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“Babe, are you sure it is a good idea for us to be attending this funeral? I mean I don’t think Zikode will be happy to see us there, considering the fact that Fezile was our employee not so long ago. Won’t he think we are the ones who killed him because he went to work with him?” Lindiwe asks Mthoko with a worried face as she sits in front of mirror in their bedroom. She is getting dressed as they are attending the funeral of Fezile Mpulo“But love, we actually fired Fezile, he didn’t leave on his own accord, so how can one associate his death to us?” Mthoko responds as he tries to fix his tie. He doesn’t even look worried about what his wife is saying. “Besides, if we don’t show our face, people, including Zikode may think we have something to hide because every other taxi owner will be there” he says as he puts his shoes on. “okay honey I hear you” Lindiwe says as she shrugs her shoulders. “Well I suppose you are right because I also knew Fezile's mother, if I don’t show up there it may be wrongly interpreted” as she puts on her perfume. Their talk is interrupted by a knock on the door, “Come in” Lindi says as she continues to put touch ups on herself looking in the mirror. It’s Londiwe who comes in.
“Mom, dad…I was thinking that since you guys are going to the funeral, can I go over the books a bit while mom is away? I mean at the end of the day, mom does need help with this. It’s a lot of paperwork and…” but Londiwe doesn’t finish her thought as her mother cuts her off, “Londiwe, Londiwe...what did I say to you last week, huh? What did I say?” Lindi is annoyed.
“But mom, invoices need to be submitted by end of the day tomorrow and today you don’t even know what time you’ll come back or even the state you’ll be in. So why don’t you let me help? I’m here in the house. It’s not like this is something I still have to learn to do, I have done it before. On top of that I am qualified to do it mom” Londiwe persists but as her mother is attempting to protest, she continues, “I know that you don’t want us involved in the Taxi business but mom, dad…that’s not the only business we have. There’s still the garage, Shisanyamas and the shops. That’s a lot of work just for one person. I will hold the fort until you come back that’s all I’m saying.” Lindi, feeling like she’s defeated looks at her husband who looks back but not saying anything.
She goes over to the side drawer, fiddles over files and eventually pulls 6 thick books. “this one is for the garage, these two are for the shops and these two are for the Shisanyamas” she says as she gives a pleasantly surprised Londiwe the books. She is speechless with excitement as she turns around to leave the room, but her mother stops her, “wait” she says as she gives her daughter one more book, Londiwe takes and reads the header. She becomes wide-eyed, “the Taxis books, mom?” she asks as excitement is written all over her face.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Lindi says with a straight face as she looks at her husband. Londiwe, without a moment’s notice she jumps to hug her mom as she is happy. Lindi smiles a little and hugs her back. “Don’t get too excited yet young lady” she says. “You must call all managers to check if everything is in order, call suppliers to confirm payment and delivery schedules. But please, for the Taxis just balance and double check the books, don’t call the manager to check with him. Your dad or someone else will do that, are we clear?” she asks authoritatively to which Londi nods as she turns to leave. “Oh please, work in my office or lounge or kitchen I don’t care but please don’t go to your dad’s study okay? Are we clear on that?” she emphasizes. “Yes mom I got it. I won’t let you guys down” Londi says as she leaves the bedroom.
Her father smiles as he shakes his head. It seems like a proud moment for him. “What are you laughing at?” his wife bursts the bubble with a joke. “No honey, I’m just watching the two of you, my girls and I’m very proud” he says as he pulls his wife to himself and kisses her. She kisses him back.
“But you know baby, I was serious about not wanting our kids getting involved in this” Lindi says with a face that suddenly changes but Mthoko cuts her off, “Come on love, let’s see how she handles this okay?” as he kisses her again. “Besides, there are these other businesses she can be part of, I think she can handle that. Like the Shisanyamas and the shops, she can handle that from time to time just to take a load off your shoulders. And you can be hands on, on the garage and taxis, how’s that?” he says as he plants one on the wife’s forehead, trying to soften her up. Lindi looks up to the ceiling as if she’s thinking about it. “Look I will think about it, okay?” she says as she pulls away from her husband. “Okay honey let’s go, we don’t want to be late” she says as they both leave the bedroom.
