The fightback
In the boardroom there is an obvious tension. The board members are wondering what could his meeting be about. There is also the department delegation. Everyone is curious about this. There is site management, HR, head of security and everyone in management position. A moment later Qhawe and Themba come in. They sit down. Themba whispers something into Qhawe's ear.“Okay, Mr. Nkosi, what was so important that everyone had to be here?” Dan asks with a very nervous voice. Qhawe and Themba look at each other. Then Qhawe whispers something in Themba's ear. “Yes,” Themba says as he clears his throat. “This meeting is important. We have proof of Mr. Nkosi being set up by some employees within the company, people working with a third force.”
Everyone in the boardroom is shocked. “That is absurd.” Dan protests. “Calm down Dan. Like I say, we have proof. And we have uncovered a web of corruption that links these people with bigger agendas.” Themba says as he looks around the room. The commotion ensues in the boardroom. Everyone is asking who these people are.
“Whoa people, I can assure you that you will know this soon enough.” Themba tries to calms everyone down. Dan stands up, “Then why are you making allegations if you can’t tell us who these people are?” he asks as he storms out of the room, which leaves everyone shocked. Why is Dan so defensive about this? “Now to that end ladies and gentlemen, please open the dossier in front of you.” Themba says, completely ignoring Dan’s stunt.
Everyone opens and reads. The shock on everyone's face as they read on is pleasing Qhawe who, up until that point has been very quiet showing no emotion or whatsoever. “oh, and one of the names there is Dianna, she was HR administrator, so we thought.” Themba says with sarcasm. “She is responsible for forging Mr. Nkosi's signature. We have learnt with sadness that she was involved in a car accident yesterday and passed on,” he adds. This seems to cause a stir in the room.
Dan has managed to sneak out of the office. He is in the parking lot making calls, but he is unsuccessful. He makes another call, the phone rings for a while. “Hello…Laughmberg, why the hell is your brother ignoring my calls? I am compromised. I need you to get me out of the country.” he says, panicking. “My brother doesn’t know you and he has never made contact with you. Also never ever call me again.” Luke says on the other side of the line and then drops the phone.
This causes panic on Dan as he realises that he’s been thrown under the bus. Now it’s clear to him that Dianna was not a coincidence but she was silenced.
In the boardroom tension is still high. “So,” Qhawe says as he straightens up. “Mr. Cele and myself have given our proxy to Monica. She will hold the fort for now and oversee things. Once everything is back to normal we'll resume duties.” he says to which even Monica is shocked but very pleased by the gesture. Everyone in the room claps. “Thank you.” Monica says with a nod and smile. The meeting is adjourned. Qhawe and Themba exit the board room leaving everyone to enjoy the refreshments.
“Sir.” a voice calls for Qhawe and he turns around, it’s Monica. “Thank you for showing faith in me I hope I will do a great job and not let you down.” Qhawe smiles and says “I know Monica. I trust you. I know you will do a great job. Just watch who you trust around you. If anything, this current situation has taught us that people can’t really be trusted.” Monica smiles and nods as she goes back to the boardroom to mingle with guests.
Qhawe heads to the reception, “Grace have you seen Dan? I don’t see his car outside.” he asks. Grace answers in a very low and shy voice, “No sir…” Qhawe nods and turns to leave. “Sir…” Grace calls on Qhawe, he turns around. “I’m really sorry about that incident. I never meant to cause any trouble for you and your wife. It was not my intention and…” she doesn’t finish as Qhawe interrupts her, “Grace, it’s okay. You did nothing wrong. Don’t worry about it.” he says as he turns around and leaves. Things will get back to normal, he thinks to himself.
***
Few days later the story of maladministration had broken out in the news and all over newspapers. Dan’s name is mentioned as one of the people behind sabotage of the housing project that saw Qhawe being suspended. News mention that he has links to a rogue intelligence unit that serves interest of a business class and politicians. This is how Qhawe wanted the story to break.
