Triangle

Chapter 11: Cat and Mouse

Chapter 11 Cat and mouse

Lindiwe is now back at home with her husband, Bheki who took his friend Tendai’s advice to not leave his wife. It seems to have been the best since it looks like there are always journalist camping outside the house to see what going on to this couple. While Bheki is all supportive of his wife’s
recovery and their marriage, in the house they sleep in separate bedrooms. Bheki just can’t get over the fact that his wife cheated with the man who was planning on destroying him. He feels really betrayed by all this. Lindiwe on the other hand quiet expected this situation at home as this has put both of their businesses and reputation in question. Even though she had given an official statement to the police, speculation is still rife about what really happened in that hotel which ended up with a renowned journalist being killed in his room.
“I will be taking an early flight tomorrow, but Dorcas should be here to assist you with whatever you need” Bheki says as she comes over to the lounge where Lindiwe is seated watching TV. “Now
where did I put this bloody phone?” as he searches his pockets and looking over at the side table where his expensive whiskey is.
“Here it is” Lindiwe says with a low voice as she points to the coffee table. Bheki comes over, takes it and fidles with it and then takes a peek at his wife who’s not even looking at him. “I’m going out. Don’t wait up” he says as he puts his phone in the pocket and heads for the door. As he opens the door, his wife calls out on him, “where are you going this late?” she asks still fixing her eyes on the TV. “You know what... you don’t get to ask me those kind of questions Lindi” Bheki says as he closes the door and comes to stand in front of his wife. “You chose to cheat on me with a man who meant to destroy my reputation, so you don’t get to ask what I do now” he’s upset.
Lindiwe can’t say she’s really surprised by this talk; it was always coming at some point. “Okay” she says with a low voice, accompanied by little shame. “So tell me Bheki, why exactly are you still with me? We are not sleeping in the same bed since I came back from the hospital. You are hardly ever here, so why don’t you just leave me and be with whoever you spend most of your time with these days?” as she switches off the TV.
This question makes Bheki to keep quiet a bit as if he’s thinking about a response but Lindiwe continues, “Oh I see” she says. “This just for show to you right? The public must see you as a
supportive husband who takes care of his wife who is injured, right? What will the public think if they find out that you are acting, huh?” she raises her voice but this seems to upset Bheki big time,
“Look I don’t give a damn about what you and your public think okay? You made this bed now sleep on it” he raises his voice as well. But as he attempts to leave Lindiwe calls on him again, “Alright, so now you are running to your mistress, Lumka, right?” she says and this catches him completely off guard as he turns around looking at his wife like a person who’s been caught red handed.
“Oh yes, she’s been calling you relentlessly the time you were in the shower. You left your phone here” Lindiwe says, looking at a speechless Bheki. “So you are sleeping with this b*TCH now aren’t you? How long has this been happening? How many Lumkas are you actually sleeping with Bheki?” as she attempts to stand up from the sofa with the aid of her walking cane but Bheki comes back and sits down so that she doesn’t have to stand up.
“Look, like I told you, you don’t get to ask me those kind of questions anymore Lindi” he says with a calmer voice this time, which in turn seems to calm Lindiwe as well who leans back on the sofa and

wipe a tear that was attempting to escape her eye. “alright, look…just answer me this one question then” she says softly. “Did you kill Tsego? Did you attempt to kill me as well?” as she looks at him in the eyes. Well, Bheki can’t say he didn’t expect this question to come at some point. Everyone is speculating about it out there, so it only makes sense that Lindiwe thinks that too. He suddenly thinks about the conversation he once had with Tendai over Tsego and what they actually discussed.
But as he’s in deep thought, he’s snapped out of it by his wife who shouts, “Answer me, damnit!” He looks at her speechless. “Did you hire a hitman to kill Tsego and me? Are you that evil? What, so you found out that Tsego was working on a story that was going to expose your corrupt dealings and you hired a hitman to kill him? And kill me, a witness in the process, huh?” she’s now emotional as her voice begins to tremble.
But Bheki jumps in right there, “Look, how many times must I tell you that I don’t know anything about that?” he raises his voice. “Do you really think I’d send someone to kill my own wife? And if that journalist was really writing a story on me, don't you really think his colleagues would be
knocking on this door every day? Damnit it Lindi” as he stands up and goes to stand by the window.
But Lindiwe is not letting up, “Don’t you dare lie to me Bheki” she says. “I was with you at the
restaurant when Tsego confronted you, remember?” she shouts. “And do you know why he didn’t publish the bloody story on the initial date?” she asks as Bheki looks up to think. “Because I begged Tsego to not publish it. I begged him to not publish the story, Bheki” she looks at him dead in the eyes
“Oh yeah. You begged him by what, by opening your legs for him, right?” Bheki says as he moves from the windows to come and stand in front of Lindiwe. “So am I supposed to say thank you for sleeping with another man just because you claim to have done it for me? Are you serious?” as he goes to the door and walks out, leaving Lindiwe sitting there.
***


