Shrivelled Roses 1 (Intro)

Chapter 23

-𝑺𝒊𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒉𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑩𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒔𝒆-

A week after arriving in the villages for the December holidays or festivities, Siphesihle Claire Biyase received the call she had been mostly anticipating for. She was offered employment by Siyabulela Ndlongolo.

Siya: I need to sit down with you so that we can go through the contract, can you be in East London tomorrow at nine?

Claire: Yes sir, definitely.

Siya: Alright then, see you tomorrow.

Claire: Thank you, bye!

She ran to her parents and told them the good news.

Everyone was excited, her mother suggested they pray and thank God for that and everyone abode. It was such a beautiful moment, everyone celebrated her even before she signed the contract. Unfortunately, she couldn't call Luzuko because she didn't want to jinx it with being super excited. She promised herself that she would text him the following day.

THE FOLLOWING DAY...

Siya: We currently have three businesses running, and we have positions on two. The reason I wanted us to discuss your contract in person was because I wanted to offer you the freedom to choose between the two. I am meeting the second lady at 12 today, so she will take whatever you didn't.

Claire nodded.

Siya: Ndlongolo and Sons Enterprises is the main business, but then it gave birth to the two that brought us here today: Ndlongolo Livestock and Ndlongolo Couriers. Both the latter two have positions open. The Livestock needs an in-house Accountant, that's your expertise, well, that's what you studied for... according to your CV. Then the courier company needs a receptionist, you have experience in that as well.

Claire: Well, thank you first for the opportunity to be part of the Enterprise and for the grace to choose my fate. My obvious choice would be the Receptionist position because I have more experience in it and it doesn't require much, I just have to be the pretty face of the company.

Siya: But?

Claire: But, I studied Accounting because I love it. I know the job comes with pressure and sleepless nights, but I believe I can take the challenge. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I cannot let my fears of feeling inadequate dictate to me.

Siya nodded.

Claire: If you believe in me that much, and you trust me with your books then I am willing to give it my all.

Siya: That's all I want from you, your all.

Claire: Then we have a deal.

Siya: One more thing, Ndlongolo Livestock is based in the Transkei... that means you will have to move that side for the duration of your contract, unless you won't mind traveling four combined hours to and fro, every day.

Now that was a bummer.

Yes, she wasn't renting the flat. She could leave it unattended and it would still be safe whenever she came back but the struggles of looking for a place to stay in a very remote Transkei? Phew!

Siya: You can go back and think about it, we open on the 12th of January but on the 10th we will need to do an induction.

Claire: It's fine, I'll take it. I have a home in the Transkei. I can always go to East London when I'm off or on weekends.

Siya: Are you sure?

Claire: Yes sir, hundred percent.

Siya: Alright then, here's your contract. I'll give you a few minutes to go over it, I'll be in that office when you're done.

She nodded as he got up and left her.

She went through the contract, they were offering a fair amount for starters, and they had benefits. Salary was to be reviewed after six months, which was also fair. They were basically giving her enough rope to get around. She signed the contract, got her own copy and drove herself to McDonalds for a celebratory McFlurry then she took a picture of her signature and sent it to Luzuko first, then to the family group. Congratulatory message were flooding in from the family, but she waited in anticipation at that one person whose voice she very much longed to hear. She decided to call Chu while waiting...

Chu: Baby gurrrl!

Claire: Where's your twin?

Chu: Uyavasa.

Claire: Tell her to come out, I wanna share some news to the both of you.

Chu: Mh, okay.

Chu walked to the bathroom and asked Mimi to turn off the shower.

Mimi: Siphesihle sama Ngwevu!

Claire: Ndiqeshiwe bethuna, ndiyi employeeeeee!

Chu: Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssss!!!

Mimi: Rhaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Yhiza siyonxila sisi, i Chardonnay is on me.

They laughed.

Chu: Uqeshwa ngu Tamnci mos chomi?

Mimi: Please say yes, yho!

Claire: Yes, your I signed my contract today with your uncle Siyabulela.

Chu: Ah man, he's going to be an incredible boss mntase as long as you do your work to perfection.

Mimi: Yhima Claire, uzophangela aph'eMonti mos?

Claire: Uhm, about that... no. I will be in Transkei.

Chu: Haibo!

Mimi: I thought as much.

Claire: So that means sizobonana ngee weekends ke.

Chu: Did he tell you that you'll be working directly with our dad e Transkei?

Me: What?

Mimi: Yup. Uya kwi Livestock mos?

Me: Yes... I thought he...

Chu: Siya is hands-on kwezi zilapha eMonti ii companies, then Lu is just all over the place. He's the planter of businesses, the negotiator and the "always on the road". Then utata deals with imfuyo and farming of all sorts. So wena, uzosebenza notate. Directly.

Claire sighed.

Mimi: He's a tough cookie to crack, phofu uyamazi nawe.

Chu: Goodluck choza.

Mimi: Before you go, when are you going back home? We should celebrate kaloku.

Claire: Ndingahamba ngomso, lemme check on Onele then we can commute to wherever you guys see fit.

Mimi: Sure.

She hung up and called Onele.

The panic in her chest, unmissable.

She knew utata woo Mincili was a very strict man, she didn't even think he was still in business. But it made sense, he was based in the Transkei for a reason: to look after the Transkei-based business. Why didn't she figure that out? Gosh!

She drove to her, place and once inside the yard, she checked her WhatsApp... her message was still unread. Why did that take a piece of her heart? She knew he was away on business, but he never took that long to respond to her messages. Mh.

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