[NARRATED]
‘Uncle Albert, I don’t want to speak about this ever again. We are not going back to the sand digging slash selling business. We both know what happened the last time. Two people died!’ Fikani argues as he walks into his old house.
‘I honestly think that was plain human error. We’ve been doing this for years and—‘
‘And now the journey has come to an end. I’m sorry but I need to go’
‘Maybe I should come over so we can talk about this in person?’
‘Eish, unfortunately I am not at home. Let me call you later?’
‘Okay son. Later then’ Albert cuts the call and Fikani places his things on the table.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asks after catching the look on Nqobile’s face as she sits on the couch. She simply shrugs.
‘I’m just wondering what you’re doing here. I know that we haven’t officially transferred ownership but this is my house now. You can’t just rock up here’
‘I can’t hear you, love’
She pulls in some breathe and lets it out slowly as he squats in front of her. He holds her by her calves and looks her in the eye.
‘You’re not okay. What’s up?’
‘How can I be when you’re busy toying with my feelings?’
‘How am I doing that?’
‘Let’s not even talk about that, please. How did my picture end up on that page?’
‘I’d honestly be lying if I said I knew but it’s gone now, I made sure of it’
‘Okay, so tell me. What brings you all the way here? I thought we broke up’
‘Here on business and I don’t remember breaking up with you. What I remember is you blocking me unprovoked’
‘Unprovoked?’ her laughter is full of disbelief. ‘You made me a side while Tumi was still just a girlfriend to you and—’
‘You were never a side’
‘And when you broke up, you still chose somebody else over me, then used me after your coronation. My only sin is loving you and because you know that I do, you take advantage of that. I understand that you don’t find me worthy because I am not of royalty and your wife is. Now please understand that I am done with you!’
‘Well what’s supposed to happen now cause I’m not done with you?’ he asks and she just looks at him.
‘You are so damn toxic Fikani, I have had enough. Angati kutsi ufunani kimi. Yebo ngiyak’tsandza ngiyavuma kodvwa sengidziniwe mine | I don’t know what you want from me. Yes I do love you I admit but I’m tired of this’
She fixes her floral and colourful off-shoulder top before showing him the door – making sure it doesn’t outline her stomach.
‘Okay then. Walk me out, at least?’
She looks away.
‘Kas’ why are you glued to this couch?’
‘I’m not feeling well’ she plainly answers and looks away. He scans her from top to toe. Then reaches for her tummy. She blocks his hands and he puts two and two together.
‘Are you pregnant?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please leave! I am asking you in the most respectful way possible’
His face fails to conceal the shock that’s erupting on the inside.
‘I know your body man Nqobile. You’re even lighter than usual you’d swear you’re bleaching. Stop playing games because I’m serious here’
She continues to stubbornly look away.
‘When were you planning to tell me this?’
‘This is not your baby! Now leave’
‘I am not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on. You hid a human being away from me?’
‘You rejected us. I don’t understand why you’re so worked up’
‘Woman…’
‘Leave, please’ she’s persistent in trying to get rid of him. He lifts the top up when she least expects it and sees that black line on her taut-looking and glowing bump.
He huffs, in utter disbelief.
‘What happens now?’ he asks.
‘I told you she’s not yours. And I have asked you to leave’
‘You know damn well you can’t lie to me. If I’m counting properly, you’re seven months pregnant and you’ve kept this to yourself all this while? And you’ve been going to doctor’s appointments by yourself, then you turn around and claim that I rejected you?’
‘I don’t understand when tables turned and you became the angry one here’
He scoffs and just looks at her. She continues being hell-bent on studying the wall in the opposite direction. She eventually takes the decision to get up, unplug her charger next to the TV and go to her bedroom, leaving him there.
‘You’ll find me sitting on this very couch when you come back’ he says and she doesn’t respond. He dials Kurhula and massages his forehead while waiting for his brother to pick up.
‘Mfo’
‘Chief, you won’t believe this. In fact I need your advice’
‘Erhh… legal?’
‘No, personal. You remember Nqobile, right? Lorraine?’
‘How can I forget her when she has recently resurfaced on the net?’
‘Did this girl not hide a seven month old pregnancy away from me?’
‘Say sike?’ Kurhula receives it as a blow as well.
‘I am telling you. We’re in the same house right now but she refuses to talk about it’
‘How sure are you that it’s yours? What if she’s pulling another Tumi stunt on you?’
‘Nah, I know her’
‘Ey. Mfo…’ Kurhula goes speechless before laughing.
‘Don’t be an idiot. Now is not the time’
‘Nah this time Bontle is going to throw the whole house at you. Don’t forget to make me a beneficiary on your life insurance before going back home because son? You’re a dead man walking’
‘I am screwed, aren’t I?’
‘Big time’
