When You're Bound To Love

Chapter 1

It's a Friday afternoon, my favorite day of the week. I packed my things from my work desk into my bag and walked out my office. "Spho." I heard my annoying boss call me. Me: "ewe bhuti." I turned and went to his office. Me: "Harold." H: "Hi. Please close the door and sit." he looked like he was about to pass out. I did as told and sat down. Me: "are you okay?" I asked with the least bit of interest. Honestly? I just wanted to get home. H: "yeah..I just need to talk to someone." And that someone must be me? He did not at all befriend anyone in this office ever since he arrived now he's in a mess he needs to talk? Look at God's amazing work. Me: "about what? Don't you want to call your-" H: "No, look I know I'm a jerk okay? It's just, I've just worked so hard, to get this company to come around and its impossible. I can't let people go. All I've been trying to do is save everyone else from getting fired. I cut my salary in half just to compensate for the cleaners salaries. I can't do this anymore. So the head office called. He said we're merging with Cell-com." Me: "But there's going to be retrenchments. People are going to lose their jobs." H: "No. I couldn't let that happen. They're only letting go of the dead weight. Cell-com is doing the retrenching to come join us." Me: "Well, it all worked out. So it's a good thing right?" H: "Yeah but you'll have a new boss. I'm not going to be part of it." Me: "You can't leave. Ever since you got here nobody has lost their job, the company is in good hands-" H: "Hun, I'm old. The CEO that is joining is younger and more advanced than me. You'll be in great hands. I'm counting on you to help him. Okay?" Me: "What about you?" H: "I'll be fine. I'm moving back to Australia." Me: "When?" H: "This is my second last week." Me: "So next week Friday is your last day?" he nodded. I went over to hug him.  Me: "I wish you all the best." H: "Thank you Spho. Enjoy your weekend." Me: "You too." I took my bag and went to my car. Well, I didn't like Harold but it was sad seeing him like that. Usually he's bold and head on, right now he looked so weak and defenseless. I felt so sorry for him, simultaneously hating my new boss already. I don't even know who he is yet he's already on my last nerve. I drove home listening to Metro FM trying to block out my thoughts and focusing on getting home. I finally parked my car inside the garage. My honey was home. His red Audi was parked in its spot. I got out my car and walked into the house. "Mamaaa!!!" Buhle came running. Me: "My baby!" I picked my little boy up and kissed him. Me: "Unjani uBuhle wam?" Buhle: "Uright. Look mama, look what I made for you." I gasped. Me: "This is sooo beautiful baby! Who did this? You?" he blushed. "Hey.." the older version of him appeared. Me: "Where are you going? All dressed and ready?" he kissed my cheek. Me: "Simphiwe." Sim: "Babe. Ndisaya apha eFinnezz. Ndizobuya kwangoku." (I'm going to Finnezz. I'll be back just now.) Me: "But I just got here." Simphiwe: "Babe. Trust me. I want to fetch my friend. He's from Durban baby. He doesn't know his way. We're going to have a few drinks, then come back here. Ok?" Me: "Okay." he kissed my lips. Simphiwe: "I love you." Me: "I love you too." he bent down and tickled his son. Simphiwe: "Ndiyeza kwedin." (I'm coming back my boy.) he went out. I put my bags down, I looked for something to cook while Buhle was watching cartoons. I decided to make something quick because I was tired and a bit lazy today. I made pap and wors with spicy tomato gravy. I made sure it was a lot in case we have a guest. While doing the cooking I tidied up the house and cleaned. Once I was finished cooking I joined Buhle with his cartoons. Soon after that Simphiwe came back with his 'friend from Durban.' I will stop right there. You might notice a bit of tension in the household, if not, that's okay. We've been trying to play it off. Buhle is Simphiwe's son, with his ex. He comes over every Friday to Sunday. He calls me mama and enjoys every second here with me. Simphiwe on the other hand thinks it's confusing for the boy to have two "mama's" in his life. Hmmm.... I don't know if that meant I should pay less attention to the boy or tell him to call me sisi. I was confused, anyway, it's been that issue since. Among others. Back to the story. Simphiwe: "baby." he came to me. He was drunk. Simphiwe: "Nanku lomjita bendithetha ngaye. Lakhe, this is my woman." (here's the guy I was talking about.) he smiled. Lakhe: "Hello." I shook his hand. His eyes fixed on mine. Me: "Hello." Lakhe: "It's a pleasure to meet you." Me: "Same here." I let