Unhinged Love

CHAPTER 32

This week has went by swiftly. I got back to work and it was like I never left. Little by little I am helping my brother get his life back. We did his ID and then went to the police station to do an affidavit stating Tm  lost all his vital documents. Then we went to Department of Education offices in Empangeni to apply for his Matric certificate. We only had to pay R150 for it. And they told us it would 2 to 6 weeks for it to come back. We just have to wait for them to contact us. My brother was legit happy about that. He was over the moon that he was finally getting his life back. Next stop will be getting his mechanical engineering certificate re issued, but that won’t be a problem as long as he has his ID and matric certificate. We also went to the Department of Transport offices in Richards Bay and he was able to apply for a replacement license. Since it expired years back, he has to pay for renewing it and pay for replacing it. They wanted to give us a hassle there, but luckily we did have affidavits stating everything. So the process was smooth.

My brother has been going with me to work in between his appointments and he has been hanging around a lot in the bar with the baristas and the bartenders. Those are males and I think they have been teaching him how to work the bar and all that. This one time, a white lady was hanging at the bar and watching him prepare a mock tail. He is a magnet. Women can’t help themselves around him. It’s the charm that he got from our sperm donor. That useless thing.

Tonight is the night of the dinner with Melisizwe. I have been very anxious about it. I did put it at the back of my mind because my brother is more important than anyone I could ever encounter. Even the investors. But when I told him I had a dinner to go to and I wanted to cancel it because of him, he weirdly said no and told me to go enjoy myself because I lead a very busy life. I need a “breather” according to him. I didn’t tell him anything about the guy I’m meeting. Only that he is someone I met a while and sort of clicked with. In all honesty, I did have a nice conversation with Melisizwe at that brunch we had, but that doesn’t mean anything. Whatever he is trying do won’t work. But that doesn’t stop me from putting on my silky emerald green dress and sandals. I have been up all day and I can’t wear heels, even though I know I will be sitting down.

Melisizwe tells me that he has arrived at Boardwalk and he will be parking his car in the private parking lot and we will drive together in mine to the restaurant. I don’t know how much he trusts those parking spaces, but I don’t say anything. As long as I know where my baby will be. My friends tell me that they will make sure my brother gets home safely. The guy even suggested riding a taxi, but I don’t want him to get lost. Sue me for that. I bid everyone farewell and head to the underground parking lot. That’s where I now park my car after that whole Nomfundo drama. Call me paranoid, I don’t care. I am about to text Melisizwe when I see him coming my way with a bunch of white and pink roses. I don’t want to blush, I swear I don’t, but that’s one beautiful bunch.

“Good evening, Ntokazi.” He greets and I smile at him. He is wearing brown slacks, a navy dress shirt paired with brown loafers. I won’t lie, he looks very handsome.
“Sawubona Mnguni. How are you?”
“You do realise that my surname is Mzimela and by calling me Mnguni, uyangithakazela? And you’re charming me in the process?” shwele. I forgot he is a Zulu. Okay I didn’t forget.
I chuckle. “I guess I will stick to Mr. Mzimela or Melisizwe, then.”

He quickly shakes his head. “You can continue calling me Mnguni or Melisizwe, but not Mr. Mzimela. God forbid.” I laugh at that. “You look really beautiful, ntokazi, and these are for you, even though they now seem very bland compared to your beauty.” Okay, I will give it to him. He is smooth. He hands me the flowers and I thank him. “As much as I would like to stand here and admire your beauty, I don’t want us to be late for our reservation. So which one is your car?” I lead the way and I see him locking his Italian beast. A girl can only dream. I admire Lamborghini sports cars, but the Urus, damn. SUVs have that factor Mann. Why aren’t we riding in his car again? I point towards my miniature car, feeling a bit embarrassed. Usually I don’t feel like this around people, but Melisizwe’s success is a bit intimidating.

“Well that’s me.”
He smiles. “Beautiful car. It suits you.” In a way, his compliment doesn’t sound like he is looking down on me. I blush and thank him. “Do you mind if I drive, since I know where we are heading. You probably know the place, but can I drive?” his manners though. I give him the keys and he goes to open the passenger door for me. I slide in and thank him. He doesn’t see me blushing as he goes to the driver’s seat. I can’t be blushing like this because of an old man. Get it together, Hlengiwe. Stop embarrassing yourself. He climbs in his seat, more like dives in, and adjusts the seat before looking at me. “Are you comfortable?”

I laugh. “This is my car. I should be asking you that.”
He chuckles and nods as he starts the car. “I do have a hatchback and a convertible, so I am used to low cars. Also, I am a man. I know how to adjust things so that I am comfortable in them.”

I remember Mbulelo telling me that his father has an obsession for Golfs. Whenever Volkswagen produces a latest Golf that he likes, he trades in his current one for it. He does this every year. The reminder of Mbulelo is enough to bring me back to my senses. Fuck. I am going out on a date with his father and he has been complimenting me like he is actually interested me. No. This is not good. I should stop this before it progresses into something sinister and morally wrong. What am I even doing? I wore one of my favourite dresses, even put on makeup for my ex’s father. What is this? Am I some kind of a porn star doing role play? Ex-girlfriend fucks my father for fun? No. Don’t go there. I won’t be fucking him. There won’t be any undressing between me and him.

“Before you die from overthinking, penny for your thoughts.” His voice snaps me to the current moment. I look at him.
“What’s going on here, Melisizwe? I know very well you did not call me to advocate for your son. What is up? What is all this?”
He smiles and looks ahead as he drives. “You did say you will give me a chance to explain everything over dinner and I don’t think you are the type of woman to go back on her word.”  I roll my eyes and he chuckles. “IF you want this to end now, I can drive back to the parking lot and then apologize for wasting your time. I don’t want it to seem like I am kidnapping you or forcing you to do something you don’t want. That’s why I suggested we use your car so that you can leave at any moment if I make you uncomfortable. It’s your choice, Ntokazi. And I value consent very much.” Oww, he is good. Really good.

I exhale loudly and look at the flowers. “Fine, we can continue, but I won’t be having a three course meal. Just a single dish for you to explain and then we leave.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Kulungile Ntokazi. You’re the captain of this ship.”