KEPT

18. WHEN IT RAINS.

KHANYISA

On Saturday we attend the funeral at Soshanguve and it is a rainy day. The weather is a reflection the mood itself as it is not only raining from the clouds but also from the eyes of the bereaved family members.

My heart breaks for his wife and children once more because I know that once today is done with, once everyone returns from the cemetery to eat then bid them farewell, only then will grief and reality hit them and stick around for a longer period of time compared to the relatives that have been with them throughout the week. They will start to feel the shift in their family when it's just them and their mom left, that's the sad reality of death.

We start at the family home but Nkosi and I and a few other people remain outside in order to give the family enough space and privacy to view their loved one for the last time. From there we head to a church for the service. There is a somber and gloomy atmosphere all round but the church choir does their best to uplift our spirits through their amazing hymns in between the speakers of the day. When it's Nkosi's turn, he stands by the podium confidently so, he's wearing a fitted black suit with a white shirt and black tie, he trimmed his beard and as he stands there talking in front of everyone I don't hear a single word he's saying because I'm too busy checking him out, I know this isn't the time or place for it but I can't help it, this man is too good looking and I can't keep my eyes off him, he's the distraction that I need in this very moment.

The Reverend is the last one to stand and his sermon is also uplifting, he doesn't take up a lot of time and then the deceased's colleagues render a musical item in honor of their friend and colleague. It is a dignified and peaceful service that I'm sure his family appreciates.

When that's done we move to the cemetery, it's drizzling outside so Nkosi holds out a huge black umbrella for the both of us as soon as we start walking towards the burial site. I'm glad I chose to wear block heels otherwise the mud all round would be showing me flames right now.

Nkosi holds my hand firmly as we walk on the uneven, slippery and muddy ground and when we come to a stop he keeps his arm around my waist, keeping me very close to him.

We get through the last part of the funeral then everyone heads back to the family home for lunch. Some of the employees sit with us as those who knew the deceased driver very well reminisce about the times they spent with him, two hours later we say our goodbyes and head home.

****
When the week starts, Nkosi gets ahold of a P.I who comes highly recommended by one of Lwazi's associates. Things are still not making sense and I know that there will be no peace until we get answers as to who is behind this whole mess and why.

Bangizwe, bab'Mdlalose and Liyana are the only other people in the company who know about this P.I business and they all agreed that it is best to keep it under wraps just incase the culprit is someone with ties to them or the company, so whatever meetings they are going to have with this guy will be held at our house.

"How long did the guy say again?"I ask him on Tuesday morning while preparing his lunch.

" He asked for a couple of days,"

"He's that good?"

"He comes highly recommended by Lwazi, so I believe he is,"

"So Lwazi is into these secret service kind of things?" I ask and he chuckles.

"Let's just say he knows people who know people and his people are always reliable, "

"You sound like you've done this before, " I say and his face changes.

"I have, but that was a long time ago, " he checks the time on his wrist watch, he's indirectly telling me that he doesn't want to talk about it but curiosity gets the better of me.