Chapter 2: Flirt
“Hey girlfriend, thank you for agreeing to meet hey” Grace Khoza says as she stands up to hug and welcome her friend, Lumka Xholwa in this cool restaurant by the beach on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Since it’s summer 18:30 isn’t dark at all, you can still see a little bit of sun. Grace had already ordered drinks for both of them, so she had an early start on her friend as she was reading a magazine she brought with her.
“Oh my friend I couldn’t miss this for the world” Lumka says as she hugs back. “Oh is this for me?” she says as she takes the drink in front of her, she didn’t even wait for Grace to confirm. “Oh yes
that’s for you” Grace confirms. “Oh and guess what I’m reading...” she says as she lifts the magazine.
“This is you, right there my friend. I’m so proud of you and I actually think I saw you the day before yesterday in one of the magazine shows on TV. Modelling career must be really good for you right now friend, hey?” she says to a blushing Lumka, who sips on her drink before she says, “Oh yeah it is fantastic. You could be there with me hey but you said to me, I’ll pass” she says looking at Grace who shrugs her shoulders, “Nah modelling is not for me my friend” she says.
But Lumka cuts her friend off, “What are you talking about friend? You are gorgeous and super sexy, modelling was definitely going to take you places hey” she makes her friend blush again. Grace doesn’t look like she wants to entertain this subject. “But anyways it’s a tiring job this one. I’m often on the road or flying somewhere so maybe you saved yourself from the world of trouble” Lumka says as she takes another sip.
“Anyways, you sounded a little down when you called me earlier, are you okay darling?” Lumka says with a curious face. Grace takes a moment to think, “Yeah I’m okay. I’m just… I just needed to distress a little bit you know, get my mind off things” she says with a low voice. “distress? Get your mind off things? Yet you say you’re okay?” Lumka asks curiously. “That means something is bothering you. What’s wrong my friend?” as she looks into Grace's eyes.
“Well, it’s not really a matter of life and death situation if that’s what you are worried about” Grace says. “I just needed to do something normal for a change you know. The past few weeks I’ve been traveling a lot with work and being a PA to a boss who runs an international company can be exhausting. Plus, you know how these people are, without their PAs they feel like the world is ending” she says she takes a sip.
“Oh yeah, you’re Sbu's PA, right” Lumka says as she sips on her drink and seemingly getting ready for a juicy story. “So have you guys slept together yet?” she asks and that questions almost chocks Grace who was clearly caught off guard with that. “Oh God, no. How can you ask me something like that Lumka? Sbu is a married man, have you forgotten that?” she says as she looks away avoiding eye contact, but her friend can see that.
“look my friend, it’s okay I am not judging okay? I’m your friend I won’t tell if…” Lumka doesn’t finish as Grace cuts her off, “No friend Sbu and I haven’t slept together” as she rolls her eyes up.
“Oh okay, but you want to, right?” Lumka relentlessly asks. Grace thinks for a second as she looks around the place, “Look can I be honest with you?” as she comes closer to her friend to speak softly. “I like Sbu and yes I wished we’d slept together already but you know” as she shrugs her shoulders. “Look I’m not just lusting after him, I have genuine feelings for the guy. Having been his PA for a long time, I seem to know all his needs or at least things he should need you know” she looks down as if she is feeling bad by just saying something like this. Lumka looks into her friend’s eyes and thinks for a second as she takes another sip of the good stuff that is starting to get into the system.
“Look my friend. I get you okay?” she says. “At this rate you seem to know more about Sbu than that wife of hers does” as soon as she says that, Grace’s face changes to that of a person who is annoyed.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Lumka asks curiously. Grace breathes a sigh, “No my friend it’s just that his wife is so rude and she hates me. She absolutely ignores her husband and I’m not saying this because I like Sbu but because she really does. She’s hardly there for him, always busy with work. I sometimes have to attend to her daughter’s school events and homework if Sbu is also not available. I doubt Buhle even knows her daughter’s school calendar. Why they are still married it beats me” she says as she takes a huge sip that finishes off her drink.
