The Perfect Facade.

Chapter 24

KGOPOTSO :Yoh it's a mess in that house Omphile!
He hands me a glass of juice and sits down on the couch.

OMPHILE :I can imagine hey, so the boy yena? He's still sticking to his story?
I nod.

KGOPOTSO :I don't think Kwanele feels like he can rekindle that fatherly flame that was inside of him. It's too much for him.

OMPHILE :Then how is it going to be when you two have a child, is he going to have that fatherly flame you talk about or what?
I shrug my shoulders.

KGOPOTSO :We haven't spoken about kids Omphile hle. Everything happend so quickly, in a blink of an eye I was walking down the aisle. I'm not in a rush for kids.

OMPHILE :I see, but wena otherwise, how have you been?

KGOPOTSO :The hit and run really shook me up hey. I can feel my health taking it's toll right now abuti. This morning ha ne ke hlapa I felt a lump in my breast.

OMPHILE :Oh...

KGOPOTSO :Yeah, I want to go check that as soon as possible incase it's anything cancer related.
He nods.

OMPHILE :Hmm. I'll come with you.
I haven't been feeling my best self lately and I thought maybe it's stress but after I felt that lump in my breast I want to be sure that it's not cancer. I don't know what I'd do if it was.

We finish up with lunch and James picks me up. Kwanele doesn't want me driving since the accident happened.

I walk in the front door and Mfanafuthi is holding his bags and luggage.

KGOPOTSO :Going somewhere?

MFANA: Your husband made it clear he doesn't want me here so I better get going.

KGOPOTSO :Do you have anywhere to go? A friend's house maybe?

MFANA:There's a shelter not too far away from here.
Ai mara Kwanele, letting the kid leave like this. This is his family, he is a Dlamini.

KGOPOTSO :Stay for one more night, I'll talk to him.
I help him take his stuff to the spare bedroom and in time, Kwanele pulls up in the garage.

I wait for him by the door.

KGOPOTSO : I need a favor.

KWANELE :Hello to you too.

KGOPOTSO :Kwanele can he stay here, you're the only family he has.

KWANELE :Ai cha Kgopotso, ngeke phela. I spoke about this yesterday. (No... Never)

KGOPOTSO :As your wife I advise you to let the boy stay. Who knows what relationship will blossom from him being here.

KWANELE :No and that's final. Let him be his own man now, I'll pay for his education and accommodation .. That's the best I can do.

KGOPOTSO :It's not-

KWANELE :MaMotloung angimfuni la! You don't understand that I've done things, terrible things in order to forget his existence in my life. Blood of innocent people was shed to alleviate the anger that I felt when his mother told me he's dead. Him being here will just make things worse for me and peace. He doesn't exist in my world anymore Kgopotso!..... He's not your son so please stay in your place.(I don't want him here)

KGOPOTSO :I'm... I'm sorry.
Pardon me for trying to build a relationship between a father and a son.
If I had the opportunity to see my mother again, I would do it in a heartbeat.

***************************

I went to my mother's old doctor for a ultrasound and my results are in. I'm beyond nervous right now. I sit in the chair opposite the Dr Jacobs as he tells me I have a malignant tumor in my right breast and that it is quite small as of now. If we work quickly enough, it could be removed.

I don't know how to feel about all of this. Now I know how my mother must've felt as she heard she has cancer.

I take my results and leave the office.

OMPHILE :Kgopotso wait...
He follows behind me but in this moment in time, I want to be alone. I just need time to process.

I go to the bathrooms and shut the door in his face.
You'll be fine mahn Kgopotso, just have faith that this God forbidden tumor will be removed.
I'll be fine, I'm going to live a long and prosperous life,Yeah.

I rinse my face with water, take a deep breath in and walk out the bathroom.

?? :Kgopotso.

KGOPOTSO:Naledi, hi.
She comes in for a hug.

NALEDI:How are you, it's been such a long time?

KGOPOTSO :Yeah, I've been doing good. I just popped by for a monthly check up. How are you doing?
She takes out an envelope from her handbag and it's an sonogram.

KGOPOTSO :You're pregnant!!

NALEDI: 4weeks.

KGOPOTSO :Oh my gosh congratulations sis.
We share another hug.

NALEDI:We should totally do lunch with the men,it can be a little baby surprise for Zwide.

KGOPOTSO :Totally, I'm in!

*****************************

I've been distancing myself from that house, can you blame me? Ka mona Kwanele is being an ass father that doesn't want to own up to his son, this side I'm writing down paperwork for my surgery. It's a lot.

I can't bail on Naledi's dinner now.

I walk into her house with Kwanele by my side. We barely look like we're married. His routine is to wake up, want sex and leave for the rest of the day.

NALEDI :Welcome, welcome!
Ooh her house is so beautiful.
She cooked an amazing dinner for us and I'm starving.

We get to eating and obviously the conversation drifts to business and money.

NALEDI:. Zwide, I have a little surprise...
Ooohhhh I'm sooo nervous for her.
She takes out a bag with baby clothes, they're so cute.

ZWIDE: Haibo ngizoba ubaba futhi? (I'm going to be a father again)

NALEDI:Yess.
The father stands up to embrace the mother and it's a beautiful sight to see.

NALEDI:Ncohh look at you, you're going to make me cry. Come here.
Yoh Kgopotso why are you crying so much girl. Get a grip!

I hug her tight.

KGOPOTSO :I'm so happy for you Naledi. I really am.

KWANELE :Ushaye ithagethi mfana, nazoke! (You hit the target)
They make a toast.

KGOPOTSO :It's good to see men that actually take pride in their children and the lives they created. A lot of men in this world could learn alot from you Zwide, don't you think?
Kwanele scoffs.

KGOPOTSO :Excuse me, I need the bathroom.

NALEDI :I'll come with you.
We walk to the bathroom. I can't stand to see Kwanele right now.

NALEDI: Were those some shots fired at Kwanele back there?
I breathe out a heavy sigh.

KGOPOTSO :It's a long story.

NALEDI:I have time,we can talk.