Mending bridges
“it’s good to have you home, sweetheart. I can’t tell you happy we all are to see you. We really missed you so much” Debra says emotionally, speaking to Lee-Ann who is sitting on the far sofa. She had been home for a couple of days now. It’s not really business as usual here, there’s still some tension in the air. I suppose because they never really resolved anything since she left. They are all sitting in the lounge after having had supper.“So how is Simo” Morgan jumps in as he asks with a smile. “Simo is okay dad” Lee-Ann says. “I will probably move back with him in a few days time. But I'm still with Melissa at the moment and…” but Debra cuts her off, “Darling, why don’t you move back here?” she asks with a begging voice. “This is your home sweetheart and I promise that things will be…” but Derby cuts in as well, “Mom, please just…let Lee finish okay?” she says, which causes a moment of silence as everyone is looking at her. But Lee-Ann continues, “as I was saying, I’m sorting something out with Melissa and then I will move back with Simo as we are sorting things out” she says to which her mother nods. There’s nothing she can do with that anyways. The last thing she wants is causing tension.
“Oh another thing” Lee-Ann says. “Our wedding is back on. We are continuing with the wedding” as she looks at Derby whose eyes pop with joy. She is excited for her sister. But Morgan and Debra are a little caught off guard by this as Debra asks, “Are you sure darling? I mean isn’t that too soon? Aren’t you rushing into this rather too fast?” but this seems to irritate Lee-Ann so much.
“Mom, please stop it, okay?” she shouts. “We aren’t rushing into anything. I love Simo and he loves me. In fact, the problem has never been with our relationship, has it?” she says as if to say guess who caused all of this. “So we are going to get married as soon as we can okay and there’s nothing anyone…” but Morgan seeing how this is threatening to get out of hand he decides to jump in. The last thing he wants is to lose his daughter again, over the very same thing. “Oh no sweetheart, we are really happy that you guys have fixed things and are going to get married soon. This is the best news ever, right” he says as he looks at Debra as if to say don’t you dare mess this up. “Sweetheart we are supporting you 100%. I’m really excited over this” as he stands up to hug his daughter.
“sis, I’m so over the moon with excitement” Derby says as she also comes over to hug her sister. Debra then stands up and comes over too, “darling” she says. “I may not show it most times but I just want you to know that I love you and I want you to be happy and if this man makes you happy, then I am happy too. our happiness is important to me okay” a tear drops down as she hugs her daughter.
After that emotional moment they all go back to sit down. There’s a moment of awkward silence as they are all taking a moment to let it sink in. “So, have you decided what you’re going to do with work?” Morgan breaks the silence. “I mean; you can always come back darling. This company is your home okay?' he says as he looks at Lee-Ann who looks away as if she doesn’t want to entertain the conversation. Morgan can see that so he quickly jumps in there, “Of course there is no pressure darling.
But what I have done is, I will keep you on payroll so that you can continue to get your salary. Just look at it a long paid leave, huh?” he says, much to Lee-Ann’s surprise. She really didn’t expect that.
“Well, the wedding is coming soon hey” he continues. “So I think it will help in preparation of this wedding because I want my daughter to have the best wedding ever okay?” he says to a Lee-Ann who as becomes very emotional as she says, “Thank you very much dad” Morgan smiles as he nods. After this they go to enjoy each other’s company. It has been a long time since there’s peace and harmony in this household.
***
Over at the Smart family, they had invited Mlu over for dinner and he reluctantly agreed. He just couldn’t stop wondering why. The last thing he wants is finding himself in the same situation his friend Simo was in. So they have eaten dinner, David has gone to his room and left Mlu with Ben, Stacey and Julie in the lounge. There is a level of tenseness in the room though.
“So Mr Khoza I know you have told me a little about yourself and your background during supper but my real interest is your intentions with my daughter” Ben says as he looks at Mlu with a straight face, which makes him a little uncomfortable. But Julie doesn’t like how this will go, “Dad, we spoke about this. You said you won’t be interrogating him” Julie jumps in as she looks at Mlu with some embarrassment. “I’m not interrogating him okay? I just want to understand where he stands with all this situation we now all find ourselves in and…” but Ben doesn’t finish as Mlu jumps in to cut him off. “It’s okay Julie” he says.
“Sir this came as a shock to me as well. It’s not something I or we expected but I can I assure you that I am100% committed to my children and the wellbeing of your daughter” he says, much to Julie’s pleasure who seems charmed by those words. “So if you say this wasn’t expected then why didn’t you use protection with my daughter? Does that mean you are a reckless man Khoza, huh?” Stacey jumps in there with a face of a disgruntled woman.
At that Julie rolls her eyes as if to say here we go again. This brings a very uncomfortable moment in the room and this is the last thing Ben wanted so he wants to arrest the situation before it gets out of control. “Alright darling, hold on a minute here, let’s calm down a little bit okay?” he says as he looks at his displeased wife. But Mlu is determined to answer as many questions they throw at him as possible so he jumps in, “Yes you are right Mrs Smart” he says. “it was a lapse of judgement on my part, I should have been more careful and for that I sincerely apologize” he says embarrassed.