“Okay friend, I hear you but I hope you are not thinking of…” Lumka says but doesn’t as Grace cuts her off, “No, no, no. God please no” she says. “I’m not going to break off their marriage. I can’t be responsible for what’s happens between them. I’m Sbu’s PA and it ends there, as much as I have feelings for him. I will keep things professional” she says to which Lumka nods.
“okay enough about me and my drama, what’s going on with you? Any love interest yet?” Grace asks as she lifts her hand to call for the waiter. “Oh no, you know me my friend, I’m a high roller. It’s either you go big or go home with me so no I’m too busy for that sopie life” she says as the waiter comes to take their order.
They order something from the menu and also more drinks and then the waiter goes away. “I do have my eye out for your boss's friend though” Lumka says. Grace thinks for a second. “Which one?” she asks but Lumka throws her hands in the air, “Hello, who else? The rich dude of course, hahaha” to that Grace just shakes her head and smiles in amazement. After a while their delicious order comes through and they dig in.
***
Lindiwe is in a restaurant having supper with her husband, Bheki Khuzwayo who is a government DG but also has a few companies that has tenders with the State. He looks like he is a very serious man that does poker face very well. He and Lindi have been married for two years and have no children together even though Bheki has a child with another woman.
“How is your meal darling?” Bheki asks as he tears the ribs apart. “It’s delicious baby, thank you” Lindi says. “And there’s no need to ask if you are enjoying yours, the way you are tearing those ribs apart” she jokes but Bheki can’t laugh as he has a mouthful.
There’s a little silence as Bheki looks around this this beautiful restaurant that is relatively empty. He doesn’t really like crowded places where he can be easily spotted by colleagues or business partners.
“So how is the business going? I hope I didn’t disturb you darling but since I’m flying out this evening I wanted to see you before I left” he says as he sips on his juice. “No darling it’s okay. Business is good, fully booked tonight hey but I have all the stuff available so I don’t think they’d miss me that much if I have supper with my husband” Lindi says as she smiles to which Bheki seems to like as he smiles back.
Lindiwe owns a beautiful and classy 5 star rated hotel that is doing pretty well so much that through her highly connected husband she is in the process of acquiring a few across the country. Her hotel host important people like politicians, celebrities and overseas tourists. She prefers to be hands on and run it herself since she is qualified in business management.
That moment is interrupted by a gentleman who grabs a chair and comes to sit with them. “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Khuzwayo” the gentleman says. Bheki looks at his wife with confusion wondering what’s going on, “Excuse me, can we help you?” he asks the gentleman curiously.
“Oh I’m sorry my name is Tsego Rabadi, a journalist form Africa News 24, can I ask you guys a few questions?” as he looks at the couple. “especially you, Mr. Khuzwayo, my questions are largely
concerning you but I will pose a few questions to you too Mrs. Khuzwayo concerning your booming hospitality business” he then smiles, much to Bheki's annoyance.
“Look, Mr. Rabadi in case you haven’t noticed but me and my wife are having dinner right now. This is not really a good time. Can we schedule another time maybe? Actually please make an appointment with my secretary, okay?” he says as he looks away. “oh but I’m on deadline Mr. Khuzwayo, since I bumped into you can’t we just do this anyway because this will also give you right to reply?” Tsego is very persistent. Bheki, out of frustration shrugs his shoulders as if to say fine let’s get this over and done with.
“Oh thank you very much, sir” Tsego says as he takes a glance at Lindiwe who is so unimpressed. “Uhmm let me do this” he says as he takes out his recorder from the bag and a notepad. He takes a moment to read on his notepad. Bheki and Lindi look at each other with wonder as if they are lost to what is happening.
