Still

Chapter 5

Khanyisile's POV:

"Two weeks have passed since I last spoke to Philasande. I've been avoiding him, and the guilt is suffocating. My mind races with excuses, but the truth is, I'm overwhelmed. My parents' drama is a never-ending storm, and I can't bear the thought of dragging Philasande into it. I've cut people off before, but this feels different. Philasande's kind eyes and gentle smile haunt me. What if I'm making a mistake? No, I shake my head, I've survived without him before, I can do it again."

Philasande's POV:

"Two weeks of silence from Khanyisile have left me restless. Frustration gnaws at me, but beneath it, a spark of worry flickers. Is she okay? Has she lost interest? I push the doubts aside, refusing to give up. There's something about Khanyisile that draws me in - her radiant smile, her infectious laughter, her unwavering strength. I crave more than just her attention; I want her heart. I envision her as Mrs. Gama, standing by my side, building a life together. The thought drives me forward, and I'll stop at nothing to make it a reality."

...

Philasande's gaze drifted across the conference room, his mind elsewhere. The presentation on market trends blurred together as he thought of Khanyisile. Again.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Two weeks of silence from her, and his usual confidence was starting to fray. Had he misread their connection?

"Philasande, are you with us?" his business partner, Atlehang, asked, snapping him back to reality.

Philasande nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, sorry. Just...processing."

But his attention wandered again, his thoughts consumed by Khanyisile's bright smile and infectious laugh. What was she hiding? And why couldn't he get her out of his head?

He scribbled some notes on his pad, pretending to focus on the discussion, but his mind kept drifting back to her. He needed to see her, to talk to her, to understand what was going on.

The meeting adjourned, and Philasande excused himself, his phone already in hand. He'd tried calling, texting, and even showing up at her favorite spots. Now, he'd try something different.

Philasande pulled up to his childhood home, seeking his mom's guidance. Inside, he found her in the kitchen, surrounded by the familiar aromas of freshly baked bread and simmering stew.

"Mom, I need your advice," Philasande said, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "It's about Khanyisile. We've been talking, but now she's avoiding me, and I don't know what to do."

Ma Gama's expression turned thoughtful. "Khanyisile... I've seen her around, you know. She's friends with Nkanyezi, and I've met her at a few family gatherings."

Philasande nodded, remembering the connection.

Ma Gama continued, "She seems like a sweet girl, but I've noticed she looks a bit... lost, lately. Like she's carrying a weight on her shoulders."

Philasande's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"

Ma Gama hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Just that she seems troubled, that's all. Maybe she's dealing with something personal, or maybe it's just stress. But I think she could use a supportive ear, if you know what I mean."

Philasande nodded, taking in his mom's subtle hint. He realized that Khanyisile might be struggling with something deeper, and that his pushy behavior might not be helping.

Philasande thanked his mother and left on his way to Nkanyezi's house to find out what's really going on with Khanyisile because if anyone knows it would definitely be her.

Philasande's eyes widened as he walked into Nkanyezi's kitchen, his mind racing with questions. But nothing could have prepared him for the sight before him. Khanyisile, the girl who had been ignoring him for two weeks, sat at the kitchen table, laughing and chatting with Nkanyezi .

Philasande's anger simmered just below the surface as he took in the scene. What was going on here? Why was Khanyisile acting like everything was fine, like she hadn't been avoiding him for weeks?

Nkanyezi noticed him first, a look of surprise crossing her face. "Philasande! Hey, cuz!"

Khanyisile's eyes followed Nkanyezi's gaze, and for a moment, she looked taken aback. But then, her expression smoothed out, and she smiled, like nothing was wrong.

"Hey, Philasande," she said, her voice light and carefree.

Philasande's anger boiled over. How could she act like this, like she hadn't been ignoring him, like she hadn't hurt him?

"What's going on here?" Philasande demanded, his voice low and even.

Nkanyezi stood up, a concerned look on her face. "Philasande, what's wrong?"

But Philasande's eyes were fixed on Khanyisile. "You've been ignoring me for two weeks, and now you're sitting here, laughing and chatting like everything is fine?"

Khanyisile's smile faltered, and for a moment, Philasande saw a glimmer of something else in her eyes. But then, her mask slipped back into place.

"Philasande, I—"

"Don't," Philasande cut her off, his anger and hurt boiling over. "Just don't."

Philasande stormed out the house with anger leaving Nkanyezi and Khanyisile in the kitchen.

Nkanyezi chased after Philasande, catching up to him on the sidewalk. "Philasande, wait! What's going on? You can't just storm out like that!"

Philasande spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. "You know exactly what's going on, Nkanyezi! Your friend Khanyisile has been ignoring me for two weeks, and now she's sitting in your kitchen, laughing and chatting like everything is fine!"

Nkanyezi's expression turned concerned. "Philasande, I don't know what's going on with Khanyisile, but I'll talk to her, okay? Just calm down."

Philasande took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. "You need to tell me what's going on, Nkanyezi. Is she okay? Is something wrong?"

Nkanyezi hesitated, glancing back at the house. "I'll talk to her, Philasande. I promise. But you need to calm down and give me some space to figure out what's going on."

Philasande nodded, feeling a bit of his anger dissipate. "Fine. But Nkanyezi, please... find out what's going on. I care about her, and I don't understand what's happening."

Nkanyezi nodded and headed back to the house, leaving Philasande standing on the sidewalk, feeling frustrated and helpless.

As Nkanyezi entered the kitchen, Khanyisile was still sitting with her head hung low, her eyes fixed on the floor. Nkanyezi sat down beside her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Khanyisile, what's going on? You need to tell me. Philasande is hurt, and I don't know how to help him."

Khanyisile slowly lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed. "Nkanyezi, I... I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry."