A HEART REPLACED chapter Ten
A HEART REPLACEDChapter ten
NONHLAKANIPHO’S POV
Sheglance at the time and can't believe it's already 13h45 - she has spent a whopping seven hours with Pearl, engrossed in her hilarious stories and laughter. Despite her reserved appearance, she's turned out to be a riot, and she has laughed so hard her sides ache. She is sure her colleagues are exhausted from her incessant giggles and Pearl's boisterous guffaws. What's more, she had no idea this company was owned by the Mbatha family, with Mkhuseli at the helm as CEO. According to Pearl, he's a brilliant and driven individual, and his father entrusted him with the top spot due to his exceptional work ethic. It's clear I've been living under a rock, knowing nothing about the Mbatha family, including their siblings. She recalls seeing some of them at the funeral, but she wouldn't have recognized them as part of the family. And to think, she only knew the miserable Khulekani - what a limited perspective she had!
“So, are you going to ask Mkhuseli for a job here?” Pearl inquires. “No, I'm not going to work for the Mbatha family,” she replies firmly.
“I'll explore other options.”
Pearl's expression turns incredulous. “What? Why? Come on, girl, don't be dramatic!”she exclaims. What drama?sJust because I don't want to work for the Mbathas?,Pearl continues, “I understand you're upset about what the families, did but that shouldn't hold you back from pursuing a job opportunity.”She reasons, “What will people say? That my sister passed away, and suddenly I'm working at her husband's company?”she asks, her voice laced with skepticism. Pearl rolls her eyes, “Come on, people will always talk, okay? You need to develop a thicker skin.” Pearl advises, not realizing how easy it is for her to say that.
“I'm not ready to talk to Mkhuseli anytime soon,”she says, “I've barely spoken to him since... maybe just a brief greeting, nothing more.”
“Weee, isaseyinde lendlela enizoyihamba nobabili,”Pearl exclaims, clapping her hands once.
“I'll talk to Khulekani to put in a word with his brother for you,” Pearl offers.
“Okay, though there's no need,”
“There is! You're 24 and still not independent, you need a push,” Pearl says, prompting Nonhlakanipho to roll her eyes. “And I want us to be close, working in the same company will make that happen,” Pearl adds, winking at her.
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MKHUSELI ’S POV
Mam Khethiwe has just departed after thoroughly cleaning the house, and my parents left early this morning. The house is now spotless, a marked improvement from yesterday. Although the silence is palpable, it fills me with longing for my late wife; I hope she has arrived safely in the afterlife, if that's where her journey took her. May she become a benevolent angel watching over us from above." He hasn't laid eyes on Nonhlakanipho since morning, and her prolonged absence has piqued his curiosity. Where has she gone to all this time? he wonders. It's been hours, and there's no sign of her in the house. He chides himself for worrying, acknowledging that she has her own life to live.
As he finishes packing his wife's clothes into a bag, he knows they will be passed on to relatives who will find use for them during the upcoming ‘ISUBUYISO’ week, when everyone will come together to bathe and cleanse themselves.
“I expected to find you overcome with grief,”a voice says from the doorway, prompting Mkhuseli to turn and face his brother Khulekani.
“Knocking never hurt anyone,”Mkhuseli remarks, zipping up the bag and placing it on the floor, eliciting a chuckle from Khulekani. “Let's head to my study,” Khulekani suggests, and they exit the room, making their way to his study.
“How are you faring today?”Khulekani inquires.
“I'm unsure, but I'll get better with time,”, Khulekani nod in understanding.
“What brings you here?” he asks.
“Can't I come check on my brother? Don't act like I never visit,” Khulekani says with a smile.
“You're right, sorry Bafo, it's just that...it's been a lot.”
“No worries, are you alone in the house?”
“Yes, our parents left early, Mam Khethiwe departed minutes ago, and Nonhlakanipho...I have no idea where she is; I haven't seen her since morning.”
“Ah, she's at the company with Pearl,”Khulekani informs him. “Oh?” Mkhuseli responds, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, Pearl texted me that Nonhlakanipho is looking for a job,” Khulekani explains, shrugging his shoulders.
“Oh, okay...”
“Just ‘okay’ ?” Khulekani asks, seeking a more enthusiastic response.
