Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 34

I woke up in high spirits today, and decided to jog. I have been a bit lazy to go to the gym. It's also a great way to familiarise myself with the environment.
On my way back I used a different street and I'm glad I did. I saw a poster on a building. They offered dance lessons. The perfect thing is that, they also had weekend classes. I went inside to enquire more. A tall, dark skinned woman was behind the desk.
I cleared my throat to get her attention. “Oh, hi there. How can I help you? Do you have classes booked?”
She had a warm smile. “Actually I came in to ask if it's too late to register at Penelope's Dance Academy?”
That smile again. “Here at Penelope's Dance Academy, we don't have a closing date. How old are you? How does your schedule look like, and what package do you prefer?”
“I'm 26, I work Monday to Friday and I don't know which packages are being offered here.”
She nodded. “Okay, I'll give you our school pamphlets. It has everything you need to know. I'll also give you forms to fill in.”
“Do you offer contemporary lessons?”
“We offer everything Ms?..”
“Khanyisile Ngcobo.”
“Okay, Ms Ngcobo follow me and I'll give you a tour of our academy.”
I followed her up the stairs and judging from the noise emerging from the other room, it's safe to say it's the hip hop class. “In here it's the ballroom classes.”
They looked the part. One would think they're competing, instead of practising. “So Ms?..” sorry I didn't get your name.
“Sorry honey. I'm Dominique Skotz.”
“Do you take any age group?”
“Yes, Ms Ngcobo we do. From an early age as, 4 years.”
That's lovely. We walked pass a few rooms until we got to the one labelled, contemporary. I smiled. Why did I stop dancing in the first place?
“Judging by that beautiful smile, it's safe to say you'll be joining us soon?”
I nodded. In this class there were adults. We continued to tour around. I'm so excited to start! The nice thing is that they cater for every age group. I took the pamphlets and forms to go through at home.

Arriving at our apartment, a nice aroma hit my nostrils. I opened the door. “Something smells delicious in here.” no one was in the kitchen. “Kele?!”
“In the bathroom!”
I washed my hands before pouring myself a glass of water.
“You're back? I was wondering were you disappeared to.”
“I went jogging.”
She started laughing. “Wena jogging chommie?”
“Yes me. What's wrong with me jogging? You do know that I go to the gym as well right?”
“Yes, but not jogging.”
“What did you cook?”
“Cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms and I made toast.”
“Mhmm, delicious.”
We went to the balcony and had our breakfast there. I heard my phone ringing somewhere in the lounge. I looked for it and there it was, chilling between the pillows.
“Hello?”
“Ngani kaMah unjani?”
I didn't even check who called. “Mpumi?”
“Guess who is in Joburg!”
“No ways!”
“Yes, I arrived a while ago. I was still catching a breather.”
“Where are you? Dad's or Bonginkosi’?”
“Dad's. Someone wants to talk to you.”
“Who?”
“Aunty Scar!”
“Andre? It's so nice hearing from you. How are you my cupcake?”
“I'm good. Where are you? I haven't seen you.”
I laughed. “I don't stay there anymore baby. I have my own place now.”
We decided to meet at Bonginkosi’ place. I took a bath and got dressed. I knocked on Kele’s door. “Babe I'm leaving okay.”
She opened. “Oya kae?” (where are you going?)
“My older sister is in town. I'm meeting her at my brother's place.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“You can come with if you want?”
“Next time. Refentse is coming here anyway.”
I wiggled my brows. “There's condoms in the bathroom.”
“Sies!” we both laughed. For your information, I have enough condoms in my room.
“Okay. Babe let me leave.”

Arriving in Fourways at Bonginkosi’ the twins and Andre ran to me. I picked them up. One at a time. “What do you little people eat? You're so heavy.”
They giggled. “Mommy forces us to eat our vegetables.” they made disgusted faces.
“Me too. Mommy, always wants me to eat all my veggies. I like the reward afterwards though.” Andre.
“What reward?”
“Cookies and milk!”
We went to the poolside area. The second I saw Mpumi, I ran to her screaming. She had to pick me up!
“Really Mpumelelo?”
“It's not my fault you're so tiny!”
Olwethu laughed coming towards us, she gave me a hug. “You have been so scarce.” she said poking my ribs.
“It looks like everyone is here besides Msizi.”
“We stopped there first before coming here. He so badly wanted to come but there is a big event happening tonight at the hotel.”
“Let me go greet the parents then I'll help you in the kitchen.”
“Lovebirds!” I hugged my dad first, mom next and Nkosi last.
“Someone is gaining weight.” mom said.
“I thought I'm the only one who noticed that.” my dad mentioned in passing.
“You see mama, I told you not to worry so much about me.”
“A mother never stops worrying about her babies. Ask your sister and brother. Even him..” she pointed at Nkosi. “He might be married now and have kids of his own but he is my baby as well.”
I squeezed Nkosi’s cheek. “Punkie kaMah.” I said that and ran to the kitchen.

