Love, Guns & Kayise

09.

09.

NTANDOKAYISE

Today is my first day at Zikhali Construction as Mr Mbhele's PA. Mr Mbhele is the head of HR. He's not really that old, but I choose to address him professionally. From what I've learnt about him is that he's flirty and I like that because it means getting Muzi jealous. You should have seen him when I walked through that company door with a bunch of eyes staring at me, or maybe at my cleavage which is nonexistent by the way but a girl's got to push it out regardless.

"How's your first day so far?" Mandlenkosi says while joining me at the cafeteria. He's been avoiding me at home, so I'm surprised he's even saying something to me.

"Challenging, I'm not gonna lie. I don't know what I was signing up for." We both chuckle. I know how to interact with people and hold a conversation. I just happen to be closed off. It doesn't make me shy or an introvert in any way. I've just learnt not to let people in because the fewer people in your life, the less chance of getting hurt.

"Moving from a school to a construction company? I can just imagine." He opens his can of Coke and takes a sip.

"I wanted a change of scenery. Don't you ever get tired of doing the same thing?" The closer I get to the brothers, the higher the chances of them letting something slip.

"No, I don't relate. I've always chased after the things I liked." He stares at me. This one has a crush on me. Didn't it fade when I got engaged to his brother? I know I'm a tease, but Jesus...

"Like me? Doesn't the fact that I'm Muzikayise's fiancée turn you off?"

"That's the only reason why I haven't made a move, yet."

"So you're waiting for when he slips up and you step in? What a great brother." I just smile at him throughout the conversation. I barely smile, so when I do, it looks flirty like just right now.

"I didn't say that."

"Not in so many words, yeah, but even the dumbest person can tell it's obvious." Mkhuseli comes to us fuming and grabs Mandlenkosi with his shirt.

"Dude, I told you to stay away from her. She's off-limits for you." Mandlenkosi raises his arms in mock surrender before standing up and grabbing his drink.

"I'll see you around Ntandokayise." He winks at me and leaves. Mkhuseli glares at me.

"Go join Muzikayise's for lunch in his office and stop flirting with Mandlenkosi." He gives me an order. What the deputy parent says goes.

"I was just being friendly." I stand up and leave, not to Muzikayise's office though but to Mr Mbhele's.

I walk into the office I share with Mr Mbhele and find him on a phone call. He quickly cuts off the call and smiles at me.

"Hey gorgeous, is your lunch break over yet?" He stands up and walks to me.

"No, it's not. It's just hard to make friends here." We both sit down on the two couches that are by the window. I'm guessing this is where he relaxes.

"Hey, I'm here. You're looking at the wrong places." I stare at him and realise how much he's not my type, but he's fine as long as he's approachable.

We continue speaking with me, listening to him boasting about himself. His hands keep touching my hands slightly but very often. Our lunch break is over, and we go back to work.

———

After a long, tiring day, I drive home. Not to Muzikayise's home but to my daddy's house where I know I can be anything I want to be and feel relaxed after the day I had.

"What are you doing here?" That's my aunt asking when he sees me walking through the door holding my stilettos by hand.

"I'm so tired, Magazi. Have you cooked?" I walk to the kitchen with her following me.

"You took your belongings and went to the Zikhali mansion last week. I didn't expect you to come back now."

I uncover the pot lids and savour the delicious smell of food. She made lamb stew, yummy. My aunt is the perfect domesticated woman who unfortunately didn't teach me how to cook. She cooked for me whenever, but she knows I can only fry eggs.

"Magazi, do you feel happy seeing me sharing a table with the enemies every day? I missed home." I start dishing up, then wash my hands and sit down to eat.

"Of course, I don't enjoy it. Are you okay? Did you find anything?"

"Magazi, do you know anything about Muzikayise's sister?"

"They have a sister?" My aunt is also surprised. You see? Nobody knows about this sister, but she does exist.

"Yes. Her name is Mina or something." I continue eating. This stew slaps hard.

"Have you met her?"

"I haven't. Not even a picture of her or something, but from what I've picked up, she stays in China. Why would they hide her away? Do you think she has some kind of disability?" I once read a novel about a man who hid his daughter because she was mentally challenged. Rich people are ashamed of their family members who don't fit the society's standards of a normal person.

"Just try to see if you can find anything on this Melamina." Melamina? I stop eating and stare at my aunt.

"How do you know her full name?"

"Huh?" She's trying to act as if she doesn't know what I'm talking about, but I know how to read people's expressions very well.

"You called her Melamina, Magazi. What do you know about her?"

"Nothing. Isn't that what Mina in full stands for? It's obvious that Mina is a nickname." How can she be so sure?

"Why are you so sure? Magazi, what are you not telling me?" I know she's hiding something.

"Mafungwase!" My dad walks in and hugs me from behind before kissing me on the cheek. Even if no man ever loves me on this earth, I'll always know that mine loved me to the moon and back.

"Hi, Daddy!" He sits down on the chair next to me, and Magazi excuses herself. Why is he wearing a floral shirt and white pants with flip-flops? I've never seen him like this.

"Daddy, where did you go?" I'm holding my laughter. He looks like a boyfriend. To whom? I don't know.

"Can't the old man have fun?" He smiles. He's in love. Oh wow. My dad never introduced his girlfriends to me. I've always had a mother figure in Magazi who's now lying to me about something, but I'm going to find out anyway.

"Who's the girlfriend this time? Did you realise that you always alter your personality to fit with every girlfriend you meet? Daddy, you're going to age quickly." I laugh out loud.

"Me? I age like fine wine." My stomach hurts with the way I'm laughing. I'm no longer eating.

"You're delusional. You're forty-six, and you look exactly like your age."

"Don't be jealous, Ntando, it doesn't suit you. I was twenty-two when I had my first child, but I still look like the youth." He looks at his hands.

"Except you're not. Where's Nkanyiso to hear this? When am I meeting her?"

"Since when?"

"Since now. I like this one."

"She's curvaceous." That's weird coming from him.

"So you like curvaceous ladies? What about me?" I'm offended. So because I'm all skinny and bony, I'm not preferred.

"You're not my type. You're my daughter. I love you because you're a part of me." He puts his arm around me.

When life gives you lemonade, make lemon juice. Life gave me my dad, very imperfect, but he loved me and made me belong, and I'll always be grateful to him for that.