“So Mr. Khuzwayo I have been reliably informed that your company, Techno Times was awarded a government tender irregularly, without following due processes. What is your comment on that?” Tsego says to Bheki's shock as he didn’t expect that. He almost falls on his chair. “Who told you that?” he asks angrily. “also your other company, Brick Tower was awarded a tender to revamp a number of Schools around the province irregularly with a deal that resulted in your company pocketing over R150 million, what is your comment on that?” a relentless Tsego says as he ignores the question posed to him. Bheki is beginning to get irritated with this, “Look I think you are now getting way over your head” he says. “Unless you have proof of what...” he doesn’t finish as Tsego throws another curve ball,
“But here is an interesting one Mr. Khuzwayo” he says. “It is understood that you and MEC Tendai Lebese, well known buddies colluded to syphon R400 million of tax payers through a company you both have shares in, Techfuture as you were awarded a tender to install systems in all government departments” as soon as Tsego says that, Bheki stands up, “This interview is over” he says. “You can ask my wife all about her successful business, that’s should have been your focus. Darling I will call you when land. I love you” he says as he storms out of the restaurant.
He leaves Lindiwe shocked and lost for words. But what is becoming apparent is that she is fuming at Tsego over this.
“What is it that you are trying to pull here, Tsego huh?” she tries to whisper so that no one can hear what they are discussing. “What are you really doing here? Are you trying to get me in trouble with my husband?” She is furious but Tsego gives a smile,
“Relax I was just here for the story okay?” he says. “we will be airing this expose in a couple of days so I wanted to be fair and I was fair, wasn’t I? Did I not offer your husband right to reply? What did he do?” he says as he drinks the juice that was for Bheki, much to Lindiwe’s annoyance.
“Listen here, you need to stay away from me and my husband and don’t even dare think about telling my Bheki about you and I.” she whispers but Tsego looks up as if he’s trying to recall what Lindi is talking about.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about…so don’t play dumb with me” Lindi yells with a whisper. “If my husband ever founds out that you and I once slept together, he will kill us both okay? Probably you more than me.” she says but Tsego cuts her off, “Relax I will never tell your husband that you and I slept together, I’m not stupid” he says.
This seems to embarrass Lindiwe a little bit but Tsego continues, “Look I was serious about interviewing you about your success so, how about this for convenience? I will be booked at your hotel on Wednesday, so we can do the interview there?”
Lindi thinks for a second, “How convenient for you…” she as she looks away. But Tsego wants to ease her up, “relax, I’m doing a few stories here that’s why I’m booked there. So I will text you when I check-in okay?” he says as he stands up to leave Lindi who sits here stunned at all that has just happened. She even forgot that she had a meal in front of her. I’m pretty sure it’s cold now but it doesn’t look like it matters as she looks like she has lost appetite anyways.
***
At the Hospital Buhle is busy as usual with patients that need her attention. She is really hardly ever home since if she’s not at the hospital, she’s at her private practice. Today she is attending to an unexpected patient, Tendai Lebese the MEC for Finance.
“Well, well, well Mr. MEC, it looks like you are okay” Buhle says. “Your vital signs look to be okay, so I’m not sure why your heart was racing like as you described earlier. It looks perfectly normal at the moment but will run some tests and we should have your results by next week” as she takes her
gloves off and wash her hands.
“Oh well, maybe I got healed immediately when I saw you doctor” Tendai flirts. “That’s what angels do right, heal people?” he says and this makes Buhle blush a little as she looks away. “Well I don’t know about angels healing people but I can definitely tell you that I’m not one Mr. MEC” she blushes again. “Oh please call me Tendai, formalities make me very uncomfortable” MEC says but that makes Buhle curious.
“Why is that?” she asks. Tendai thinks for a second as he puts his jacket on. “Well I don’t know really, but I think people stop relating to you like a normal person but instead attach whatever your job comes with to you” he says. Buhle think for a second. “Yeah I guess I know what you mean hey. But what can we do?” she says as she shrugs her shoulders.
“Well Doctor…” Tendai attempts to say something but Buhle cuts him off, “Oh please call me Buhle” she says with a smile that Tendai returns. “Well Buhle I don’t know if I could take you out to dinner sometime, you know to thank you properly for healing me” he jokes and Buhle gets it as she bursts out laughing. “Hahaha, healing you? Wow” she says. "But I know that you saw that I’m wearing a ring Tendai, so that means I can’t go out to dinner with you. But thank you for the invite though” she blushes again.
