Shrivelled Roses 2: Iyana Kleinbooi

10

CHAPTER TEN

-BUHLE-

He may have drank more than two glasses of the wine, but she stuck to her one glass, and she didn't even finish it. They stepped out of the restaurant and walked to the car, hand in hand...

Buhle: Will you be able to drive?

Clive: I am not drunk sisi.

Buhle: I know, but for safety, maybe I should drive?

Clive: You don't trust me?

She sighed, and surrendered.

They drove out of the premises and instead of him driving home, he drove to the beach and she decided to not question him. He parked at a fair distance and got out of the car, opened her door and held out his hand for her... she took it and got out of the car. She took a short walk away from the car, closed her eyes and breathed the salty air...

He joined her, with snacks, she frowned at him and then laughed at how well he had planned the evening.

Clive: I used to come here with my mother, I think I was nine or so...

Buhle: I still come here with my sister. My parents are too traditional to do such things. uBaba uzokutshela ukuthi umuntu othanda amanzi akavele aphenduk'ugobela nje.

Clive: You are daddy's little girl, I can see the sparkle in your eye.

Buhle: I am. I won't even deny it.

He nodded...

Buhle: This is in no way related to me or the other woman, but I would like to know if you were to have kids, how many would you want?

Clive: Hypothetically speaking? Three would be enough for me, especially if all three are boys.

Buhle: Typical Zulu man.

Clive: Typical African man.

Buhle rolled her eyes... and he smiled at her.

Clive: Do you want to have children?

Buhle: Are we still speaking in the hypothesis?

Clive: No.

Buhle: Phew, okay... I don't know.

Clive: You either do or you don't...

Buhle: It is unfortunately not that simple...

Clive: Medical conditions?

Buhle: Uhm, I don't think I want to talk about it.

Clive: I respect that... but if you want to talk about it, or anything else, I am here for you. Even if I am not here physically, you are allowed to call me.

Buhle looked at him...

Clive: I mean it, you can call me anytime of the day or night.

Buhle: I appreciate you... but I wouldn't want to destroy your relationship with her like that.

Clive: Nkosazana, the other woman is a nonfactor when it comes to this marriage, you take priority. I mean it when I say you can call me anytime.

Buhle: I don't like how you're talking about her. I am of belief that she was here before me.

Clive: Yes she was, but we paid lobola for you, you are the only woman recognized by my forefathers and they would strike me with lightening should anything happen to you in my care. So please, when you need me, forget that there is a possibility of another woman. Be selfish.

She laughed...

Buhle: You don't know what you're asking me to do.

Clive: Be clingy Nkosazana, bore me with your demands if you have to.

Buhle: Do you want a slow death Mntungwa? Because what you are asking for is exactly that.

Clive: I want you to know that you have a caring husband.

Buhle: Mh, okay, I will hold you on that.

He smiled, eating his snacks while eyeing her as the moonlight hit her highlighted cheekbones. She was indeed such a beauty...

Buhle: I think we should uhm, return home. I am kind of getting cold.

Clive: Sure, come.

They walked closer to the car, again, he opened the car for her and then went to his side of the car, and drove away. She plugged in her phone, and played music. One song that complimented the entire evening was "Jikizinto" by Zonke so she played the whole album. They got home, she left him in the lounge and went to change into comfortable fluffy pajamas. She turned the lights off, but switched on the side lamps, and put on the heater. As she was about to get in bed, he knocked and she went to open the door for him... but stood in the way.

Buhle: Mntungwa?

Clive: I wanted to thank you for tonight... I had fun.

Buhle: Well, thank you for making time, I enjoyed myself.

Clive: Can I get a goodnight kiss? Because I kind of know you won't allow me into your room tonight.

Buhle: You were hoping to share my bedroom with me?

Clive: Not really, but I am hoping for a goodnight kiss.

She laughed and stepped closer to him... he welcomed the gesture, his hands finding comfort on her hips as their lips found each other. She slightly parted her lips, slipping her tongue between his parted lips and he welcomed her with all his might. They kissed, hands all over each other's bodies. After a long minute, he sucked her bottom lip as she pulled away. He smiled at her, and she smiled back, taking a few step backwards as she closed the door and left him hungry for more than what he had tasted...

"Ulale kahle Nkosazana" he called out.

"Ngiyabonga Khumalo" she called out too, as she walked to the bed, got in and closed her eyes. "Oooh Buhlebenkosi... what are you doing?" she asked herself but the next minute she looked at her face on the phone mirror and sighed... she had makeup to remove. She slipped into the sleepers and went to wash the makeup off, as she applied tissue oil onto her face, she looked into the mirror and smiled... "Okay maybe you can enjoy the fun while it lasts baby girl, sleeping with him won't kill you, you know you want him as much as he wants you" the inner voice sounded louder than the one that was reprimanding her earlier.

She walked away, got in bed and slept throughout the night.

The following morning, she woke up still feeling mushy and happy...

"Okay Buhle, Kuriyata is the culprit, not Clive. Clive is your husband and he is willing to put you first... how about you play around that? Test him, make him believe that you are fully dependent on him, but most importantly baby girl, make him want you..."

Ah, another motivation from the inner voices.

She walked out of her room and went to make porridge, and coffee. Once that was ready, she took the tray to the room he had spent the night in... she knocked, he opened up and smiled at the sight before him as he welcomed her in. She put the tray on the bedside pedestal and stood against the wall while he still stood by the door...

Buhle: I hope I didn't wake you.

Clive: I have been up for a couple of minutes... thank you for this. I really feel at home.

Buhle: You're welcome, are you staying for breakfast?

Clive: Breakfast? This is enough breakfast mama.

Buhle: Oh, you don't want the bacon, eggs and the whole tsha-tsha?

Clive: Cha mama, ngi right la.

Buhle: Alright then, enjoy your breakfast. I'll be found in the kitchen should you need anything.

He nodded at her... she walked closer to the door and her chest rubbed against his... he felt her heave but decided to pretend like he didn't feel anything. He watched her walk back to the kitchen before closing the door and taking his bowl to eat.

"Patience Mntungwa... she will soon be like patty in your hands" a voice in his head rubbed his ego and he chuckled... laying the pipe down was never the plan, but he had married her, and maybe he deserved a round or two. Unforced of course.