There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.
Ayize Gxarha, a poised conservative psychiatrist who meets the roguish Qaphela Makhathini due to unforeseen circumstances...
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𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙱𝙰𝚁𝙴𝙻𝚈stop thinking about my mother. I even have a painful headache from all the crying I've been doing. Qaphela has been urging me to take pain medication and drink some water but I can't, my heart fucking hurts. I can't even fully describe the pain I'm feeling in my heart. It is so flippin hard to actually convince myself that my mother, uMam'am is really gone.
We reach the unfamiliar Mercedes coupé that is parked in my driveway. Qaphela opens the door for me to the passenger's seat and then he waits until I get inside. "Kuzolunga sthandwa sami. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." He utters, sounding like a promise rolling from his mouth as he swiftly fastens my seatbelt for me. He places my mini suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle before jogging back to the driver's side.
The time is going on 9pm Nanga and I have been texting for the past half an hour. She told me that Mama was hijacked on her way to her weekly Thursday all-night prayer session. Her Ford EcoSport was found stripped at a nearby township. Apparently no one saw who did it, which gives me more chills.
Well, I'm supposed to fly out to the Eastern Cape tomorrow. Qaphela being Qaphela, said he'll make sure I fly out by tonight. A friend of his offered his jet for tonight, so we're currently on our way to the friend's place.
Swiftly, Qaphela cruises through the streets of Steyn City. I admire the perfectly paved streets and visions of the successful White, Asian and Black populations. This is where the middle and upper-class meet, thrive, and live out the rest of their lives.
Qaphela puts the car to a halt when we reach the long black gate. It immediately slides open, revealing an outstanding huge architectural structure, a three tier fountain that is inviting and is a peculiar sight for sore eyes. He parks his car next to the other three that have accommodated the huge driveway. He offs the engine before he jogs to my side, gently taking my hand and pulling me out of the car. "Are you okay Mama?" He questions, with concern laced in his tone. I nod sceptically, heaving a sigh of defeat.
He blows out a sigh as his eyes don't leave mine. His delicate cologne is swirling through my chest. He then engulfs the either sides of my face with his soft hands, making me look up at him and nowhere else.
"I just-I can't believe she's gone." I whisper. He sighs, lifting my head and kissing me on my lips.
"I'm here baby, ikhona indoda yakho." He breathes against my lips.
•••
"Evening guys! Welcome." A light-skinned Adonis announces as he opens the door for us. I'm guessing he's Alden, the friend Qaphela told me about.
"Brother, meet my lady, Ayize Gxarha. Mama, meet Alden Wellesley, my brother from another mother." Qaphela introduces us. I give Alden a faint smile, offering my hand to shake.
"Nonsense, we don't do the handshaking thing here. How are you gorgeous lady, considering the current circumstances?" He probes as he envelopes me in a warm brotherly embrace.
"I'm okay, just hoping it gets better." I respond with a faint smile, getting out of his embrace.
"Baby!" Someone yells out. Immediately, a dazzling and very much well put together woman appears behind Alden. "Senifikile Qaphela." A dulcet sound slips from her lips as she looks at Qaphela. Her big eyes land on me and the slits of her lips curve into a warm smile, emphasising on her round cheeks.
"You must be this one's girlfriend, I heard a lot about you. I'm Nqo, well short for Nqobile. I'm Baby's-well Alden's long term girlfriend- ugh man; I heard about your mom, how are you bae? Come this way." She rambles, already dragging my arm, with the pity that I don't want to witness from any one. I internally psychoanalyse her. Well, she's quite...interesting.
She smells like money okay? Not the common ordinary Mandelas we carry, but real wealth. The generational kind of wealth. This Nqobile girl is the epitome of beauty and class.
We walk further inside the gorgeous home with Qaphela and Alden behind us. We reach the gorgeous, sublime kitchen where we find two other people. A beautiful brown skinned lady along with a fine dreadlocked demigod who has his arms wrapped around her waist. They stare at me with warm expressions on their perfect faces. Talk about life being unfair. How are two good looking, model like people together?
"Mbhebheni!" The dreadhead exclaims upon landing his gaze on Qaphela. I frown upon hearing his choice of words. Nqobile notices the shift in my body language and she exhales sharply.
"Don't worry. They're crazy like that, you'll get used to it. Alden is also referred to with some other ghetto phrase. God knows how much it pisses me off." Nqobile whispers through her teeth. I'm tempted to chuckle but I hold myself.
"Nzuzo, KK. Meet my lady, Ayize." Qaphela's voice reverberates next to me. He lowers his head to my ear, sending signals all over my body. "Baby, meet Nzuzo and his wife uKuhlekonke, they're the oddest of the bunch."
"Sawubona smomondiya." The Nzuzo character softly greets as he steps forward. I give him a tight smile before shaking his hand. I can't help but notice the multicoloured traditional beads and animals skins wrapped all over his wrists. Igqirha?
"Yes I am." He unexpectedly proves my sudden notion right. Wait- what? "I'm a diviner Mam'Cwerha." He reveals, with an inviting expression on his face. Not only is he weird, but he referred to me by my clan name. I need to ask Qaphela about him.
"Stop scaring the poor girl Nzuzo." His wife croaks out. She looks at me and smirks and then frowns at Qaphela. "How did you get a beautiful girl like her to date you?" She jokes, swatting his arm.
"Sawubona nawe Minnie Dlamini." Qaphela mumbles, pecking her forehead. He's right though, she really does resemble Itumeleng Khune's ex.
"Mxm." She emits before shifting her gaze to me. "Hi beautiful, I'm Kuhlekonke, I'm Nzuzo's wife and this one's cousin." She states, pointing at Alden.
"Hi." I greet, ever so softly. She hugs me, squeezing the life out of me.
"Qaphela told us about your mother, phepisa baby." She shares, warmly. I can't help but stare at her lushly beautiful face, sculptured with heart shaped lips and a sharp nose.
"Uhm, thanks." I huff out.
"The jet is ready. We already got airspace, Lloyd gave us the go ahead." Alden announces. Nqobile sulks and gives me one last hug.
"Don't be a stranger babe, we should meet up soon." She gists.
"Yeah, we can do lunch soon. If that's okay with Ayize." Kuhlekonke adds in agreement.
"Of course ladies." I reply with a genuine smile this time around.
"Asambe baby." Qaphela announces softly. I give the ladies hugs once again before following the three men.
"Peanut! He's at my mother's house." I inform Qaphela. A million thoughts race through my mind. Was he with Mama? Is he still at Mama's house? What is going on? •••
A/N Hey beautiful people, usisi wama excuse is back. I just wanted to know if you guys are enjoying the story. Your feedback will be realllyy appreciated.🤍✨ And to Cassss__ I loved working with your characters once again!☺️❤️
