KING OF HEARTS

CHAPTER 6

Kumkani

"Dr Qabuka, please report to the front desk. Dr Qabuka, report to the front desk," the hospital speakers blared. What have I done now. I closed the file I had been working on and left my office. "Should I cancel your appointment?" my secretary asked. "No, it's fine. I should be back in time for it," I said and she nodded. "Kumkani," someone said and I turned to see, Rendani, one of my colleagues. "Rendani, I'm busy," I said as I walked faster towards the elevators. "Woah, where's the fire?" he asked. "Rendani ufuna nton?" I asked irritated - both at him and the slow lift. "Just a second of your time," he asked as the lift finally arrived. "Unfortunately that's all I have," I replied as I stepped into the empty elevator and he followed suit. Oh nkosiyami. "You said you're going to get back to me about dinner and you haven't," he said as I pressed the button to take me to the first floor. "I haven't? I could have sworn I did," I said, already exasperated. "No you haven't actually," he said sounding hopeful. "Well in that case, my answer is no," I said just as the elevator opened. "Awu Kumkani-" he said as he followed me off the elevator. "Rendani we've already spoken about this. We are colleagues and that's all we'll ever be," I said. "Why?" he asked. Yho ayke mna ndidikiwe. I walked even faster to Mbali at the front desk. "Hey Mbali, you asked for me?" I asked. "Yeah, awusho ngani ukuthi usuqomile?" she asked reaching down, under her desk. "Wha-" I started before gasping at the large bouquet of roses she was carrying. "Oh my God," I gasped. She handed it over and I gawked at the sheer size of it. "So who are they from?" Mbali asked. "I don't know," I said and plucked the card from the giant floral arrangement.

A rose for every apology. I'm sorry I didn't call x300.
~S

"New boyfriend?" Rendani asked. I forgot he was here. "Ungenaphi?" I asked scoffing. "Thanks Mbali," I said and walked to the elevator. "Kumkani," Rendani shouted after me. "Ayi ayi, khandiyeke," I said trying to get away from him without making a scene. Why are these damn lifts so slow? The elevator finally arrived and fortunately it was almost full so there was no way for Rendani to fit. "He's a lucky man," one of the people in the lift said and I smiled. Don't I know it? Siyamthanda must be out of his mind if he thinks he can promise to call then proceed to not do so for 2 weeks and then expect me to forgive him because he gives me a bunch of plants. The second I got back in my office the phone rang. "Dr Qabaka," I answered. "Do you like them?" he asked. "Siyamthanda," I said. "Hi," he said. "How can I help you?" I asked. "I'm sorry I haven't called," he said. "Mhm," I replied.
"Kumkani?"
"Siyamthanda"
"Ngiyaxolisa"
"So you've said, look my patient just arrived, I have to go,"
"Okay. Ube nosuku oluhle".