BEING A WIFE OF A PRISONER

Chapter 4

AZASAKHE

Kuhle has been blowing my phone since last night. I have no energy to speak to him nor see him. I trusted him with my heart and he broke it. I cried myself to sleep last night after my friends left. I invested my time and heart in that relationship. I saw a future with that man.

Mr Collins: Jennifer.

I snap out of my thoughts and find all eyes on me.

Me: Sir?

Mr Collins: Where is your mind?

Voice: Her mind is still stuck on yesterday’s episode of Nyan Nyan.

Laughter fills the room. Mr Collins clears his throat.

Mr Collins: We are trying to come up with new strategies that will up our market. Our competitors Pepsi, Kingsley and Twizza are stealing our clients. We are not selling anymore and we need something.

Busi: How about we create a website.

Mr Collins: What is it about?

Busi: We make our customers aware of our products and we sell it at a much cheaper price.

Mr Collins: (yelling) That’s all you can come with? I’m telling you guys that business is not doing good these days and the best thing you can come with is that we should sell our products at a cheaper price. Who the hell does that?

He stumbles to the door.

Mr Collins: I expect those ideas first thing in the morning.

He halts on his steps and turns to Busi.

Mr Collins: Do yourself a favour Miss Zibi don’t ever run a business because you will run it to the ground. Jennifer in my office now.

Laughter. I follow behind him and close the door.

Me: Sir you called for me.

Mr Collins: HR is waiting for your signature.

Me: (frowning) For what?

Mr Collins: You leave.

Me: What? I didn’t apply for any leave.

Mr Collins: You didn’t but I did on your behalf. You’re always zoning out and always late. You miss work and if you’re here you barely do anything productive.

Me: So you’re firing me?

Mr Collins: No I’m not firing you but saving yourself from you. You’re falling apart.

Tears sting my eyes.

Me: This job is the only thing keeping me sane. I’m fine.

Mr Collins: No you’re nit. Sign those papers and go home.

I turn on my heels and walk out of his office. I stand against the wall and burst in tears. Not only did that man embarrassed me he has turned me into an overnight felebrity. Just this morning people were calling me the Nyan Nyan girl from my stop all the way to town. If I had a gun I would shoot everyone who talks about that stupid show and last night’s episode. Wiping my tears, I slide my hand in my pocket and take out my ringing phone.

Me: Hello.

Akhona: Hey it’s me.

Me: Akhona?

Akhona: Yes it’s me.

Me: Are you okay?

He breathes out on the end of the line. Worry latches on me.

Me: Akhona are you okay?