Somewhere else, Lerato is at Ndoda's house where she’s been spending most of her time lately. It looks like she has accepted the fact that her man is a hitman but she’s struggling with a guilty conscience if knowing he killed a renowned journalist and almost killed her friend. Lately she hasn’t
even been around her friends as it’s becoming harder and harder to look at them in the eyes and lie about what she really knows. The only comfort she has at the moment is the fact that her friend Lindiwe is recovering well and is back home with her husband.
“So how is your friend doing babe, I hear that she’s back home with her husband” Ndoda shouts to Lerato who’s in the kitchen as he takes a sip of his vodka, sitting on the sofa watching TV. “Yeah she’s back home but uhmm…I haven’t spoken to her yet” Lindiwe says as she comes from the
kitchen with two plates of food in her hands and gives it one to Ndoda before she sits next to him.
“To be quite honest I’m just a little anxious about seeing her, you know” she says as she puts her plate down. “Lindi knows me through and through, she’d know if something is off with me or if I’m lying to her. So at the moment I'm making excuses for not being around” with a low voice as she
looks away, which brings awkward silence in the room. “Let me ask you this babe,” Ndoda breaks
the silence, “Why did you stay? I mean why didn’t you walk away when you found out what I did for a living?” he asks curiously looking at his girlfriend in the eyes. “I mean…was it fear or…? Because, hey if you thought that once I found out that you…” he doesn’t finish his thought as Lerato cuts him off, “Hey it’s not that okay?” she says as she looks back at him.

“Yes initially when I pieced this together I was terrified. I didn’t know what to do, it was a little too much to deal with but no that’s not the reason I stayed” she lets out a little nervous smile. “I stayed because I had already fallen in love with you and more over you came clean about it all, which I
assumed was not allowed in your business? So yeah…did I fear for my life after? No, not really” as she takes the plate off Ndoda's hands and puts it down on the table.
“Look, yeah it’s definitely not allowed what I did, Lira” Ndoda says a little ashamed. “if the client can find out that there’s a witness we both could be in trouble. You are what we call a loose end” he’s embarrassed to even say that as Lerato raises an eyebrow as if she’s saying, Excuse me? “And I’d be the guy that is clumsy, who left things untied. So baby, that is why I can’t tell a soul that I’m in a relationship with you, especially my client. This is for your safety and mine's because if the client can find out that I’m now dating a friend of the woman who is embroiled in all the chaos, it’s…” he
doesn’t finish as Learto cuts him off again, “Look, it’s okay babe, I get it okay?” she says.
“But my friends already know about you” she becomes wide-eyed as if she’s only realising something now. “I told them about you, way before I found out about...you know! Is that going to be a problem? Because, hey babe I don’t want anything happening to my…” as she panics but Ndoda cuts her off, “No, no, no love, nothing is going to happen to your friends okay? I promise. Besides,
they don’t know me…I mean they don’t know what I do so...” he smiles.
“But on the positive note, I’m glad that you eventually decided to run my events company babe, and I know that under you it will do great” as he swiftly changes the subject. It was beginning to be a
little awkward and tense in the room. “well babe, I hope it becomes actual success you know, not
just a front. Maybe then you’d consider quitting this dangerous life before something bad happens to you” Lerato says as she picks up her plate again and smiles at her boyfriend who doesn’t say anything about that but just smiles and picks up his plate too as they enjoy the meal.
***


