BEING A WIFE OF A PRISONER

Chapter 27

AZASAKHE

I can’t seem to get used to seeing my face all over social media. Again the Nyan Nyan girl made the headlines and this time it’s the gangsters love triangle. My face is splashed all over the news and I can bet with my life that the newspapers are selling like hot fried chips. Journalists taking pleasure on writing about someone’s life without any care. Not that I blame them because it’s their job at the end of the day. Locking my locker my phone rings in my hand.

Me: Hello?

Akhona: Hey.

I smile.

Me: It’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you.

Akhona: I miss you too.

Silence.

Akhona: I saw the news.

Me: That’s my everyday life. Maybe I should charge them for making me famous again.

Akhona: I trusted him.

Me: The feeling is mutual.

Akhona: I’m really worried about you.

Me: I’m fine. I’m used to people gawking at me everywhere I go just like now my colleagues are gossiping about me. I guess each and every man I get involve with will humiliate and embarrass me.

Mr Collins walks in the locker room.

Me: My boss is here. We’ll talk.

I hang up.

Mr Collins: Stuff meeting in five.

Me: Ekuseni apha? {So early?}

Sihle: Ulwimi lwam lusalele for ukuba ndikhumshe mna. {My tongue is still sleeping for me to be speaking English}.

I giggle and follow behind the others all the way to the boardroom.

Mr Collins: Where is Busi?

All eyes turn to us. Sihle and I both shrugged.

Mr Collins: Aren’t you the three musketeers or should I say the Powerpuff girls?

Me: No.

Mr Collins: I like bubbles more than sparkle face.

He giggles.

Mr Collins: I also watch Johnny Test. His scientific sister are my favourite not to mention his dog Dickie. Do you also watch them?

Silence. He clear his throat.

Mr Collins: Never mind that.

Sihle: His weird.

I giggle.

The boardroom opens and Busi barges in.

Busi: I’m sorry I’m late.

Mr Collins: Take a sit we were about to start.

He waits for her to take sit before he addresses us.

Mr Collins: As you know this company is known nation wide. There’s a new branch that recently opened in North West and the store needs a manager.

Smiiles fill my colleagues faces. Luke leans over and whispers

Luke:  Watch me take that position.

I snort.

Me: In your dreams.

Mr Collins: Looking closely to each one of you, we had to choose someone who has a strong character and a team player. This person shows capabilities of holding down the position. I’m not saying all of you don’t have that but some of you it isn’t that strong. It’s weak and afraid to show it but this person has proved to us that she’s the right person.