Fun Games
“So how was your flight?” Nobuhle asks as she sits in front of the dressing mirror table as she is getting ready for bed, late in the evening. “My flight was okay thank you but it was tiring” Sbu answers as he emerges from the ensuite bathroom in this very huge and spacious bedroom that has the most beautiful curtains you have ever seen. This bedroom is furnished with a huge TV plus an ensuite wardrobe, presumably for Nobuhle who is Sbu's wife of 5 years. Before then they had been dating for 4 years. She is a brilliant doctor who works at a private Hospital while she also has her own practice. She is a woman of great taste in almost anything and some describe her as rude and antisocial.
Sbu, a software engineer has his own company that has, in recent times scored huge contract both in government and private sector. Even though he is well off his friends describe him as simple and perhaps a little naïve about certain things in life. If you ask him, he thinks he is the coolest cat in the land. They have a daughter, Naledi who is 7 whom they had, 3 years into their relationship.
“You know I was hoping and praying that I’d catch you before you slept. I am so hungry, I never had anything to eat before I left Cape Town. So what did you cook?” Sbu says as he comes to the dressing table to plant a kiss into his wife’s cheek. “Nope I didn’t cook love, you should have grabbed something on your way back” Nobuhle says as she continues to powder herself in the mirror. This puzzles her husband a little bit, “But babe, you knew I was coming back tonight, you could have made a little effort. I mean what did you and Naledi eat then?” he asks curiously. “Babe I was tired okay?” Nobuhle says not really looking at Sbu. “My shifts were really tight these past couple of days you weren’t here. I haven’t had time to cook or even rest at all. I got Naledi take away, so she was good” she takes a pick at him through the mirror.
“Couldn’t you get Grace to make you something before you left?” she asks pulling away from eye contact but Sbu doesn’t seem to like this as he asks politely, “Now, what is that supposed to mean exactly?” but Buhle turns around and looks at him this time, “Doesn’t Grace do anything for you or…to you?” she asks with a smirk on her face.
“You know what love, that’s not really funny okay? You know Grace is my PA and there’s nothing else there. So these little comments about her are starting to get old”
Now Sbu looks a little upset but it looks like his wife is just getting started, “No I don’t think it’s getting old” Buhle says. “How many times did I ask you to fire her? But no, no, no you enjoy having her around you all the time, to have her do anything you want, right?” Now Buhle is raising her voice as well but Sbu cuts her off, “Look, I’m really getting tired of this okay?” he says. “Are you always going to blame Grace for everything? I have a wife but it always feels like I don’t have one because she’s always busy doing God knows what somewhere. You are hardly ever here Buhle, can’t you realize that?” as he looks right into her eye.
As Buhle is attempting to jump in, Sbu motions with his hand as he leaves the bedroom to go downstairs in the lounge. This leaves Buhle with a bad taste as she takes a huge sigh of frustration, looking into the ceiling. She looks into the mirror once again. She decides to go and check up on her daughter Naledi in the other bedroom. She gets there and finds her sound asleep with lights on. She stands there for a moment just watching her little princess sleeping. She comes over and kisses her in the forehead, then goes, switching the lights off on her way out.
She goes back to the bedroom and finds it empty. She was really hoping Sbu would be back by now. She takes a moment to think, should I go downstairs and check up on him? Nah, probably it’s better I let things cool off a bit. I don’t want to escalate the situation. She takes another huge sigh as she looks at herself in the mirror once again. She decides to tuck herself in bed and switch off the lights.
***
“So what’s up with you girlfriend? We are chilling here in this cool spot sipping cocktails, chatting about the good life and wena, you are all sour taste and grumpy. What’s up darling?” Lerato Phuthi asks a down looking Buhle as they sit in this super classy hangout spot by the beach on a beautiful Sunday noon. They are having drinks with other two friends, Katlego Tlabi and Lindiwe Khuzwayo.
“Eish, I’m sorry my friend I don’t mean to be a mood killer hey. It’s just that that I have a lot on my mind that’s all” Buhle says as she sips on her cocktail. “Are you and Sbu fighting again?” Katlego asks curiously but before Buhle can even answer Lerato jumps right back in there, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said anything about she and her husband fighting now? She just said she has a lot on her mind, geez” she says to which Katlego throws her hands in the air as if to say my bad.
“Well, so what’s wrong with you then?” Lindiwe asks softly to which Buhle sighs and then takes a huge sip of her drink, which makes her friends look at each other, wondering. Now they are interested in hearing what’s going on with their friend as they all sip their drinks.
“No it’s nothing serious guys” Buhle says. “Sbu came back on Friday night and we had a little bit of an argument about something silly” as she says that, Katlego looks at Lerato with a raised eyebrow as if to say what did I tell you? Buhle can see that but she ignores it as she takes another sip.