go of his hand before it got too awkward. Me: "So, I'll dish up." Simphiwe was already in the kitchen with his head peeping in a pot. Simphiwe: "I'm so hungry baby." Me: "I'm about to dish up." he walked to the lounge and sat on the couch. Lakhe: "Do you need help?" Uhmm. Me: "no I'm fine. You can have a seat." they went to sit so that I can dish up. While they were talking, I eavesdropped. Simphiwe: "So where's your girl? What was her name again?" Lakhe: "I don't have a girl." Simphiwe: "Come on, you had a girl, we called her Banger because she was a flame. What happened?" Lakhe: "We broke up." Simphiwe: "Oh? So, you're here for how long?" Lakhe: "For good I hope." he looked up and I diverted my eyes back to my task. Simphiwe: "You left Durban for PE?" Lakhe: "Yeah. I have a new job lined up. Its a bit hush hush for now but, that's the deal." Simphiwe: "Great. Want a beer?" Lakhe: "No." he looked over at Buhle. Simphiwe: "I'm confused." Lakhe: "I can't drink of front of your kid." his phone rang. Lakhe: "Excuse me." he got up, walking out the house. I took out the trays placed plates on them. Simphiwe: "He's changed. He's not the same crazy guy I know. Spontaneous and fun. Buhle doesn't have a problem with my drinks." Me: "Maybe he hasn't changed but perhaps grown." Simphiwe: "What are trying to say?" Me: "I said what I wanted to say. I'm not trying to say anything else." Simphiwe: "So I haven't grown?" Me: "That's not what I said." Simphiwe: "But that's what you're implying. That since I drink in front of him, I've not grown." Me: "I didn't even mention uBuhle. I was referring to the crazy and fun friend you used to have. Perhaps he has grown out of that." Simphiwe: "I know exactly what you mean Siphosenkosi. Ndikuvile." (I heard you.) Lakhe came back in the house. Simphiwe walked out. Lakhe: "And now?" I just shrugged and put the trays on the table. Me: "Buhle my love. Come pray and eat." he got up and closed his eyes, with his little hands joined together in front of his chest. Buhle: "God please bless our food and family. Amen." Lakhe: "Amen." Me: "Amen honey." Lakhe: "Uhm...let me check up on Simpra. Make sure he's fine." Me: "Ok." he walked out after his friend. Me and the boy ate our supper. Then washed our dishes. We went to the bathroom to have our night bath together before the buddies came back. I put Buhle in his pajamas and I got into my gown then went to watch TV in the lounge together. It was around 1am when I heard a knock on my door. I'd fallen asleep with Buhle on the couch. I checked who it was and it was the man of the house plus his friend. Drunk to death. I opened the door. Me: "Put him on the couch." I took Buhle to the room then came back to lock the house. Me: "And you? Where you gonna sleep?" Lakhe: "I'll go to the hotel." Me: "You barely know PE and you're going to drive around drunk? Then get arrested or get hijacked or even worse get into an accident. What do we tell your family? Yoh! I can't with you both. I can't." I locked the door. Lakhe: "You're gorgeous even when you wake up." I was dumb for a few seconds and a bit motionless. I don't even know when last I was complimented. I'm flustered. Also, Lakhe was so handsome. Easy to look at with a bit of a meaty bone body and fit. Me: "I...uhm...thanks. There's a room. You can share it with your friend." I opened the spare room and noticed I forgot to put in the sheets. They were neatly folded by uSis Thobeka on yesterday when I insisted that I will take care of it. Me: "Oh my Goodness." I made the bed as quick as I possibly could. When I finished I turned around and found him right behind me. My heart beat raced rapidly at this point. I was suddenly afraid of him. I began shaking involuntarily. He looked as sober as a judge and unshaken. Not even blinking. Me: "Lakhe." I breathed. Lakhe: "Yes." Me: "You didn't drink did you?" Lakhe: "Nope." I didn't know whether to sprint for my life or slowly escape. How could I let a man I didn't even know come into my house and offer him a place to sleep. He could be a rapist. A serial killer! What if he cuts off my boobs? Lakhe: "Why are you scared?" Me: "I'm not." Lakhe: "Don't lie to me. You're nervous. You're shaking. Do you think I might hurt ....you?" that last sentence was as broken as my heart. Whispered yet screaming for help. Me: "No." I lied. I know you're about to. Lakhe: "hm." he looked at the bed. Lakhe: "Thank you for your hospitality." he stepped out of my way and I fast paced walked out that room to my own and locked myself in there with uBuhle. What the fucking hell was that all about! What if Simphiwe brought home a psychotic killer? What was this?