SIMPHIWE SHANDU THE HUSBAND
CHAPTER 26
JELE
If this is some sort of prank, Nozi should come out from wherever she is. I've been up and down the whole day in search of her. Her phone and car were abounded where she said she had waited for me. The phone was on the ground with a smashed screen and I don’t want to think of the worst. Maybe this is Simphiwe’s doing. My heart is not taking this. I have called the cops and they have told me about the stupid twenty-four-hour shit. I can't wait for that long not knowing where she is. By the look of things, she was captured. She tried fighting but it seems like this person overpowered her.
“Where could you be?” I ask myself. A feeling of despair - I don't know how to feel right now. The first person that comes to mind is Simphiwe. I close Nozi’s car making sure to lock it. If I wiped the evidence then tough luck, I tried all I could and I was pushed into a corner. Will come back later on to take it since the South African cops said there is nothing confirming that she was abducted, they said she could be drunk for all they know. I get into my car and drive in full speed. Passing robots like they do not exist. Someone's life is at stake here and I will never forgive myself if Nozi gets to lose her life. I searched my phone looking for a signal but nothing. I am putting my life at risk - overtaking each and every car I pass by. Lights still on in this house – hope to find her here safe and sound. I step of the car and jump the gate over. Pressing on that buzzer will be sending signals to him. I push the door open harshly. He is here sitting with the kids' watching cartoons. There is a woman in the kitchen. Why am I not surprised – this man cannot live without a new skirt to use.
“Nozi!” I shouted for her name. He stands up and looks at me giving me a confused look.
“Hey, hey. You can't just run into my house and start shouting like a mad man. You are scaring the kids.” he politely says. I looked at Zuri who was now clinging onto her father's leg. It was never my intention to scare her. I take a deep breath and throw myself on the couch.
“Where is she?” I ask.
“If you are asking me about Nozi then I do not know. I left her in town when she said she had to do some groceries.”
“Where in town?”
“At the parking lot, by the mall.”
“Did you suspect her being followed or anything?”
“Genqe, can you take the kids upstairs for a second.” We watch the woman as she takes the kids out of sight.
“What happened?” he asks sitting down. I take time to look at his face searching for answers but his face is blank and lost.
“I don’t know, I was on the call with her and the next thing the call gets disconnected and I thought it was the network. When I arrived on the spot her car was wide open with the keys attached to it. Her phone was on the ground and there were multiple footprints to where she was standing.” I say taking a deep breath.
“But how is that even possible? I mean after giving her the divorce papers she took her leave and that was it. I drove back home because I was with the kids and the sun was out blazing.” he responds. I can tell he knows nothing.
“Did you try any store near the parking lot to show you, their cameras?” he asks. I didn’t think of that.
“No! I was just way too confused to even think about that.” I respond standing up.
“Let me go get my jacket.” He runs upstairs without waiting for me to respond. Minutes Later he comes back with the nanny and he tells her to lock up and don’t open for anyone until he gets back home.
“I hope she is safe. I can't imagine Nozi...” he keeps quiet.
“You can't imagine her dead?” I asked, stealing a glance at him. He looks outside the window and takes a deep breath.
“She has been happy these past few days.” I want to laugh and smile but this is not the time. She might be somewhere in the ditch dead. I don’t know how to respond to his statement. My heart is just heavy. I parked behind her car and we both stepped out.
“The owner of the shop is about to close.” Simphiwe points out. “We need to hurry.” He says. I lock the door and follow him behind.
“Excuse me sir, we need your help on something.” I speak.
“Sorry, we are closed.” he says.
“We just need your CCTV footage. Someone has been kidnapped and the action happened right in front of your shop. We need all the information we could find, please.” Simphiwe.
“Why not go to the police station?” the man asks. This stupid man has some nerve.
“Look, if you don’t want to help its fine. We will look for help elsewhere since you are failing to help your brothers. I wonder if you have a legal passport for being here.” I add. I see him swallow hard and I think this is going exactly where I want. I don’t get to blackmail people but I can do what I want to get what I need. And this right here is what I need.
“Give us what we want and we will not rat on you.” Simphiwe smirks taking steps towards him. The man sighs and swallows. But eventually opens the gate.
“This way.” He leads us and we follow behind. Two screens – jerks were already refusing.
I watch the tape by backtracking. “Here!” I say seeing Nozi standing beside her car. A man coming out of nowhere covers her with a cloth over her mouth and drags her into his van.
“The number plate is not clear.” I say.
“Can we have this footage?”
“It requires a lot of time sir.” The man responds looking uneasy.
“The time is what we have in the world.” I say taking my phone out.