Back at Sbu's house things have been so much better lately with the couple trying hard to make time for each other and their daughter. After that day at the park where they bumped into Tendai and Sharon, you’d think it things will turn for the worse for the couple but they managed to become adults about it. Since then they’ve made effort to both be home early for supper or to help their
daughter with homework. But tonight is not one of those nights as Buhle is working nightshift and since Sbu was also going to come back a little late, Buhle had asked a favour from Grace. She picked
up Naledi from school, made her something to and helped her with homework.
“Uhmm, thank you very much Grace for coming and helping out with Naledi. I apologize for my wife I really didn't know she’d drag you back into this again” Sbu says, clearly embarrassed. “Oh no it’s okay Sbu” Grace says with a smile. “I did say to your wife that I will assist whenever I can. Naledi is a great kid to look after, no fuss” as she takes her bag and keys.
“Leaving already?” Sbu asks curiously, “If it’s because of my wife, no you can relax she’s doing night shift so she’ll only be back in the morning so…” but he doesn’t finish as Grace cuts him off, “No, it’s not because of your wife Sbu, okay?” she says. “I actually have an early day to work tomorrow so…” as she looks away to avoid eye contact. “Oh yeah, Tsepo told me that you are regional manager now for his foundation. Congrats” says Sbu as he tries to re-establish eye contact. “So you are loving it
there?” he asks curiously as he clears his throat. For one reason or the other, this conversation
seems to be a little heavy and awkward to both of them.

“Oh yeah, I’m really enjoying myself” Grace says with a nervous smile. “it is a little challenging but fulfilling at the same time. I am learning a lot of things. But thank you for asking” as she stands up to walk towards the door. Sbu says, “hold up” as he holds her hand gently which makes Grace turn around to look at him.
Suddenly a sensual tension builds in the room as these two look at each with stories that says a lot.
It’s hard to tell what each wants to happen right about now. Sbu leans in to invite Grace for a hug to which she accepts except that this looks more like an embrace than it is a hug. So for about 10 seconds they hold each other in silence until Sbu says “Thank you Grace for everything you have done for me and my family. You are a really special person” as he continues to squeeze her a little tighter.
But as they both begin to slowly pull away their eyes lock on each and Sbu, feeling the moment is just right, leans in for a kiss. But Grace suddenly pulls away from him, “No, no, no…” she says. “Sbu, what are you doing? This is not what I'm here for, okay? I’m your best friend’s girl for Christ’s sake” as she moves a few steps back from him. This is not what Sbu expected and now he’s a little
embarrassed by it. “Oh uhmm, I’m sorry. I just thought that maybe...” he says nervously but Grace cuts him off, “You thought what? That I will jump onto you just because your wife isn’t here? Well you thought wrong Sbu” as she raises a voice a little bit.
“You know, there was a time when I’d have jumped at this opportunity to kiss and make love to you Sbu but then I moved on with my life. With someone who values and appreciate me, Sbu. And that someone is your best friend Sbu” as she turns around and walks out the door, leaving Sbu standing there by himself.
***


Somewhere else Katlego has come to see Jabu at his place for a talk more than anything else. These two never hooked up again after that night Katlego had come to visit so it’s a little bit awkward for Jabu. He really doesn’t know what to make of it. What he knows is that since that night, he slowly started to develop something for this girl as he began to look at her differently.
“Uhmm, so to what do I owe this pleasure, to have you come visit me today?” Jabu says as comes to sit down next to Katlego and gives her a glass of juice “I mean, the last time you were here we made love on this very couch” as he brushes it, “After that things went cold between us. You were hardly ever available anymore and even texts were awkward, more than anything. So, what’s up?” as he looks at her in the eyes. Katlego looks down for a moment, trying to avoid eye contact with Jabu.
She then looks up to the ceiling as if she’s trying to figure out how to say whatever it is that’s on her mind.
“Uhmm, I’m really sorry about that okay? I didn’t mean to treat you like that Jabu but it’s just that…” she says but she doesn’t finish the thought as she’s cut off, “Katli, what’s going on?” Jabu asks
curiously. He isn’t showing much emotion as he looks at her and she’s now also looking at him with terrified eyes.
“Okay look, what I’m about to say may upset you, okay? But please know that it was never my
intention to…” she says but she’s cut off again by the now upset Jabu who shouts, “What’s going Katli? Damnit” he couldn’t hold it any longer. Katli takes an inhale and exhale before she says, “Okay. You remember that night I came here and we made love here on this couch? Uhmm, I was
actually coming from another guy that I was seeing. That night I had a fight with him right after we had sex.

