Noma and Kea

CHAPTER 1

I would like this place a lot better if it wasn't notorious for it's reputation. Pitori Mahlanyeng, Pretoria the place that's crazy, it has it's perks like during October the bloom of the Purple Jacaranda tree, but it's a crazy city, well not where I live. I live in Eastwood it's between Arcadia and Hatfield. I am not complaining, because I consider myself luck especially to be working in a city like this that has so many opportunities, especially, while my colleagues take 2 or even 4 taxi's to get to work, all it takes for me is one bus ride on Tshwane's finest, The Tshwane Bus Services. You know the famous Green and White busses, yep that's what I catch every morning many would complain about them. I genuinely don't care as long as you get me to work, I am OK. I live in a 2-bedroom apartment with my roommate and best friend, Ntokozo. Ntokozo and I have been best friends since we were in diapers our moms met one day at a clinic and ever since we have been doing everything together, went to Primary and High School, attended the same University, hell we were even each other's Matric Dance date, she had guys lined up to ask her out but she said no because we said we'd go together. She's my best friend I don't know what I would do without her.
Today was a normal day at the office, I work at the Department of Home Affairs and before yall say, 'System offline' making fun of us I work in the finance office and, Yes Guys the System sometimes does go offline, other time we just wanna go to Lunch early, I'm Sorry, but I work at the Head Office so I don't know about the Branches. Ntokozo fortunately doesn't work with me, I know I sound rude by saying 'Fortunately', but knowing me and her we wouldn't get any work done because we'd be gossiping about our colleagues. Ntokozo is a Nurse at Muelmed Mediclinic so she is a Stunna Girl in a way. Today was a busy day especially for a Thursday, the amount of work I had to do was crazy even had to skip Lunch today if I want to catch the 16:15 bus. I finish as earlier than expected, better get out of here before they ask me to do something else. I get in the elevator; I look at my watch it's 15:45 which is 15 minutes too early for me to be leaving. The elevator stops at the bottom floor and dings open as I walk out my boss walks in. Mrs. Peterson she has always had it out for everyone doesn't matter what field you working in she has it out for you regardless. Thank God she didn't see me surrounded by the horde of people. My escape victorious.
I walk to my bus stop, I usually climb the Silverton bus because it passes through my neighborhood. I walk to the Bus Stop and there's a lot of people I am guessing the 15h00 bus didn't come that means they are all depending on this one. My stomach grumbles, oh shit I forgot I didn't eat cause of work, maybe I should buy a Mielie from umama lapho(The Mama over there). I walk towards her greet respectfully, "Hello Mama how much is a Mielie?"
"R10 my child, do you want me to grill it for you" she asks.
"Yes Please" I say and she removes the husks and places it on the grill and she grills it after 5 minutes she sprinkles it with salt and hands it to me, "Dankie" I grab it and stand by the stop. It's 16:10, the bus should be here any minute now, and here it comes rolling in and hisses when it stops. This mielie is delicious I eat it while the bus wait's for it's allocated time to leave and then pulls off into traffic it's doors smacking close and the bus wailing as it moves, swerving through traffic you would think this bus driver thinks it's Fast and the Furious. My stop is next, I stand up and tap my bus card and it stops, "Thank You" I say as I get off. I walk to the robot and wait for it to turn red so I can cross over. More cars are speeding past me and the robot finally turns red and I walk across holding my little hand bag as I walk on the pavement to my gate, there are 3 boys who are parked in the middle of the street, one inside in the backseat of a gray Nissan Skyline, those old ones I don't know which one it is but it's a Nissan Skyline that's for sure. One of them is shouting at my building, "Ekse Mandla, A re Vaye wena"(Yo Mandla lets go) and, there's another who is wearing Black Adidas track pants and a white T-shirt, he has his hands in his pockets leaning on the side of the car and looking at his friend, then he looks at me. I feel like his eyes pierced right through me, "Ay warasa"(Yo You making a noise) he says and his boy quietens down. He pushes off his car and opens the driver's door and steps in and then the loud friend gets into the passenger. I open the gate and step into the building, as I am going up the stairs a boy rushes passed me, "Askies Ausi" he says and continues dashing off and going downstairs. I open my door and I walk into my sweet, sweet home Oh how I have missed you, I throw myself onto my bed and take off my shoes slowly. A little nap wouldn't hurt, Right? Plus it's only 16:30 I wake up at 5 I make a little something to eat and Yeah, I am definitely taking that nap.
