06
MELUSI XULU
ln the kitchen, their world narrows to just the two of them, caught up in the throes of forbidden desire. Nothing matters but this moment.
My lips trail down her neck, my hands working at the buttons of her blouse, and her heart pounds in her chest. She arches her back, her body begging for my touch, for the release that only l can give her.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” she gasps
Melusi :No(his voice husky and urgent) we shouldn’t. But I need you. I need this.
She pulls away suddenly, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. “I can’t do this,” she whispers, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s too much.”
his hands drop to his sides, confusion and concern clouding his expression.
Melusi : Thingoluhle?Yini.?
She shakes her head, backing away from me
Thingo :I…I’m sorry.
Melusi :Don’t apologize (stepping forward) Please, just…talk to me. What’s wrong?
her lip trembles, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Thingo : I just…I don’t know. Everything is happening so fast. My father, the engagement, our plan… It’s all just…too much.
Melusi (nodding ) :I understand. I’ll…I’ll give you some space.
Thingo : Thank you.
l turn leaving the kitchen going to my room.
l slip into a pair of black track pants and a gray hoodie, pulling the hood up over mu head. l steps out of my room.
l step into the garage, my footsteps muffled by the concrete floor. l climb into my sleek, black sports car, revving the engine to life.
As l pull out of the garage and onto the empty street, the city spreads out before me in a sea of lights and shadows. l drive aimlessly at first, but eventually, l find myself turning into the familiar road that leads to my friend’s house.
Parking the car, l take a deep breath, steadying myself before knocking on the front door.
The door opens to reveal a huge afro woman with piercing brown eyes and a smile that lights up her face. She pulls Melusi into a tight hug, her fingers trailing through his hair.
“Hey there, stranger,” she says, her voice warm and welcoming. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
Melusi returns the embrace, burying his face in her hair for a moment.
Melusi : Hey, Lisa (pulls back and flashes her a grin) Can I come in.
.
.
MELUSI XULU
Lisa :Of course you can.
She steps back, gesturing for me to enter.
Lisa : What’s the occasion? You look like you’ve been through a war.
l follow her inside, shaking my head.
Melusi :It’s nothing, really. Just…needed to get out of the house.
Lisa : (raises an eyebrow) : Something tells me there’s more to it than that. Come on, spill.
Melusi : (sighs ) : l have a betrothed...
She shakes her head.
Lisa: And here I thought I know everything about you.
Melusi : Trust me, you don’t want to know everything.
He sinks into a sofa, exhaustion settling over him.
Lisa :So, let me get this straight. You’re engaged to this girl, but it’s not real. And now you’re upset because…what, exactly?
Melusi: I’m not upset . It’s just…I think-
Lisa ( raises an eyebrow) : You falling for her !
Melusi : I don’t know (with a sigh) l mean no .
Lisa :Maybe not. But, you know, I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of true love.
Melusi (snorts.) : That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have a mob boss for a father.
Lisa : No, I don’t, .But I know you, Gxhabhashe...ngyaz ukuthi you’re not the kind of guy to back down from a challenge.
Melusi (leaning back against the sofa) : Maybe. But I’m not going to risk her safety.
Lisa : Yazin ...let's go out for some drinks
Melusi: drinks, huh?
She stands, grinning.
Melusi : Well, now we're talking. There's nothing a good martini can't fix.
Dominic stands too, letting out a chuckle. "I could use a drink. Or three."
Together, they head out into the night, leaving behind the troubles of the Xulu family for just a few hours. And as they settle into their usual booth at their favorite bar, the warmth of the conversation and the humor that flows between them helps to quiet the doubts in Melusi's mind, if only for a little while.
Melusi (swirls his drink, the ice clinking against the glass) You know, sometimes I wonder what life would've be like If I could've just been a regular guy.
Lisa :You mean if you didn't have all this baggage?
Melusi : yeah, exactly. Imagine that. No mafia ties, no power struggles, no faking engagements. Just a normal life.
Lisa ::Normal's overrated ..?what fun would that be?
Melusi : You've got a point. But sometimes it's hard to see the silver lining when you're neck-deep in all this.
As the night wears on , we lose ourselves in laughter and shared memories, forgetting, for just a little whole. The bar starts to clear out and the hour grows late, l set the glass down with a sigh.
Lisa: We should probably get going.
She nods, glancing around.
Lisa :Yeah, I guess you're right. Time flies when you're having fun.
We exit the bar, the night air cool and crisp.
Melusi : Ngyabonga ( his voice low)
Lisa (smiling): Any time.
In that moment, something seems to pass between them—something unspoken, a wordless understanding that goes beyond mere friendship. But neither of them is quite ready to put a name to it just yet.
[9/27, 10:13]
Please log in to submit a comment.