“The lunch was delicious.” I said to Olwethu.
“Why are you surprised. You know me and the kitchen, we're besties.”
We sat on the grass and reminisced about the past. There was laughter surrounding us. My only wish was that Msizi was here as well. There's always a next time though. We helped Olwethu clean before we left. They wanted to see where I lived. Olwethu has not been to my place yet. I also managed to convince them to go out clubbing. I had to twist their arms first. “Kodwa Khanyi clubbing at my age, ngeke.”
“Kodwa Mpumi. Maybe you will meet Andre’s stepdad lapho.”
Only then did Olwethu agree to come. “Only two hours max. I'm married and have kids.”
“Is that your excuse?” I shook my head. “You two are still young. Don't tell me about kids. They have a father.”
I messaged Kele to tell her to get ready. Rendani said she and Kieran went to Cape Town. Just a small holiday.
We had to drive to the parents house first, because Mpumi’s luggage is there. Andre was sleeping over at Olwethu’s. Zodwa was coming with as well. “Kuzo shuba tonight!” Olwethu.
I took a shower so I don't have to shower at the apartment as well. We drove to the apartment afterwards. Thank God Kele was done. I introduced them to one another and went to my room to get dressed.
Boyfriend jeans, silk crop top, biker jacket and black stilettos. Okay I'm done let's go. We left our cars behind and requested an uber instead. On our way to Club Nudity. Weird name if you ask me. I sent Jas a text to let her know where I am, if she maybe decided to pop in at the apartment.
Who in their right head, calls a drinking place, ‘club nudity’ MaZet asked.
“It's catchy and knowing people, they're going to come in numbers to check the level of nudity there.”
“Okay, if you put it in that way.”
Arriving at Club Nudity we had shots before cocktails. We sat in the VIP area. “I don't remember the last time I set foot in a club!” Mpumi shouted over the loud music.
After the first round of cocktails, Olwethu bought a bucket of Heineken. She drank beer. Mpumi looked at her in shock. I'm not surprised, I have gone clubbing with Olwethu.
“What's the point of drinking sweet drinks if I'm here to get drunk!” she gulped down half of her Heineken. “Let's get drunk!”
“I love your sister-in-law chommie.”
“Obviously.”
I have days where I prefer drinking cocktails, definitely not tonight. We bought two bottles of their green gin and bought ciders for Mpumi and MaZet. Mpumi is not much of a drinker.
The DJ played ‘Umsebenzi wethu’ and people lost their shit. You would think this song just got recently released. Olwethu was the first one at the dance floor. Kele and I followed afterwards. I don't know what's in their green gin, but it was delicious. It hit the g-spot!
“Chommie let's take videos and show Kele that she's missing out!” we gave Mpumi the video and taking of pictures job. We sent them to Rendani and Indigo.
When I returned from the bathroom, I saw Mpumi sitting with a yummy gent. She looked young again. Not stressing about anything but living for the now. I quickly snapped pictures of her laughing and being carefree.
I walked to where Olwethu and Kele were. “Uphi uMaZet?”
“There.” Olwethu pointed at the bar area. I widened my eyes. MaZet was also laughing with a handsome man. Four hours later we were still at club nudity. I didn't mind. Mpumi had now joined us at the dance floor. It was a bad idea to wear heels honestly. I should've worn sneakers.

At around 03h00 in the morning we arrived at our apartment. We kept on knocking things around the house. I was looking for the switch to turn on the lights but failed dismally! “Yoh Khanyi your brother is going to kill me!”
“He will have to chill. Just call him and tell him you're sleeping here.”
“I sent him a voice note hours ago.”

We must have fell asleep on the couch. Waking up was a mission. My neck was strained I'm certain.
“I'm not going out with you ever again!” Olwethu.
“Just admit that you enjoyed yourself.”
MaZet and Mpumi were still out.
“Let's order food. I'm not cooking, I'm tired.”