***
At the funeral, the mood is completely different as it is packed with everyone who knew Fezile. If you didn’t know better you’d think it’s a funeral of a car thief as people are firing guns in the air and others spinning the cars on the street. It appears this Fezile Mpulo was very known. The ceremony is over and the family had requested that only members of the family will go to the cemetery, so people are staying behind to have refreshments or go home.
As the casket gets into the hearse, followed by the family members of the deceased, Lindiwe sees Fezile's mother and pulls her aside to have a word. “Mrs. Mpulo please accept on my family’s behalf our sincere condolences on the passing of your son” she says. “As you know, we know your son very well as he was once under our employ. So please if you ever...” but Lindi doesn’t finish her thoughts as her good gesture is greeted by a huge slap on the face from Mrs. Mpulo. Lindiwe didn’t really expect this from the woman she has known for a relatively long time. “What are you even doing here, Lindiwe” Mrs. Mpulo asks, “Haven’t you and your husband done enough already? Huh? So you are here to what, to gloat?” she says to Lindi who is suddenly holding on to her cheek in shame.
This has suddenly drawn attention as people are now watching. Just as Lindi was about to respond to this, Mthoko was there besides her in a flash to pull her away just as family members pull Mrs. Mpulo away before the situation gets out of hand. “Cone on darling, let’s go” Mthoko says to his wife who is still shocked that she was slapped in from of a lot of people.
***
“Hey man I’m really sorry about what happened earlier there with your wife, is she okay?” That is Nduna Morena, a taxi owner who is close to Mthoko. It’s been about an hour since that incident between Lindi and Mrs. Mpulo happened. Mthoko is sitting outside the tent with Nduna, and two other taxi owners, Mqeqeshi Xhonywa and Shoes Mufamadi. These two aren’t as close to Mthoko as Nduna is but they are friendly to each other. The family had provided meat and drinks for all who came to the funeral so Mthoko and his taxi buddies are also sitting and enjoying the meat and a bottle of vodka. He looks a little down since that thing with his wife happened.
“Thanks man, yeah she is okay but she has gone home now, I’ve asked one of the guys to drive her” Mthoko says with a low voice, clearly not comfortable with entertaining the topic about his wife. “Yeah man, don’t mind Mrs. Mpulo I think she’s just upset over her son, that’s all” Shoes jumps in. There’s awkward silence there for a second as everyone is trying to find something to say to Mthoko but he can see that, so he breaks the silence. “Alright, enough about that,” he says. “Lindiwe is okay and she gets that Fezile's mom is just upset, I mean what happened to Fezile was really tragic. Considering that he used to work for us, it makes sense she reacted that way” that all the guys nod in agreement.
“Yeah this Fezile death is a mystery to all of us” Mqeqeshi says, The police and the media keep reporting this as some Taxi turf war but we all know it’s not so why is that?” as he looks at the other owners. Mthoko tries his best to keep a straight face to avoid being made. There’s a bit of an awkward silence as everyone is trying to figure this out.
“yeah, it’s like this information is coordinated. I wonder who is giving the media and the police this false turf war information” Shoes says as he looks around at his colleagues but no one says anything as everyone seems puzzled about it.
When they were done eating, they shake hands as each man goes to his car but Mthoko stops Nduna as he’s almost in his car, “Hey man, let me ask you something” he says as Nduna turns around to listen. “What do you know about this new guy they call Faroukh that has just arrived in the country?” he asks Nduna who takes a minute to think about it, “Nothing man, other than that he is friends with a few taxi owners and he owns a few shops in the South Coast. Apparently he wants in on the Taxi industry so he is still lobbying for support to be allowed to operate some routes when his new fleet comes in. Why you want to know?” He asks curiously.
“No man I’m just trying to figure out his game because I heard also that he is friends with a few taxi owners around here” Mthoko says as he avoids eye contact with Nduna, who doesn’t really pay attention to that. “Well, look man, whatever this Faroukh guy is doing please my friend don’t get involved, at least not until you know what he is all about” Nduna says as he shakes Mthoko's hand again. They both each go to their cars and drive off.
***
From the funeral Mthoko goes to see Phuthuma at the hotel where she’s booked for a week, as she’s covering the taxi violence story. She is a very relentless journalist who would do anything to get the story, even going into most dangerous places in the country. This is one story she has a passion for and she has always enlisted Mthoko as one of her sources.
