9
TWO QUEENS IN MY CASTLE 9THANDEKA
This isn't what I expected to walk into when I took his invite into the house. Our date was perfect if I can say but this right here has just ruined my mood. I know Kabelo and I are not an item and we didn't confess our love for each other but our conversation during lunch was promising. After everything I've been through with Dumisani, I honestly thought I can find myself in Kabelo but this hiccup might just stop me from getting that.
I'm not about to act jealous or anything but if this woman thinks I'll get up and leave, she has it twisted. As long as Kabelo didn't mention that they're an item, then I have no business in giving them privacy whatsoever.
"Should I get you something to drink?" I direct the question to Kabelo and Yolanda eyes me. I'm not sure what she's thinking at this moment but she needs to know that I've been in this family for a long time to know my way around the house.
"Yes please. Would you like something, Yolanda?" Kabelo asks.
"No thanks I've already had a drink," she says.
"So where did you say you're from?" I ask while getting off the couch.
"You never asked so I didn't say," she responds.
"I'm sorry. It's just that I never heard your name in passing during my conversations with Kabelo," I say.
"He doesn't like to talk about his exes I suppose," she chuckles. Kabelo is really bad with introductions. How come did he forget to mention this and why on earth is his ex still coming here to give Ma foot rubs?
"It can be draining to talk about the past," I say.
"I suppose. Anyway to answer your question, I live just down the road," she says.
"That close, huh?" I'm really struggling to wrap my head around this. Honestly, I'm not ready to be putting my heart through torture for a man again. Yolanda us gorgeous, I'll give her that. If Kabelo is into darker shades then I don't stand a chance because she's killing the dark complexion.
"So how was the date?" She asks smiling.
"It was wonderful. Who told you about it?"
"Ora did. I'm glad Kabelo is trying to find love again," she says.
...
...
YOLANDA
I keep eyeing her from where I'm sitting. If Ma could properly talk, she would have long addressed the elephant in the room. I'm not one to be intimidated by another woman because I'm confident but this time around I'm shaken. It's appaling how Kabelo could beg me to take him back while he knows very well that he's pursuing someone else. To think I even unblocked him, I'm upset.
Do I even stand a chance on this beautiful light skinned woman? I'm just a mere waitress and yes I know I'm beautiful but her skin just screams 'money'. That's one thing I lack and men love women who can provide for themselves these days so this might just go against me.
"Where's she anyway?" Kabelo asks.
"She said she'll be back in a few minutes. I didn't mind because I haven't seen Ma in a long time," I say.
"I believe she needs to lie down now," he takes her to the bedroom and now it's just Thandeka and I looking into each other's eyes. We both have a lot to say but none of us are willing to say it because we have some kind of dignity.
"My eyes must be deceiving me," Ora walks in laughing. We both stare at her in confusion, not certain what she's on about.
"I mean just a minute ago my brother was single and not ready to mingle. Suddenly he's knee deep into polygamy?" She claps and laughs once more.
"What are you on about Oratilwe?" He comes back into the living room.
"I'm not a child come on. What are both your women doing under Ma's roof at the same time?"
"You're too forward," he clicks his tongue.
"I'll be in my room if you need anything," she looks at us one more time with a smile on her face and walks away.
...
...
KABELO
I take a seat, unsure how to get out of the mess I'm in. I'm at a point where I can't ask Thandeka to leave because I'm the one who invited her in. Yolanda unblocked me so I can't risk getting blocked again by choosing to be with Thandeka right now. What I know is that I can't sit here with both women and pretend as if everything is okay. I know it's awkward for them too so I'll just tell them both to leave and I'll speak with them separately some other time.
"I think I need to lie down a bit," I fake yawning. None of them budge, they continue watching TV as if they didn't hear me.
"Yolanda, Thandeka!" I raise my voice this time. They both turn to face me.
"I need a rest," I say.
"Okay," Yolanda says. Thandeka takes off her shoes and makes herself comfortable on the couch. It's as if both of them want to prove a point to each other and I'm not going to stand for that.
"I'm going to ask you both to leave," I say.
"Are you kicking us out?" Thandeka asks.
"You both came to me so what's the use of staying if I won't give you my time?"
"We'll have some girl talk," Yolanda says and Thandeka nods.
"What's that supposed to mean? You hardly know each other and I don't want to be the topic."
"There are a lot of things we could talk about plus I don't want to go home yet," Yolanda says.
"Go and nap. Yolanda and I will be just fine," she smiles.
"I can plait hair so next time you think of going to the salon, consider me first," says Yolanda.
"Oh really? Is that what you do for a living?"
"No I'm a waitress. I do hair as a side job when I have time. A girl's got to hustle or else these men will play us."
"True. I stan a woman who hustles. I guess you and I will get along just well. Give me your numbers," Thandeka hands Yolanda her phone. I honestly don't see how this fake friendship they're trying to build will work.
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