CHAPTER 3

YIKHOKONKE
I open the door of my room and throw my bag in bed. I'm so tired, I take off my blazer. The wind blows the curtains and my room gets filled with the cold. There's a thunderstorm and outside it's light as the day because of the lightning .I quickly run to the window and close it. I turn and see Sizwe sitting in my bed. When did he get here.
Sizwe: Hello Barbie.
Me: What do you want?
Sizwe: Is that how you greet your old friend?
Me: Friend? We're not friends Sizwe and we never were.
Sizwe: I was going to make you, my wife.
I sigh and sit next to him. I hold his hand and it's freezing cold.
Me: Your hand is cold.
Sizwe: That's because I'm dead.
Me: What?
Sizwe: You killed me remember?
I look at him and he turns to me. There is nothing in his eyes, just holes. I scream……
I wake up, panting and sweating. I haven't dreamt of Sizwe for years. Why did he visit me and why wasn't he angry at me? Later the day he died there was lightning and thunderstorm .What does this dream mean? I make my bed and kneel besides it. Today I don't even have words to say to God.
Me: Lord. God I'm a sinner, I know. I have made a lot of mistakes too. I'm no better than Satan. Maybe I'm his angel, who knows? But I'm trying, I'm trying to better myself. I didn't mean to. I was just……I was young and stupid and scared. Please forgive me………
I sit down and cry. It's been 8 years but I can't get over what I did. I shot a person and they died and pretended as if nothing happened. I went on with my life. Everyone believed that Sizwe killed himself, Mnqobi's plan worked like magic. I told Iba that I couldn't reach Sizwe and that's why I was calling her. She felt sorry for me, I felt sorry for myself too but for a different reason.
After 10 minutes of crying, I get up and go to the bathroom. I shower and come back and wear a black skirt, a white shirt and black blazer. Black stockings and you already know, my red bottom heels. I brush my braids that are starting to rot and go downstairs. I find Mnqobi drinking beer at the kitchen.
Me: Bhuti
Mnqobi: Queen
Me: How are you?
I put my bags in the table and take out the water bottle from the fridge. Mnqobi looks at me with confusion.
Mnqobi: How are you?
Me: I don't know.
Mnqobi: You don't know?
I look around, just to make sure Iba is not coming.
Me: I saw him.
Mnqobi: Why are you whispering? You saw who?
Me: Sizwe.
He puts down his beer.
Mnqobi: What?
It's him who is whispering now.
Me: Yes, I dreamt of Sizwe today.
Mnqobi: No! No! I told you that we must never speak about that , ever!
Me: What am I supposed to do Mnqobi? Stop dreaming?
Mnqobi: No that's not what I'm saying. What did he say?
Me: That he was going to marry me.
Mnqobi: No he wasn't . That bastard lies even in the after life.
Me:What were you arguing about vele?
Mnqobi: It doesn't matter.
Me: It doesn't matter? It doesn't matter? What happened that day cost me my mental health Mnqobi and you're saying it's doesn't matter.
Mnqobi: Shhh hawu!
Me: What were you arguing about?
Iba: Yes Mnqobi what were you arguing about?
We turn and look at her. My heart loses it beating rhythm. How long has she been standing there and how much has she heard? Mnqobi looks at me and than back at Iba.
Mnqobi: What?
Iba: What were you arguing about?
Mnqobi: With who?
Iba: I don't know, with whoever you guys were arguing about.
Me: Arguing? We were not arguing .
I laugh awkwardly. Thank God she didn't hear anything.
Iba: Why are you acting weird Konke?
Me: Nothing, I just don't ……I'm going to be late for work.
Iba: You're one hour early and it's a 20 minutes drive to your workplace.
Me: I just have a lot of work. Bye.
Mnqobi: Me too.
I take my bag and head towards the door. Mnqobi follows me.
Iba: Mnqobi you're going to work topless?
Mnqobi: Yeah I'll buy the shirt on the way.
We get out of the house and I stop and turn to Mnqobi.
Me: You'll buy it on the way? Really? That's the best you can come up with?
Mnqobi: I panicked.
I laugh at him. Mnqobi is very stupid if you ask me.
Me: Wait by the way , are you really going to work topless?
Mnqobi: I'm off.
Me: Mxm . Come let's go so you can buy me breakfast.
