Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 5

The reason why I hate exercising is the stiff body afterwards! I was too tired to even check my social media accounts. As soon as I got into bed I went to lala land. I thought I would sleep throughout the night but by 01h00 I was up and went downstairs to make green tea. Before I could reach the stairs I heard my mom talking to someone. So I went to eavesdrop.
“Honey were are you, I'm starting to get worried now?” Mom
“Please get back to me as soon as you get this.” Mom
“You have never”... I opened the door before she could finish her sentence.
“Why are you not asleep Khanyisile?”
Wooahh! My mom never calls me Khanyisile unless she's angry.
“Mom where is dad?”
“Look in the bathroom maybe he is hiding in there!”
Okay she's definitely angry but what did I do now?
“Sorry for asking.” I said as I left their room.
Instead of making green tea I made hot chocolate instead. I remembered that I saw some butter cookies somewhere. I hope there's still some. Butter cookies and hot chocolate a pair made in heaven.
“What are you looking for?” Mom asked.
I just ignored her and kept on looking.
“Look my baby I'm sorry for snapping at you. I know you meant well.”
I'm glad she apologized but now I'm angry because I can't find the butter cookies and at her for snapping at me for absolutely no reason!
“Goodnight mom.”
“Come on Khanyi! I apologized.”
I just ignored her and went to my room. It's 01h28 in the morning and already Angelique is being her usual self, but this time I won't entertain her. I opened my curtain and my dad's car was not parked where it always park. I was getting worried now. This is definitely unlike my dad. I took my phone and called him but it took me straight to voicemail. I left messages.
“Baba ukuphi?”
“Ukahle yini lapho ukhona?”
“Ng'cela ubambe ucingo lwakho Ngcobo.”
This is frustrating! Where are you dad? Maybe he is at Bonginkosi's house. He is definitely going to kill me but I have no choice right now.
Olwethu, his wife answered.
“Khanyi?” Olwethu
“Ngiyaxolisa sisi uphi uBhuti?”
I could hear her waking him up in the background.
“Khanyisile yini kodwa ekseni kangaka?” Bonginkosi
“Awume bhuti. Ukhona lapho uNgcobo?”
“Ma uthi uNgcobo ukuphi usho uBaba?” Him
I really have no strength for such questions.
“Yebo munt'wenkosi ngisho yena uBaba.”
“Kuzekha phela Khanyisile, khuzekha ngani ka Gatsha!”
“I'm sorry, it's just that uBaba akekho ekhaya. It's unlike him and his phone goes straight to voicemail.”
“He is not here Ntombi ka Baba.”
On any other day I would be smiling like a retard but unfortunately not today. It's 02h00 in the morning and still no sign of dad. I'm sleepy now, I have to be up soon to go to work. I can't even ask for leave since I'm still new and damn that “big client” that is coming today. I can't afford to mess things up. I need this job. If he is not at Bonginkosi’ house I have no idea where he could be. Now that fear I had earlier is creeping in what if he is cheating on Mom? For his sake I hope that's not the case. I can't be up at this hour stressing about a man who might be cosy in bed with his “other lady”. I pray for his sake he fell asleep at work.
I don't know when I fell asleep but my alarm is driving me crazy at this moment. I just sat there for a good 5 minutes before I went and opened my curtain hoping to see my dad's car. Still nothing. I went and took a shower than went to make a smoothie. My mom must still be sleeping for the fact that there's no breakfast on the table. Who am I kidding though. Why would she make breakfast when she does not know where the love of her life is?
Me and my mom might fight like cat and dog but she's still my mom and I adore her. When she's sad I don't like it. I made chamomile tea and some toast with avocado. She might not be hungry but she needs the strength.
I softly knocked and opened her door.
“Mom are you awake?”
I could hear her sniffing in the blankets. I quickly rushed to her.
“Mom, get up don't do this to yourself please.”
“I thought you still angry at me.” Mom
Trust my mom to bring up unnecessary situations.
“I could never stay angry at you for the rest of my life mom. You know that.”
“I'm really sorry about this morning, you didn't deserve that treatment.” Mom
“It's okay Mfazi ka daddy.”
She smiled looking down.
“Is that a smile I see there?”
“Stop it!”
“Get up, I made you some breakfast.”
“I'm not hungry baby. How do I eat when I don't know where my husband is?” Mom
“That's why I just made some toast and avocado for you. You need the strength.”
“Why are you still here? Won't you be late for work?”
“I'm leaving just now but I had to see you first. Ohhh I called Bonginkosi and he said dad is not there.”
“This is unlike your dad. I hope he is well wherever he is.”
“I have to go now mom. Please keep me posted incase something happens. Goodbye.”
As I left her room I bumped into Bonginkosi in the passage.
“Still no news on dad?” he asked.
"No. I'm glad you're here though I really didn't want to leave Mom on her own but I have to go to work.”
“It's okay, I'll stay with her and try asking some of my contacts for help.”
“Did you tell Mpumi and Msizi?”
“Yes I did as soon as you cut the call, but I told them not to call you.”
“Okay let me go. Goodbye make sure she eats.”

