrayed, honestly, deeply betrayed.

I stare at him for a long moment, hurt and disbelief tangled together. His apology doesn't feel like enough. Not even close.
Without another word, I push back my chair. The scrape of it against the floor makes Sne glance up, curious. I don't care.

"I can't deal with this right now," I mutter under my breath, more to myself than anyone else.
Mehluko opens his mouth, like he's about to say something, but I cut him off with a sharp shake of my head. No words. Not today.

I walk away without even waiting for them to stop me. Using my name in their pillow talk to entertain themselves. Nx. I can't believe this. Where's the liquor store? I need to get something strong. This day has already been weird enough.
Sne can go to hell. I hate her now.
As I walk past the shops, I see myself passing by that perfume store again. I freeze for a second, staring at it. A bitter scoff escapes me. The same one where that saleswoman thought me and that strange girl were a couple. Said we walked in together. That's what threw me off. That's why I thought maybe… I jumped through timelines. Or shifted.

I shake my head, running a hand down my face. I need to figure this out on my own. No Cothoza. No explanations. Just me and whatever this strange day is trying to tell me.

.
.
.

The plants I got from Cothoza are still in their pots, my first ever plants to own, but I know they're not mine. Maybe they're meant for that unstable lady I met, the model. If she wasn't unstable and accusing people of following her, she could've been on magazine covers and billboards by now.

I've put my phone on mute, I don't want to talk to Mehluko. He's been trying to call, but nope, not today. Since I need a house, I might as well start hunting for one. I scroll through listings on Private Property, Ferndale , or honestly anywhere peaceful, somewhere I can do my private work without getting a knock on the door about complaints.

I don't even know how finding clients works. Do I go looking for them, or do they find me? I've got two months before the big ceremony, so I have to get my business in order.
I pour myself a glass of beer. I was aiming for whisky but somehow ended up with beer. Weird, but it'll do. I never stock alcohol, it feels like I'd be just minutes away from alcoholism.

As I take a sip, a sudden strong wind gushes through the open window. I sigh, annoyed. I already know who it is. Today there's no smell of weed or herbs, just the wind. I gulp down the rest of my beer; I'll need strength for this ghost.
The air shifts, heavy. I feel the couch dip beside me, like someone just sat down. I set my laptop on the coffee table.

"Who said come in?" I mutter, irritated. "Don't spirits in your world wait for an invitation before stepping into someone's house?"
Silence. Heavy, but peaceful.
"We're being cocky now, Kukhokonke," he finally says. Jesus, I don't think I'll ever get used to that voice.
"What do you want? I'm doing everything you asked," I tell him. "I'm even looking for a house."
Then it starts, that ringing in my ears. Not loud or painful, just peaceful, like the calm before a storm.
"There is a place for you," he says. "The person who will give it to you will appear soon."
I frown, confused. "What do you mean?"
"The person will come. Make sure you act quickly, or you'll lose that place. It's yours."

I sigh, leaning back against the couch and closing my eyes. That's the problem with things like this, now everyone I meet will probably mention a house, or tell me they're selling one. How will I know which is the right one?
Same with the woman issue. I saw Sne and thought she was the one. Same with Cothoza. I once met a healer and thought maybe he was sent by my ancestors or by Ndleleni himself, only to find out he was a scammer. Things like this are tricky, they need discernment.

___

I must have drifted off while sitting on the couch. The beer glass is still half-full on the table, and the room feels strangely quiet, too quiet for this time of day. Sunlight slips weakly through the curtains. Ndleleni has left, I guess. I need to close the window and curtain because…
The room darkens. Slowly. Unnaturally. Until it feels like evening.

I blink, but I'm no longer in my apartment. I'm standing outside, barefoot, in what looks like a dry open field. The air smells like burnt wood. Or burning grass. I can spot, far away, a fire glowing from a distance.
There's no sound at first, just the heavy stillness of something watching. Then I hear it.
A crow caws in the distance, sharp and loud. Too loud, almost blocking my eardrums.