“Oh wait so you are saying that people that wear rings don’t have stomachs?” that’s another Tendai joke that sends Buhle into stitches with laughter, “Hahaha, no I’m not saying that Tendai but I’m saying it’s probably not appropriate for a married woman to be going to dinner with another man, an MEC no less” she smiles as she looks away, avoiding eye contact.
“Well I hear you Buhle” Tendai says with a visibly disappointed face. “So who’s the lucky guy really?” he asks curiously. “His name is Sbusiso” Buhle says as she blushes again. “Oh lucky man this Sbusiso, uhmm….” Tendai says as he tries to read Buhle's name tag. He thinks for a moment there as he looks to the ceiling.
“No wait” he says. “your husband doesn’t happen to be Sbusiso Ndimande of Ideal Tech, is he?” as he becomes wide-eyed. “The one and only, why? Something wrong?” You know him?” Buhle asks curiously. “Of course I know him” Tendai says with a smile as he shrugs his shoulders. “I think
everyone knows him. His company is huge, plus I’m the MEC so yeah I do know who he is, doctor” he smiles again to which Buhle returns.
There’s a bit of silence in the consultation room for a second as it seems both of them don’t know what to say to each other after this.
“Well, doc let me get going okay, I will see you when I come back for my results okay?” Tendai says as he extends a hand to shake Buhle’s hand. “Okay Mr. MEC, I will see you then” she says with a smile as she shakes back.
***
Back at Sbu's house he’s been busy cooking in the kitchen while helping his daughter Naledi with her homework. He has apron on and looks like a real chef. Normally when he’s cooking with his wife
Buhle they’d have wine and play music loud to make it all fun. But lately things are different, they are both busy or something else.
“Okay sweetheart, supper is almost ready. You will eat and then hit the bed, right?” Sbu asks his oblivious daughter who seems to be concerned about what she’s doing with the crayons on a piece of paper. “You want juice or milk?” he asks as he comes closer to her to see what she’s doing.
“Are we not waiting for mommy, daddy?” Naledi asks, ignoring her father’s question. Sbu thinks for a second as if he doesn’t know what to say. He then sits next to her. “Sweetheart, mommy is busy tonight with work okay? Sometimes she can’t make it home on time as she’d like but it she tries by all means to make it here as early as she could, okay? So tonight is one of those nights where she
works late” he says as he brushes his daughter’s head.
Naledi just nods and says, “Couldn’t aunt Grace come to help me with homework tonight since mom isn’t here?” she asks curiously. Naledi is a very keen child, she likes asking things she doesn’t understand. She is a very bright child too. But these questions seem to put Sbu in a tight spot a little bit. “Oh no sweetheart Grace is a little busy tonight but she will when she is free she will come to help you okay?” he says and Naledi just nods to that.
As Sbu goes to the kitchen to check on the puts one more time, Buhle comes through the kitchen door. That immediately creates tensions in the room as there’s awkward silence for a moment.
Buhle doesn’t know if she must come close to hug her husband or not. He on the other hand doesn’t seem to know what to say to her. “Hey babe, how are you?” Buhle says with a half-smile that her husband returns as he says, “Hey I’m okay, how are you? I was about to dish up, right on time” Buhle smiles seeing that at least they are talking. She has a good mind of turning him down but she realizes that this may create even further tension in the house and it’s not good for Naledi. She goes to the lounge to find Naledi on the floor doing her home.
“Hey my baby” she says as she kisses her daughter in the forehead and sits down next to her. “What are we doing here? A little homework?” she asks as she picks some of the papers on the floor to look at what’s been done. “yes mom but I’m almost done now. Daddy helped me with it, look?” Naledi says as she gives her mom her exercise book. Buhle takes and looks for a moment.
“Oh wow, this is great honey” she says. “I’m sorry honey that I wasn’t here to help you out okay?” as she kisses her again and Naledi nods. “Okay look, let me go and freshen up so that we can eat
supper as family okay?” she says as she looks at the kitchen where her husband is but Sbu probably didn’t even hear that. She leaves for the bedroom to freshen up.
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