But Julie, feeling a little discomfort of knowing how her parents can make the situation worse, especially her mother, she interrupts, “Look, mom, dad…it was on both our end okay?” she says. “We both should have been a little more careful. So you can’t put that on Mlu alone. But it happened okay and now we are here and there’s no turning back. In a few months’ time your grandchildren will be here. That’s what we need to discuss, not for you to be grilling Mlu for everything” she says as her voice is raised.
Mlu is a little pleased that Julie has come to his corner, so he looks at her and mods a little. “Yes sweetheart, that’s why we are asking him all these questions right?” Ben says. “One baby is too much work as it is but now in your case there’s two and we need to know if Khoza here is fully prepared for this” he concludes. They aren’t making this easy for me, aren’t they? Mlu thinks to himself.
“So, Khoza are you sure you’re financially stable to take care of my grand babies?” Stacey asks much to Mlu’s irritation. He really wants to speak his mind now but he tries to keep his cool. He feels very undermined by that question. “Yes ma’am I am doing well financially and I don’t think that you need to worry about that” he says trying to show a polite facial expression.
There is another awkward silence in the room and at this point Mlu has accepted that he will be interrogated throughout the night. “Okay that’s good to know” Stacey says. “One more thing though” she says looking Julie who then rolls her eyes again as if to say there we go again. What is it this time? But Stacey continues, “You do know that the babies will stay here with Julie, right? Since you two aren’t married and you are not even in a relationship. So if you want to see my grandchildren you will have to come over here if you want to see them, right?” she says much to Julie’s annoyance who can’t take it anymore. “Okay, that’s it” she says. “That’s enough mom and dad. It’s getting late and Mlu has to be somewhere right now but he’s stuck here with you two interrogating him” she says as she gets up from the swing sofa and leading Mlu by the hand as they head towards the door.
“Uhmm, it was good meeting you Mr and Mrs Smart” Mlu says, embarrassed by the abrupt ending of the conversation by Julie who seems to be in a hurry. “Come on Mlu” Julie says as she rushes him out the door and leaving Ben and Stacey stunned in the house.
“Oh that was so freaking awkward, I’m so sorry about that” the embarrassed Julie says to Mlu as she walks him to his car. “Oh no, no I thought that went rather very smoothly” Mlu says jokingly in a way that charms Julie who smiles back at him. “No, seriously, I’m sorry. You know we spoke about this and I didn’t want them to put you through that but did they listen? No” Julie says, still very embarrassed by what her parents did.
“Yeah but on the real though” Mlu says. “such questions would have come at some point anyway. So it was always inevitable that I will answer them you know” his face turns serious. “And oh yeah thank you for being in my corner in there, I really appreciate it so much” as he smiles to which Julie returns.
“You are welcome baby daddy, hahaha” she bursts out laughing and Mlu laughs back at her. They walk until they reach Mlu’s car, which was parked by the gate. They stand there for a minute as Mlu leans on his car. Its starting to be a little chilling outside since it’s already dark. They stand there looking at each other. Clearly they both have something to say but none wants to go first.
“look, I know that you and I have a lot to deal with and that it will take you longer to forgive me for the things I’ve done to you and your friend. And I can understand that, honestly” Julie says as she tries to avoid eye contact. “And I know that we are not in a relationship as well, and that’s okay but I’m glad that you are part of my babies’ lives. That’s all that matters to me right now. I just don’t want them to not know their father and seeing you here makes me happy. It’s all that I could ask of you” she says as she invite Mlu for a hug, and he accepts.
They hold it each other in silence for a moment. Julie’s heart beat begins to race as she becomes emotional but she doesn’t pull out instead squeezes Mlu a little tighter as if she’s trying to communicate something to him.
But it doesn’t look like Mlu minds that at all as he seems to enjoy the embrace as well. After a while they break the hug. Julie is desperate to get away from Mlu before he could see that she has teary eyes. But Mlu grabs her pulls him closer to him that both their chests bump. He leans in slowly to kiss her. And she’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to, so she accepts the invitation and they kiss.
***
“So what are your plans for tonight?” Thandeka asks a confused JB as they sit at the lounge having supper. “I mean, aren’t you going out with your friends?” as she sips her juice. “why are you asking?” says JB. “Can’t I just stay in with my sister and my daughter and chill at home watching movies? I’m not always with Simo and Mlu you know. Besides, I had a very long day at work today” he concludes.
