Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 56

I was pushing the trolley when a familiar scent hit me. I stopped and looked around.
I remembered that Rendani had asked me to buy her some plain yoghurt and fruits. I left my trolley at the till and ran to the dairy section. I took some cheese as well. I also went to the baking section and got some sprinkles and icing sugar.
Someone had pushed my trolley to the side, and I had to que again. I went to the other till and stood behind a man in jeans and a white t-shirt.
He turned to push his trolley back, and our eyes met. I swallowed.
“Khanyisile?”
“Hello.”
I was holding my breath until he left. I didn't realise my car was parked next to his. He was standing next to his car, arms folded. I slowly pushed the trolley to the car. He just stared at me without saying anything. As I packed the plastics in the boot, I felt his eyes poking holes on my back.
“Are you waiting for someone?” I asked
Silence
He looked at me for a while before shaking his head, then went in his car and drove off.

Rendani was spending a few days at our place.
“So you're saying he just stared at you and didn't say a word?” Kele
“That's what I said.” we were unpacking the plastics. “Where's Rendz?”
“I'm here.” she dragged her feet to where we were. “Did you get my yoghurt and fruits?”
“Yes.”
“What are we doing tonight ladies?” Kele
“What do you have in mind?”
“Maybe we could go clubbing? Or maybe not...” Kele sat on the barstool.
I looked at Rendani, “will you be able to come with us?’
“I'm pregnant Khanyisile, not disabled.”
“Clubbing it is then!”
“There's this new club opposite club nudity and.. Kele looked at me. Oh, Khanyisile, I'm so sorry. We can go to another place and...”
“It's okay Kele. We can go try that club. The vibe at Nudity is lit but I'm not ready for it yet.”
“Don't forget to invite MaZet and Olwethu.” Rendani

We had to leave by 19h00. It was 18h45 and I was doing my makeup. I still didn't know what to wear. I looked at the outfits on my bed.
“Khanyisile, please borrow me your ruby red lipstick, I can't find mine.”
The door is unlocked Rendani.
“You're not dressed?”
I sat on the couch in my room. “I don't know what to wear.”
She threw my blue jeans at me and backless orange bodysuit. “Wear your peep toe orange heels.”
I gave her the lipstick and she left.

Rendani offered to drive. I laughed when I saw the name of the club. I turned and looked at Kele.
“Dominantz?”
“Is this the same club we went to on Kele’s birthday?” Rendani
“Yes.” me and Kele said at the same time.
We went inside. “Fun was had on that day.” I looked at Rendani.

It's a bit smaller than the one in North West. It was just the club, at least there was a strip pole.
I saw Refentse walking to our direction.
“Ladies.” he kissed his fiancé before he hugged us.
We bought a bottle of gin and some savannas.
As we sat down, MaZet and Olwethu came in. I waved so they could see where we are.
“Where's my Heineken Khanyisile?”
“I was waiting for you.”
She went back to the bar and bought more drinks.
Everyone was getting drunk, except for me and Rendani.
“Chommie that's our song...” Kele dragged me and Rendani to the dance floor. “Sthokoze” was playing.
I smiled remembering Tumelo, but the smile quickly vanished when I remembered what happened afterwards.
“Loosen up babe.” Rendani said, doing the vosho.
I left them and returned to our table. I just watched them dancing with no care in the world.
Refentse sat next to me. “Are you good?”
“I'm good.” I gulped what was left of my savanna. I went to the bar and ordered two shots and more savannas.
The alcohol went straight to my head. I joined everyone at the dance floor.
Minutes later I needed the bathroom. On my way out, I bumped into someone. I looked up. “Sorry, I didn't see you.”
He was still holding me. We just looked at one another without saying a thing. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you”, I said.

