"I'm so sorry Mr Gumede, please let me explain myself-"
"Don't even bother. Hand in your resignation letter tomorrow or I will personally make sure that your life is a living hell." After that he clicked his tongue.
Wandile arrived shortly after I was placed in a holding cell. Since it is the weekend, they told me that my matter will be attended to on Monday. A few minutes later, the same officer who had arrested me was now opening my cell with a face full of regret.
"Thank you," I said shyly, knowing very well that what I was doing is breaking the law. I'd rather break the law then have a criminal record for drunken driving.
"What in the hell is wrong with you?" Wandile asked as soon as we got to the car. The Range Rover was still at the police station and we were in the Porsche.
"Look, I just had a few drinks and-"
"A few drinks? Did he show you the breathalyzer level. Stop acting like a teenage girl, you're quarter to 30 manje, act like a woman bo, unganginyanyisi." He clicked his tongue again and started the ignition. I stared outside the window and I started crying. He handed me a bottle of water.
"There's absolutely no reason for you to be crying cause I got you out of that mess. You piss me off Phiwo. Now I'll be known for having a wife who's a drunkard."
"I'm sorry-"
"Sorry wamasimba. Wipe your tears, buka nje you ruined your makeup. We're going to fetch the kids right now and I'm taking you straight to my place so I can monitor your behaviour." The tears on my face instantly dried up and I looked at him, I could tell that he was not joking.
"We agreed to take it one step at a time Wandile, no."
"You ruined that. You failed to behave." The rest of the ride was filled with silence. We arrived at Sinikiwe's house and I was shocked that the programme was still running. She was no longer on the chair now and people were being served food inside the tent. There was a man speaking in the front but no one was paying attention to him.
I stuck by Wandile's side and he placed his hand around my waist so we could act like a loving couple. I'm sure everyone knew the terms of our engagement so there was no need for the facade.
Nkanyezi walked towards us and he looked very worried.
"Hey, what happened? You've been gone for over an hour." he said, not even sparing his brother a glance
"She got lost and got pulled over by the police. I had to fetch her from the police station." he answered for me. Nkanyezi stared at me and my eyes instantly shifted towards the ground.
"We're going back to Hillcrest, come on boys." he called them over. We all headed towards the car and I did not even get a chance to say goodbye to the rest of the family members. Wandile had instructed Nkanyezi to fetch the car from the police station early in the morning tomorrow before his parents notice that its missing.
We got inside the car and the boys kept to themselves. They had a long day, I'm sure they were exhausted. Wandile connected his phone to the stereo and started reprimanding me about how I should act my age but I dozed off during the conversation and the noise around me started decreasing as I sunk into a deep sleep on the passenger seat.
I was woken up by Wandile shaking my shoulder. It was dark outside and I checked the time on my phone, it was 20:50. I checked the backseat and the boys were fast asleep. We were parked just outside my flat.
"I'm giving you twenty minutes to just pack a few essentials, you're going to be sleeping at my place." he said looking at his wrist watch.
"Look, I don't want to-"
"Don't start a fight with me. You'll see another side of me that you've never seen before" he said, after that he clicked his tongue and opened his door. I walked up the stairs to my flat. I looked down from where I was standing and watched him light a cigarette. How on earth is a heartless man like this a pediatrician?
I unlocked the door and switched on the lights. No one was here but Thandiswa left pots on the stove, I'm sure she was making dinner. I remember her telling me that her shift was going to start at 20:00 today. I quickly dished up the food in a Tupperware and took the container to my room.
I opened the bedroom and took my suitcase. I did not have time to fold my clothes so I just threw them in. My overnight bag was in SInikwe's room so I sent Nka a text telling him to drive down with it.
After packing and finishing the food, I left a sticky note on the fridge:
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I locked the door and made my way down the stairs. Wandile was already inside the car. He opened the boot from inside and I placed my suitcase inside. After closing the boot, I went inside and off we went again, this time, it was to his estate.
We got there after 23:00. He carried Sbani and I carried Lizalise out of the car. It was my first time climbing these flight of stairs. He led me to their room. We placed them on their respective beds. It was a blue room with two beds placed side by side against the walls. They both had a Lightning McQueen bed cover.
"Baby is that you?" We heard a voice. It was Nomfundo. She was wearing a bonnet and a silk gown, looking beautiful as ever. I don't even want to start and compare myself with her cause I'll instantly be admitted for depression.
"Look Nomfundo, please leave now." he said softly. He placed his hand on her back and gave her a slight push towards the stairs.
"What do you mean Wandile? I just got out of bed mos"
"We have a family meeting babes," I responded. I think it's the liquor courage. Honestly speaking, I never would have said that if I was a 100% sober.
"Just leave Nomfundo" he pleaded.
She groaned angrily and grabbed her keys off the counter. Inside I was dancing happily, at least he could defend me in front of this devil. He escorted her out of the door and I decided to give myself a tour of the house. He came back a few minutes later, wheeling my suitcase. I followed him as he showed me the room I was going to be sleeping in. This looked like a guest room. At least the room had an en-suite and a TV mounted on the wall. Everything in the room was white, from the paint on the wall to the bed sheets and the few items of furniture that were here.
"We'll talk tomorrow, once you've properly settled in." he said rolling up the sleeves of his baby blue shirt.
"Wena kahle kahle ungijwayela isihlama-" I said walking towards him. I placed my pointer finger on his chest. From where I was standing I could smell the nicotine on his body and the fading scent of his cologne.
"Angizwanga?" he asked. The height difference was not that major. My head was in his chest area.
"U-ngi-jwa-ye-la ka-mbi we-Wa-ndi-le ndi-ni." I repeated. This time, poking his chest on each syllable. Before I even stepped back, Wandile gave me a slap . The reaction instantly made me place my hand on my cheek from the burning sensation I felt.
"I'm your husband wentombazane, don't talk to me like that." he said. After that, he slammed the door and left me in disbelief still standing in the exact same spot.
Tears started falling down my face and I went down on my knees. What did I do to deserve this?