They need Dan in the cold, right now he’s a pawn in this political chess game. He knows these shadow people won’t hesitate to kill him so he’ll need refuge in exchange for what he knows.
“Hey Hlengiwe,” Qhawe is on the phone, “I just wanted to check if you have seen the news lately.” Hlengiwe is on the other side, “Oh yes this is how we wanted this to turn out.” Qhawe looks out through the window. “Yes so let’s wait for him now to reach out. We can’t come across as desperate. He needs to realize we are in control here and that his life is in our hands.” They talk on the phone for a while and then he hangs up
***
At the Nkosi mansion Nothemba and Zinhle miss their husbands. It seems Hlengiwe's words kind of sunk in with them, especially Nothemba. “Hey my friend, I think we should cook something nice, something special tonight.” She says as she looks at her recipe book. “Oh look,” she says but Zinhle is kind of surprised… “Are we celebrating a special day? Did I miss your… isn’t your Birthday on the…” as she scrolls down her phone.
“No man, you didn’t miss my birthday.” Nothemba says as she smiles. “I’m just thinking that you know…” she pauses for a second. “What?” Zinhle asks anxiously as she comes to sit next to her. “The whole band is coming together tonight so I was thinking the boys would do with a decent meal.” Nothemba says but she seems to think this idea is lame.
“Oh you mean, we should impress Qhawe, huh?” Zinhle says as they both laugh. “Look, it’s okay my friend, you miss him and you can’t wait to see him. And on top of it all, you love him to bits.” Zinhle says and Nothemba smiles. “There’s no shame in that.” Zinhle says as she pours herself a juice. “I mean; don’t you miss Themba? I mean, I know you love him and you want him back.” Nothemba asks. Zinhle lets out a huge sigh, “Of course…I'd do anything to get him back.”
“But I’m not sure if things can ever be the same ever since...” she starts to look very sad. Nothemba gives her back rub but she continues, “I have introduced him to this dark world of spies, full of lies and distrust and…” Nothemba interrupts her friend, “Hey, hey… Themba is a soldier, so is Qhawe. They just gave up that life to make a good living for us. But one thing I know for sure…they'd do anything to protect us from harm.” She says. It’s been a long time since these couples have enjoyed peace. But things are looking up.
***
Meanwhile, in the wooden cabin, the secret place for Smith and his friends, there is visible tension. The room has more people than usual. Also, there are ladies dressed in mini dresses, serving the men from the mini bar. Clearly these ladies are hired for entertainment. Is this what the politicians and the elite do to unwind and distress?
“Look, this Nkosi guy is beginning to be an irritation. Who does he think he is?
Doesn’t he know that heroes are only in the movies?” a voice of a man looking through the window speaks. “I think it’s time we take them out, this is becoming dangerous.” Another mystery man says, “We are all at risk of being compromised.” A little commotion ensues in the room. “But guys we don’t even know how much he knows. Who can even believe him? A while ago he was in the news for infidelity.” the first man says, which leads to another debate.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa gentlemen.” A voice of a man, who’s been sitting quietly throughout this time speaks. “have you forgotten what has been happening lately?” he asks.
For one reason or the other they call this man, ‘The Emperor.’ Could it be a code name, just in case intelligence agencies intercepts their conversation? One thing is for certain, he is the most important person, at least in this room.
“Once our men were made in Nkosi’s company, Smith's ‘company’ became a matter of interest for the state and they are watching him closely. Which led into benching him in the first place.” he says as he looks at Smith who has been very quiet in all this. “So him and Luke are of no use to us at the moment as they are watched.”
The room is silent. This is not the response they were expecting from the ‘Emperor’ since this will hit hard on him more than anyone else in this room and linking him with people further up in the political ladder would be so easier. But the man continues, “Needless to say, it’s campaigning season.
Every mickey mouse political leader would jump into any rumor at this time just to score points. If anything has to happen to Nkosi now, it will open a can of worms. Gentlemen, my associates are not going to lose elections over this.” he says and the room is still silent.
