Never give up. Keep fighting
It’s been a couple of weeks now and the couples are still not on speaking terms. Themba is still temporarily staying with Qhawe in the rented flat. They are keeping watch over their wives though, who have decided to stay together for now so that it’s easier for the security detail to work an effective schedule. They are mostly indoors anyways. Nothemba does video and conference calls from home. Zinhle also does work from the house. Themba and Qhawe have access the surveillance of the house so they want to ensure the ladies are safe.
This temporary arrangement may not be a bad idea after all. They know Smith is watching them and he must have noticed this new development so who knows, he may let his guard down.
“Thanks for meeting me Hlengiwe…” says Qhawe to Hlengiwe. They are meeting in the same coffee shop they have met before. “You look like you have lost weight Nkosi, aren’t you sleeping well?” Hlengiwe says as she sits down. “Why do I feel like this is not a social call?” she has a straight face this time around.
“Well not really, I wish it was.” Qhawe says nervously. “A lot has happened since we last spoke and…” he doesn’t finish before Hlengiwe interrupts, “Oh yes I know, you are being hunted by agents and people with no names.” she says. They are interrupted by a waiter offering coffee. She take, s it and have a sip. Qhawe put his cup down he is still shocked by the fact that Hlengiwe is aware of what is happening. “How do you…know about…” Qhawe says but he doesn’t finish as Hlengiwe smiles and says “I'm resourceful remember?” as she another sip.
“okay look, I might as well be straight with you since you have joined the dark world of espionage. I don’t want you dying just because you lack knowledge,” she says looking around the room. Qhawe listens attractively. “I like you Nkosi, you are bright and level headed. But I got to be honest with you, when you got that tender it upset a lot of high ranking individuals, politicians, people of influence, those who control the economy, you name them.” she says. Qhawe knows all this but he can’t shake the feeling that there’s more Hlengiwe will reveal.
“okay, now what I am about to tell you is top secret but I figured I owe you that much.” Hlengiwe says. Can she be out with it already, Qhawe thinks to himself but Hlengiwe continues, “I am aware of Smith’s activities, making your life miserable. I know he has agents and sleeper agents all over you.” Qhawe is lost for words, “How on earth do you know that?” he asks curiously.
Hlengiwe sits back and sighs, “because Nkosi, we have been watching you.” she says. Qhawe straightens, “We? We who?” he asks. Hlengiwe looks at him, “the thing is, I am a sleeper agent, Nkosi.” she says whispering a bit.
This is too much for Qhawe.
“Sleeper agents are like an insurance policy, really.” Hlengiwe continues as she takes a sip. She can see that Qhawe is shocked. “they are not the first point of entry. They are only activated as the last resort. I know this is too much to take in but just to get this out of the way, our country is crawling with sleeper agents. Every political party has their own, even the apartheid government though it is no more it still has sleeper agents planted in government, big business etc. So when a game changer is needed, a sleeper agent is activated.” she says as she looks at Qhawe who is lost for words.
“Not necessarily to go around killing people,” she says, trying to ease his mind “though some do that but others are accountants, scientists, historians, business people etc. So if they have to influence their sectors through their expertise, that’s what they will do. For example, collapse the markets so that individuals may benefit.”
She takes a pause to allow Qhawe to breathe. “So after the reshuffle, we saw how ministers got entangled in corruption and looting of resources. We started seeing rogue agencies getting busy by aiding in the removal of all those who opposed the status quo…” she says to which Qhawe calls for the waiter and requests for a double of whiskey.
Hlengiwe looks at him and feels sorry for him. She then says “I’m sorry Mr. Nkosi but this is the world we live in. Most people don’t see this world. To them everything is business as usual. So when all this started to happen, I was activated and so were lot of people.” she says as Qhawe’s double arrives and he downs it all at one go. He needs another one, and he calls for it.
“So one of those many others was Zinhle,” Hlengiwe says. Qhawe looks at her with a bit of being upset at her but Hlengiwe continues, “Smith and his rogue agents don’t play games, we needed to look after you since you are the key in all this. Many politicians linked to Smith are now aware of you and these people don’t like loose ends. So Zinhle was activated to keep an eye on you guys.” But Qhawe gets angry, “But how can she do this to Themba?” he says as he tries to keep his voice low,
“He trusted her Hlengiwe,” he whispers as he looks around. “Yes I know he trusted her. I’m sure eventually everything will come okay between them.” Hlengiwe says as she reassures Qhawe who asks “So, you are her handler?”
Hlengiwe looks around, “Yes I’m her handler.” she says. Qhawe brushes his head and says, “I hope not my wife.” Hlengiwe let out a smile, “no don’t worry but…I got to say, if your wife didn’t give up everything just to look after your kids, who knows maybe we’d have recruited her. Because she’s a qualified investigative journalist, that would make it easy. Some of the people are former soldiers like you .” she says clearly expecting protest.
