A Parent's Sacrifice

12: Public Appearance

"Silly me to fall in love with you"- Billie Eilish 

(Unedited)

"You got everything packed right?" Wandile asked me as we both placed our luggage at the back of the car.

The past week has been very- interesting.

Wandile and I were not the best of friends but at least we had established some ground rules and we got along with each other just fine. We both agreed to go out at least once a week so we can update each other on what's going on in our lives.

I haven't moved into the house fully yet but I do spend some days there. Wandile moved Nkanyezi to a different branch which is located in Johannesburg, over 500 kilometres away. This whole revelation really explained why Wandile was so distant with the kids and they were more closer with Nomfundo and Nkanyezi, I wonder if Nkanyezi knows he's the dad.

I had left the new manager that we hired in charge while I'm away for the weekend. Wandile and I were going on a couple's retreat in Drakensburg, which is considered the highest mountain in South Africa. We're going to stay there for just two days and then go to his home town in Newcastle for a day so I can meet his extended family.

"You packed all of the bags inside the car, right?" I asked confirming with a list in my hand. 

"Yes Phiwo. Stop stressing." he said closing the boot and heading to the driver's seat. 

"Do you want to drive?" he asked before he entered the vehicle. I nodded my head and rushed to his side of the vehicle. I was not going to deny this opportunity. I rarely drive the Porsche Cayenne. 

"I asked Manqoba to stand in for me at work, that means he's going to be taking double shifts, shame." he said, trying to make conversation. 

At first, it was very unusual but now I've gotten used to it. We don't share the same bed when I'm at the house.  Nomfundo still comes around at the house and I'm amazed by the fact that Wandile pretends as if nothing is wrong. She has started to make light conversation with me thinking that I'm still keeping her secret. Anyone who knows me personally would know that I'm a blabbermouth and I can not for the life of me keep a secret. 

Next week we were planning on inviting our friends over and hosting a couple's night, but in order for us to do that we at least had to see if we were going to survive being in one room together at the top of the Drakensberg mountains. 

Wandile had booked an AirBnb nearby and he was on the call with them right now trying to tell them that we're coming. The conversation was pretty heated though and it sounds like they were not reaching an agreement. 

"Just cancel it..." I heard him say. I lightly pressed on the break which made him jerk off his seat. He covered the speaker and raised his eyebrow. 

"No ways Wandile, do you really think we're going to find a place on the 13th?" I asked. I mean, I'm sure most places were fully booked, after all, it was the day before Valentines day. 

"We'll find a place Phiwo. Let me just finish this off." he said unblocking the speaker and continuing with his conversation. I had now decided to park the car on the side of the road so he could tell me what's his plan.

"Wandile the place was perfect. It was a ten minute drive away from all of the activities we had planned for tomorrow." I whined. 

"Just calm down Phiwokuhle. I'll find something better. We'll drive all day until we find  a place if we have to. In fact, let's change seats and I'll drive, I have a place I want to check out." 

I agreed, it's not like I had a choice. This was not my car after all. I got on the passenger seat and instantly started scrolling through Instagram. Wandile changed the stereo and connected his phone. Those were the rules that we both came up with, the driver is the one who gets to pick the music.