The Arrangement

Merry Christmas

Crystal

Its Christmas eve day? I'm sitting in the kitchen in the main house drinking a cup of tea. The weather today was surprisingly hot. Or maybe its normal and I'm surprised because I'm back in SA. Either way, I was happy to be home. "Mama n'cel ukutya.(Mama may I please have food)" Lonwabo pulled on Polo's dress. He refused to be carried so she placed him on a blanket on the floor. He was blabbering and playing with his rattle toys.

"Hlala phantsi baby. Ukutya kuyeza. (Sit down baby. The food is almost ready.)" I said to Zothile. "Iza Kelvin." She tugged on her brothers arm and they both came to sit in one chair besides me. Ever since Siya left, they have been stuck to Makhulu's side. They would go to the shops with her or water the garden with her. They only came to me at night to bath and sleep or for food. I on the other hand have been applying to hospitals around Johannesburg.

"En noe? Wahlala apha kubila kangaka yintoni? (And now? Why are you sat in this boiling hot house?)"

"Ma?" She had on a yellow maxi dress with short lace sleeves and a deep v-neck with some lace on the v part, brown wedge heels, a beige LV bag and a beige sun hat.

"I am running a few errands. Want to come with me?" I looked down at my outfit and shook my head. "Mama you are too well dressed for me. Why don't you take Amahle and the twins, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to accompany you."

"Where are they vele?"

"The twins are still asleep but I'm here." I turned to the door where Amahle stood dressed in a light blue thigh high dress and her blue and white Nike shoes. She had a black sling bag crossing her chest from her right shoulder to her left hip. "Great. Let's go" I waved them goodbye and stood up !myself to rinse my cup.

I had my phone in the pocket of my dress so when it rang, I felt the vibrations. I quickly dried my hands with the dish cloth and pulled it out. "Hello" I whispered out of breath all of a sudden. "Good morning beautiful." His hoarse voice sent vibrations thorough my entire body. "How are you" I still found myself whispering.

"I am missing you. But I'm good. How are the kids?"

"The kids are alright. They miss you so much though."

"And you don't miss me?" His tone was teasing.

"I would, but there's not much to miss."

"Oh!" He laughed. "I'm hurt."

"Aww shame askies. Uzaba right. (You'll be fine.)"

He kept quiet but I could hear his breathing through the phone. "Siya..."

"Sthandwa sami?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine."

"Okay but call me, if you need anything."

"All I need is you and then I'll be fine. But its okay, spend time with your family."

"You too. I care for you" as my as I wanted to say those three words...I couldn't bring myself to so I said the next best thing.

"I care for you too. Let me not keep you, I'm sure you are rushing to get food for Christmas and gifts."

"No not real- oh bethuna! I haven't bought the kids any gifts!"

"Okay well let me leave you to it. How much do you want?"

"Want? For what?"

"The gifts."

"Oh, well uhm. Do you have anything in mind that you want to buy for them? I could buy it and tell them its from you." I said as I walked to my hut. "A toy car for Kelvin. One that he can drive in and maybe the same for Zothile. I don't know what either of them like." I understand Zothile, but he lives with Kelvin. Even though I wanted to ask, I chose to keep quiet.