“What do you want me to say?” Mkhuseli asks.
“Come on, Bafo, as the company's boss, can't you offer her a position if there's one available?”Khulekani suggests.
“She'll have to go through the same process as everyone else - an interview,” Mkhuseli responds. Khulekani frowns,
“What for? She's your--”
Mkhuseli completes the sentence for him, “She's my wife's sister.”
“Sorry, Bafo, but isn't she a Mbatha now?” Mkhuseli questions,
“Ngayiphi indlela kambe?(In what way again)”
Khulekani replies, “She's about to be your wife, obviously.” Mkhuseli's response is firm, “My wife is deceased, and I don't recall courting another woman, let alone proposing to her.”
“Ngiyakuzwa Bafo kodwa think about it ,come on.(I hear you)”
“Wasumncengela kangaka yini seniyajola?(Why are you begging for her this much?are you dating her)”He asks
“Of course not,angisekho lapho okay I have to respect her since she's yours now,(I'm nolonger there)”Khulekani says
“Kanti khululeka akasuyena owami ,(be free she's not mine)”he says.
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After Khulekani departed, Mkhuseli took a refreshing shower and returned to his office, pondering the conversation. He's convinced that Pearl was the mastermind behind Khulekani's request to offer Nonhlakanipho a job. He knows Pearl all too well. Though he's not a cruel person, he's determined to find available positions and give Nonhlakanipho a chance, hoping he won't come to regret it. He expects her to excel in her role, or else he won't hesitate to replace her.
He finally closes his laptop, his stomach growling in protest. He's been so engrossed in his work that he's forgotten about lunch. He gets up from his chair, stretching his arms above his head, and heads out of his study towards the kitchen. As he approaches the kitchen, he's greeted by the savory aroma of cooking food, and his stomach growls even louder in anticipation.
He enters the kitchen, he sees Nonhlakanipho busily stirring a pot on the stovetop, her back to him. She's completely absorbed in her cooking, oblivious to his presence. Mkhuseli hesitates, not wanting to startle her or interrupt her cooking. He decides to come back later, not wanting to disturb her. He quietly retreats, his eyes fixed on the delicious-smelling food, his stomach growling in protest. He can't wait to taste whatever she's cooking up!
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At BAB’THUBANA’S HOUSE
“Come on, MaMnguni, you need to eat something,” he says to his wife, concern etched on his face.
“I'm not hungry,”MaMnguni replies, her voice firm.
“You are hungry, you're just starving yourself, and that's not good,” worry creeping into his voice.
“I want my daughter back, Thubana,” she says, her eyes welling up with tears. Bab'Thubana sighs, “Our daughter is in a better place, MaMnguni; you have to accept it already.”
“Accept? I have to accept that your daughter killed my daughter? That will never happen,”MaMnguni spits, her anger and grief boiling over.
“Accusing Nonhlakanipho is not good, mkami; you know she didn't, and we both know Nonhlakanipho can't even kill a cockroach, what can she possibly do to a human?” He reasons, trying to calm her down.
“Vele uzomjamela ngoba she's your daughter, right?” MaMnguni retorts, her voice laced with bitterness.
“She is my daughter, I agree, but I don't agree with what you're accusing her of. Yes, they didn't get along well with Londeka, but she wouldn't kill her; uyakwazi Loko nawe,”he says, his voice filled with conviction.
“Mxm, I'm sure she's thrilled to have Mkhuseli all to herself and gain access to a life of luxury,”MaMnguni says, her voice laced with annoyance.
“That's enough, Mkami!” Bab'Thubana snaps, his patience wearing thin.
“Nonhlakanipho is still my daughter, and just because we've forced her to take Londeka's place doesn't mean I don't love her. I do! It's just that we can't afford to lose our connection to the Mbathas,”he explains, slamming the food onto the pedestal. He's seething with anger, and MaMnguni had better start coming to her senses before he loses his temper completely.
He storms out of the room, his frustration evident in every step. He pulls out his phone and dials his daughter's number, but it goes straight to voicemail. He tries again, but the call rings out, unanswered. He lets out a deep sigh, wondering if she's still upset with him. He hopes she'll come around soon, that one day she'll understand the reasons behind his actions. He loves her more than anything, and he's doing this for their future, even if she can't see it yet.
To be continued...
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