A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 35

Thelani

It was getting late now, and Mbali was getting restless. "We should go out for dinner," she suggested with a sparkle in her eye. "I never get to do that kind of thing back in the hood. Plus, Andile is so uptight sometimes. We live together now, and it's just... different."

I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. It was 8 p.m. by the time we drove to Rosebank, the city lights flickering as we approached. I could sense Mbali's eagerness. She looked like a kid who just stepped into a candy store for the first time, her smile wide and her energy bubbling over.

"What would you like to eat, friend?" I asked her as we settled into our seats at the restaurant.

Mbali grinned mischievously. "Can I have a bit of everything? It's not every day I get to spend your money."

I rolled my eyes, half amused, half exasperated. "Mbali, seriously. Choose a meal."

She looked at the menu, still grinning. "Okay, can I choose two? I mean, I'm eating for two."

Wait. My mind froze. What did she just say? Eating for two?

"Wait... what? You're pregnant?!" I blurted out, trying to process her words.

Mbali smiled softly, that same glow still lighting up her face. "Yes, I am."

"Wow, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed, feeling a wave of joy for her, but underneath, I could sense there was something more.

She let out a small sigh, her smile faltering just a bit. "Thank you, Tee. But... I wasn't ready, hey. Andile hasn't found a job, and we're struggling as it is. Bringing another life into this situation... it's going to make things harder." Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, and I saw something in her eyes I hadn't noticed before-a deep sadness, a vulnerability she rarely showed.

It was strange seeing her like this. Mbali was always the one who hid behind jokes and laughter, but right now, she wasn't hiding. She was just... raw.

I reached for her hand across the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm so sorry, baby. I know this must be tough."

She shook her head. "No, Tee, it's different for you. You had money. We don't. And now, with his mom expecting money from us every month... it's really getting harder." She looked away as if she was embarrassed to admit that, like saying it out loud would make the burden heavier.

"Eish," I whispered, not really knowing what to say. "I'm so sorry, babe, I really am."

Mbali wiped a tear that threatened to spill and forced a smile. "It's okay. We'll figure it out. I've still got about five months until I pop, so maybe it's enough time to patch things here and there." Her voice wavered with a mix of determination and doubt.

"I'll help where I can, I promise," I said firmly, meaning every word.

She blinked back another tear and then, as if switching gears, she waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind that! We're here for a good time, not a sad time. Now let me order for two! We're getting you some wine-you need to loosen up."

We laughed, and for a moment, the weight lifted. Dinner was nice, warm, and comforting. Somewhere between bites of food and sips of wine, I found myself talking to Mbali about Nkosikhona. I told her about our recent encounters and how kind he'd been.

"He was really nice," I said, my mind drifting back to him. "But I swear, Mbali, I've seen him somewhere before."

Mbali laughed and raised her eyebrows. "Ha! Maybe he's that idiot who spilled coffee on you six years ago!"

I froze. It was like something clicked in my brain, and I looked at her, wide-eyed. "Wait... Mbali... actually... it was him."

She paused, the playful smile fading as she realized I was serious. "No, Thelani, that's impossible. I was just joking."

But I shook my head, my heart racing now. "No, Mbali, it really was him. I remember those eyes. It's him."

We stared at each other for a moment, both in disbelief. I couldn't believe it-the guy who spilled coffee on me all those years ago, the guy who left me with R500 and disappeared... was the same guy I'd met again and again. What were the odds? Was it just a strange coincidence? Or was it something more? Something like fate, pulling us together in the most unexpected ways?

I looked out the window, the night feeling heavier somehow, more mysterious. What did this mean for me, for us? And why did it feel like everything in my life was connected in ways I couldn't yet understand?

---

Nkosikhona

We finally secured all the equipment we needed for the plan. It felt like a victory, but I knew it was only the beginning. With Thabo out and working on the outside, we were now focused on hitting the Mthembus where it hurt the most—right at their main branch.

Every day was a step closer to payback. We set up multiple accounts in the shadows, just waiting for the moment when I could crack their system. Once I got in, the money would flow into those accounts like water—clean, untraceable. But it hasn’t been easy. Not at all.

The Mthembus have a strong security system—firewalls that seem impenetrable, layers upon layers of protection. Every time I thought I was getting close, I hit another barrier, another dead end. It was frustrating, to say the least.

But I kept pushing. I had to. For Ayanda. For everything that was taken from me.

Still, even with all the focus I was putting into this job, I couldn't help but glance out the window every few minutes, waiting to see her—Thelani. Her absence was like a weight I couldn’t shake off. She never misses work. Not once. But today, her car hadn’t pulled into the lot, and I didn’t see her sweet face when I arrived at the office.

My mind kept drifting back to her—her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy. There was just something about her that made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Seeing her every day had become more than just a routine; it was a reminder of what I could have if things were different. But she wasn’t here today, and I couldn't help but wonder why. Was she sick? Did something happen?

I tried to push the thoughts away, to focus on the job, but it was no use. The silence of her absence was loud, and it gnawed at me in a way I hadn’t expected. Where was she? Why hadn’t she shown up?

A nagging feeling settled in my chest. I needed to know if she was okay. But what could I do? I couldn’t just call her, not after everything. I had to stay focused. I had to finish what I’d started with Thabo. But still, my mind kept wandering back to her, and a part of me couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong.