The Perfect Facade.

Chapter 38

We're at the dinner table and it's very evident that Khanyi and I aren't really on speaking terms. We haven't spoken to each other since they came back from Cape Town. I shared some of my pizza with the kids,I just can't say no!

Dingane suggested Mfanafuthi sit at the table with us but everyone knows that it's just for us adult, while the kids in the living room. Kwanele is kind of pissed off by that, it's almost like Dingane wants to be the parent on his behalf.

KHANYI :Chantelle can you please pass me the salt?
The salt is right in front of me, why doesn't she ask me for it?

I hand it to her and she gives me a look. Hebanna?
She doesn't end up using it and continues with her conversation with her husband.

I check if Kwanele saw how she acted and he gives me a look, a look that says he wants to say something. I return a look that tells him he should keep his mouth shut.

KWANELE :Nginenkinga encane. ( I have a little problem)
Moer! Shit just hit the fan.

BANDILE :Khuluma keh.(speak then)

KWANELE : It has come to my attention that there are people in this house who think they run my wife and I.
The attention drifts to me now.

DUDU :Which people Bhuti?

KWANELE : uDingane nomkakhe. (Dingane and his wife.)

KHANYI :Haibo! Where is this coming from?

KWANELE : I don't appreciate you talking about my wife's body to your husband behind her back Khanyisile and when she tries to make a mends with you awumnaki. (you disregard her.)

KHANYI :She's still angry about that?

KWANELE :She isn't, I am. Ontop of that I hear you talking more bullshit about her and our child in the hallway.
Chantelle gasps.

I didn't even know they spoke more about me... Their lives must be boring shem.

DINGANE :You listen to women's conversation now?

KWANELE :Yes only because she was questioning if my wife would measure up to be a great my mother like she is. Wayedelela umkami and that's it. (She was disrespecting my wife.)

CHANTELLE :Kwanele it honestly wasn't coming from a bad place.

KWANELE :What place was it coming from? Khanyisile used words like, sensitive, incompetent, immature, the list could go on. Now tell me Bandile if Kgopotso said that to Dudu, would it sit well with you?

BANDILE :Not at all.

KWANELE :Exactly. Khanyisile if you have nothing good to say about my wife, shut the fuck up.

KGOPOTSO :Kwanele....
He can't speak to her like that.

KWANELE : Nawe Dingane, usuqala ukungicasula manje ndoda. If you want a son, khuluma nomkakho. (And you Dingane , you're starting to irritate me now man.... Talk to your wife)
Yoh Kwanele.

DINGANE :Ngilungisa lapho wehluleka khona. (I'm fixing up where you failed)
Kwanele laughs.

Mthokozisi takes Kwanele's knife out of his hand.
BANDILE :Mfanafuthi, go upstairs buddy.
The body takes his plate of food and leaves the table.

Dingane stands up and puts a gun on the table. Bathong!

KHANYI :He's not worth it Dingane..
Kwanele stands up and puts a gun on the table as well. Should I also tell him it's not worth it too or?

MTHO: Kwanele sit down.
Instead of listening to his brother he folds up his sleeves. Are they about to fight?

DINGANE :You're a small boy Kwanele, sit down and listen to your brother. Listen to your siblings like you should've with your sister.
Kwanele is down right furious right now. Dingane walks up to him.

KHANYI : Dingane leave him, you'll hurt him.
Oh please, if anything Kwanele would be the one hurting Dingane's old ass!

Dingane throws a flipping punch at Kwanele but misses. Are they really about to have a fist fight in the dining room?

Mthokozisi leans in to talk to me.
MTHO :Ignore them, that's just how they argue.
He stands up and takes his place of food, Chantelle follows behind him.

Kwanele lands a fist at Dingane but Dingane returns it, making Kwanele spit out blood.

DUDU:Come on Kgopotso, they're going to be at it the entire night.
Is this normal? We'll if it is, it shouldn't be.

I reluctantly leave. I know my husband won't listen to me if I told him to stop anyway.

I go upstairs to our room and Mfanafuthi is there.

KGOPOTSO :Mfana... What are you doing in here?
He stands up from the bed.

KWANELE :I just wanted to tell you that you look good in your dress, it reminds me of my mother.
Bathong this child? Is he being like serious right now?

KGOPOTSO :Oh okay. Shapo.
He stands there and doesn't move to walk out.

KGOPOTSO :Are you going to leave or?
This is way too awkward!
He smiles and leaves the room with a wink directed at me.... AGAIN.
Sies , how is this even Kwanele's son hleng?

After a while Kwanele comes into the bedroom.

KWANELE :And then lona, o sole Mike Tyson? (And then you guys, are you Mike Tyson now)
He's battered and bruised.

KGOPOTSO :Tloho. (Come)
I take him into the bathroom to wipe down the blood.
The smell is making me nauseous.
I use a damp washcloth to wipe him down.

KWANELE :Uyangilimaza sthandwa Sam. (You're hurting me)

KGOPOTSO :You hurt yourself by fighting Dingane.. Who does something like that? With their own brother nogal.. (On top of that)
He takes the cloth and wipes himself.

KWANELE :He doesn't respect me.

KGOPOTSO :A lot of people won't respect you Kwanele but it doesn't mean you'll have to use your fists to get that respect. You know that.

KWANELE :He doesn't listen to me when I speak.

KGOPOTSO :Then that makes him the idiot not you neh love,ska lwana man. (don't fight)

KWANELE : Okay-

KGOPOTSO : Promise me Kwanele.
I hold out my pinkie finger and he wraps his around mine.

KWANELE :I promise.
I take the cloth back and wipe his bloody eyebrow.

KGOPOTSO :Atleast tell me you won Kwanele, please!
He grins.

KWANELE :You should see how he looks, I fucked him up bad sthandwa sam.. uyazisola right now, he should've kept his cockiness to himself. (he's regretting it)

I finish up with his tiny wounds and go to do the bed.

KGOPOTSO :I have a question.
He shakes his head.

KWANELE :What is it mkam?

KGOPOTSO :So.... How can I put this? Okay, how did you just agree to marry me while knowing what my father did to your sister? Did you think marrying you would be some kind of punishment for me?

KWANELE :You want the truth?
I nod.

KWANELE :I was actually supposed to marry your sister but because your mother found out she couldn't have children, you were the next best thing.
Eh.