Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 58

Lutendo’s family is very warm and kind. Well most of them.
Ronewa, kept me company most of the time. She could speak for days. His mom, showed me the family album and I have to say, my man has always been hot.
Thank God, they are not old school. I didn't have to wear a doek 24/7 and all that, lie on your side and greet was unnecessary but they appreciated that I did.
When I told Lutendo, what happened when he was not there, he laughed so hard. He annoyed me because he saw me practicing at our apartment and he didn't bother to tell me that I don't have to do that. At least I didn't say ‘musanda wanga’. Imagine the embarrassment!

We were putting our last luggage in the boot. The heat here is insane!
Lutendo’s father is not much of a talker.
I exchanged numbers with Dakalo, Ronewa’s mom and the other older sister. There was this one cousin, who kept on passing snide remarks about how our relationship won't work. I later found out that, her best friend had a fling with Lutendo, and she somehow thought they would get married. When Lutendo’s parents and sisters were around she didn't say anything. She was comfortable saying all of this, around the second born. She didn't like me as well. Probably thinking I'm going to spend Lutendo’s money.
I went back to the house to fetch my phone charger and I bumped into the both of them. They both folded their arms and looked at me with disgust.
They blocked me from passing.
“You think you have won right?” Makhadzi
“Excuse me?”
“I don't know what korobela, you gave my little brother, but it will wear off. He will never marry you. You're not one of us.” Jessica, the second born said.
“Can I go now?”
“Did we say we're done?” she kept poking my forehead. “Lutendo will marry a successful, Venda woman. Not you.” Makhadzi

They kept on hurling insults, about how I will never be good enough for their brother. How I will never fit in. Went as far as telling me that there's a girl called Tshifiwa, who is carrying their brother's heir. The same Tshifiwa, who was here last night laughing with me.

“That's enough Jessica! Enough!” Mulaudzi Snr
“Papa, it's the truth. Tshifiwa is expecting Lutendo’s child.”
“Did I not say it's enough? When did you become disrespectful?”

He stood next to me. I didn't want to cry but I had tears in my eyes. He kept on rubbing my back.

“Papa, this girl is not good enough for Lutendo, can't you see? She must have given him love potion. She's not his type. I know my brother.”
“You have disappointed me Jessica. I'm ashamed!” Mulaudzi Snr
“Inwi musidzana, you want Lutendo to abandon his unborn child? If you really love him, you will do the right thing.”
Lutendo walked in. “What's going on here? Baby?” he tried to touch me but I shrugged my shoulder. “Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?”
“Ask your sister, miss know it all.” Mulaudzi Snr said and walked away.

I told him everything and Tshifiwa was called. Upon her arrival we told her everything. To say she was shocked would be putting it mildly.

“Jessica,where did you get those lies of me carrying Lutendo’s baby?”
“Tshifiwa, just tell the truth. Don't be afraid.” Makhadzi

She abruptly stood up, and started laughing while shaking her head.
She looked at me. “I don't know what kind of weed those two smoked, but this baby is not Lutendo’s. I have never slept with him. Back then, I will admit I had a silly crush on him. But he made it clear that he does not see me that way. I have never been a desperate person. I let the issue go. My only mistake was to tell, Makhadzi, Lutendo’s cousin that I had a crush on him. Now you know those two don't like you, don't accept anything they give you.” she left

I know every family has drama, but Makhadzi and Jessica were unnecessary. They ruined a good weekend. Thank the heavens we were leaving.
They were having a family meeting, because of Makhadzi and Jessica's behaviour. They wanted me to stay but I decided not to. Don't want to give them more reason to hate me. I sat at the garden and I smiled when I saw the sunflowers.
“Lutendo, did say you adore sunflowers.” Dakalo, sat next to me
I just kept quiet.
“My brother loves you Khanyisile. He always talked about Khanyisile the intern.”
I smiled. “I know he loves me and that's all that matters right?”
“Our parents adore you as well. They fell more in love when you tried your best to speak TshiVenda.”

We laughed remembering my failed attempts yesterday.
“Jessica and Makhadzi, have always been the loose screws in this family. Don't pay attention to what they say.”

Mme Mulaudzi, gave us a fruit basket and lots of hugs. She's a bundle of joy.
“Ni tshimbile zwavhudi.” (Goodbye)
I gave Ronewa a kiss then we left.

It was very quiet in the car. I switched the car radio on, “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Mariah Carey was on.
“Baby, I'm sorry about how the day ended. If I had known they were going to act like that, we would have stayed in a hotel instead.”
I just sang along to the song. I know it's not his fault but I am a little bit hurt. I know there will always be a family member who won't like you but I had hopes that they were different.
“Sthandwa sami, please don't shut me out. Just say something.”
“I'm not angry at you. We don't choose family.”
“Give your man some love.” the robot was red. I gave him a sloppy kiss.

“Ndi a ni funa Khanyisile.” (I love you)
“Ek is ook baie lief vir jou, Meneer Mulaudzi.” (I love you too, Mr Mulaudzi)

We arrived at his place at around 20h00.
I freshened up then called Kele;
“MaNgcobo?”
“Mrs Tlou to be.”
“I thought you're coming back today?”
“We just arrived.”
“Where? Khanyisile I'm in the apartment.”
“Not our place obviously. We had a long day, we decided to come here instead.”
“What happened? Don't tell me there was a big fight!”
“I'll tell you everything when I see you Chommie.”
“That's if I see you.”
“Meaning?”
“You're never home.”
“Is that jealousy in the air?” we both laughed
“Tomorrow you better come home, otherwise Angelique Ngcobo is having your white ass for breakfast.”
The door opened, Lutendo walked in holding a box of pizza and a bottle of wine.
“Chommie, bye.”

“We dimmed the light and enjoyed our pizza.”
“Babe, are we drinking the wine from the bottle?”
He returned with the wine glasses. We were watching previous episodes of “The Red Room”
“You really love these Turkish telenovelas, mufunwa.”
“Not all of them. Some will just drag and drag until you don't understand what the story is all about anymore. Like the ‘Elif’ story.”
“So you don't like Elif?”
“I don't hate it, but it's not on top of my favourite list.”

He pulled me to him, I put my head on his chest. He just smiled and pecked me twice on the forehead. “Tell me more about the red room.”
It's very different from most of the Turkish telenovelas I have seen. It focuses more on broken souls that need healing. It shows the importance of therapy and healing. There's this woman who has not left her matrimonial home, in about thirty five years, if I'm not mistaken. She has gotten so used to being inside, that even after her abusive husband died, she still couldn't go out. I love Aaliyah mostly, you know...” I noticed that he was asleep.
Mxm! So much for tell me about the red room. Why didn't you just say I must sing you a damn lullaby? I switched off the TV and light. Snuggled closer and closed my eyes.

“Aah.. yes.. aah.”
I woke up to Lutendo buried deep inside my coochie. He wrapped my leg around his waist while he put the other on his shoulder.
The strokes were too deep in this position.
“Baby, slow down.”
He upped his pace instead. He fondled my boob and sucked the other.
“Baby, aah.”
He gave me a deep thrust and I had my orgasm. “Fuck! Khanyi.” He continued to thrust until he reached his orgasm. I felt him twitch deep inside me.

“Good morning Ms Ngcobo.” he said out of breath
“A good morning, indeed Mr Mulaudzi...”