So he broke up with me after that argument. So out of frustration, I needed to clear my head…plus I had had a few drinks. So I came over to you here and we made love. And...” she doesn’t finish as Jabu jumps in again, “Who is that guy you are talking about?”
Katlego takes a huge sigh, “Uhmm, I can’t tell you his name Jabu” she says. “But he’s a guy I’ve been seeing for a while. But that’s not really important right now. What I wanted to tell you is that I
recently learnt that I’m pregnant…and that you could be the father” as she looks at Jabu in the eyes to see his reaction to this, and as expected Jabu almost falls to the floor in shock.
“What?” he raises his voice as he turns wide-eyed. “What do you mean I could be the father Katli?” he asks curiously as he’s trying to keep it together. “Well, I slept with you and that other guy on the same night Jabu so yes, I could be pregnant with your child…or his” as she feels embarrassed by saying that. Jabu's face suddenly changes from just being uncomfortable to being very upset, “You know, for a doctor Katli you are really reckless” he shouts. “Did you even think about the
consequences of your actions, huh? How can you risk my life like that Katli, huh? So right now as we speak I could be infected with HIV you took from that other guy, right?” as he stands up to stand by the window. He can’t look at her in the eyes.
“Yes I know Jabu” Katli says with a low voice. “I know I was reckless and I put your life in danger okay? I’m really sorry about that. I was selfish and stupid. And I wish…” she doesn’t finish as Jabu cuts in yet again, “Did you tell this other guy that you could be pregnant with his child or possibly with someone else’s?” he asks.
“No I haven’t told him yet” Katlego says looking down in shame. “And please can you not tell anyone about this, please?” as she restores eye contact. “Not even your friends, Jabu please. I just need to figure out a few things you know” as she touches her tummy but this makes Jabu curiously, “Figure what out?” he asks but Katlego doesn’t respond as she continues to look down. “Are you thinking of terminating this pregnancy, Katli?” as he becomes wide-eyed. “no you can’t do that okay? That’s not your decision alone. That could be my child in there Katli so you can’t just…” he doesn’t finish as he’s cut off this time by Katlego, “We don’t know if this is your child Jabu, okay?” she says as she raises
her voice a little bit.
She stands up and walks towards the door but Jabu calls on her, “Wait” he says. “Can we please talk about this? You can’t just dump this on me and walk out Katli, that’s not fair” as he stands up and follows her towards the door but Katlego turns around and says, “Look Jabu, I'm sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you okay? Once again, can you please keep this between us? I really need time to figure
things out first. Please take good care of yourself” as she gives a nervous half smile before opening the door and walks out, leaving Jabu standing there alone.
***
Tendai on the other hand looks just as frustrated in his house even though he is mending his relationship with Sharon, the mother of his child. Sharon spends a lot of time in this house lately and Tendai doesn’t really mind that except that she isn’t Buhle, who occupies his mind. Today he is alone in the lounge drinking whiskey and staring at the TV, not really paying attention to what is playing. His mind keeps going back down memory lane with the moment he’s had with another man’s wife,
Buhle. He remembers the night they had fun cooking, how he carried her up the stairs and made love to her. He remembers the moan sounds she made to him as he was moving on top of her.
Damnit, I can’t take this anymore, he thinks to himself as he downs whatever was left on his glass and goes over to stand by the window. There must be a way I can get to her. I really miss her and it’s driving me insane, he thinks looking outside. He comes back and pours himself another double before sitting down.

He remembers the weekend he and Sharon bumped into her and her husband, Sbu, his sworn enemy. He remembers how they looked happy but then quickly remembers how he and Buhle
couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. The problem here is this guy; he thinks to himself. Sbusiso is the problem here, not me. He is standing in the way of my happiness, damn him! as his face turn to be filled with rage. Sharon is a good woman and a very good mother to my daughter Karen, but she’s just not like Buhle, he thinks, looking into the ceiling. Buhle makes me laugh, she’s spontaneous and unpredictable. She keeps me on my toes and I love that about her, as he takes a sip. But this bloody husband of hers is standing in the way, what am I going to do with that? he thinks.
He takes his phone and scrolls down and makes a call. After about 15 seconds he says, “Ndoda where are you? I need to see you as soon as possible. Bloody call me immediately when you get this message okay?” he hangs up as his face changes to be that of a man who’s filled with evil thoughts.