KEPT

6. SONDELA.

KHANYISA

As agreed I meet Cheryl outside her house and she leads the way to the salon. While driving behind her, my sister calls.

"Mhani Mdlalose, minjhani?" [Mrs. Mdlalose, how are you? "

"Hi pfukile, minjhani"[I'm well and you?] I smile, only she calls me Mhani Mdlalose and she does it teasingly.

"Na hina hi pfukile, tiri yini?" [I'm also good, what's up?] "

" Ah, ati rhasi [Nothing much] I'm just headed to the salon right now, I've got a thing with Nkosi's family tomorrow,"

"You mean your family, " She rectifies me sternly and I roll my eyes taking advantage of the fact that she can't see me.

"Yes, my family, "

"You don't sound happy about it, " she says and I look for a way to downplay it.

"I'm just nervous, that's all," What I mean to say is, I'm nervous about Liyana.

"That's why this is necessary, for you guys to get used to each other, "

"I know, what have you been up to?" I change the topic not wanting to think about my sister in-law.

"Nothing much, just work, Amu and the kids. You know, my life is pretty much plain at the moment and I so wish I could spice it up, "

"You must plan something for you and boti Amu, a couples weekend away, I could always look after the kids, "

"Nkosi wouldn't mind?"

"I doubt it, just let me know when, "

"Alright sesi, I will. Let me get back to you, there's a call coming though, "

"Sharp [bye]"

We arrive and I follow Cheryl in the salon. It's not so packed and we are attended as soon as we enter. Cheryl is here for her nails and I get someone to do my hair, I want to wash it and braid a simple hairstyle that allows me to wear my weaves, I love weaves so much that I have a collection of them. Between them, shoes and handbags, I can't seem to decide where my obsession lies the most.

Cheryl and I aren't so far from each other so we keep the conversation going.

"Nick's mother is coming this Saturday. I'm going to need to stock up on my liquor, " she says dreadfully. In the few days that I've known her, I've learned just how much her mother inlaw despises her, she tries to hide it but I see how much it hurts her, what hurts more is that there's nothing she can do. The woman is her husband's mother, she has no choice but to stick it out.

"Maybe it won't be that bad, "

"You think?" She says making a face "That woman wishes she could make me disappear, I'm telling you, she's going to make my life a living hell for the duration of her stay, "

"I'm sorry, I wish she would see how much of a strain she's putting on you,"

"I wish so too, but I believe she does and just doesn't care, I can't with that woman, nothing I do is ever good enough, " she frowns.

"If it's any consolation, I won't have it easy this Saturday too."

"Liyana?"

"You know it, she's coming too and I'm not looking forward to seeing her, " I mumble.

"What's her deal anyway? Did she want to marry her own brother?"

"Girl, the day I find out, you'll be the first to know. Now I just need something strong to get me through the evening,"