Name: TWO QUEENS IN MY CASTLE
Author: House Of Novels

26

TWO QUEENS IN MY CASTLE 26

RAYMOND

I have been planning for my birthday for months now and it's finally here. I booked a nice place with outdoor vibes. The theme is black with a touch of yellow. I've invited my oldest and newest friends, Yolanda included.

"I told you a few minutes ago to move the capert," I yell at the catering people.

It's the smallest things that stress me out and I'm hoping everything goes well. Everyone has RSVPd with their plus one. I didn't invite a lot of people hence I asked everyone to bring a plus one, except for Yolanda because she's my plus. I didn't want her to come up with silly excuses so I sent her money to get the outfit she wants and get her hair done if need be.

It's time for me to go get ready before everyone gets here. I booked a room for the whole day and night, they even gave me a discount since I booked the whole outdoor area. What I love about the place is that it has accommodation and if anyone needs to sleep, they'll easily get one of the rooms for the night.

****

YOLANDA

I've been staring at the mirror for minutes now and I can't get enough of my dress. The weather permits, I can feel the breeze blowing on my bare skin, my pores opening up. I was surprised to get an invite, I honestly thought Ray was seeing someone. Now I know he isn't because he wouldn't have gone through all the trouble to convince me to come to his birthday party.

I take a couple of pictures and post some on social media. I feel like a bomb today and I fail to believe that they'll be someone looking better than me today. My transport arrives, taking me there. All this time I was okay but suddenly my heart bounces as I step out of the car. What could possibly be wrong at the last minute? I make my way in anyway, carrying the world's confidence on my shoulders.

I spot Ray, he's talking to someone but cuts the conversation short to attend to me. He wears a huge smile on his face before giving me a hug.

"Damn baby you look gorgeous," he can't keep his eyes off me.

"Thanks. You look like the man of the moment."

"I am the man of the moment," he does a 360° turn, showing me his entire outfit.

"I hope I won't end up with champagne in my face for taking someone else's man."

"What do you mean?" He frowns.

"I mean I really hope you don't have a girlfriend or side dish lurking around here."

"How many times do I have to assure you? You're the only one, Yoli. You've always been," he kisses my cheek.

"Mmh," I grab a glass of whatever is in the glass from the table and take a sip. People are only starting to come in, I can feel it's going to be a beautiful party.

"Come, there are a few people I want to introduce you to," he takes my hand, leading the way to people I assume are his friends.

****

KABELO

"You owe me for this," I say to Bongani who literally forced me to go with him. We're in the car, heading to some party he got invited to.

"Yeah I know. But I'm actually doing you a favor if you look at it. This is the perfect time to forget about Thandeka and Yolanda," he says.

"One can't just wake up and switch off his feelings."

"But you can start healing today. Meet people, unwind," he turns the radio on.

"Don't you dare shove women down my throat because I'm not going to tolerate it."

"The kind of party we're going to is sophisticated. You won't find such women," he confidently says. I didn't feel like going out but he didn't really give me the option to say no. We get there and Bongani shows the security guard his access ticket, yes, that's how planned this party is. We grab drinks from the table and make our way to the crowd.

"Let me introduce you to the man of moment, come," he leads the way.

"Hey, Bongz. Thank you for coming man," they shake hands.

"I wouldn't have afforded to miss this. This is my best friend, Kabelo."

"How you doing?"

"I'm good. What a great party it is," I compliment.

"No one does it best like me. Please help yourselves with drinks and snacks, the party will begin soon. Oh and feel free to mingle, I made sure to invite a few single ladies today," he says.

We find seats and settle down, watching beautiful women pass by. I can't say I'm interested in migling today, my heart is still back home with the two women who dumped me. Mr party takes to the stage, taking off his sunglasses.

"May I have your attention everyone," he speaks on the mic.

"Thank you all for taking time off your busy schedules to be here. I've waited for months for this day and it's finally here. Before I say a lot of things, I'd like to call to the front a very beautiful lady who's very close to my heart. Baby, please come closer," my eyes search the crowd until I see Yolanda going to the front. My heart beats faster, I'm hoping it's just her lookalike. I get on my feet, not sure of my next move. Bongani grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"Calm down. You don't want to cause a scene and get us kicked out," he whispers.

"Don't tell me to calm down. That's my girl right there."

"Not anymore. Man up and handle this wisely. I don't think you want to find yourself in a holding cell again because you can't control your emotions."

"Did you know about this? Is this the reason why you brought me here?"

"Don't start with me. I came here to have fun, not to listen to you mope around about your polygamy issues. If Yolanda chose him over you then accept it and move on."

"Like hell I will," my palms are sweating. He grabs and pulls me back, grabbing people's attention. My eyes met hers and she doesn't even have a bit of guilt eating her up. It's like she never even loved me.

"Yolanda what are you doing to me?" I can feel the sweat on my forehead. Bongani takes me out of the crowd to a quiet space. I reach for my container of pills inside my pockets. I'm taking anti depressants, I've been taking them since my mother became ill and I've been overdosing lately.