BURN for Better or Worse (COMPLETED)

Chapter 57

NQABA...

Thandiwe refuses to speak to me, she has not uttered a word since we left the graveyard. Making small talk in the car made me look stupid, she won’t tell me what the problem is nor does she give off any signs of what could be the matter.
I watch her dash out of the car after I pull up in the driveway and rush into the house, there is anger in her steps.

“Tan-tan!” She overlooks my call and strides on, women can be unpredictable.

There is no one in the living room or kitchen, so I figure she is in the bedroom.
My house is not that big, it’s a spacious abode that could accommodate a family of six. A five bedroom single story house, I had it built more than two years ago. I don’t know what the plan was, I guess in the midst of my heartache I still believed in love. That one day I might find a woman for myself, although I might not love her like I did Thandiwe.
The same reason I had that house in Xavier Reef built, Reboana and Ofentse live in it now. But I know one day she will find someone who will want to marry her, so I plan on gifting the house to my sister Veronica. I believe that one day she will be normal again.

Once everything has settled down, I will have to inform my parents about the wealth I accumulated for myself. Barbra and my dear brother will not jump for joy, I fit perfectly with them as a petrol attendant. I have invested in a major company as a silent partner, the money goes to an account I opened under my father and Veronica’s names. If anything were to happen to me, they will be taken care of. Thandiwe and Zulu basically own everything I have.

The water is running in the bathroom, she’s in there. I contemplate between joining and waiting out here for her, my heart is stubborn, hence it takes me to the bathroom. I walk in to find her naked and jumping in the bathtub filled with steaming hot water.
Thandiwe does not bath with normal warm water, it has to be extra hot. Our eyes meet, a frown builds up on her features. She takes her gaze away and slides down into the bathtub, the bubbled water covers her form, leaving nothing exposed.

“Can I join you?” I’m ignored, that’s alright. It takes so little time to appease this woman of mine. I strip naked and slide in behind her.”
“The water is not so bad today.” This is meant to make her laugh, her brows furrow as an alternative. “Sondela phela Nkanyezi yam.” (Come closer my love.)

A whisper in her ear, she leans back on my chest and emanates an overlong sigh. It feels good to have her in my arms. I have one arm over her abdomen and the other just under her breasts. She moans so sweetly when I press my lips on the delicate part of her neck.
“How long do you plan on holding on to that anger?” 
“You scared me today Nqaba, I thought you died.” Thandiwe says with a tone that holds me in contempt and reveals the cause of her resentment.
“What did you have me do? We had to act fast or else everyone was going to die.” I say, trying to make sense of the risk I took today. “Besides, I didn’t think that man would shoot at me after taking your friend.”
“If Randall wasn’t there, you… you would have…” Her voice cracks, she sighs as she fails to complete the statement.
“Nothing would’ve happened to me.” I tell her what I think she wants to hear. 

“I saw Bulelwa’s father, he wants us to find him.” Thandiwe is slowly accepting her gift, I am glad in a way. She will not live in constant fear anymore.
“He’s not buried yet and already making demands?” She giggles and twizzles around in my arms, I get a genuine smile, but her eyes keep the worried expression. Her body presses into mine and my arms encircle around her waist. Thandiwe puckers up, I smile at the adorable sight before accepting the peck offered to me. A few soft busses later, her head finds a pillow on my chest.
“Something is going on with Lilian, Mandla said to tell her to repent and bring his son home.” She says, her voice laced with concern.
“That’s simple, Lilian had something to do with her son’s kidnapping and the shooting.” I voice out my thoughts, it’s not really hard to guess. Thandiwe brings her head up, our eyes meet. Hers are searching mine, she seeks validation of what I said. 
“Lilian?” A whispered question.
“Just a thought Tshabalala, I’m not saying go with it.” Her friend would be devastated.
“Yeah, but Lilian?” Her nose scrunches up in confusion, I’m tempted to kiss her pouted plump lips and so I indulge.
“Nqaba!” She grumbles, trying to break the kiss.
“Ngilambile Tshabalala, let me feast.”(I’m hungry.)
I feel her smile against my lips, this is what I need after the experience at the cemetery… to be in the arms of the woman I love.