I was running late so I poured my smoothie into a bottle and left. I was definitely late and there was an accident on the route I always use so I had to use another route. By the time I got to the office my client was already there waiting for me. As I went to my cubicle I saw Kele mouthing something but I could not catch what she said.
“Sorry I'm late sir.”
“It's okay I just got here.”
As soon as my client left Kele came to my cubicle to ask why I was late.
“Girl my dad did not come home last night, so we all worried.”
“Askies my friend, I guess you won't make it tonight right?”
With all this stressing I totally forgot that we were going out tonight.
“Yeah I won't be able to be there.”

After my third consultation it was lunch time. I was a mess but I had to put a smile on my face and act like everything is okay. I needed to know what is going on I texted my brother.

Bhuti lutho namanje?

He replied.

One of my contacts tried his phone but there's no signal, so he can't trace it. - Nkosi

I replied.

Okay, keep me posted if something pops up.

He replied.

Okay dadwethu. - Nkosi

After reading that text I went to the staff room to join everyone.
“Wat is vout?” (What is wrong?) Kieran asked.
“Aii ndi mini thaidzo yanu zwino Kieran?” (What's your problem now Kieran?) Rendani
“Wat het Ek gemaak nou?” (What have I done now?)
“Why are you busy speaking Afrikaans now?” Khumo
I just smiled. Trust them to make a big deal out of something so small.
“Ek is nie goed.” (I'm not okay.)
They turned and looked at me, I just shrugged my shoulders.
“Julle sien! She knew I was talking to her.” (You see!) Kieran
“It doesn't matter! I left Afrikaans at school now don't come here and drag me back.” Rendani
“Don't be a hypocrite Rendz, weren't you speaking your Venda just now?” Alex
We all laughed.
“So what's wrong?” Kieran
I honestly thought Kele would have told them by now. I must have judged her quickly.
“My dad did not come home last night guys. My mom and I have been stressing trying to figure out where he is. It's unlike him.”
“Don't worry girl we will pray for his well being and safety.” Rendani
“That means we have to cancel tonight right?” Alex
“No! You don't have to cancel anything guys.”
“We are, we will do this outing some other time.” Khumo
“What would I do without you guys? I have known you for just close to a month but I feel like I have known you for the longest time.”
Before Kele could reply Cass made her way to us.
“I need to see you and Rendani in my office now!” Cass
“Someone is breathing fire.” Alex
“I definitely don't wish to be you two today. She has been moody since morning.” Khumo
“Let's go khanyisile.” Rendani

The door was open so we did not knock.
“Sit!” Cass
“Did we do something wrong?” Rendani asked.
“Is it Mr Fourie? He looked pleased with the solutions and ideas we brought forth to him.”
“Unfortunately Mr Fourie will not be joining us.” Cass
“What?!” Me and Rendani asked.
“Yes. He said something about moving abroad and will find an advisor there. You did well from what he said. You may leave.”
“Talk about inconsiderate people! After the work we put in.” Rendani said as we left Cassandra's office.
We were told we could leave early today since we did not have much to do and the fumigating team would come to fumigate. I honestly didn't mind, I needed to go home.
“See you Monday guys” Alex
After they all left, I just sat there wondering where my dad could be.
“Please hold the lift!”
“Ms Ngcobo how are you?” Lutendo asked as I walked in.
“I'm okay sir.”
As soon as the lift opened we both went our separate ways.