I look up. Two crows sit on a dead branch, wings spread wide, their heads tilted as if they're whispering secrets. I take a step back, and the ground beneath me shifts. It feels soft, like I'm standing on graves. I gasp, shivering, the hairs on my arms rising.
Then I hear it: a slow, deep hoot. An owl. Its sound rolls through the air like thunder underwater. The crows grow quiet.

I turn my head, and there it is, an owl perched on a stone, staring straight at me. Its eyes glow faintly gold, its feathers dark and heavy. It blinks once, slowly, and the world around me changes.

The field fills with fog.
The crows start circling above me, hundreds of them, wings slicing through the mist.
A shadow walks out of the fog. Tall. Slow. Wrapped in darkness.

It doesn't have a face, just a void where one should be. But somehow, I can feel it staring right at me. My heart pounds. The owl hoots again, and the sound echoes in my chest, deep and heavy.

It's like I'm an owl now.
The figure lifts a hand and points at me. Not at my face. At my chest. My breath catches.
The crows cry out all at once, flapping, screaming, their wings brushing against my skin. Then silence. Dead silence.
The figure vanishes.

I blink awake, gasping, my whole body trembling. Sunlight floods the room again. My heart is racing, and the air feels thick, too thick.
It's still afternoon, but it feels like night never left.

I glance toward the window.
A crow lands on the railing outside and stares straight at me. Something's coming.
I can feel it.

•••••••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

I told Sno we'll meet when I'm off, which is Saturday, and that's two days away. Today, I need to meet up with Snoniso and talk to him. I don't like what he did this morning, following me and Mnotho. Thank God Mnotho didn't even notice this overprotective friend of mine. I have to talk to him before Mnotho comes to fetch me.

The clinic is quiet, just a few ladies waiting to see Rendani. Zola will have to help out for now and cover for me. Sbo needs to be dealt with. I appreciate him, I really do, but this is too much, honestly. I was too busy to contact Diamond about her cousin; I'll tell her when I get home.

The time is exactly 4 p.m. when Sbo texts that he's outside. I quickly rise from my chair and tell Pinky I'll be outside. She doesn't mind, so I go.

Sbo's standing outside the gate, waiting for me. He's moving his head to the rhythm of whatever's playing through his earphones. When our eyes meet, he flashes the biggest smile. I sigh, tired already. I don't want to lose him as a friend or a brother, of course.

"Hey, baby girl," he says cheerfully. I guess he's no longer mad. Makes me wonder why he was mad in the first place.
"Sboniso, how are you?" I ask politely.
"I'm good, and you? Someone giving you a problem?" he asks, half-teasing, half-serious. I chuckle quietly, shaking my head.
"No one is troubling me, Sbo. But why were you following me this morning?" I ask, hoping he gives me a better and reasonable answer this time.

His face drops a little.

"I was just curious, that's all. Is that the same guy who knocked you with his car?" he asks, his tone a bit too eager.
"No, he's not the guy who hurt me. And even if it was him, what is your problem?" I say, meeting his eyes. He blinks, clearly offended.
"I'm just looking out for you, that's all. What's wrong with that?" he says defensively.
"I know that, and I appreciate it," I reply, steady but firm. "But it gets to a point, Sboniso. I know you want to hurt the guy who knocked me with his car, just don't. Don't do anything to him. I'll deal with it the way I see fit. And if I'm ever in trouble, I'll tell you. But right now, please, respectfully, back off." My words come out sharp but not unkind.

He huffs, offended, says nothing. Just nods, opens his car door, gets in, and drives off without saying goodbye.
Wow. Very mature.

.
.
.
Nokuzola left early, something to do with fetching her mother at the airport. She had asked me to bake those cinnamon rolls and bring them tomorrow. Poor lady doesn't know someone bought them for me. A small smile creeps on my face, I couldn't even stop it.

Mnotho.

I know nothing about that man. I only know that he's in business with Brian, that's all. And that he has a son, probably in his twenties. As for him, I'm sure he's around his forties. I had to dig a little about his age from Pinky, and even she didn't know. She just said, "Maybe forty."
I sigh and press my face into my hands, feeling my palms grow warm and a little sweaty.
What does he want from me?
Honestly, I'm not a kid. I know when something's off. Something is going on, and I'm just scared. Scared of what this could turn into. Scared of what he makes me feel when he looks at me like that, like he knows something about me that I don't even know myself. Always warm, always soft, yet somehow unreadable. His warmth shouldn't be dangerous, but it is. It confuses me. It draws me in, and I don't know if I should step closer or run.
I wish he would just leave me alone. Let me breathe. Let me live my small, simple life without pulling me into whatever storm he carries. I've met men like that before, the ones who smile like they'll protect you, only to destroy you quietly.

