The Arrangement

Baba

Its been two days since i flew back from Eastern Cape and Christmas is in three days. As soon as I got home, I immediately cleaned my house, with the help of my brothers of course. I made sure to explain everything as best as I could to uBaba and Malume Mandla and the brothers. Every time they ask me if Sino is coming here I say no because I'm not sure she actually will. And I know very well that she needs to spend time with her family, its been long since they saw her so I can understand why they are hogging her up.

Its late in the afternoon right now and I'm sitting with uBaba under the shade of the large mango tree. "Who would have thought that I'd be sitting here with my son, discussing missions that I never thought he'd be taking or that he'd work in the same line of work that I do...much less work with me directly. Isn't life...life"

"Baba wakhuluma engathi uyafa. Yindaba? (Baba why are talking as if you are dying. What's wrong?)"

"Ngathi ngikhohliwe ukuthi wena ihaba into zakho. (I seem to have forgotten that you tend to be overdramatic.)"

"Chaa Baba anginalo nje ihaba. Ukuthi nje, lendlela okhuluma ngayo iyangithusa kodwa ngicela sikhulume ngaloludaba. ( No baba I am not overdramatic. Its just that, the way you are talking right now frightens me but please cab we talk about this matter.)"

"Okay, talk. I'm listening." He signs.

"How did Sino's grandmother know about Hernandez? I never uttered a word about him around her and I sure as he'll never did around any of the kids Oe even Sino herself."

"Well...did you ever stop to think that maybe she's been chasing him all this time too?"

"Why would she-"

"Don't ask stupid questions Siyabonga. You are a trained Black operative. Think like one."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Aii kaze uyingane kabani?( Oh dear, whose child are you?)"

"Last I checked Baba, I am 100% yours."

"Hmm" he scoffed and looked away. We just sat in silence. "So, uMakoti..."

"What about her?" I asked, switching my focus from the mango tree to him. "When are you going to officially make things right?"

"In Jan."

"Why Jan?"

"Baba I don't know, it just seems Right."

"Okay son. Whenever you decide you want to, I will be by your side."

"Thank you Baba." He stood up and and patted my arm before walking off. I et out a sigh and relaxed, just listening to the world around me. I then heard footstep approach me. They were too quiet and calculated. "Xola?"

"Damn it! When will you stop spotting me!" He whines as he throws himself on the chair at Baba was sitting on. I just stared at him. "Yini" he whined once again.

"Uright wena? (Are you alright?)" I question while scrutinizing him. "Aii marn stop looking at me like that! I'm fine" he snaps and closes his eyes.

"Oh. What did you do now?" He opened his one eyes and stared at me. "What makes you think it's me?" He almost growls out in annoyance. "Because ngiyakwazi bhuti. Manje uyenzeni? (I know you brother. So what did you do now?)"

"Its been two full weeks man!"

"INI?" I was confused and that seemed like to him, it was shock.

"I know!"

"No, I'm confused. Its been two weeks since what?" He just kept quiet and looked the other way. It eventually set in and I burst out laughing. "Voetsek!" He pushed me and I nearly fell off the chair which just resulted in me laughing even more. He stood up and walked off. "Mana Xola!" I shouted for him but he ignored

I sobered up from my laughing episode and just sat in silence, enjoying the quiet and also using the time to think about what I want to do. The sun was soon setting and the weather hand changed to come winds and grey clouds. I strolled to my house, "Bhuti" I turned around and came face to face with Sizakele. "Hey" we hugged. "Unjani bhut?"

She asked me as we separated from the hug. "I'm good sisi. Wena unjani? Uhamba kanjani uDecember wakho?" We walked side by side.

"I'm good too bhuti. My December is boring because I'm stuck here where there's no network!"

"Well, that's KZN for you." I chuckled t her frustration. "Oh don't tell me you've gotten so used to fiber and electricity waya waya." I bumped into her lightly. "Yhoo bhut! Aii I can't anymore! I'm done. See if I knew how to drive, I'd just drive myself to anywhere but here!" She continued to say.

"Rich kids madoda! Ubuyaphi nawe? Angikubonanga izolo. Ubugephi? (Where do you come from? I didn't see you yesterday. Where were you?)" She stuttered and bit her lip anxiously. "Oh..yini lokho? UMa uyangibiza? Buh bye bhut." She ran off. "Sizakele!" She ignored me a d continued running. I shook my head and continued walking to my house. As soon as I entered, I was hit with the memories of the night we arrived.

I sat on the couch and sank into the seat, I felt somewhat relieved and stressed. I shut my eyes as the bight replayed in my mind like it was happening right in front of me. "Ey Siya!" Someone hit my shoulder. "Yini!" My voice was hoarse. "Ukhalelani manje ndoda? (Why are you crying man?)" At his question, I touched my face and felt the wet substance. "Angikhali. (I'm not crying.)"

"Sure....scoot over." He hit my shoulder again. I moved to the other end of the couch. "Oh I see how it is. You don't want to cuddle with your older brother." He pouted. I couldn't believe that this very man is the most respected and feared man yet he acts like a child. "Aii uSis'Zah mele akuthathe ndoda.  Usuya.pout.a ngeke bafo! (Oh no Sis'Zah must take you man. You are now pouting, no brother!)" I stood from the couch and went to the kitchen.

I knew very well that he had stocked my fridge with beer because Sis'Zah doesn't want it in her house. I grabbed two beers and placed them on the counter top. I then proceeded to grab a bowl from the cupboard and I filled it with salt and vinegar flavoured Lays and Pringles. I grabbed tennis biscuits and placed everything on a tray I found behind the bread bin. I walked back to the living room and placed the snacks on the table.

"Wow. You have changed. I should thank Crystal hey."

"Tsek." I handed him a beer and sat down then took my own and opened it. "What are we watching?"

"Anything. I don't mi--" the door burst open and Mlungisi and Sabelo rushed in.

"You guys are having a date without us? I'm hurt." Sabelo threw himself on top of me. "Aii voetsek wena marn." I pushed him off of me. He just proceeded to grab my bear and take a big gulp. "That was refreshing." I slapped him upside his head. "Fetch me another one." I demanded and he whined. "Nami ungikandele lapho boy. (Get one for me too boy.)" Mlungisi said and grabbed the snack bowl.

"Kanti Nina ninjani yeh? ( You have hour own houses but instead you are here, cramping my space." I faced them.

"Aii ungang'bhali mina lapho. Ngifike k'qala. (No don't count me in there. I arrived first.)" Xola said as he focused solely on the TV. I let out a sigh and chose to do the same.

Some brother I have
I thought with a smile.