Zekhethelo: Love redefined.

chapter 5 : rediscovered passion

It's 5 o'clock and I've just finished cooking, my mum is in the sitting room with Okuhle, Athi is outside playing. I've updated my mum on events from earlier today and yes I've received the notification for R75000 which is inclusive of the money that I need to use to purchase everything I'll need, I've sent them my menu and I am awaiting their approval before I can purchase the groceries.

A thought crosses my mind as I am scrolling through my phone, "ma, can I temporarily move back into the house? And use the outside room for the catering project?" She looks at me blankly, "since when do you even ask to move back into your own home?" I smile shyly, my mother's house is a 7 room house, there's 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a main bathroom, open plan dinning room and sitting room, as well as an ensuit in her bedroom, but she practically lives alone in the house as my sister has her own room and since I am back I've also occupied my backroom.

So I'm moving back into what used to be my room before the backrooms and before the house was extended. I decide to dish up for everyone before moving my things from the backroom to the main house, In no time I am done moving, I mean I don't have many things to move.

My sister arrives and helps with dishing up so I can at least rest. I also fill her in on the events of the day and she's happy for me but, "not that I'm downplaying your wins, but who are these people? And how do they just accept your proposal on the very same day?" I sigh, she's right though this does seem too good to be true.

"I don't know Za, all I know is that I need the money, so I'll take a shot and see how it goes" she looks at me with pity, I hate that "well then, I knock off early on Friday and you know I don't work on weekends, so I can be one of your workers" I smile in excitement, then I remember I didn't really consider labour as part of the quotation that I've sent, "what is your rate Za?" She chuckles, "just cover up for me whenever I have to go to my mansss and we're good".

I smile and give her a hug, now Za is the least affectionate in the family so I wonder how she maintains this relationship, she pushes me off to a point whereby I almost fall, "you know I hate hugs!" She says, I just laugh at her.

She goes on to fill me in on how things are going between her and Chad, they met in varsity, he's white. We finally retire to bed.

*The next day*
"Mama...", his little hands are busy tapping my face, these are the moments I want to cherish, little miss is playing with my weave "Athi, how did you guys get in here?" She isn't even paying attention to me "gogo opened for us before she left" , I'm surprised that my mother has left already, when I check the time it's 9h30, how did I even sleep for so long. "Let's go and make breakfast" I stand, "Aunty Za already made us breakfast" Oh God, my family! I can never trade them for anything.

I tidy up the room, arrange everything and then we take a stroll with my babies to the nearby shop, I need to get some airtime and end up buying them some snacks, on our way back someone calls out my name from behind me, "khethelo.." not again, I sure hope it isn't one of those kasi gossip moguls because I'm not in the mood.

I turn back and oh my word! "Neli!" She engulfs me in a hug, "I heard you were back kodwa I didn't think coming to see you was a good idea, didn't want you to think I'm being like everyone else around here" oh she has always been a sweetheart, "nonsense, asambe so we can sit on my mother's stoop and catch-up, for old times sake?" She smiles and then we walk back home.

Neli and I grew up together, she was one of the most genuine friends I've had in the whole of Dube, she and I were in seperable, until after high-school when I went to study at UCT, she remained and was doing hospitality at a tvet College closer to home.

We finally get home and I basically fill her in, because one thing about her, she is not judgemental and I know she won't go around spreading my business, she also fills me in, she has no children, recently got divorced because she is apparently unable to bare children, she was a housewife and now she's back home as well, unemployed and just like me, the talk of the town.

"Hey, I actually have this catering gig happening on Saturday, how about you join me? It could be a way for you to earn some extra cash while taking your mind off things" she smiles, "I'd really love that Zee, thank you".

"So what's your rate?" Remember, we don't have a budget for labour, "if you offer transport and food then R2000 is fine" Okay great at least that's something I can work around.

We brainstorm further, I brief her on the menu and basically everything about this catering, she laughs at how i landed this gig but also feels like something is off, just like Za but again, I need this.

I accompany her as uMa arrives. We say our goodbyes then I head back home. "Ungapheki sizodla isinkwa today", as I walk into the sitting room that's what my mum says, at least I get to relax a bit.

The client has accepted the menu meaning they're basically allowing me to freestyle, this is going to be very exciting. I fill my mum in on my day, that's what we do when she gets back from work, we just chat randomly about our day.