Maid For Marriage

70

Classes started, and I was thriving not only in practical work but also in theoretical work. Nothing came easy I was working hard but I loved every moment of it. One day chef Frederico came into our class and just stood in the balcony watching us.

We were working in the lab. The lab was just a huge kitchen with several different stations for prep work and cooking. We were busy with knife skills. One of the areas I shine in. He was just standing there watching over us and I completely ignore him and focused on my task. I was not only fast but I was precise. Years of Makoti training now seemed very useful.

"Look at that. Precision work. You were born to do this." I couldn't help the small smile on my face. "Thank you chef." Out of the corner of my eye I saw chef Frederico leave the balcony. I thought he would come down to the lab but he never did. I was probably still just the diversity pick to him.

I took a bus home because I still didn't have a car. MaKhumalo was waiting for me in our living room. "Here she is." Ma said giving me a weird look. "Hi, you weren't picking up my calls or answering my texts. So I decided to come check on you." She looked me up and down. I wasn't in my uniform anymore. I was wearing a jeans and croptop with a heavy backpack hanging on my shoulder.

"Sorry about that. I've gotten really busy lately." My aunt excused herself and I put my backpack down. "Oh I understand. Are you working?" We sat down. "No, I'm in school." She gasped. "That's amazing. What are you doing?" I was awkward when it came to any sort of communication but I realized that having a conversation won't hurt. "I'm in culinary school. I'm just doing what could be considered a bridging course and then next year I'll start my first year." She looked at me in awe. "Wow. That's truly amazing. I happy for you. I came to check on you and I came to ask if you would join us for lunch Friday. I'm not sure how your schedule is now that you're studying."

I didn't want to but I had to figure out what it is that I wanted to do with that part of my life. "Who is this 'us' you're talking about?" I asked before I said yes. "Just the wives. They're all in town because we're having a family picnic with Senzo. I didn't know how you'd feel about that but you can join us if you want." I shook my head as soon as I heard it but I was curious. After everything I still loved him and even though I fought every thought I still worried about him. I thought I could just switch off my feelings but I couldn't. There's a part of me that's clinging onto the hope that everything bad he did was because of his addiction.

"What about the lunch?" She asked hopeful. I nodded. "I'll come." She was really excited about it. We had coffee and I told her about my life. "Ma is really worried about you. She has many questions that I have not answered but can I at least tell her that you're okay?" I nodded. I wasn't forgiving her but I also didn't want her to suffer.

I walked MaKhumalo to her car. My curiosity was killing me. "MaKhumalo how is he?" She seemed shocked. "He is okay. He has finished the rehab program but he's opted to stay. He's not ready for the real world yet." Her eyes clouded up with tears. We said our goodbyes and she drove off. I carried on with my classes for the week until Friday came. I didn't have class on a Friday.

I got ready for lunch. I didn't want to seem disrespectful so I wore a dress. I had braids that I tied up in a high bun and covered slightly with a head scarf. I threw on some hoop earring and heels and took an Uber to the restaurant. I saw them through the window but they didn't see me. The restaurant was empty so they probably booked it out.

"Here she is!" I greeted everyone. They all greeted me as if we were best friends. We sat down to eat. We spoke mostly about the children and MaMlambo's baby shower. "Thandi you are glowing. What's new in your life?" MaGumede asked. "Nothing much." I shrugged. "Oh come on Thandi." MaKhumalo nudged me. "I've started culinary school. That's about it." They all seemed really excited for me. The happiness didn't last long before the elephant in the room was discussed.

"Baba's birthday is coming up and the center said that we could bring the kids and have a picnic. They gave us a list of gifts that are allowed. It's mostly snacks and writing stuff. Nobody is forced to go. If you feel you're ready you can join us there but if not that's understandable." MaKhumalo wasn't talking to me directly but she was talking to me.

After them planning their picnic I was asked to at least sign a card. I did it but I didn't go to the picnic. Instead I went to go look for a car with my aunt's husband Thabo. All I knew was that I wanted the car to be white and look sexy so if Thabo didn't come with me they probably would've scammed me. I found one that I liked but Thabo still made me look around. We eventually went back to the dealership and I had a brand new car.

The semester was almost coming to an end. I was the top student in my program. I loved every minute of it even though I didn't get sleep for days on end. I made a meal once a week for the homeless shelter and I was lucky enough to be able to rent a kitchen. My aunt's house was way too small to cook for two hundred and fifty people.

I went to clear out my locker at the school when I noticed that the apartment building close to it had vacant units. Moving out never even crossed my mind but I had never been alone before. Maybe this was a sign. I didn't need to decide anything. I could just go take a look.

I spoke to someone at the front desk and they showed me a unit. It was nice but the kitchen was small. "There's always the penthouse." The lady told me. I went up with her and I had never in my life seen an apartment this big. It took up the whole floor. I had no idea what I would do with this space but it felt right. The kitchen was perfect. There was a lot of counter space and a lot of cabinet space. It even had a walk-in pantry. I knew I needed to discuss it with my mother first, but I loved it. I wanted it. The woman gave me her details and I went home.

I had no idea how to even start the conversation with my aunt, but like always, she knew something was bothering me. "You've barely said a word since you got home. What's wrong?" I bit my lip. I didn't know how to say this. "Um, Ma..." She stopped putting dishes away and focused on me. "I don't know how to say this. Um, I..." I sighed in frustration with myself. "Thandi, what's going on?" I didn't want her to be worried about me. This was good. I think?

"I stumbled upon an apartment, and I think I want to move out." I said slowly. She stood there shocked. This could only end badly for me.