“Whatever we do now, we must be stealth about it. Hlengiwe is clearly running the counter intelligence and she knows too much.” The commotion starts again. “Wait, wait. She is a politician. She wants what all other politician want… power and money. Let’s work around her. The more info we have on her the better.” The Emperor says.
This seems to please everyone.
“Oh John and Luke, find out everything you can about Nkosi and Cele military history. Every tour, mission they conducted. I know soldiers are often asked to go far and beyond the call of duty for their country. Who knows? We may find some skeletons somewhere.” As he takes a sip of his vodka.
***
In the car, Qhawe and Themba are going to the Nkosi mansion to meet with Hlengiwe and their wives. “Are you nervous?” Themba asks. “Nervous?” Qhawe asks back and smiles, “I should be asking you that. Are you ready to face Zinhle or what?” he asks.
Themba thinks for a moment. “Well man, I can’t postpone forever. I know she did try to explain things when she came over to the apartment that day. And, I love her very much.” he says. Qhawe turns down the music, “There you go man.” he says. “Because in the end love is all that’s important.” Themba looks through the window and says, “Yea man I know, but…” he pauses for a second, “knowing all that I know now just scares me. Spies are trained to lie.
They'd be anything they have to be to protect their cover.”
Qhawe knows his friend is right so he decides against convincing him. “You? You ready to confess your sins to your wife?” Themba says jokingly. Qhawe looks at him in shock. “hahaha.” They both burst out laughing. They drive until they get to the house.
Qhawe still has the gate key. But he decides not to use the pin to open. Instead he rings a bell. Both men are anxious and nervous. A good stiff of whiskey would have made things easier.
The door opens. Nothemba opens and then moves out of the way. Themba goes in first, obviously in order to allow Qhawe and wife space. Well, only to go straight to Zinhle who is standing right in front of him. The smell of a cooked meal fills the room. Both the ladies are great cooks. But that doesn’t seem to be the moment right now.
There's a long silence in the room, both couples are looking at each in the eyes. The ladies are ready. It’s hard to tell who between them has tears of joy, or regret, or even both. Without a moment’s notice both couples simultaneously jump to each other and hug. The ladies are clinging on to their men. As if to say, ‘never let me go again.’
Both ladies are crying as they continue to hold on to them. “I love you so much.” Nothemba says, with a trembling voice. Zinhle on the other side, she looks terrified at almost losing the love of her life. She wants to say something but words can’t come out of her mouth. Instead, every time she can’t spell out the words she makes the grip on Themba stronger. It seems Themba can hear her because he is also responding the same way. This is one moment each and every one has been looking for. This is interrupted by call.
“Yes Hlengiwe, you can come in.” Qhawe goes out and open the door to let Hlengiwe and her associates in. At this moment everyone starts to greet everyone else.
They sit in the table and have a good meal. The boys don’t remember the last time they had a descent cooked meal. They know though that the presence of Hlengiwe means they are here to work. Whether it’s good or bad news she brings, they can only hope for the best. After they are done Zinhle and Nothemba hit the kitchen to tidy up while Qhawe and Themba catch up with their guests.
“Okay people let’s get to work.” Hlengiwe says authoritatively.
They are now all in the study room. “We have this recorded testimony of Dan.” She puts a video and they all watch for about 20-25 minutes but they don’t finish. “He’s now in protective custody. In exchange for his cooperation we will grant him immunity.” Hlengiwe is cut short by Nothemba who is less than pleased, “what? Are you forgetting what this person did to our families.
He tore us apart, or at least he was party to that plan.” She is angry.
“Yes Mrs. Nkosi, I’m well aware of what he did.” Hlengiwe says, calmly. “But this is how secret societies like to work.” They all look at each other. “Dan,” Hlengiwe continues, “is a small fry to what we are faced with. We take Dan to prison, he won’t last a day and the people behind all of this will just find another ‘Dan’ and continue from where they left off. We need the head of the snake and the faceless people.”