“nope, nope thank you,” Qhawe says. Hlengiwe laughs, “relax Nkosi. But you and Themba think you just retire from the army? The skills set you acquired from the military can’t just go to waste just because you were tired of killing people. And don’t you dare forget that government spent a lot of money to train you. You guys have been running around acting like super spies. You can’t just retire from the army. Now I'm offering you two a chance. I am now giving you two a license to kill." as she raises her voice a bit.
"Oh and we also inserted some of our own operatives within your protection detail.” she says. Qhawe thinks to himself ‘Why am I not surprised?’ “Relax, we are on the same team Mr. Nkosi.” Hlengiwe says
***
Meanwhile, while Qhawe is away Themba is left in the apartment, bored and he has nothing to do really. A knock on the door, Qhawe must have forgotten his keys. He opens. It is Zinhle. How did she get the address because no one knows? he thinks to himself.
“Aren’t you going to let me in?” Zinhle says with a smile “you know, we are wanted so, someone may spot me standing outside like this.” Even Themba knows that she is making a good point. He lets her in and she sits by the sofa. She looks around. “Nice place you got here.” She is so excited to see her husband but knows there is nothing much she can do about it as there’s still tension between them. Themba sits down. There’s a moment of awkwardness.
“How did you find us?” Themba asks with a low tone. “Well as you can imagine, I’m capable of doing that.” Zinhle says, somewhat embarrassed. “I see.” Themba says, looking away with awkwardness. Then Zinhle starts to explain herself in detail. Nothing but the truth will get them out of this situations. Themba is aware how this will feel but he has to know. He loves his wife very much but he is not sure if the trust between them is still intact.
***
At the Nkosi mansion Buhle had come to visit her sister. Nothemba had told her about all that is going on between her and Qhawe and she needs her support. Zinhle can’t be of any help since herself is trying to fix her own marriage.
“Sis, you got to talk to him. This is not right. You guys aren’t talking to each which is not helping the situation and you know your enemies wanted this to happen.” Buhle says and Nothemba knows her sister is right but every time she looks at those photos of Qhawe and Grace having lunch, sitting cozy she just can't let it go. “I know that sis. All in good time. But first things first. The kids are ready. Sis please look after my kids okay?” she says as she looks at them.
“They will be okay, don’t worry.” Buhle assures her worried sister. “Besides who wouldn’t love Canada? We'll be shopping a storm.” she is excited. “Hey, remember you are going there to lay low not to be extravagant. And the security detail will be there always so don’t ditch them okay?” Nothemba says with the older sister tone.
They put the bags in the car and she kisses her kids, gets them in the car. She watches as they drive off to the airport.
Nothemba gets back into the house, she sits in the sofa and pauses for a moment. She takes the phone, scrolls down and get to ‘hubby'. She wants to hear his voice. He must be really fat now, she thinks, with all the junk food he’s been eating in the apartment. She puts the phone down she and thinks, maybe calling him is not a good idea. She procrastinates, “I will call him tomorrow.” she thinks out loud.
While she is busy thinking, and she is now half way through the bottle of wine Zinhle comes in. With all that has been going on, Zinhle has access to the security pin in the door. In fact, Qhawe and Nothemba have the security pin for the Cele's mansion as well. They are the only people they can trust.
“Hey darling, how did it go with Themba?” asks Nothemba who is not even waiting for Zinhle to settle. She takes the glass and pours herself a full glass and takes a huge sip that puts it half way. “Well we spoke, I tried to make him understand. But I suppose I wasn’t expecting him to come home immediately. So we agreed he will stay with your husband for now because it’s clear we have to work on the issue of trust right now.” Zinhle says with a sad voice. Nothemba comes close to her and embrace her, “It’s going to be okay my friend.” They hug.
“I’m starving what do we have?” Zinhle asks as she goes to the fridge. It seems being hubby-less has given these ladies a break in cooking. They are all about take-away now especially if the kids are with Buhle.
“So the kids are gone, it’s just you and me now huh? Did you speak to Qhawe?” she asks as she puts the pizza in the microwave. “Nah, I will speak to him tomorrow.” Nothemba answers, she doesn’t look like she wants to entertain this question.
“You know you said that last night. You know, if you keep postponing this it will eventually become very difficult to get back together” Zinhle says.
Nothemba pours herself another glass, “I know, I know right. Somehow I doubt we'll ever be the same.” she says. “yet you still have to give it a try my friend. You love each other and nothing beats that. And as I recall you never gave him a chance to explain” Zinhle says and Nothemba knows her friend is right.
They open another bottle and talk for hours.
***
Back at the apartment Qhawe is back from his meeting with Hlengiwe. He finds Themba sitting on the couch. “Hey man, I thought you’d be sleeping by now,” he asks but Themba pours a drink and give it to Qhawe, “So how did it go with Hlengiwe?” he asks. Qhawe takes a sip and says “Well we will need a bottle my friend.”