“Okay get this guys, right?” she continues. “We were arguing about a silly thing like I didn’t cook for him even when I knew he was coming back. But I explained to him that I’ve been working my *** off the past couple of days he was away, I just didn’t have time. It’s not easy to cover the hospital and the private practice at the same time. I’m just as busy as he is busy, so why am I the only one at fault here?”
Now she is starting to get upset but her friends just keep quiet and let her speak. “And then of course there’s no argument that ends without the mentioning of Grace” she says as she looks away in annoyance but Lerato jumps right in, “Oh my gosh, I just don’t understand what’s going through your husband’s mind when he hires a hot girl like that as his PA” she says.
This makes all the ladies turn and look at her but she’s not done, “No I’m serious guys. That girl is really hot and the fact is that a married man shouldn’t be spending too much time on trips with girls like that” now this creates awkwardness and a sour vibe as Katlego and Lindiwe both look at Buhle who is also beginning to feel a little uncomfortable discussing her husband with friends.
“Hello, aren’t you sleeping with rich married men yourself?” she says. “Speaking of which, how exactly are you making so much money my friend? I mean you’re driving a Lamborghini. Seriously, how do you do that darling?” She’s trying to change the subject to give herself much needed breather before this day becomes about her marriage.
“Well we can’t all be the same now, can we?” Lerato says. “You are a doctor, brilliant one at that and you make top dollar. So is Katli here, she is a doctor like you making good money. And Lindiwe here is running successful business plus married to a government tenderprenuer, she’s making a killing. And then you have me guys, hot as hell” she says with a smirk. “People pay top dollar to go out with me, I charge for appearances. Plus I only date rich people, I don’t do broke. The cheating idiots also pay a lot” to that her friends first look at each other in shock, before they burst out laughing.
“Well as long as you don’t cheat with my husband I’m okay darling” Buhle says with a nervous smile. “Oh come on friend you know I would never do something like that” Lerato says as she takes a sip. “But on the reals though my friend, you really need to pay attention to your marriage. Don’t give Sbu an excuse to throw himself to that sexy Grace or some chick with a low self esteem” she says to a little awkward silence in the table.
“Yeah I know guys that I can be a little difficult sometimes…” Buhle says but she doesn’t finish as Lindiwe jumps in, “A little difficult, you say?” she says with wide eyes. “My friend you are not just a little difficult. You are too much. You are choosy, you have high standards, anti social, not really people friendly… the list goes on” she says to which all ladies in the table can’t help but just laugh at this.
“Yes, yes I know I’m all of the above okay?” Buhle says, “But one thing I know is that I’d never cheat on Sbu, I love him. I’m a loyal wife to him. Yes I need to work on my humility a little bit but I’m committed to this marriage you know” she says as her mood start to change again to being sad.
But when Katlego sees that she decides to change the direction of the topic, “And you, Mrs. Khuzwayo?” she says looking at Lindiwe who is sipping her drink. “Have you been naughty lately?” or should no say, have you cheated on your husband?” at hearing that, Lindiwe almost chocks from her drink as that question was unexpected but that makes her friends raise eyebrows, wondering why she’s freaking out.
“Oh come on Katli, you know that’s not my thing okay?” she says with a nervous voice. “I love my husband and imagine how embarrassing that would be for him as a government official to be on the news like that” as she takes a deep sip of her drink. But then Lerato jumps right in, “Well good, you better keep it that way girl cause you know how these government officials are. Don’t get an innocent guy killed. Stay married and leave the game to us hahaha. By that I mean me and Katli, we aren’t married so we are allowed to fool around, right my friend?” she says as she winks at a nervously looking Katlego who jumps from that, “Whoa nope, don’t get me involved in your twisted world please hahaha” she laughs the nervousness away. But her friends become curious.
“So what’s the story with you Katli?” Lindiwe asks. “I mean who’s enjoying those deliciously looking curves?” with a naughty tongue out but this makes Katlego blush for a second. “No man guys, I’m not dating anyone at the moment even though I have my eye out on a few potentials, hahaha” she laughs uncontrollably and the ladies join in as they all lift up their glasses to toast.
***
It’s on the same Sunday, Sbu and his friends, Jabu Sithole and Tsepo Mphafudi are chilling in the lagoon braaing meat and having beers. They haven’t been hanging out lately because they have been busy in their lives. Of course Sbu runs his own engineering company that scores huge contracts locally and in parts of Africa. Jabu is a successful attorney, with his own firm that has some top clients. Tsepo on the other hand is a Trust Fund kid, whose parents left him wealth and now running all family businesses and foundations.
“So man, how was Cape Town trip?” Jabu asks as he turns meat on the braai stand. “Trip was good bro, we sealed the deal with Lauren Analytic and we are good” Sbu says with a smirk on his face as he sips on his beer. “That’s really good man. Please tell us your secret, how come you always score these deals with private and government? What is it that you do that others can’t do right?” Jabu asks with a naughty smile on his face but before he could finish, Tsepo jumps right in there, “Oh man you know how Sbu gets it done man” he says. “Look at that body. Women would do anything for the charmer boy, I doubt he does much talking. It’s the other thing that does the talking there, hahaha” he bursts out laughing but it doesn’t look like Sbu is enjoying the joke.