"Noma. Noma. Noma" I hear while I am being shaken, I squint my eyes open, "What" I mutter as I roll over. "What are we eating for dinner" Ntokozo asks with her brown eyes beaming at me.
"You woke me up for that, it's only 5 we'll cook something" I say and plant myself back onto my pillow.
"It's actually 7, I was about to cook just wanted to know if you wanted anything specific" she says. "What's the time" I jolt. "7" she replies. Oh Shit I overslept now I won't sleep early today DAMMIT. "So what you wanna eat" she asks. "I will make something" I say and get out of bed. The Only reason I am cooking is, because I know Ntokozo as much as I love her, baby girl can't cook for shit. I don't blame her though, her mom never cooked since their Grandmother lived with them. I walk to the bathroom and clean my face, I look in the mirror, I have never questioned if I was pretty, I mean I know I am attractive because of the compliments the Security guards and some of my Male colleagues not only talk, but act around me, but today that boy why'd he look at me. Hai man Noma, you don't have time for boys, I worked so hard to get to where I am, where I sit in meetings with the other big accountants of the Office. I can't slip now. I slap my cheeks and blood rushes giving them a red flush. I leave the bathroom and head to the kitchen and open the fridge and look.
OK what do we have, Chicken and Salad it is, I take out 4 pieces of chicken,2 wings and 1 Drumstick and another Thigh, throw them in the Microwave and defrost. I grab the lettuce and shred it and grab tomato and slice and dice. Season the chicken and Oven roast and back to the salad and crumble up some Feta cheese and boom into the fridge, HOLD ON LET ME COOK. LET ME COOK. LOL. After 10 minutes I flip the chicken it sizzles and then I brush it with this Sticky rib sauce don't know the brand, what does it say, Lappies that's the brand. Right back into the Oven. I close and after 10 minutes I flip again and brush for the last time. That is dinner BOYS AND GIRLS. We eat and watch The Wife. Now just listen ok HEAR ME OUT, Imagine guys having a boyfriend like Mqhele Zulu, mh dark tall sexy. Now I said I don't have time for men not characters, now you see Mqhele yeah, but in actuality his oldest brother Nkosana ja Nkosana etype yam. LOL. We finish eating and I look out the window and the street is empty I breath in the fresh air, Ntokozo goes and takes a shower and comes back, "So how are things between you and Simphiwe?" Simphiwe is the Doctor 'friend' that she works with. "Hai yazi Simphiwe thinks I am a fool" she says. "Wait, What happened" I ask. "You know what he does, so Tuesday remember I had that headache and then I took those pills and I only woke up on Wednesday, so yesterday he didn't come to work. I am like cool, let me call him and see wagwan with him, he doesn't answer"
"Eh" I retort.
"Shap, today I ask him wagwan, he's like 'I didn't think I needed to answer', like what the fuck"
"Did you tell him about the headache" I ask. "Didn't have the time too, hai and worse part tomorrow we both working nightshift so it's me and him all night". "Hai mara chomi what can you do, try talking to him again" I say, I know it wont do any good cause I know her, 3,2,1. "Aowah, I gave him his chance if he wants to act like a child I will treat him like one" she says. Right on cue, "So you dropping him?"
"Vele I am dropping him, maybe then he'll learn to be mature" she says. yep that's Ntokozo for you.