THE OTHER WOMAN

CHAPTER 5

|I NEED A RESTRAINING ORDER|

Lihle

It's raining when I finally leave the library, Durban weather has a serious case of bipolar disorder. I pull out the sweater I keep in my bag for times like these and an umbrella. It's only 18h40, the bus will only be here at 20h30 and there's loadshedding at 20h00 today so I decide to go to Westwood to get some food and essentials. I start at Debonairs then go get some wings at KFC. I head to Pick n' Pay while I wait for my order- Pick n' Pay is really the one hill I'm willing to die on. I swear I was going to get a cool drink but I saw the liquor store and who can resist warm pizza and wine on a cold day so I went in. I was gagging at the prices when I smelled a familiar scent . You've got to be kidding me. I was just thinking of walking away when he stood next to me. "Should I get a restraining order, Miss Gumede?" he asked and I scoffed. "Seeing as I got here first I think I need a restraining order," I said and he laughed. "Please start searching for new places to shop, I don't want to keep making you uncomfortable," he said and I smiled wryly. "You don't make me uncomfortable," I said lowly and he smiled. "Phew, thank God for that," he said. I wasn't sure what to say next so I just turned back to the wine. I reached for a wine that I knew tasted nice, trying to avoid looking at the price. His hand brushed against mine as he reached for the same one too. "Really?" I asked in mock frustration. "Sorry, it's my wife's favourite wine. That's why I'm here, I've been tasked with bringing wine," he explained. "Date night?" I asked. "Yep," he replied. "Then you should probably get her flowers with that," I suggested. "Really?" he asked. "Yes, most women love flowers," I said. "Do you like flowers, Lihle?" he asked, suddenly serious. The question threw me off a bit and I gaped. "Uhm, yes?" I said uncertainly. "What kind?" he asked. "Roses," I responded and he nodded. Where is this going? "Okay, MaQwabe. I have to go, I think the store's closing down," he said. He was right, most of the lights had been turned down and there was a shop attendant hovering near us. He offered to pay for my wine but I declined, I can afford this obscenely expensive bottle of wine. When I tried to hand the cashier my money she told me the 'gentleman in front of me had already paid'. He's really annoying. He was already gone when I left the liquor store so I quickly went to grab my orders then ordered an Uber. The nearest one would only arrive in 30 minutes and the price was already obscene because of the weather. Something about seeing money go out of my bank account just makes me want to gag. "Lihle!" I hear someone shout and then a car hoots. I look up, it's a Mercedes, a car that I don't recognize. The driver rolled down their window, awu S'makade olungileyo. I walked over to his car and stood at his window. "Ngena, s'hambe," he said. "Uhm yeah. Because getting into a car with a stranger is a wise decision," I said. "And how is an Uber any different?" he retorted. "Have you ever considered a career in law, smart mouth?" I said and he laughed. "Ngena MaQwabe," he said and I sighed. "You're not a very reassuring man. You have a history of stalking, who knows what you're going to do now," I said and he rolled his eyes. Sassy pants. "Okay, how about this. You can take a picture of my car and send it to a friend," he suggested. "And how's that going to stop you from murdering me and leave me lying in a ditch?" I asked. "They'll find the ditch?" he said unsurely and I laughed. I took a picture of his number plate then went up to the passenger door. "Smile," I said and took a picture of him. He blinked in surprise and I laughed. I sent both the pictures to Olwethu with a message that said: if I go missing, he did it. She responded almost immediately asking if that wasn't the hot guest speaker from the other day but I ignored her as I got into the car. I closed my umbrella and put my things on the backseat like he instructed. It was warmer here and I put my seat belt on as Nkosingiphile started the car. "So where to?" he asked and I told him the address of my res reluctantly. He laughed when he noticed my reluctance but I said nothing. I canceled my Uber and resorted to staring out the window. "If you don't want to be here, the least you can do is not show it," he said and I smiled. "No it's not that, I'm just not sure what to say to a married man," I replied. "Whatever you'd say to me if I weren't," he said. "I don't think that's wise," I said. "Why?" he asked. "Simply because it isn't," I replied. "What would you say to me if I wasn't married, maQwabe?" he asked in a low voice and I gulped. "That I want you," I said lowly. "Khupul' izwi, maQwabe, angizwa 'mawuhleba," he said and I almost moaned. "I would say... that I want you," I said a little louder. "Want me to do what?" he asked. "Never mind Nkosi, this is all just hypothetical shit," I said and he said nothing. We were nearing my building now and the tension in here was suffocating. "You can drop me off here, I'll walk the rest of the way. I don't want to further inconvenience you," I said. "You're not an inconvenience, and anyways, I said I'd drop you home so that's where I'll leave you. He parks outside of my res gate and I grab my things from the back. "Thank you for the lift," I said. "You're welcome, maQwabe," he said staring right into my soul. I scrambled out of the car and started walking. It had stopped raining so I didn't have to open my umbrella. When I'd just gotten up the stairs, I heard his car start again and leave. What have you done Lihle?

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"Olwethu, do you see the time?" I asked as I answered her call. "Yeka lokho. What are you doing with Mr Bhengu?" she asked excitedly. "What do you mean what am I doing?" I asked. "Don't play stupid with me. Why is he giving you a car ride?" she asked. "Because I bumped into him at the mall and he recognized me from the other day," I replied. "Really now?" she asked and I rolled my eyes. "Lihle there's a man outside asking for you," Kuhle said barging in. "Olwethu, hold on. I'll get back to you," I said hurriedly and hung up. "Sorry to disturb but there's a man asking for you outside the gate," she said. "A man? What man?" I asked. "I don't know, but he drives a Mercedes and come to think of it, he kinda looks like Hlanganani Bhengu," she said. Oh shit. "Who?" I asked, playing dumb and she raised an eyebrow. "The guy who's engagement party it was over the weekend," she explained. I was already throwing on a hoodie over my pajamas and putting on shoes. "So which one of the brothers is it?" Kuhle asked. "Huh?" I asked. "Which one is here for you? You do know they're both married, right?" she asked. "Yes Kuhle I know," I said putting my slides on. "Good because if word got out that you're dating one of the Bhengu's-" she started as I headed for the door but I cut her off. "Word's not going to get out because I'm not dating any of the Bhengu's," I said and walked out. The cold air hit my thighs as I walked out and I regretted not putting on some sweatpants over my shorts. I walked to the gate, avoiding eye contact with the guards and looked for Nkosi. His car was parked further from the gate and I shivered as I walked over to it. "Ngena," he said lowering his window and I got in so I could get out of the cold. "What are you doing here Nko-" I started but then he leaned over and his lips collided with mine. I felt his hand cup my cheek and I leaned in further in to his touch. Damn this man is a good kisser. I felt him pull away hesitantly and I gasped for air. There was silence as we both tried to catch our breath and my heart started racing.
"Nkosi-"
"I'm sorry Lihle, I shouldn't have done that. I just couldn't stop thinking about you after what you said today- not that I've been able to since I met you."
"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you too."