SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 29

SIMPHIWE

We haven't spoken for two days straight. I don't know what happened back there in that car but I could see she was not okay after what I said.
Maybe she's losing her mind a little bit.
I don't know, but whatever it is, I blame that man she married.
Maybe he did a good thing by killing himself before he'd ruin her furthermore.
I know that's wrong for me to say as a pastor, but you could clearly see the ruins in her actions.

I'm on my way to her place as we speak because I'm still madly in love with this woman and two days of no contact was just miserable.
This whole Thulasizwe thing...
Sihle told me that yesterday morning something weird happened between him and Godfrey and Lydia.
One says he died of cancer, one says he didn't.
Whatever it is, it's fishy, but I don't want to entertain it for now. I'll do it after I make things right with my woman.

I know she loves Merlot these days so I bought two bottles.
I don't agree with her and her obsession with wine, but I know this will do the trick to see her happy.
I'm nervous. I've got every right to be.
I don't know how she'll react seeing me.

__________

I'm met by Tlhalefo once I hoot at the gate.
Oh gosh. Konje there's Tlhalefo who doesn't like me.
Maybe this is all just coming back to bite me after how I used to treat MaZwane all those years ago.

My heart is racing.

He presses the remote for the gate to open.
Okay... so he's letting me in.

The first thing I notice once I finally get out of the car is Kgomotso's car isn't here.
She drives a black Range Rover that was once her late-husband's. Speaking of which, I need to buy her a new car because I'm just uncomfortable with the whole idea of her driving another man's car. It makes me ick sometimes.
And the fact that I was driving it just two days ago is just...
Mm-mm. I don't want to even think about it.

"Hey Tlhalefo." I awkwardly greet.

It's awkward between him and I.
I know where we stand.

Tlhalefo: "Hi Uncle Simps."

Uncle Simps?
He never calls me that. Always Pastor Pholoba.

Simphiwe: "How are you?" I ask regardless.

Tlhalefo: "I'm doing okay and yourself?"

Simphiwe: "I'm fine."

Tlhalefo: "If you're looking for Ma, she went out to buy some groceries with Mo and the rest. They left some hours ago so I'm guessing they'll back sooner."

Simphiwe: "Oh."

Tlhalefo: "In the meantime, you can come chill with me. It's pretty lonely in here."

Oh??
Even I'm shocked about what's happening.

TLHALEFO

Trust me. It wasn't easy doing this, but if I want to get used to having him around I have to start somewhere, right?

I lead him all the way to the living room and ask if he wants any refreshment in the meantime.
He asked for water so I pour him water from the fridge since the water from the tap gave me diarrhoea the other day and I don't want to kill the man.

It's like time is suddenly frozen once I hand him his glass of water.
The clock on the wall is suddenly loud. The volume of the TV is suddenly low.
This movie doesn't even look interesting to watch to watch anymore.
Suddenly I regret not leaving with Ma when she offered.

"Thank you." He says once he puts his empty glass on the coffee table.

It's silent and it's awkward again.