Mnqobi: I don't have money.
Me: Uhh! In that case you shouldn't be taking day offs.
Mnqobi: Actually it's a week.
Me: Mxm you're such a hobo.
Mnqobi: A hobo ? Mina? Have you ever seen a handsome hobo? Bro I'm not a hobo, look at this six pack.
Me: Leave me alone Mnqobi. Umubi.( You're ugly.)
Mnqobi: At least I'm not lied to by ghosts.
I turn to him and give him a cold look.
Mnqobi: My bad.
I continue looking at him.
Mnqobi: Okay , I took that too far. I'm sorry.
Me: Whatever.
Mnqobi: I'm sorry queen.
Me: Mxm.
Mnqobi: I'll buy you food.
Me: Now ?
Mnqobi: Yeah.
Me: Okay, let's go.
We walk towards the car, we get in and he drives to McDonalds and buy me a burger. So early in the morning, I don't mind at the end of the day it's food so let me feast. I eat in the car while he drives and he drops me off at work.
IBANATHI
I'm at work , eating at the canteen with Dr Xulu and Thando. Oh well we call her doctor Dladla here so yeah whatever.
Dr X: So you guys are really going to stay together now?
Thando: I haven't made up my mind yet.
Dr X: Haven't made up your mind? You like making things complicated Dladla. It's just a house, it's either you like it or you don't .
Iba: Don't pressure her Xulu.
Dr X: I'm not, I just want her to go with her guts. She knows what she's supposed to do.
Thando: No , I don't .
Dr X: You're literally acting like a child.
Thando: Ube ungenaphi wena ezindabeni zethu? Uwubafazini!( Is this any of your business? You're such a woman.)
I laugh.
Iba: Ahh Dladla calm down sisi. It's not that deep.
Thando: It is . Engazongiphaphela mina Lona!( He mustn't get overfamiliar with me!)
Dr X: You're bitter today. Let me leave you.
Iba: Hawu Xulu, stay you're still eating mos.
Dr X: I've lost appetite.
He stands up and leave.
Thando: That's good it will help you burn some calories.
Iba: That was hush.
Thando: Oh I know. I just wanted him to leave
Iba: Rude!
Thando: Not like you.
She's right, I'm very rude and I don't even care.
Iba: Yeah right.
Thando : So tell me is your friend single?
Iba: Which one?
Thando: Mnqobi obviously.
Iba: Yeah. They are both single by the way. Wait why do you care?
Thando: I don't .
Iba: You don't ?
Thando: I don't .
Iba: I hope you're not eying Mnqobi sisi.
Thando: What if I am?
Iba: Shift that thought before you get hurt. Mnqobi is a player!
Thando: But he is single right?
Iba: Yeah.
Thando: That's all I needed to hear. Keep the advice to yourself.
Iba: Don't say I didn't warn you.
Thando: Can I come by today?
Iba: To do what?
Thando: View the house.
Iba: Again? You can come if you want but I'm going on a date with Thabo and I'll be back late.
Thabo is my university boyfriend. He comes from a rich family and he was very popular in varsity. You know me and popularity are best friends. I love being in the spotlight.
Thando: Who are you fooling? I know you're going to sleep at his house.
Iba: Not today.
She looks at me and smile. I know she doesn't believe me and I don't care.
YIKHOKOKONKE
We were at the meeting with Mr Jackson. He was giving us strict instructions on how we should do our work as if we don't already know that. We know! I'm walking to the office. My phone rings , it's an unknown number. Who could it be?
Me: Hello.
Him: Hlabath'zolwandle. Kunjani?(How are you?)
Me: I'm okay.
I have no idea who I'm talking to.
Him: How is your day?
Me: Fine I guess. Who am I talking to again?
Him: Your future husband.
Me: Bhuti I don't have time for games, who am I talking to?
Him: Stranger.
Me: Stranger?
Who is stranger now? Oh the guy from Dischem. Where did he get my number though?
Me: Oh stranger. How did you get my number?
Nkosana: I have my ways.
Me: That's a very weird thing to say. What do you want?
I get to the office and sit down.
Nkosana: You.
Me: Excuse me?
Nkosana: Okay let me just say this , I want to take you to lunch. Today.
Me: I'm not hungry.
Nkosana: Dinner?
Me: Still won't be hungry.
