QUEEN OF DIAMONDS

CHAPTER 25

What do you think it is this time?" Tshidi asked. It's been 3 months since the wedding and we have been once again summoned to Refiloe's cinema. In the past three months I finally got the company rebranded and got our headquarters in Joburg because that was just convenient for the company. I have to travel between Durban and Joburg a lot but Andile and I have talking about moving to Joburg but nothing has been firmly decided yet. We walked in and the guys stopped talking and looked at us. We sat down and looked at them. They greeted and we greeted back."Ladies we have 2 announcements to make. Firstly we are quitting the force," Andile said in that authoritive voice that made me want to strip there and then. "Secondly, I'm sure you ladies are aware of the ongoing elections. Well, we'd like to run for president. I would be the presidential candidate, Mthokozisi as vice, Qhawe as our Minister of Health, Mthunzi would be our Minister of Public Enterprises and Sandile would be the Minister of Finance, " he continued and I zoned out. "No!" Oletha, Tshidi and Amanda said in unison. Refiloe and Mthokozisi had a stare off and Sethu left the room with Sandile following her. Andile looked at me and I stared back at him. "How do you intend on ensuring the kids and us get to spend time with you?" I asked. "We will make it a goal to spend at least 3 meals a week with you guys," Mthunzi replied. "Kea why are you wasting your time, sithi hhayi! Soze!" Sethu said coming back. "Why do you even want to run for candidacy?" Tshidi asked. I don't know what Andile said in response because I was looking at the fierceness in his, how passionate he looked about what he was saying and I made a decision. "I say yes," I said and everyone looked at me. "Haibo Kea!" Oletha said. "I'm not talking for anyone else but me. If Andile wants to run for president, I don't have any other choice but to support him. I would be a hypocrite if I said no when I just asked Andile to change our lives and move to Joburg just for me. He said yes without hesitation because he supports everything I do and so if I sat here and denied him the chance to do something he obviously is passionate about, not only would I be a hypocrite but I'd also make him hate me, and I dont want that. So I say yes," I said." Keabetswe-" Refiloe started but I cut her off. "Theres no point in arguing with them, they have already made up their minds, they just wanted to inform us before we found out on the news," I said. "Keabetswe -" Andile said softly. "Don't please," I replied and we stared at each other. "Does this mean we have to move?" Sethu asked and they nodded. More questions were asked but I stopped listening, as supportive as I was I was mad that Andile made such a life changing decision without consulting me. It's one thing to move but him becoming president? That would change our lives! We are already under media scrutiny as it is and this would make it worse. I try so hard to shield the kids from the press and now I'll have to literally hide them. Afterwards we went upstairs to have dinner but I wasn't really hungry so I just drank water and listened to the silence. When the guys were done eating I said goodbye to everyone and we left. In the car I just put my airpods on and listened to music to avoid talking to Andile. I needed to seethe and calm down before having a conversation with him. When we got home the kids were already in bed so I just washed my make up off, changed in to my pyjamas and got in to bed. "Ma Moloi vuka, ngicela sikhulume," Andile said. If I said no would he leave me alone? "No." I reply. "MaMoloi-" he starts but I cut him off. "There's nothing to discuss you made your decision all I have to do is accept it and move on. Can I sleep in peace hle?" I spat. "No, sit up. You are not a kid, sibadala and that's how we will speak to each other," he says. Helang basadi! I sat up and looked at him. "Bua," I said. "MaMoloi I'm sorry," he said. "For what?" I asked. "For what?" he repeated. "What are you sorry for?" I asked. "For making a decision on our lives alone without consulting you," he replied. I said nothing and just looked away. "Are you going to keep your promise?" I asked. "Which one" he asked. "Are you going to try and spend at least three nights here?" I asked and he nodded. "Promise me something else," I said and he looked at me. "Shield our kids away from this, whatever happens, please," I whispered. "I promise baby," he said. I turned and snuggled against his chest. Silence again. "I'm scared Andile," I whispered after a while. "Me too baby, but I love you and we are going to make it work somehow," Andile replied. "If our marriage starts to crack, promise me you'll fight for it," I said and he gripped me harder. "Don't say that, please," he said in a choked voice. "No, promise me. I don't want to act as if everything is going to be the same. We probably won't have time for each other but I want you, i want us to fight," I said and held out my pinky and he chuckled. "I don't do those weird things." he said. "Just do it, I promise I won't tell anyone," I said. He shook his head and then hooked his pinky through mine. "I love you baby," he said and kissed our fingers. "I love you too," I replied.