“No silly, of course there’s nothing I love more than spending time with my brother and my niece, come on” Thandeka says as she looks at Nkanyezi who is busy minding her own business with food. “But you know, I thought since it’s Thursday night, you’d be out with your girlfriend, hahaha” she bursts out laughing. But JB looks puzzled as he tries to figure out, “Girlfriend? Who is that?” he says curiously. “Oh come on bhuti don’t pretend as if you don’t know who I’m talking about” Thandeka says with a naughty smile. But JB looks up for a second, “Oh come on” he says. “Derby is not my girlfriend okay. I mean as I recall you invited her into your birthday lunch okay…” but Thandeka cuts him off quick, “Yes and right after you invited her for drinks and then hurried me and your daughter home so that we won’t disturb you guys, didn’t you? Hahaha” she bursts out laughing again but JB doesn’t seem like he wants to entertain this but he can’t help but smile over it.
“Alright okay” he says. “That was just once, that day only. But it doesn’t mean she’s my girlfriend okay? And before you ask me, yes I have her number, we check on each other from time to time. We are just friends okay, are you happy now?” he is a little annoyed. But that just makes his sister laughs as she shakes her head. “You know bro, it’s okay to love again. And I know why you are so guarded. Thulisile left Nkanyezi with you when she was still 5 years old and went around the world chasing fame. But that doesn’t mean Derby will be like that okay?” she becomes a little serious now but JB is listening to her attentively. He wants to say something harsh but realises that her sister means well.
JB never really talks about Thulisile, Nkanyezi's mother, maybe because he just wants to forget she existed. “look, it’s not that alright?” he says calmly looking at his daughter. This is not about that selfish woman Thuli okay? I just have a lot on my mind right now, like my daughter, you and work. I just don’t have energy for dating right now. And as for your new bestie, Derby we are just friends and I’d like to keep it that way. Besides, you know my story. I’m trying to work on it right now before I can even think about taking that kind of leap” he says as he sighs deeply.
But their moment is interrupted by a door bell. JB wonders who might that be at this time. But it could just be Simo or Mlu coming over for a phuza Thursday. He’d really love to know how it went with Mlu at the Smarts' home. But he really didn’t expect to see someone he doesn’t know on his door. Even though this person looks familiar, JB is wondering what could he want at this hour.
“Hi JB” the man on the other side of the gate says. And that gets JB wondering how he knows his name. Could it be a cop? He thinks to himself. “can I help you and how do you know my name if you don’t mind me asking?” he asks curiously. “Oh, my name is Jason and I am Melissa’s brother. Melissa is a friend of Simo’s fiancé, so that’s how I know your name” Jason says with a smile on his face.
“Oh okay” JB says. “So what can I do for you Jason?” he asks curiously. But before Jason could respond they are interrupted by Thandeka who comes from the lounge, “Oh hey Jason, you are here? Perfect timing, please give me a minute let me go get my coat” she says as she turns around with excitement to go to her bedroom but JB follows her there.
“What the hell is going on” he asks his sister as he closes the bedroom door. “What do you mean what’s going on?” Thandeka asks as she grabs a coat from the wardrobe. But this seems to rub JB the wrong way. “What do you mean what do I mean?” he raises his voice. “I’m asking what the hell is going on? How do you know that guy and where are you going with him?” he is now getting upset but it doesn’t even look like Thandeka is noticing it as she responds, “Well, do you remember that day I took Nkanyezi to the park? Yeah that’s when I met Jason. We became friends and tonight we decided to go for a late night movie?” she says carefree but she wasn’t ready for her brother’s response,
“That’s not happening” JB shouts. “Are you out of your mind Thandeka? You are now going around at night with a stranger, a guy you hardly even know? That’s not happening” his voice is only getting louder.
“But he is the brother of your girlfriend’s sister’s friend, so he is not a stranger” Thandeka says as she checks her purse. She seems oblivious to any of her brother’s concerns. But JB stands in front of the bedroom door as Thandeka attempts to go out. He is upset that his sister is not paying attention to what he has to say.
“Oh so that’s why you were asking me what I’m going tonight and why am I not with my so called girlfriend. So you wanted to sneak out of the house and go out with a white man you barely even know and think I should be okay with that?” he says but he is met with a very calm response from Thandeka who says, “JB please move out the way okay?” politely. “Look I know you are worried about me but I will be okay. We are just going to the movies, not to his home or anything like that. Plus, if anything happens I will call you and you’ll be there in a flash bro. So please stop worrying about me” with that she disarms her brother as he moves away from the door and let her go out.
But he follows her all the way to the kitchen door where Jason is still standing outside.
“And you” JB says as he points to Jason from the other side of the gate. “What do you really want from my sister, huh?” but this catches Jason of guard as he didn’t expect that at all. “Why are you talking her to the movies? Don’t you have white girls that you can take out from your area?” he is fuming but Thandeka decides to jump in before Jason has had a chance to respond, “Okay, okay, okay my lovely brother” as she kissed him on the cheek.
“I will see you when I get back okay? I love you, bye” she says as she opens the gate and closes it behind her. “Please kiss my niece goodnight over there okay?” as she and Jason leave JB speechless and obviously upset at what just happened.
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