“I’m glad you could come, I wasn’t sure you will have stomach for it” Phuthuma says as she lay on Mthoko's chest under the sheets. Their clothes are all over the floor, way from the door through to the bedroom. It looks like they couldn’t wait till they got to bed. Phuthuma is a very beautiful and attractive woman that any man would struggle to ignore. In the side of the bed there is a bottle of wine and two glasses that are quarter full, clearly they have been here a while.
“What makes you think I wasn’t going to show up?” Mthoko asks as he caresses Phuthuma's hair as she lay in her sweaty chest. “Well, from what I saw at the funeral between Fezile's mother and your wife, I thought maybe…” Phuthuma doesn’t finish as Mthoko cuts her off, “We spoke about this” he says. “You must never discuss my wife or family. We agreed on this” he sounds annoyed. Phuthuma rolls her eyes, “I’m sorry that’s not how I meant that, you know that I respect your family. But I was referring to...” she says but she is cut off again, “Please leave it, okay?” as Mthoko says. There is little awkward silence as Phuthuma look keeps quiet. She continues to lay in Mthoko’s while her hand is brushing his shoulder. He continues to caress her hair as well.
“But can we at least talk about the ongoing taxi violence in this area?” Phuthuma says with a low voice. Mthoko thinks for a second, “Yeah, we can talk about that” he says. “But remember, as long as you keep my name out of your stories okay?” he says as he kisses her in the forehead. “But of course, I never reveal my sources, you know that. I have never mentioned you before. Why? You don’t trust me now?” Phuthuma asks, curiously.
“Of course I trust you” Mthoko says as he kisses the feisty journalist in the forehead. Phuthuma gets up, puts the gown on that she takes from the wardrobe and then goes to the side bed for the refill on their glasses of wine. She then comes back to sit next Mthoko and gives him his glass. They both take a dip in quietness. “Well, so how are things amongst Taxi owners since the death of Fezile Mpulo? I mean on who’s feet are you guys laying the blame on?” Phuthuma asks as she takes a sip. “You have always told me it’s just turf wars but exactly who is fighting who about which route” as she takes another sip. This question seems to make Mthoko uncomfortable as he takes a huge sip that empties whatever was left there in the glass.
“Look I can’t tell you who I am suspecting over this okay?” he says as he looks away. “But I can tell you for certain that it is about routes and…” he doesn’t finish as Phuthuma cuts him off, “And Fezile once worked for you and you fired him under unclear circumstances, right?” she says. “and I think it is well known that you and Fana Zikode aren’t really the best of friends, so aren’t you worried that some industry colleagues may suspect you for this?”
This is another question that makes Mthoko uncomfortable as he puts his glass down and pulls Phuthuma close to him, “Okay enough about that already. Now come here, I have about 30 minutes to spare, so let’s not waste it okay?” as he takes Phuthuma’s gown off and climbs on top of her. She doesn’t seem to mind at all as she smiles and accepts the advances. “Well you said that about an hour ago Mr. Sibisi, but I’m not complaining at all okay?” she says as she kisses Mthoko in the neck. “Well I hope you could just sleep over and go in the morning, but I don’t really want to push my luck. So 30 minutes it is” she says. So they make love once again, only this time with twice the passion.
***
Later on, Mthoko comes back home to a very sombre mood as he finds his son in the lounge watching TV but he doesn’t look like he is in the mood of talking. “Hey son, where is everyone?” Mthoko asks Thula who ignores and not even look at him. “Hey, hey, hey” Mthoko says, “I asked you a question, this is my house and I’m not your peer. I asked where is everyone” he’s annoyed.
“Londi is out with her friends and Mbali is in her room doing some school work. Mom is in the bedroom” Thula says, still avoiding eye contact as he keeps changing TV channels. Mthoko has a good mind to reign in on his son but he decides not to and leave him be. He goes to Mbali's room and knocks before coming in. “Hey sweetheart, how are you doing?” he says as he comes to sit in the dressing table chair. “Hi daddy. What can I do for you?” Mbali responds as she continues to write something down. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I come in peace. Geeze what with everyone tonight? Can’t I just have a conversation with people?” Mthoko says as he moves from the chair to sit in the bed. “Oh, no daddy I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that, okay? I’m just…I was concentrating on this and…” Mbali says as she puts her notebook down but she doesn’t finish as her father cuts her off,
“No, no, no darling it’s okay” he says. “Too much homework today?” as he picks one of the books on the bed. “Oh yeah, too much homework. I could have done it tomorrow since it’s Sunday but I will be out with Bongiwe so I decided to do it tonight” Mbali says as she sighs deep, picking up her notebook again. She’s really trying to politely indicate to her that maybe it’s not a good time for a chitchat.
