Shrivelled Roses 1 (Intro)

Chapter 35

-𝑺𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂 𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒘-

Uyabukwa was most certainly not to be told anything.Yes, loyalty was vital, in any relationship but Uya was just too loyal to Siyabulela that it bore the isht out of Sanda's colorful life. She had told her about the sexual encounter with Chris, and told her about the possibility of "hooking up" with Bongani and that's where Uyabukwa threw out the bottles. She threatened Sanda that she would tell Mzukisi if she were to ever mess up Bongani's relationship, because Bongani was happy with Onele. Did Siyasisanda care about that? No, she only cared about the fact that she was granted another opportunity to mingle with her old love. Maybe rekindle the old love, because to be fair, she was mostly likely still inlove with Bongani than she was with Mzukisi.
Mzukisi went to see her, around 2 pm because she didn't keep her end of the deal. She said she would come to his house, but she didn't, so he drove over there with braaied meat and a bottle of wine. The gate was open so he just drove in, hoping to catch her out doing anything sinister. Unfortunately, he found her laying on her couch eating cookies while talking on the phone with Uyabukwa. They ended the call, and Sanda frowned at a somber Mzukisi before she kissed his cheek, taking the meet to warm it and plate up for both of them.
"Thank you," he took his plate and ate one piece in silence."You good?" She asked, drinking her wine and he nodded before asking, "Ubukuphi izolo?" and she chuckled, nervously now because she felt like he knew the whole truth, what she wasn't going to do though was to incriminate herself."Are we really going to talk about that, today?" she tried ducking away."It's a very simple question, ubukuphi izolo?""I told you I was at home Khumalo, what's with the question kanti?""And I would be a liar if I told you that I spotted your car in one of your boss's properties?" He asked that not even looking at her, her heart did not only sink, but it did a backflip and got stuck in her throat.
Her silence probed him to look up, she wasn't even smiling anymore.But he could see the nerves in his eyes, and the anxiety that accompanied them... she cleared her throat.
"You wouldn't be lying, I went to view the place. It is my project for the year... as his PA I needed to know what we're working with so I would look for suitable interior designers to work on it"
That was a white lie.But he nodded.
"So what time did you go home after viewing the place?" he asked, eating. She knew she was busted, he had proof."I didn't check the time""It was after 3pm, and what time did you go in there?"Now she was sweating... at least if he was angry and maybe cussing, she would know how to react. He was calm. Eating. Minding his own. And bombarding her with questions.If she wanted to pin anything on him she had to think very fast."I don't remember"
He nodded.
"Hay, akunankinga. Bengithi ang'dlule nje ngokubone before I go home""Home as in KZN?" she asked, getting a bit excited that she would now turn the conversation around."Yebo""Mh, you know I have been waiting for you to actually fill me in ngo Buhle. But it seems like I will wait forever... it seems like you are not going to willingly engage me on what really happened there?"He frowned, he did not expect that."Iyana told me""Mh, Iyana. Well, there's nothing to tell. Buhle is lying, I am not a rapist, I would never touch a woman against her will" he answered confidently but she couldn't read him. Yes, she could read the confidence but other than that, he was a closed book. There was something dark in his eyes that she couldn't pin. It was unfamiliar, but it looked like it was just another trait of his, a norm?"You didn't rape her, is that what you're sticking to" she asked, looking straight in his eyes."No, I did not rape her. Why don't you believe me? Do you think I am capable of such?""I am trying to understand why she would single mindedly choose to frame you for rape? What would she gain?" Sanda asked."I don't know... momentum?""Momentum on what Khumalo? Buhle says you raped her, but instead of going to the cops, she marries your brother? What kind of momentum is she gaining from all of this? It is not like she publicized the information, Iyana had to dig for it. What momentum are you talking about?"
He sighed, and wiped his hands.
"Khumalo?""Mfethu, ngithe kuwe I didn't touch her, I don't know what else you want me to say. If you do not believe lento engiy'shoyo then go back to Iyana and get more information, or better yet, as'hambe siye ku Buhle umbuze wonke lombhedo. She will have better answers for you, as the supposed victim"
He got up, took his phone and car keys, then looked at her.She got up, a little disappointed that he wasn't entertaining any of her stunts.
"I am not sure when I'm coming back, I am still going to Pretoria after KZN...what do you need?""I need you...""Besides me, what don't you have? Food? Meat? Toiletries? Electricity" he tried to ignore the puppy eyes."Khumalo, I need you to at least make time for me kule schedule yakho. I understand you're a busy man, but I need you to also prioritize me. Unless you have someone else warming up your bed when I'm not there?"
He smiled, giving into that jealous tone that he knew was faked because of his questions earlier. He sniggled, pulling her waist... kissing her cheeks, tip of her nose and then forehead.
"There will never be another woman warming up my bed... that is your job" he assured her and she smiled wearily."Yet you're leaving, without giving me something to ponder on in your absence"
He chuckled, tightening the grip around her love handles.
"Ah baby, believe me when I say if I had the time, I would... and besides, you look tired. I don't want to wear you off"
She frowned, he bent his head and kissed her lips.Her heart was beating against her chest... why would he say that? Did he know that he had sex with Chris? Yes he knew about her car, but he would need the security access to get into the house to even see that room they were in...
"Ngiyakuthanda mama, and you are priority to me""I love you too Khumalo... travel safe"
He nodded, pecking her lips one last time and then he walked out. She opened the gate for him, and watched him disappear. She ran to the mirror and looked at her face... she didn't look tired, what the hell did he mean? After a few minutes, he sent her R2500 to buy anything eshotayo or buy petrol and go out for lunch with her friend Iyana as Uyabukwa was based in Cape Town.