Rendani, left us at the club, she was not feeling well. Olwethu, left an hour after Rendani had left.
MaZet and Kele were drunk to a point of no return. I was starting to see double, and I knew that I was also drunk. It's time to go home. I looked at a drunk Kele and MaZet.
“I'm going to the bathroom then we can go.”
I don't know if it's my poor eyesight, but Refentse, looked drunk as well. I felt hands on my waist. “What do you want?” I couldn't stand still. I used the wall to balance myself.
“How are you getting home?” Him
“Why do you care?”
“Can we not do this tonight? Let me take you home?”
“It's not necessary, Kele’s boyfriend is taking us home.”
He moved close and I moved back, until I had my back against the wall. “Why are you so stubborn Khanyisile?” Him
I was looking at his lips the entire time he spoke. “Fine! I'm quickly going to the bathroom.”
We helped Refentse get the girls into his car, before they left. Well I didn't help them. I can't even stand on my own two feet. I switched their locations on before they left.

After they left, we also followed. The minute we left, I fell asleep.

The following morning, I woke up with a banging headache. The bed I was sleeping on was massive and comfortable. This was definitely not my room. Right now, I should be panicking from fear, but I just lay on the bed trying to remember who I came here with.
I rolled to the other side and I smiled when I smelt the scent on the pillows. My phone vibrated under the pillow. It was Rendani;
“Hello.”
“Where are you? Everyone is here except you.”
“Stop screaming, my poor ears. I'm okay and safe.”
“Where are you? Is the person forcing you to say you're okay. Jehovah! You're in danger right? I'm calling the police right now to trace this call.”
“Rendani, I said I'm okay.” the door opened. “I have to go, bye.” I cut the call

“You're back in the land of the living?”
I pulled the duvet up. “Weren't you supposed to take me home instead?”
“Here drink this for the headache.” he sat next to me on the bed.
I went to the bathroom to wash my face and rinse my mouth. He was still on the bed, under the covers.
“Why Khanyisile?”
I fiddled with the duvet and kept quiet.
“I'm talking to you Khanyisile. Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“The next day I went to check on you and you were gone. I called until I gave up. I went to the apartment, until Keletso told me that you're in Manhattan. Why?”
I sighed. “It was not my intention to hurt you. I didn't have the guts to tell you that I'm leaving. When you called me weeks ago, I was shocked and happy.” I held his hand. “Please forgive me...”
“Let's go and have breakfast before it gets cold.”
We had our breakfast in complete silence. I helped him wash the dishes then went to bath.
I laughed looking at myself in his robe. I looked ridiculous. What was I going to wear? My clothes had alcohol stains. There was a knock on the bathroom door.
“Are you done in there?”
I slowly opened the door. He started chuckling. You look ridiculous in that robe. I hope these fit.
I took the shopping bag. There was a grey and black dress, jeans and underwear. “Did you buy these?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Thank you.”
I couldn't zip the dress at the back. I looked around the house and he was nowhere to be seen.
“Lutendo?”
The door leading to the garden opened. “Were you calling me?”
“Yes. Can you help me zip the dress?”
I gave him my back and he slowly zipped the dress.

We were sitting in his car, listening to the music on the radio. “Lutendo, are you planning on ignoring me until Jesus comes back?”
He reduced the volume. “When you were ignoring me, were you also waiting for Jesus to return?”
Shots fired!
“I apologized.”
“Let's go out for dinner, maybe I'll forgive you.”
“Okay, when?”
“I'll text you.”

I thought I would sneak into the apartment but I found Rendani sitting in the lounge.
“Really Khanyisile?”
“I told you that I'm good.”
“You should have sent a text, something.”
“I know and I apologize for that.” I left kisses on her bump. “Please tell mommy to forgive me little one.” I looked at Rendz. “Did you feel that?”
“Obviously the baby is in my womb, I felt it.”
I raised a brow. “Wat is vout met jou, mevrou?” (what's wrong with you madam?)
“I'm sorry babe, I'm just hungry. When I'm hungry I'm very grumpy!”
“I'm going on a date next week.”
“What! With who?”
“I can't say.”
“Can't or won't?”
“Both.”