"How about we make this love thing real, yeah?"~Qaphela Makhathini.
In this fleeting span of mortal existence, Ayize and Qaphela are graciously granted another opportunity to love each other. However, circumstances don't appear to be as delightfu...
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𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙶𝙻𝙾𝚆 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝚄𝚂𝙺 sun set serves as a perfect accentuation to my wife's tawny hued skin, making her eyes look like bottomless flowing lakes of russet brown. Ayize is by far the epitome of perceptible pulchritude. Gorgeous in all aspects. After spending three overly taxing days at an agriculture investment conference, her presence is my remedy. The endless presentations and networking events had left me drained and exhausted,
"Thixo wam! It can't be, no it can't!" She wails. Tears are welled up in her eyes, reflecting the warm colors of the setting sun. Glancing up from the book she is reading, she finally notices me staring at her intently. A faint blush creeps up her cheeks as she smiles shyly, her eyes meeting mine. Instantaneously, she begins to cry, again. "You're back!"I reach out to comfort her, wrapping my arms around her trembling shoulders.
"What's wrong, Mama?" I ask, concern laced in my tone. She takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself before finally speaking.
"The book I was reading. I'm so broken by the ending," she chokes out, her voice breaking. Wow! "I'm triggered bhabha." She snivels.
My heart sinks as I realise the weight of her words. She really is triggered. Sad Ayize means no laughter, affection, nor lovemaking for at least three days. The sun dips below the horizon, casting a shadow over our faces as we hold each other tightly, finding solace in the midst of uncertainty. Fuck this! I swear, she has me by the balls, in fact, ngakho konke.
"Talk to me, Sthandwa sami," I plead, gently retrieving the publication from her secure grip. Mrs. Jaxa, it reads. I told her to stop reading books that get her all soul-stirred.
"It's not just a book, Bhabha! I don't know what happened to Khanya and Dali. Oh God! The babies, Ohyini Yesu!" My wife starts wailing once again.
"What can I do to make it better?" I huff. Yabona ke...
"NOTHING!" she bellows, crossing her arms and walking off. As she storms away, her frustration is palpable. It's clear that something has upset her, but she's not willing to share it just yet. This is not about the book. I watch her go, feeling a twinge of guilt for whatever role I may have played in her current mood.
God, three more months to go...
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"Forget it! Ndiyak'nqanda bhuti, do yourself a favour, ufok off(e) ebomin' bam!" Ayize hisses from inside the bathroom, audible enough for me to make out the words she's uttering. It goes quiet for a few seconds before a volcano erupts.
"Haike, awuva na, Melumzi! I said stay away! You're not needed, my child has a very much present father, thank you! And who said this is your child? Your bimbo could be spreading baseless accusations, don't you think? Listen, I told you last night not to ever call me again!" Melumzi? His name rings in my head for what feels like a minute. Last night? So he's been calling her? And yet she hasn't told me?
