BURN for Better or Worse (COMPLETED)

Chapter 39

BARBRA…

“Barbra open the door.” What he does he want now? Is Veronica sleeping already? I’m not jealous of their relationship at this moment, I want to be alone, soaking in this cold bathtub. “Why is the door locked? Open the door.” He’s pissed off, Duma can be a nuisance sometimes.
“I’m busy baba,” I send a shout, deep down I’m annoyed by his persistence. He can’t see me like this, I know he will surely ask what the problem is.
“Why are you taking a bath at this time? Is everything okay?” Is he supposed to be asking me that? As a man, he should be minding his business.
“It’s hot and this is the only way I can cool down, please go back to bed. I’ll be with you in a while.” I hear him grumble before the sound of his footfall take over. What the devil does that grumble mean? Queen of witches, Duma better not be suspecting anything. Sgwili is useless, where the hell is he?

BULELWA…

I don’t remember setting a wakeup call, why is my phone infuriating me so early in the morning. My brain sends a message to my hand to fish for the loud phone under the pillow. I accomplish in opening one eye, the other is stubborn. Lilian will not let me be, I guess I have to take her call because she will never stop calling me.
“Mama ka Bubu,” even my voice is on strike today.
“Open the door, I’m outside.” What? She followed me all the way to Ntuzuma?
“When did you get here?”

There is no place like home, I always feel at peace here like my spirit knows that this is home. The overwhelming serenity that fills my heart is unexplainable, we arrived early this morning. My parents have a house here in Ntuzuma, my father’s cousin sister lives with her husband and their children two boys Qhaphela who is my age and Silwelane, he’s eighteen and their last born daughter Notofo the brat is fifteen. She’s literally a brat, if he could her father would roll the red carpet for her everywhere her scrawny feet trample.

Mandla and Lilian didn’t want to leave the house vacant and aunt Deliwe was the perfect candidate and reliable enough to take care of Mandla’s property.
“A few minutes ago, get up and open the door Bulelwa.” The devil follows you everywhere. 
“I’m sleeping Lilian, aunt Deliwe will open for you.”
“What is that woman doing in your house? You didn’t tell me you…” My house? Where is this woman? The confusion sets me on my ass, Zizwe slept on the floor, so unnecessary. I offered we share the bed for the sake of being hospitable but guy blankly refused. Said he wouldn’t be able to touch me all night without losing it. I don’t know what night he spoke of because it was morning when we arrived. I thought I was dramatic, but Zizwe...

“Where are you, mama ka Bubu? I’m in Ntuzuma.”
“What?” I have to remove the mobile from my ears when her loud voice disturbs them. “Is this how it is now Bulelwa? You do things without telling me?” It’s really not as deep as she makes it seem.
“It was a last minute decision.” It’s too early for this conversation, I don’t like talking so much before brushing my teeth and this mother is ruining my day. “I have to go aunt Deliwe is calling me.”
“Wait, I think I should I come over there. Deliwe won’t know how take care of you, she’s busy with her flock. She won’t know how to prepare your eggs and…”
“Hiabo Lilian, I am not a child. You’re embarrassing me, I have to go bye.” I’m quick on my hands. I need to clean up before rushing to the kitchen, I hear loud voices when I exit the bathroom. Zizwe is among them, my family has probably embarrassed me. It won’t be shocking if they are filling Zizwe in on my child hood.

“His head was bigger than his body, he was that type with big feet, a big head and a small body.” Silwelane that bastard, I will get him for this. The whole crowd bursts into laughter, they haven’t seen me approach yet. How would they when they are engrossed on gossip? Zizwe spots me first. Why did my heart leap to my throat at the wink he just threw at me? I can tell that this family has amused him. Deliwe and her cooking skills, my stomach grumbles at the sight and aroma of her food.
“What happened? Why are you suddenly quiet? Continue talking about me.” I sputter, finding a seat next to Zizwe.
“Morning to you too Buttercup.” A whisper that has my insides dancing in a tingly sensation. Oh no, I don’t do that morning shit. What the hell is he eating?
“What’s that?” He shrugs, digs his fork in whatever the Gordon Ramsey is on his plate and shoves it in his mouth.
“Tongue.” The audacity he has to open his entry and admit to feasting on tongue.”
“Whose tongue?” A supressed snigger is his response, my insides turn as he eats like it’s steak.
“Come on Bulelwa, your father grew up eating ulimi. It was his favourite actually.” Deliwe throws her coins in.
“I have seen a cow’s tongue and it’s not something I would throw in my mouth, all that slimly…”
“Hey, your friend is eating. Manners bafo.” That’s Qhaphela, he has a tendency of jumping into my mouth.
“It’s okay bafo, I’m not bothered.” Zizwe says, he should be bothered. “Butter…” Eh Eh!!! This man… he clears his throat before changing his speech “Bulelwa is special.” I get a smirk, it has a hidden naughtiness, one the villagers will not get. This man is too smart for his shoes, I should reprimand him for this.