He sits down and open his laptop and starts to tell Themba everything they discussed with Hlengiwe. They can’t believe they are entangled in this shadow world with their lives at stake. “Hlengiwe requested that we all meet next week to work on a plan to deal with Smith and his politician friends. It’s time we regain our lives.” Qhawe says. They call it night knowing there seems to be progress now.
***
A week later they meet at the Nkosi mansion. It is Hlengiwe, Nothemba, Zinhle, Themba and Qhawe. They are meeting at the study where the four have always met. “well Mr. Nkosi, it seems this will be our base of operations for the next coming weeks seeing you already have all the tech we need.” Hlengiwe says as she looks around this room full of high tech computers and gadgets.
“Gents can you excuse us for a minute, I need to speak to your ladies for a moment.” She says as she requests Zinhle and Nothemba to follow her to the lounge. Themba and Qhawe are both puzzled by this and are wondering what’s wrong but oblige and give the ladies some privacy.
“Now ladies, I don’t have to remind you of what we are dealing with here.” Hlengiwe says authoritatively. The wives keep quiet but she continues, “Nothemba I'm sure your friend has told you about me and about her. And I'm counting on you to keep this within the walls. I have already spoken to Qhawe and she has spoken to her husband.” Nothemba smiles and says, “Of course yes mam.”
Hlengiwe looks through the window. She has a serious face. “Another thing, give your husband a break. The pictures you have were photo- shopped to create an impression and I know you are smart enough to know that,” she says authoritatively and Nothemba doesn’t like to discuss her marriage with other people except of course Zinhle but she keeps quiet. “We looked into the matter and I can absolutely tell you that Qhawe has never lied to you. This was a divide and conquer strategy in order to delay your plans,” Hlengiwe concludes.
Nothemba knew in her heart that Qhawe would never hurt her but she needed another person to tell her that. She is relieved that it wasn’t true but now she really feels bad. How can she face the man she doubted? How can everything go back to normal after this? Did Smith really succeed in his plans of destroying these families? She thinks to her heart, is it too late to fix everything with her husband?
“You…” Hlengiwe says as she turns to Zinhle, “Themba loves you. He’s just in shock that’s all. But this job comes with all that. We lie in order to protect those we love. It will work out in the end. So fight for your marriage. Don’t let your man go. I know this job needs a lot of sacrifice but, draw the line somewhere.” she says. Zinhle is not sure whether that was meant to be a motivation but Hlengiwe is right, she must fight for her man.
They all head back to the study.
“I’m sorry we are late gentlemen.” Hlengiwe says with a smile as she is followed by Zinhle and Nothemba to the study. “okay let’s work on the fight back strategy. We’ve been behind and second best for almost a year now. So it’s time to expose this Smith. I’m hoping that all his politician friends will distance themselves from him and throw him under the bus. I know people like Smith. He is a soldier and once he is betrayed he will be self-destructive. His rogue unit has been the resources for the bigger fishes. Without it they are limited.” she says and everyone is listening attentively to what Hlengiwe is saying
“Okay, how do we do that exactly.?” Qhawe asks curiously. Hlengiwe smiles, “Well Mr. Nkosi, it’s time you reclaim your company. Spooks hate being compromised because they know they become expandable.” she says.
Qhawe leans back as Hlengiwe continues, “All the evidence of sabotage that you have and the murder of Mkhulisi and the forging of your signature by that agent in your office, the agent posing as security guard…all of that, expose it to the board. Your Dan, who has been playing you, expose them all,” she says, raises her voice. Qhawe seems to like the idea, “Hmmm and they’ll be arrested…” he says as smiles.
“No Mr. Nkosi.” Hlengiwe says with a smile. “What?” Themba asks in shock. “Why the hell not?” He is puzzled but Hlengiwe answers, “Because they are no good to us dead, because they will die in jail. So we won’t lay charges. Instead they will become assets in exchange for protection.”
Everyone looks puzzled and confused. “Welcome to the big league ladies and gentlemen. This is how this game is played.” Hlengiwe says as she can see everyone is confused. “Look, in the shadow world, once you are compromised no one comes back for you. Smith will be out to silence them for good and they'll have nowhere to go. Guys remember, these people have families.”
It starts to make sense to Qhawe and Themba but Nothemba is not sure about this whole thing... “I need you guys to trust me. I have been in this political game for a long time,” Hlengiwe continues. It’s not like they have a choice. Hlengiwe knows what she’s talking about. “So you two go to the office on Friday. Arrange the board meeting with Monica. Nothemba, leak the story through your journalist friends. The bigger the better. Zinhle get to the embassy and monitor all of their movements. They must know they are being watched, especially their handlers. They will deliver them to us.” she says with some authority.
Now there’s no turning back for these once ordinary suburb couples. Now they are entangled in the dark world of espionage and it is dangerous
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