Junior Dlamini

chapter 25

Saturday, August 17th

This is a year later...

Angela and I have not been on the best terms lately. It seems everything I do and say just upsets her. For instance, last night...

*flashback

I got up and went to the fridge where I got the milk out and made my cereal while Angela was feeding the baby. While my cereal was in the microwave, I gave her a kiss on the forehead and headed to the fridge where I place the milk inside.

Angela: that's not where the milk goes.
Me: oh sorry.
Angela: don't be sorry. if you spent time at home, you would know where things go.
Me: pardon?
Angela: you heard me, Junior. I said that if you ever spent time here at home, you would know where things go.
Me: and what is that supposed to mean?
Angela: nothing, Junior.
Me: it's something, Angela.
Angela: what do you want me to say?!
Me: don't raise your voice at me, I'm still your man. you are going to respect me.
Angela: Junior, you are hardly ever home. if you are home, you spend less time with me and more with Kamari. if it's not that, it's something else, when are you going to fit me into your schedule?
Me: I'm sorry.
Angela: don't be sorry now, Ntsikelelo. you never cared anyway.
Me: pardon?
Angela: you heard me.
Me: who said that, Angela?
Angela: me! Junior, i said that!
Me: I leave this apartment each day so that I can make money for this family. I come home and spend the little time I have with you and my daughter. Yes, my daughter, the same one who came out of your womb. I can't believe your fighting me for spending time with my daughter, there are men out there who don't even acknowledge their children's existence. I can't believe you're fighting me for trying to provide for my family. I go out there to make money, the same money that keeps you in designer clothing so don't come at me with that.

I started walking but remembered something so I stopped.

Me: also, let this be the last time you raise your voice at me. I am still the man of this household and you will respect my position. I have also lost my appetite, throw that cereal away.

I then took my baby and went upstairs. She stayed down in order to maintain her little tantrum. I don't care because one thing she is not going to do is raise her voice at me. We don't do things like that in my household. Here, we communicate and fix things. We don't raise our voices.

*back to present time.

We are in the living room together and you could cut the tension with a pair of scissors.

Me: let's do date night.
Angela: what for?
Me: Angela, I'm trying. the least you could do is meet me halfway, please.

She nods and walks up the stairs. I let out a heavy sigh. I really don't know what to do anymore.

I call a nearby fancy restaurant and make a reservation, dinner for two.

I heard upstairs and we get ready for our dinner date. I then call my mom and let her know that we are out and she should bring the baby after our date.

After getting ready, we go down to my car and off we go. In the car, there is silence, just silence.

Angela: when am I going to have my white wedding?
Me: don't you mean we, my love?
Angela: you don't care about that though.
Me: so why do it if I don't care?
Angela: I will leave you, Junior.
Me: is that a threat?
Angela: oh no, it's a promise.

I was actually planning on proposing tonight but she totally just messed that up.

Me: can we please just enjoy our date night?
Angela: I want to go back home.
Me: Angela...
Angela: take me home, Junior.

I drive back to our house and cancel the reservation. We keep having arguments as I'm driving and they get more and more heated with each clap back.

We get to our house and she flings the door open. I follow behind her with just as much anger in my steps. I close the door and run after her as she walks up the stairs, barefoot, with her heels in her hands.

Me: why are you acting like such an insecure brat?!

She throws one of her shoes at me and I duck. The shoe goes flying down the stairs.

Angela: great, these shoes are expensive, Junior!
Me: and who is throwing them around because she is having an unnecessary fit?
Angela: I'm leaving!
Me: leaving to where, sweetheart?
Angela: anywhere but here! your presence makes me want to puke.
Me: you are crazy!
Angela: oh and how did you fall for a crazy woman?!

I don't know what kind of phase this is in our relationship but it's really toxic.

I already showered before we left so I just change into a black winter set. My mom comes and drops the baby off, she leaves immediately after that.

Makari is sleeping so I just take her up where I lay her down in her cot. I then head back downstairs where I watch a basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers.

Angela comes down with bags, she runs back up and comes back with my baby in her Dior car seat.

Me: where are you going?
Angela: I'm leaving, Junior. I am tired of you and your rubbish! I don't know if maybe there are other women in your life but I can't do this! I don't know who or what I'm sharing you with but if there is, then it's best I leave. I'm leaving.
Me: are you done with this tantrum of yours?

She just keeps quiet and the silence is all I needed to hear.

Me: sit down, you're not going anywhere. oh and please do me a favor and take my baby back upstairs.

She does just as told and that ends this fiasco of hers because it's truly just a failed attempt at upsetting me.