Simbongile Princess Ntabeni: The Called (S2)

Chapter Sixteen

-Siyambonga Ntabeni-

The following morning we all went to school, the day's proceedings were not entirely different from any other day. After school as I walked out the school gate, I saw Lisa with her cousin across the road and laughed. She saw me, and they crossed the road towards where I was walking.

Lisa: Hey babe. Me: Lisakhanya. Lisa: Though I'd surprise you. Me: With her?Lisa: I needed a ride, and she has a bike. Me: Great... so what's up?

All this time I was walking, and she was right beside me. I needed to visit Thina before 4pm because she didn't come to school, again.

Lisa: I uhm... can we talk? Or can we go somewhere to talk?Me: About?Lisa: About us Siya!Me: But there is no "us" anywhere Lisa. I broke up with you last year already. Lisa: That's what we need to talk about. Please?I sighed and looked at the time. Me: Okay fine, not today though. I am rushing off somewhere. Lisa: But I am not in Cape Town for long, can you not reschedule?Me: No. We can either talk later today ogqiba kwam lento ndiyoyenza or ngomso after my practice.

She didn't respond.

Me: You enjoy these surprises futhi. Last time you did this was on my mother's wedding day and you expected me to just drop everything and come to you caba mna andina life, I don't plan. Ndisoloko ndilinde wena to just appear out of nowhere. She gulped, and stopped while I continued to walk.

Lisa: I'm sorry. Me: Sure. Lisa: Will you call or text when you get a chance for us to talk?Me: Yeah. Lisa: Bye. Me: Sure.

I saw a taxi and stopped it, got in and went to see Thina. I didn't even get to buy her flowers or anything because ndiphazanyiswe ngu Lisa and I knew if I intended to go to the shops first then I wouldn't make the time. She opened the gate, but stood at the door. I walked up to her, and opened my arms for a hug. She smiled, and fell right into it. We walked backwards to the lounge, she obviously knew her home like the back of her hand. We sat down, on one couch then she abruptly got up and went to fetch drinks for both of us. Once she was seated back next to me I asked about her ankles and prescriptions. She was bubbly, ingathi akaqaqanjelwa. Which was good... otherwise I wouldn't know what to do with her. At half-past three I had to request an Uber...

Thina: Thank you for coming by, I really appreciate you for it. Me: Argh, next time I will bring you flowers. Thina: I am allergic to flowers. Rather bring chocolates. Me: Wow, okay.

She smiled, playing with her hands.

Me: Out with it. Thina: I hear Lisa is in town. Me: Mh, I saw her on my way here. Thina: Did you tell her uza apha?Me: Was I supposed to?

She sighed...

Thina: I like you Siya neh, but I don't like sneaking around. I know she still loves you and kuye nisekwi relationship. So ndiyakucela torho, before you commit to us, to me, can you please sort out into yakho naye kuqala?

I breathed...

Thina: I know you said I shouldn't worry about her but Siya... I'm stuck at home because of swollen ankles, I have never had such before. All of a sudden... I am not saying she has anything to do with this but I think it would be best if we stop seeing each other until lento yenu icace ba ibheka ngaphi.

I nodded...

Thina: I uhm... I know it's not going to be easy... but it has got to be done. Me: I get you. Thina: Enkosi... and again, thank you for coming by today. Me: Anytime... I uhm, I have to get going. My Uber is almost here.

She stood up and I followed suit, I opened my arms for a hug and she hesitated for a second but finally gave in. We kept the hug tight for a few seconds and then I retracted and looked down at her... she blinked multiple times, and that moment I stole a kiss. She didn't push me back, so I gunned for it. We only stopped when my phone vibrated... my ride was at the gate. I nodded and walked away, she opened the gate and watched me leave. I knew her friends told her about Lisa. They must have seen her at school... or seen me with her. When I got home I could feel a slight headache... luckily, mom was alone in the lounge so I sat with her for a while. She frowned at me...

Mom: And then?Me: Women issues. She blurted out laughing and I just smiled at her. Mom: Mh, you used plural for woman. Me: Because there's two.Mom: Okay, are we talking about it?Me: I think so... just don't judge. She nodded, smiling. Me: I have this girl that I like, apparently she likes me too. Mom: The one you brought to the wedding?Me: Yes! Yes, that one. Mom: Okay. Me: And then there's Lisa... lo nimaziyo ke. Mom: Akanqabe, is she still around?Me: She moved to the Eastern Cape... now this is the story neh? Even before ndibeno Lisa I wanted the second girl, her name is Thina. But your daughter laughed at me saying that she, the second girl, was waaay out of my league. Fast forward to last year ke saqala sancokola and that's when I realized that the feelings were mutual. Mom: So you broke it off with Lisa?Me: Yes, I did. But, she didn't seem to get the idea. Entirely so. Mom: What does that even mean?Me: Engqondweni ka Lisa mama we are still dating. I mean, I broke up with her before your wedding. She came back, and I reminded her that we were no longer dating yangathi undivile and that was right after your wedding. Today she is back ufuna sithethe. Sizothetha ngantoni? What's so difficult to understand kwi break up kanti?

Mom laughed at my frustration. But it was better ndihlekwe nguye than getting a lecture from Sim.

Mom: Okay ndoda, I see this in two ways. It's either Lisa is obsessed with the idea of being in a relationship with you or she has attachment issues because I cannot say Luthando. Andimazi, I cannot conclude that based on what you're telling me. Either way ke mntanam, if she wants ya'll to talk then I would suggest you allow her, hear her out and then when she's done talking umxelele where you stand. Make her firmly understand your stance in the relationship as a whole.

I nodded...
Mom: This other one, how do you know uyakuthanda yena?Me: It's an unexplainable feeling mama... but ne actions zakhe speak louder. I mean, she called to check up on me after the funeral. She actually wished she was able to travel with us... it's the little things. And she's very considerate.
Mom just nodded her head dreamily. I thanked her for her time and went to change... it was either I wrap up the whole issue with Lisa that very night or forget about it. ****