Come on Tsepo man” Jabu tries to save his embarrassed friend but Tsepo is not letting up, “Oh come on man, why do you think most companies that do business with his company are run by women? Hahaha” he continues to enjoy this moment that makes his friend feel awkward. “Alright man that’s enough okay?” Sbu says as he can’t help but smile.
“Look man I’m good at what I do bro so people contract us because we get the job done” as he takes another sip. “Lauren Analytic is Lauren’s company so of course I was going to deal with her directly, we had a good understanding that’s all” he looks away which is followed by some silence.
“And Grace?” Tsepo jumps in. “Are you hitting that? Cause if you aren’t then I’d love to hit that man, hahaha” he jokes much to Sbu's discomfort. But before he could answer, Jabu jumps in, “Oh no, forget about that chick bro” he says. “That girl, you can see that she is so into Sbu, she can’t even hide it. I doubt she will ever look at another guy, hahaha” he laughs about it but Sbu rolls his eyes up as it seems he’s really getting tired of this Grace talk and his friends can see it.
“Okay, but on a serious note bro” Jabu says. “you better keep that in check man. This Grace is sexy, beautiful and, she is your PA. If that doesn’t make Buhle feel some kind of way about it, I don’t know what will ever do” as he looks at his friend dead in the eye but Sbu avoids eye contact. “All I’m
saying man is that you be careful okay?” he concludes.
But Sbu has had just about enough, “Alright. Okay you know what guys? I’m tired of this Grace talk everyday” he shouts. “I hear it at home and I’m hearing it with you. No man come on guys” He’s
really irritated.
“Grace is my PA. Firstly I didn’t hire her, HR did. But besides that, she’s really good with her job. She knows what I need when I need it. She makes my job a lot easier…” but Jabu jumps in, “Yeah she’s basically running your whole life bro. I mean a job your wife should be doing. She probably knows more about you than Buhle does. Basically she’s an unofficial wife” he says to which Sbu can’t help but laugh loud, “Hahaha, what the hell does that even mean, you silly? Hahaha” to that that all laugh about but then another moment Sbu gets serious again, “But seriously you guys, I’m not sleeping with Grace. As beautiful and sexy as she is, no I’m not sleeping with her” he says as he sips on his beer.
“Well, what about you, rich kid” Sbu says as he turns on to Tsepo. “Why you want Grace when you can have miss South Africa or something? With all your money I don’t see why you can’t have any woman you want” he goes over to the cooler box to dig for a cold one and comes back to sit down.
Tsepo decides to cut in right there, “Hey man, look…I know that Trust Fund boys are known to be playboys and living the high life with super models and slay queens, fast cars and all that. Yeah I did enjoy that a little bit but now I just want simple things. I want love man not some chick who is in it for the money and thrills. I don’t mind harmless fun but I’m not about to waste my inheritance on something that has no future. My parents would turn in their graves if they see me waste something that they worked so hard for while I ruin their name in the process” as he says that he becomes sad and his friends nod as they are impressed with what he has said.
“Well and you, Mr. hot shot attorney?” Tsepo says as he looks at Jabu. “Whose wife are you busy banging while trying to help with their crimes or whatever? Hahaha” he laughs but Jabu doesn’t as he isn’t impressed with that joke. He finishes whatever was left of his bottle and then goes to dig in the cooler box before coming back to sit down.
“Oh well, nothing special man” he says. “Just like you I’m still searching for that woman that will make me happy you know what I mean? Unlike this one here” pointing to Sbu, “I don’t have someone waiting for me at home that stresses me out from time to time, hahaha” he makes a joke about it, to which his friends get.
“Man your clients are celebrities, politicians and very important people, can’t you find anyone that you really like, that you can settle with?” Sbu asks as he goes over to the stand to take out the meat, it is ready. “No man” Jabu says. “Do you know how broken most of my clients are? That would be like inviting drama in my life. Besides, it’s not wise to romantically get involved with your client, it’s unethical man” as he takes a sip of his beer.
“Well guys it’s time to dig in and enjoy” Sbu says as he puts the meat on 3 plates. “Oh man, not even 3 ladies we can grab to come and entertain us here gents?” Tsepo says as he looks around the place where everyone seems to be minding their own business. But Jabu cuts in, “Oh no man, we agreed that today is just about us guys so let’s keep it that way, okay?” he says as he lifts his beer. “Alright, fellas lift up your glasses please” Sbu says as his friends duly oblige. “May we enjoy this life to the full without any regrets” he says and his friends say together, “No regrets” as they toast.
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