Zamageda his heart

chapter 9

We arrive in PE and drive to the beach hotel, where he efficiently checks us in. Our rooms are assigned, conveniently located opposite each other. He places my suitcase in front of my door, opens it, and holds it open for me, his deep voice rumbling, 'I'll be in my room; call me when you're ready to leave.' I nod, and he closes the door behind me.I take a quick shower, slip into a long-sleeved navy blue bodycon dress, add a light jacket, a beanie to cover my bald head, and boots. I make myself a cup of coffee to pass the time and marvel at the breathtaking beach view. I update my mother, and she wishes me much-needed strength for the remainder of the week. As I gaze out at the ocean, I feel a sense of calm wash over me, preparing me for the challenging days ahead

I finally muster the courage to grab my sling bag and head to Ziphos' room. I knock softly, and he answers, bidding farewell to whoever is on the phone before confessing his undying love amidst giggles. Despite feeling hurt, I try to maintain my composure. "We can leave," I say softly, my voice masked with pain and disappointment. He tells me to lead the way.I quickly walk to the rental car and wait for him to unlock it before jumping into the front seat. His expression is unreadable. As he gets in, his eyes meet mine, softening slowly. "You don't open any doors or pay for anything when you're with me," he says sternly, as if reprimanding me. I don't respond, but I hold his gaze. "Uyezwa Zama?" he asks, his voice firm and demanding, but I know he's not using that tone with me.

He sighs, starts the car, and begins driving. On any other day, his words would have left me weak in the knees, but not today. My heart breaks again as I mourn the end of our relationship before it even began. I type an address into the GPS, and we drive in silence to a shopping centre. "Do you need anything?" he asks, but I shake my head, declining. I'm craving a Cinnabon, but I don't want anything from him. He gets out and returns with some bags, and I admire his thoughtfulness despite the circumstances. The drive to Motherwell is quiet, both of us lost in thought, and I dread every passing second. As we approach our destination, the GPS announces we're 100 meters away. I look at him expectantly, my eyes pleading with him to turn back. He gently takes my hand in his, pecking it multiple times with soft, reassuring kisses.

We step inside the house, and a heavy atmosphere of grief envelops us. The air is thick with sorrow, and the weight of loss hangs over everyone like a dark cloud. I don't bother introducing him as he quickly excuses himself, leaving me to face the somber gathering alone. We exchange somber pleasantries, and her father explains the arrangements and tasks that need to be completed. We divide the responsibilities among ourselves, and the rest of the week passes in a blur.

As the days go by, my anger towards him subsides, replaced by gratitude for his support. He's driven me around, helped with errands, and been a steady presence during this difficult time. We've given Liz a beautiful sendoff, and now we bid farewell, driving back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we'll fly back to Kimberley, but for now, we freshen up and head out for after-tears drinks. Graig isn't thrilled about the idea, but he agrees, setting a condition that madam only has three drinks. Lwazi excitedly introduces me to his wife, Xoliswa - a stunning, curvy black woman with a vibrant head wrap, exuding warmth and elegance. She's the epitome of a umakoti womzulu as"inhliziyo ka bafo" (my brothers heart). She chuckles, and the man next to me blushes.
She hugs me warmly and says, "It's lovely to meet you, Skwi." I smile and express my gratitude for her presence. We're later joined by their younger brother, Manqoba, who's based in PE and exudes a charming, ladies' man persona, captivating Amanda's attention with their hushed conversation. Lihle excuses herself after three drinks, and we stay behind, enjoying the evening with 'my man' keeping a watchful eye on me. We eventually drive back to the hotel.This week has given me insight into Ziphos' life. I've learned he's a single father to a 4-year-old drama queen, Namisa, and owns a mine planning and engineering company. He's also a consultant at De Beers and two other mines in Kimberley, explaining his lavish lifestyle. However, he's reserved about his family. I shared my profession as a senior forensic investigator for the South African Investigating Unit, Northern Cape branch. My job seemed to make him uncomfortable, though he didn't say it outright – his body language spoke volumes. The status of our relationship remains a mystery.