Silent Pain : Landokuhle's Story

Chapter 07

#07 - Drinks with a stranger.

I had just finished my meeting with some investors in Durban , it was held in Rocomamas in Florida. After the meeting , I went to some vibey grill house restaurant that I had saw. I sit by the bar area and order a glass of dry red wine. The wine seemed to be not what I wanted so I ordered a cocktail. It's by luck that I didn't drive here plus my hotel is not so far from here.

I don't know how or when but I was now having a full conversation with this guy , we were talking about life.

Him : "Honestly if I could , I'd get rid of them."

Me : "That bad?"

Him : "I lost my father a year ago and now his wife is so thrilled in wanting to sell my father's properties and businesses that were for her kids."

Me : "what?"

Him : "Yeah , father didn't leave any extreme assets for his wife but us his kids. Him and his wife had three kids that are triplets , two boys and a girl and they still in high school so they can only access their inheritance once they've graduated from tertiary."

Me : "Isn't there a lawyer for all those things?"

Him : "father's lawyer? Yeah he is there but he's sleeping with father's wife. Luckily I have the necessary docs with me."

Me : "Smart but you can't go around telling people that kind of information especially strangers."

Him : *Chuckles* "don't worry about that. Wena? Why are you drowning in alcohol?"

Me : "I lost my mother two months ago and I can't seem to move on."

Him : "Vele , you don't just move on that easily. The pain will always be there but you just have to learn to live with it cause there's nothing that can be done to bring back people we've lost to the heavens. I'd suggest some retail therapy and I'm not talking about one day shopping and spoiling yourself but go to a retreat and you'll see." I smile at him.

Me : "Thank you."

Him : "No problem. You have a beautiful smile , it lightens up the room , you should smile more."

Me : "Thank you."

Him : "Travel safely back home Muhlezi." He says and strokes my chin then walk out without even glancing back. I request an uber and also go home.

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I was now back in my apartment , I got here two hours ago and I'm famished. I make myself a chicken mayo sandwich with a glass of sugar water (umbhubhudlo). I sit in front of the TV in just a baggy t-shirt and socks , and a throw covering my legs. A knock erupts , people have no timing man ; I go open and it's my big sister Khanyi.

Me : "Come in." She goes to the lounge , I close the door and follow her ; I find her sitted comfortably with my throw , already eating my food too and I hate that.

Khanyi : "I couldn't help myself plus you know I love your food." I roll my eyes and take the remaining sandwich and eat. From the corner of my eye I can see her stealing glances at me but I won't dare say a thing.

Khanyi : "So......"  I turn to her with my eyebrows raised for her to continue talking.

Me : "So?"

Khanyi : "Me and the others are worried about dad and we all agreed on something." She says looking at me.

Me : "Something like What?"

Khanyi : "That maybe you should move back home and stay with dad so you can keep a close eye on him."  I chuckle sarcastically and grab the dishes to put them in the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of wine then gulp it , another one & a last one then go back to the lounge.

Me : "Uthi kutheni?"  (What did you say?)

Khanyi : "we think you should go back home and stay with dad." The nerve bazalwane! She even repeats her nonsense.

Me : "Why?" I can feel my angel rising right now.

Khanyi : "Landokuhle , baba is drowning himself in alcohol , he's always in his bedroom , he even turned down our suggestion of leaving that house and buying a new one."  I stop her from talking.

Me : "Not only did y'all went MIA on us but you now wanna waltz in and force dad on how to grieve? Y'all irritate me." She slaps me and my anger rises even more.

Khanyi : "we are still older."

Me : "Did you just slap me? You have some nerve yazi , you can't even discipline your own kids but you slap me? My PARENTS have never slapped me kodwa wena you think you have that right?! Get out of my apartment!"  I scream at her.

Khanyi : "I'm sorry little sis , I didn't mean to."

Me : "GET OUT KHANYISA!" she walks out. I click my tongue and lock the door. Khanyisa thinks I'm stupid , no they all think I'm stupid. My phone rings and it's non other than big sister Zamo , I reject her call. A message follows

'Landokuhle. You better answer that call or I'll come to your apartment myself.'   Mxm.