6
TWO QUEENS IN MY CASTLE 6KABELO
The first day went okay. I believe not a lot a people know that I'm selling so once they get the word of mouth, they'll show up. I made just above R300 and it's not bad at all considering I was only starting out. I'm counting the money in the living room while balancing the books. The vegetables sold more than the fruits and it's understandable because people have families to feed and meat is expensive, given it's in the middle of the month.
"I guess tomorrow I'll have lunch money, big brother," Oratilwe sits beside me and counts the money with her eyes.
"You think I'm playing here?" I click my tongue.
"I was just pulling your leg, hawu. I don't get why you're always angry," she gets up and checks the pots on the stove.
I've had a long day and I'm not in the mood to argue with her. I've opened a separate bank account for my business. I wouldn't want to use my personal account and end up using the money carelessly at some point. The rates were reasonable and I'm hoping I'll have enough cash to pay back Chopper by the end of the 30 days or else he'll chop me up.
I secure the cash in a money bag and take it to a safe place in my bedroom. I'm tired but I can't sleep yet because I still need to feed my mother, give her medication and take her to bed. I quickly take my bathe while Oratilwe takes her time with getting dinner ready. I don't understand why she's taking so long to prepare pap and chicken on a four plate stove.
Since Thandeka was here earlier, I feel it's only fair to check up on her. I send her a whatsapp message to avoid a phone call incase she's with her boyfriend. It doesn't take a minute before she blue ticks and calls me.
"Hi. I didn't think you'd be able to talk hence I sent you a text," I sit on my bed.
"I'm home alone. Dumisani went out and Lord knows what he's up to out there," she takes a heavy sigh.
"I hope you rested because you didn't look good earlier," I say.
"I did. How was your first day as an entrepreneur?"
"Don't make it sound so fancy. I'm just a vendor."
"Oh come on stop being modest. It's a step towards owning a huge fruits and veg store in a few years."
"As much as that sounds amazing, it's not actually my dream to be a business man. It's poverty and desperation that led me to this venture," I say.
"Oh! I hear you but at least you can be able to put food on the table."
"Yeah I hope I get a job soon. I made R300 today and the profit was only 60."
"That's better than nothing and you were only starting out. Maybe you should also sell cigarettes and sweets," her idea seems smart. Why didn't I think of that?
"You're on to something," I say.
"I mean people smoke all the time and the kids will buy the sweets after school and maybe add some snacks. Actually, my mom has a popcorn machine and I could speak to her and see if she could borrow you."
"I'd appreciate that. Wow I didn't think of all this and it'd really boost me a lot," I'm starting to feel positive about all this.
"Plus you don't need a lot of money to buy all these. You could sell whatever you have for three more days and have the money to stock," I find myself smiling. Who knew that Thandeka would come at the right time and give me such brilliant ideas?
"I see you're just not beautiful, you have brains too."
"I'll take that as a compliment. All you have to do is sit down and things of some ways to bring in cash. This isn't rocket science, especially because you've already started."
"Dumisani is a very lucky man. I mean it's not often that you find a woman who'll love and guide you, show you ways to improve your life and support you all at the same time," it's moments like these when I wish I had a partner that supports me.
"I can hear the door he's back. I'll come see you when I have time."
"Alright take care of yourself and..." she cuts the call before I could finish my sentence.
....
....
THANDEKA
I put my phone away and go to the living room. He walks in and takes off his jacket, throwing it on the single sofa.
"I was wondering where you are," I say immediately when he takes a seat.
"I had to run errands. Are you good?" He rubs his hand on my thigh. I just nod and keep my focus on the TV.
"The bed was cold last night and I can't wait to cuddle tonight. In fact there are plenty things that I can think of to bring the heat," he moves his hand up to my underwear.
"Stop it. Is there a day where you just don't think about ***? We hardly talk about anything meaningful to our relationship. All we ever do is fight, have *** and silly talks. I'm sick of this," I get on my feet and walk away.
...
...
YOLANDA
I just got home after being away for three days. My nephew's cry is heard from across the street and I just wish I had stayed where I was. I don't like being home because there's nothing good about it anymore. My brother is just a useless drug addict whereas my sister is a lazy mother of two who doesn't care about anything. My nephew runs into my arms as I walk in and I know he hasn't been fed, judging by his dry and pale lips. My sister is sitting on the couch and the house is a filthy pigsty.
There's nothing more I can say to her because I've said everything and more over and over again. All she knows is to make babies with different men and now she's pregnant with her third child. It would have been the fourth if she hadn't suffered from miscarriage last year. I have a packet of biscuits in my bag so I give it to him and start cleaning. There's absolutely nothing to eat in the house so I'll have to go buy some maize and maybe get some tomatoes to make gravy.
I work as a waitress and I don't stay at home but once a week I come to check if they're still alive and buy a few things. As much as I wish I could be selfish, it breaks my heart to see the kids suffering. I get 5kg of maize meal and I was about to go to the other side of the street to get tomatoes but to my surprise, Kabelo has opened a stall. I haven't seen him in a while and it'll be like killing two birds with one stone. I'll go say hi and get the tomatoes all at once. He's facing the other way so he doesn't see me come in. He still looks good from the time I last saw him even though he has lost a little bit of weight.
"Hey," I stand behind him. He turns around and just stands in shock to see me.
"Wow! I thought you'd hug me or something, not freeze on the spot," I say.
"I wasn't expecting to see you," he moves his eyes from head to toe.
"I see you've ventured into business. That's nice," I say with a smile.
"What are you doing here?"
"That's no way to greet your favorite ex girlfriend," I roll my eyes. Kabelo and I dated five years back before we broke up and he found another girl. I left and we didn't see each other much after that. That was until he fought with his girlfriend and they broke up. He used to call me and vent but eventually I blocked him because he left me for her.
"So you're just going to stand there and not serve me? I'm here as a customer."
"I'm sorry. How can I help you?" He scratches his head nervously.
"I need a packet of tomatoes," I count my coins while he picks the perfect pack.
"How much?"
"It's R10 a packet but it's okay you don't have to pay this time," he hands them over.
"Credit is bad for business and you know that."
"Can you unblock me?"
"Why?"
"I think you and I have a lot to talk about. I made a lot of mistakes and I wasn't fair to you."
"I'm over that so move past it."
"I can't," he steps closer.
"Why not?"
"Because I never stopped loving you."
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