Shrivelled Roses 2: Iyana Kleinbooi

5

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 FIVE

-Buhle-

Monday morning, Buhle woke up, packed a weekender bag, and flew to Cape Town International Airport for an impromptu, risky meeting. It took a lot for her to trust the lady she was meeting, but she had nothing to lose. And besides, she had wanted to catch a breather for some time, without being monitored by her father's servants or the Khumalo spies. She had never caught any of the supposed spies, but she kind of felt like there was someone out there who was monitoring her movements. Every day.

Upon arrival, Uyabukwa Stomp, a friend of Kuriyata's girlfriend was already waiting for her at the airport. Buhle spotted her first, and walked up to her.

Buhle: Uyabukwa?

Uya: Buhle? Hi, oh sorry, saw'bona nkosazana!

Buhle: You may call me Buhle, please.

Uya opened her arms and they shared a brief hug and then followed each other to her car. Buhle had booked herself into the Grande Kloof hotel, so it was easier for them to have brunch at the Zest Restaurant which was three minutes away from the hotel. After placing their orders, Buhle could feel Uya's anxiety so she decided to break the ice.

Buhle: You wanted us to uhm... talk?

Uya: Uhm... yes... I don't know why I'm suddenly nervous.

Buhle chuckled, knowingly.

Buhle: Maybe it's because you know we shouldn't be meeting. You are literally betraying your friendship with Siyasisanda by sitting across from me.

Uya: You know she is in the picture?

Buhle: I know she is currently dating my rapist and I know she is one of your best friends. Yes.

Uya: What do you mean "one of"?

Buhle: There's Iyana as well.

Uyabukwa nodded.

Her work was cut out for her... Buhle knew exactly who was who. She had done her research.

Uya: Phew, okay. So I wanted us to talk about the accusations. I believe you, you don't have to explain yourself to me, I believe you.

Buhle: Mh, so why am I here if you believe me?

Uya: I guess I just wanted to assure you that there's another woman who's been through worse, whom you can have on your side.

Buhle laughed.

In her mind, she wondered if Uyabukwa thought she was stupid or naïve. Uyabukwa was a friend to both the women affected by her relations to the Khumalo brothers but she was sitting across her with a fork in her mouth availing herself to be her alibi? No ways!

Uya: Why are you laughing?

Buhle: What kind of friend are you though? I mean, yes I came all the way here, but I thought you would change your mind about the meeting.

Uya: I just... I wish you could get your justice.

Buhle: What do your friends think about the accusations?

Uyabukwa chewed, stole a side glance towards the door and then focused back on Buhle.

Uya: Iyana did her research, she knew the truth for about six months but couldn't bring herself to ask Clive until the first weekend of your arranged wedding.

Buhle: Mh.

Uya: I think Siyasisanda and I found out at the same time... the last time I heard commentary from Siya I caught that she doubts everything. I even asked her, but I couldn't get a straight answer... because mna I know I wouldn't be able to sleep with a man that could have possibly raped another woman and showed no remorse after that.

Buhle: So you do believe that he is capable of doing such? Violating a woman I mean?

Uya: He has never given me a reason to, but for some reason, I feel like you are telling the truth. I fear that by the time Siya finally sees him for who he is it may be a bit too late.

Buhle nodded.

Buhle: Well, he did rape me and he has denied it countless times. I have made peace with the fact that he may never admit it, but my mission is to make him pay. I do not trust the South African justice system, it has failed so many women and I will never be part of them, so I have decided to do things my way.

Uya: Your way?

Buhle: Yes. I will make Kuriyata's life a living hell. I am worried about your friend... she will get burnt if she is not careful.

Uya: Siya is a big girl, I'm sure she will be able to handle whatever comes her way.

Buhle: Haha, you think so? How will she be able to do that when she is juggling three men all at once?

Uyabukwa choked on her beverage and Buhle laughed.

Buhle: Don't die on me just yet!

Uya: How did you find out about that???

Buhle: I did my research baby... even on you!

Uya: Wow! Okay... I did not anticipate that and I will not even ask you questions. Can we also jump to the absurd marriage proposal?

Buhle: Marriage proposal?

Uya: I did my research too, I know they want to marry you. Please don't accept it.

Buhle: Why not? Marriage is every girl's dream, especially a princess. It's a big deal where I come from.

Uya: I know that... but Iyana loves Zwelethu,I know he loves her too but he loves his family and he is probably being pulled by the nose into this.

Buhle laughed again, shaking her head.

Buhle: Zwelethu and I got married two months ago. I am not sure if your Iyana is aware of that.

Uya: What?

Buhle: You should be thorough when doing your research baby girl.

Uya: You are lying, where's proof?

Buhle took out her phone and showed her pictures.

Uyabukwa couldn't believe her eyes, her heart broke for Iyana but there was nothing she could do. Clive made his choice, and it wasn't Iyana. After spending half the day with Buhle they departed and Buhle went along with her second item for the trip. That was to meet Priyanka, the daughter of the Khumalo family private banker. Priyanka knew about the rape, since it happened, and she had always had Buhle's back, like most of her friends. Meeting up with her was the best thing Buhle could do for her financial health. Priyanka was going to divert some funds from the family investment into Buhle's account, but the trick was to make it look like Kuriyata did the diversion. The meeting with Priyanka almost took the whole night, but there was no complaining, it was one fruitful meeting. By the time Buhle flopped onto her bed, she already had R50 000 in her account, from "Kuriyata".

Tuesday morning Buhle woke up and just enjoyed the breeze...

Two things were accomplished. She had money, and she had Uyabukwa as an alibi. Yes, she still wasn't sure of what role Uya was to play in any of her plans, but it helped to know that she was available at her disposal. Any time.