Nkosana: Can I come to you so I can just stare at you?
Me: Who does that? You're a very weird human being.
I drop the call. I have work to do and this man is just going to interrupt me with nonsense and Mr Jackson will have a reason to bite my head off.He calls again, I drop the call. He calls again and I ignore it. He calls again and I put my phone on do not disturb. What is wrong with him?
NKOSANA
I have never been treated like this by a woman. Women usually throw themselves at me but this one is different, she doesn't care about me. This just makes me find her even more interesting.
I am now at her workplace. Well not inside, I'm waiting for her outside as she's about to knock off. Don't ask how I found her workplace. I found it the same way I found her number.
I keep asking the cars parking here if they are her ride. I will take her home , she will talk to me. A navy GTI parks at the parking lot and I go to it. I knock at the window and it rolls down. A man in his mid twenties appear.
Nkosana: Wola.(Hi)
Him: Sure Grootman.
Nkosana: Are you an Uber driver for Yikhokonke?
He looks at his phone then back at me.
Him: Yes.
Nkosana: How much is your ride?
Him: R120
I take out a R200 note and give it to him. They are very expensive, her house is 20 minutes away from here.
Nkosana: Vaya. (Leave.)
He doesn't say anything and drives off.
Konke: Hey! Hey! That's my ride.
I turn and she stops as she was running . She looks defeated.
Konke: That's my ride!
Nkosana: Not anymore.
Konke: Not anymore?
She asks coming to me as I'm standing where her ride was. She looks really angry, she stands next to me. She's so short.
Konke : You again!
Nkosana: Sawbona MaNyambose.(Hi MaNyambose)
Konke: What do you want from me?
Nkosana: I came to take you home.
Konke: Why?
Nkosana: Because I need time to talk to you.
Konke: How did you even find me?
Nkosana: I have my ways.
Konke: Mxm
She walks off. I follow her and hold her arm.
Konke: We mnumzane uyabona kodwa ukuthi usuqala ukuba iscefe?(Mr do you realize that you're starting to be a pain in the ass?)
Nkosana: I wouldn't be if you just gave me your time.
She huffs a sigh.
Konke: Where is your car?
I smile and take out my keys from my pockets. I unlock my car while looking at her, it's the one we're standing infront of.
Konke: I should have known.
What does that mean? She goes to the car and opens the back door and gets in , shutting it behind her. I go to the passenger side and open it. She looks at me and chuckles.
Nkosana: You're not going to sit at the back when there's no body at the front.
She gets out and gets into the passenger seat. She's very angry.
Konke: Thank you.
Nkosana: You're welcome my lady.
I go to my side and get in. She puts her seat belt on. I look at her and smile, she's so beautiful.
Konke: Uyasineka, kumnandi.(You're enjoying yourself, you're busy smiling.)
I laugh , she's not only beautiful and stubborn she's also funny.
Konke: Can you please just drive me home? I'm hungry.
Nkosana: Say no more.
I drive to a near by restaurant.I park and turn to her.
Nkosana: Come.
Konke: What?
Nkosana: What?
Konke: What did you say?
Nkosana: I said what.
Konke: Before that.
Nkosana: I said come.
She looks at me.
Nkosani: Ohh….oh no, no,no. I meant let's go inside.
She giggles. I chuckle , she's so naughty.
Nkosana: Let's get you something to eat, come on.
Konke: No I want to come.
Nkosana: Shut up!
We laugh as we go inside the restaurant. We sit down and order. She is now laughing, I'm not blaming her I'm funny. I'm just glad she's not angry at me any more.
Nkosana: You have a beautiful smile.
She smiles.
Konke: And you chew loudly.
Nkosana: No I don't .
Konke: You do and it's annoying.
Nkosana: How are things at your "office".
I'm teasing her. I know she lied when she said she's in a hurry to get her office. She's doesn't have an office.
Konke: At my office?
Nkosana: Yes
Konke: What are you talking about?
Nkosana: You know when you lie about something, you should make sure you don't forget.
She looks at me as if it has clicked in her mind what I'm talking about. She cover her face with her hand. She giggles after that.
Konke: I just wanted you to leave me alone.
Nkosana: I don't think I'll be able to do that.
Seriously, I will make her my wife. Why would I let go of an angel? The most beautiful and fun fun lady in the world.