I couldn't even ask if he has a wife or not. I don't know why. Maybe I'm scared of the answer. Maybe I already know it deep down. I know how these married husbands roll, always charming, always convincing, always dangerous.
And I don't want to find myself in deeper trouble than I already am.
When he comes here, I'll ask him. I have to. I'll ask him what he really wants from me, and why it feels like I'm being pulled toward something I don't understand.

I'll ask him before I lose myself completely.

•••••

[BONGA]

His father went to the Free State for an issue with their delivery. He wanted to go himself and sort it out instead of sending Bonga. As much as it would be hard for him to not see his peach, this was business, and he needed to deal with it himself.

Bonga parks at the clinic and leans on his car, waiting for Nikky. He wishes he was the one sent to the Free State, handling things his own way.

He sees Nikky walking out, looking around, clearly searching for Mnotho. Bonga raises his hand and waves. Nikky frowns when she sees him, walking slowly, limping slightly. Bonga quickly meets her halfway, still smiling warmly.

"Step mommy," Bonga says with a grin. Nikky stops in her tracks, frowning.
"Don't call me that," she warns softly. "Where is your father?"
Before he can answer, Bonga takes her bag, and they start walking toward his car. He opens the door for her and helps her get in. Nikky frowns slightly, clearly confused by all of this.
Bonga jumps into the driver's seat and gives her a reassuring smile before starting the car.

"Dad went to the Free State. He'll be back tomorrow, so I'll be his stand-in for today and tomorrow morning," Bonga explains as he drives off. Nikky feels a little uneasy as her eyes wander to the window.
"Is there something you'll need before I take you straight home?" he asks. Nikky just shakes her head. Bonga sighs and nods. He is curious how this is working out. His dad didn't give him much information about pursuing Nikky. All he knows is that everything is moving forward, and he's in disbelief that his father didn't give Nikky his number.
"So, how's your leg? Is it healing?" he asks gently, hoping she's truly recovering.
Nikky turns to look at him.
"I'm okay. The bruises are fading a bit, and the pills do work," she answers softly. Bonga nods again. He remembers that his father gave him a get-well basket for Nikky, and he plans to give it to her when they get to her place.
"What happened?" Nikky asks, making Bonga blink, confused. He glances at her briefly, then back to the road.
"What?" he asks softly.
"I mean, with your dad, what's going on?" she presses.
"Oh, just work stuff. Nothing to worry about. He's fine," Bonga answers. He gives a small, reassuring smile. At least she cares. He wants them to work out truly, not because he's trying to divert his father's attention from his illegal gambling and tenders. If his dad focuses on his love life, he won't focus on him at all. He just wants to see his father happy. That matters most to him.
"Oh, I was just curious, that's all," Nikky says with a shrug.
"If you say so, step mommy," Bonga says with a chuckle. Nikky rolls her eyes.
"How old are you, anyway? I'm your age mate. You shouldn't be calling me step mommy," she says, frowning.
Bonga laughs softly. His father wasn't lying. Nikky will ask questions, but this one is about him, not his dad.
"I'm 23, and I should be respectful. I can't just call you Nikky if you're going to be my mother," he answers, amused.
"23? See, we are age mates. Why is your dad following me around?" she blurts out.
"I can't speak for my dad. You should ask him when he gets back," Bonga says with a shrug.

Nikky sighs heavily and turns back to the window, letting the music from the radio fill the silence. It's not heavy, just peaceful. Bonga doesn't mind the quiet at all. But inside, his heart is racing a little. He knows his family. His aunts and uncle won't accept his father dating Nikky, especially after ditching his aunt when she needed him about his son. He hopes his mother won't interfere either, knowing how she rolls.

Yet for him, it doesn't matter. He'll support this little relationship that's about to blossom, no matter what.