LULAMA
"Tell me what to do," He says while looking at me.
We've been sitting in his car for about half an hour now. I pushed myself to stop crying. I think that deep down I knew this was coming, I just didn't want to accept it but what were the chances? It was never going to be a success and now I'm sitting in Bangizwe's car feeling all kinds of miserable, Atleast now I know the reason behind my doomed relationships.
I'm so embarrassed. Having all of this happen in front of him and being this vulnerable once again. I don't even wish to know what he thinks of me right now.
"Lulama,"
"Huh?" I snap out of it.
"I said tell me what to do and I'll go back there and do it," He says rolling up his sleeves and looking like he's ready to throw a couple of punches. He's probably just trying to cheer me up right now.
"I'd just like to go home,"
"You sure? Because I could go back and give him a piece of my mind," it's how he says it that makes me laugh.
"Really? And what would you say?"
"I'd get there and ask him where he gets the audacity to cheat on my wife, how dare he!?"
"The nerve!" I say laughing and matching his craziness.
"The audacity, yeses!" He adds making me laugh harder.
"But that sentence on it's own sounds so wrong, let's just go,"
"But at least it got you laughing. Listen, he's a douche and you deserve so much more,"
"I deserve you?"
"Of course, why else do you think they gave me to you? I'm the best there is, nothing can top this, Mami,"
I shake my head at this but can't fight the smile that's creeping up my lips "How do you take everything so lightly?"
"If I didn't I'd be dead by now, I'm just rolling with the punches and taking each day as it comes. I know this is a far from perfect situation and it's something both of us wouldn't choose for ourselves on a normal day but we're here and this isn't going anywhere. Why not try to make it work instead of fighting off a mountain that will never dissolve or disappear? "
" You make it sound so easy, "
" It's not, believe me when I say I have the same, if not similar. I'm just not the type to sit and wallow in self pity. They put me in this situation, they better see me through or else... "
"I feel you, but honestly it's cool. I'm okay, If you could just take me home,"
"Of course," He smiles and we hit the road. Maybe I need to follow in his footsteps and not wallow in self pity. We are here now, it's our reality. Might as well work it out even though I'm not sure exactly how so maybe I'll just wing it until I get a clear manual.
He insists on walking me up to my apartment while carrying my plastics as I lead the way.
"Can I get some cold water,"
"Yeah sure,"
I get ice cold water for him in the fridge and start packing away as he helps himself to a second glass.
"Not to dump this on you in one go, but I think it's time you and Nandi meet,"
My heart skips a beat and drops to my stomach "Huh? Are you sure your wife will agree to that... I mean..."
"She will, the two of you need to meet at some point... What's the point in delaying it only for it to keep hanging over our heads?"
I cross my arms and have my back against the counter "I don't know, Bangizwe... The thought of being in the same place with your wife.... It's kind of scary, I know this isn't very ideal on her side and having to meet me...Being the other woman... "