“Well okay sweetheart, let me leave you to it okay” Mthoko says as he kisses his daughter in the forehead before leaving the room. He goes to the bedroom where he finds his wife in bed. She’s not sleeping but lights are out. She looks really looks sad. He comes and sits next to her. “Sweetheart, are you okay? Are you still upset about what happened earlier today?” he asks as he brushes his wife’s back. Lindi takes a second and turns around to look at her husband in the eyes, she’s trying to read him. “Look babe, I don’t want to talk about it okay? But I’m okay. You don’t need to worry about me” she says to a very unconvinced Mthoko, who sighs deep as he stands up to walk out. But Lindi, stops him, “Where have you been? What time did you leave the funeral?”
That question sends chills down Mthoko's spine as he is caught off guard by it. He thinks for a second, not really knowing how to answer this but as he turns around to respond, a knock comes through the door. Whoever it is, they have really saved him because he really hated lying to his wife because she has been nothing but a good wife, mother and business partner.
It’s his son Thula who comes through the door, “dad, uncle Siyanda is here to see you” he says and his father quickly leaves the bedroom as if he is he’s running for his life. He finds Siyanda, who is his younger brother sitting in the lounge where TV is playing. They hug joyously since they hadn’t seen each other in a few weeks. “Hey bro, I’m so happy to see you man. Let’s go down to the study okay? I don’t want to wake up everyone else in the house, they are sleeping” Mthoko says as they break the hug. They both go down to the study where Mthoko always handle his business. They go in and lock the door behind them.
“So, what’s up man? You sounded agitated in the morning when you called me, I’m sorry I couldn’t come earlier. I just arrived from Mpumalanga. Are you okay?” Siyanda says as he sits down, he is very curious. Mthoko thinks for a second as he comes to sit down as well. He doesn’t seem to know where to begin with this, but Siyanda is looking straight in the eyes.
“Look man, as you know we were burying Fezile today, there’s still confusion over the circumstances of his death and reasons. But there are those who think I may have had something to do it and…” Mthoko says but he’s cut off by Siyanda, “Whoa, why would they think that? Do you have something to do with it?” he asks curiously to which Mthoko looks a little disappointed about it. He immediately jumps in, “Of course not man. How could I?” he asks. “But you remember that Fezile once worked for us and we fired him, after that incident, remember? So some think that it was just a revenge killing. But I’m not worried about people just talking about it. But once Zikode starts to also think like that, then things will turn ugly. The last thing I want is war over stupid unfounded rumors.” he says to which his little brother nods in agreement as he goes to the table to pour whiskey for both of them and comes back with the glasses to sit down. Mthoko takes his and drink it in one go.
“Look,” he says. “I would like to enlist your services brother. I need you to beef up security in this house, just as a precaution man. Just a few men, who will take shifts for a 24/7 service. I am willing to pay for this service bro, and…” but Mthoko doesn’t finish as Siyanda cuts him off again, “Oh come on man” he says. “You know you don’t have to pay this service man. You are my brother, your kids are my kids, okay?” as he downs his whiskey. “of course the safety of you and your kids is just as important to me as it is to you. And, as I recall, you are the one who gave me money to start this protection and security company, so yeah man, as from Monday I will send men to be on detail” he says as he looks at his worried looking older brother.
“Do you want me to deploy men to tail your kids as well?” he asks as he does a refill on both of them, but that makes Mthoko thinks for a second. “yeah man, I think that is a great idea but they mustn’t know that they are being guarded, your men must be invisible” he says as he looks up. “Okay I got it man” Siyanda responds as he takes a sip on his drink.
“Look I need the elite division of your men bro, the ones that are highly trained because this is my family we are talking about bro” Mthoko says as he downs his whiskey in one once again. They then go on to talk for another 30 minutes then Siyanda leaves. Mthoko, goes upstairs and finds his wife sound asleep, he changes to his PJs and tuck himself in and switches off the lights.
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