“okay, so what are you suggesting?” Themba asks calmly as he sighs. “Well, Mr. Cele we first verify every name mentioned by Dan in this video. We need to flush them out.” Hlengiwe says. Everyone is looking like they are not liking this idea. This stuff only happens in the movies.
“Wait…just hold on Hlengiwe.” Qhawe interjects, “Are we not playing a dangerous game here? What is the plan of flashing them out actually? Are we not going to tip them off by letting them in on what we know?” He doesn’t like the idea one bit. “Mr. Nkosi this is what I do.” Hlengiwe says with a cheek.
They already know I’m involved and have an idea of who they are. But they also know that I can’t afford to make any reckless moves which will help them get off the hook.”
“Remember these are politicians. In politics if you don’t have solid evidence it’s no longer the case of what’s right or wrong but a case of what the courts, the media and the people will believe .” as she stands up and walks around the table of where they are seated. “Politicians play dirty and they know you won’t have guts to do the same.”
They continue the discussion for hours. They are trying to find ways of gaining advantage. They discuss different strategies and possible outcomes in all. After long hours behind closed doors Hlengiwe and his team leave.
***
For the first time Qhawe will share bed with his wife and he is very anxious about everything. He walks upstairs and he opens the door. Nothemba is waiting for him. He doesn’t know what to do really. Should he get tugged in and make love to his wife? But he knows many things need to be said first.
“Hey baby,” Nothemba says with a very soft voice. She’s wearing a sexy lingerie. Clearly she is not as conflicted as Qhawe. She’s seeing this going the different way. Can he deny her what she’s been longing for all this time? “Hey…umm,” Qhawe is lost for words. “I thought you'd be sleeping by now.” Nothemba grabs his hands and pulls him closer. She kisses him. Well even if he wanted to refuse, it’s too late now. Qhawe responds to his wife's advances. They get passionate. He carries her to the bed, which is not really far off. They make love passionately. It’s been so long.
After a while, they want to catch a breath. “Baby, I’m sorry.” Nothemba says. “I was a fool. I should have trusted you and I should have known better.” Qhawe interrupts, “No my love, I should be apologizing." he says. "Not everyone always sees innocence when colleagues have lunch. I’d have reacted the same way in your position I guess.”
Nothemba lays in his chest, “I will never doubt you again.” she says as she kisses him in the cheek. He smiles, “I love you my queen.” He kisses her. “I love you more my king.” They make love again with double passion.
In the other room, will things turn up the same way? Since Zinhle has been staying at the Nkosi's the past months she has her room. This house is really big. The kids are in Canada with Buhle. They call in every other day just to confirm that they r okay. This arrangement is until this whole saga is over.
“Baby I am really sorry for everything.” Zinhle says somewhat embarrassed. Her situation is completely different to Nothemba's. She has a lot more to say to her husband. “I really didn’t mean to keep this from you. And I know it’s not easy for you to trust me right now and I can understand that. Who would?
This secret world is complicated. There’s a lot to sacrifice and risk to lose for the sake of the greater good.”
All the while Themba is listening and looking at his wife in the eyes. At least he can now do that. Before it was tough. “But I promise you my love, once this all is over I will quit. I can’t lose you over my country.” Themba seems shocked but he can see the sincerity in her eyes. “I will give up everything and anything to have you and…” she didn’t finish the sentence, Themba was there in a flash, and started to kiss her passionately.
This is not what she was expecting but she can’t really complain about it. She responds to the kiss and the tears roll down her cheeks. She can’t even take a breather to wipe them. It doesn’t seem important right now.
They make love passionately like it was their first time. Zinhle knows there’s a long way to go before any of this can become normal but it’s a start and she’s prepared to fight. After a while they talk for hours. Zinhle starts to detail just how she was recruited into the agency and what did she do and the missions she’s had.
This has been the best night for both families trying to work out their issues because the truth is that they have always been stronger together. Now they can start focusing on their mission which is to expose this corruption and the people who have torn their lives apart.
Please log in to submit a comment.