The Perfect Facade.

Chapter 53

I couldn't get much sleep after last night honestly, neither could Kwanele.

He kept trying to reassure me that he's fine and that this new Kgopotso wouldn't interfere with our relationship. I believe him but at the same time it's like she already has.

I wish he had told me earlier but I understand that it was a lot for him. I just want to leave here and go back home.

He's asleep, which isn't like him. He usually wakes up early but I won't bother him.

I decide on packing up our things so when he wakes up he'll find everything ready for him... I'm making breakfast too.

KWANELE :MaMotloung.
He walks in the kitchen, dragging his feet. Dammit,he looks terrible.

KWANELE :Usuvukile mama? (You're awake?)
I nod.

KGOPOTSO :You were snoring up a storm in there so I decided to make up some breakfast.

KWANELE : Sasingekho isidingo salokho sthandwa sam. You're supposed to be relaxing not slaving away in the kitchen. (there was no need for that)

I pass him his plate and a glass of juice.

KGOPOTSO :Nonsense. A wife must take care of her husband, isn't that right?
He sits down by the island in the kitchen and starts eating.

KGOPOTSO :Uhmm as you can see, I packed our bags...ke nahana re tsamaye Kwanele. (I think we should leave)
He drinks his juice.

KWANELE :Ngoba?(why)

KGOPOTSO: I don't know... I just think we should be at home right now.

KWANELE :I'm not going to let that woman get in the way of us spending quality time together.

KGOPOTSO :I don't give a fuck about that woman, I give a fuck about you... Us.

KWANELE :If you want to leave that bad then kulungile, we'll leave. (It's fine)
He pushes the food away and walks away.

****************************
We're on our way back home and Kwanele is giving me the silent treatment... Not really but he's answering my questions with one word.. Like bua hantle abuti! (talk normally)

KGOPOTSO :Can you stop by Cinnabon?
He breathes out a heavy sigh...

KGOPOTSO :If you don't want to it's fine.
He still doesn't say anything. Drama king!!
We stop by the mall and we both get out to go buy me some good 'ole cinnamon rolls with vanilla bean ice cream!
I take out my purse to pay but he takes out his card and pays before me.
I know that's right!

We get to the car and his phone rings.

KWANELE :Kwanele Dlamini hello........ Who am I talking to?..... Lalela la wena, ungalinge ufonele le number do you understand me!? (listen here don't you ever call this number)
He grits out.

KGOPOTSO :Who was that?

KWANELE :Kgopotso.
Oh. Okay.

KGOPOTSO :What does she want?

KWANELE :Money.

KGOPOTSO :How did she get your number?

KWANELE :How should I know? Should I call her again and ask her?
He says sarcastically.
You know what, I'm just going to keep quiet. If this is how he's going to talk to me, I'll shut up.

We drive in silence for the next 30minutes. We stop at his brother's house.. We'll they all share a house so... We stop at their house.

KWANELE :You coming?
I look out the window and not say anything.

KWANELE :I'll take that as a yes.
Arghh!
He walks around the car and opens the door for me.

KWANELE :Can you smile at least?
I fold my arms.

KGOPOTSO :I'm not an actress.
He takes my hand and we walk into the house.

CHANTELLE :Look who's here!!!
She gives me a hug and steals me from Kwanele immediately.

DUDU :Hiiiiiii.

KGOPOTSO :Hi Dudu.
Khanyi and Dingane walk down the stairs, hand in hand.

Well isn't it the most obnoxious couple to walk on planet earth.

KHANYI :Kgopotso hi.
She says with a smile on her face.

KGOPOTSO :Hello.
She opens her arms to give me a hug. What's going on?? Is the world ending or something?

I move away.

KHANYI :I thought we squashed things the last time we spoke sisi.
I laugh out. She's funny shem.

KGOPOTSO :'Squashed things'?? The only thing that got squashed was your face. You're a grown adult Khanyi, very grown, so please stop pretending.

CHANTELLE :Guys I think we should just let bye-gones be bye-gones.

DUDU :Yeah, Kgopotso you're right, we are adults. Why can't we act like them?
Here they go again sucking up to the group leader.

KGOPOTSO :I don't have time for all of this honestly... I don't even know why Kwanele wanted us to stop here because it's clear hore le act'ela di camera bo ausi. (You're acting for the cameras)
I'm not about to to play black-maipatile with grown ass adults! (hide and seek)

DINGANE :Makoti from where I'm standing, my wife apologised for her transgressions-

KGOPOTSO :I don't remember her doing so, in fact I'm the one, the stupid girl that walked to her, humbly so and apologised for her unruly behavior......You know what I call what she did? I call it bullying and body shaming.

CHANTELLE :Ha girl!

KGOPOTSO :Wa bua? Weren't you there when she said I'm not fit to be a mother? When she said that it's a good thing that I misscaried my child? O nose teng wena? So skang tlela ka masepa.. 'ha' yang?!!

KWANELE :MaMotloung?
I turn around and he's standing by the door with his arms folded.

KGOPOTSO :Ha.a don't look at me like that.
I walk past him to leave the house but he grabs me by the arm.
Bathong.

KWANELE :Awuyi ndawo until we resolve this little quarrel you have noKhanyi.(You're not going anywhere)
Ha!

KGOPOTSO :So wang fost'a basically? (You're forcing me?)

KWANELE :Yes.

KGOPOTSO :Ha! Ke le moholo so Kwanele. Wang tlwaela shem! Sies! You want me to talk to her after she embarrassed me and made a disgrace of me, right after we lost our child.... You know how much that affected me Kwanele mara wena o matha ka tlasa skhethe sa hae......you're not a kid anymore Kwanele, you're grown man who's married to a grown woman that can make her own goddam decisions. I won't speak to her, even if she apologizes and that's because I decide not to. It's my decision not yours! (You're running under her skirt)