Unhinged Love

CHAPTER 70

Life has been great. Although we have had ups and downs in both my restaurant and relationship, I have thrived and come up stronger. With our relationship, Zama actually called Melisizwe while we were together and went off about how she was unhappy about her father cutting off her mother financially and how it was all my fault and how she hated me. Melisizwe acted as if all that did not bother him but I do know that it hurt him. The fact that he only now has a relationship with his two youngest kids and not the older ones does hurt him but he makes sure that it doesn’t put a strain in our relationship. I do want to assist him in at least fixing his relationship with Zama because that is his baby girl but I don’t want to overstep or get caught up in more drama.

With Healthy Eats, a lot has happened. This other week, Lineo went home to visit because there was an issue there and Mitchy fell sick. I had to work for a whole week on my feet since it was the month end week. It was so busy and I only went home after 11pm only to come back the next morning and open at 8 am. Yep, running a business is no fun and that week taught me that in as much as we need to save money, we need more hands-on deck. Like chefs on standby in cases of emergency. Which is why I reopened my container in Esikhawini where two people can work from there to sell our food and can actually come in to the restaurant if we are short-staffed.

It has been a month since we reopened the container and people are really excited about being about to access Healthy Eats at a township where they can just walk to the establishment. It only has a few benches where you can sit while waiting for food, but it mainly operates on WhatsApp where you can place your order and come to collect it 10 or 20 minutes later. In a way, I like it more than the restaurant because it has some nostalgia to it and some familiarity. It reminds me of where all this began and where it is going. I have a lot to do in order to prepare for opening another restaurant in Empangeni. I am not in a rush; however, I do know that I can’t take things lightly or be caught up in some hype because that can get me into trouble. People love me for now, but they are more interested in my relationship content. So, in the near future, I might use my man for advertising. Like maybe have him in the kitchen at least once just to capture the audience who actually like Hlengi, the gone girl more than Chef Hle.

But that’s not what this weekend is about. The MasterChef competition will take place in four weeks’ time and they asked us to come in for a trailer and some pictures. I don’t know why they don’t do everything in one go on the day of the competition but who am I to question this organisation? They did give me a second chance. So, I am just grateful to be called.

Last time I came here, I was alone. But this time, my man decided to come with me. He rented out the Villa Elysian in Llandudno with a really great view, a huge pool and enough space to house 8 guests. This was supposed to be a weekend in and out. Nothing extra ordinary but you know that’s never the case with Melisizwe and his egg. Yes, I am iqanda le grootman.

So, this morning, I went to the studios of MasterChef for the photoshoot and got the opportunity to meet a few of the chefs participating in the competition. There are some very cutthroat, old chefs who really know their way around the kitchen and have a great reputation among chefs and foodies. I respect all of them and after the competition, I really wish I can have some conversations with them since this morning was very busy and we couldn’t catch up like that.

My man decided to take me shopping in one of the malls but he has no idea that I plan on surprising him. After finding out that he would be coming with me, I called the Eclectica Contemporary Gallery which specialises in African art and asked them to do a one-of-a-kind gift for him. It was very expensive but it was worth it and I really hope that he will enjoy it. He rented a car to get us by just so we don’t have to worry about Uber and stuff.

“Why are we going to this place?” he asks when I navigate him to our destination and I chuckle. We will go to the mall after grabbing his gift.
“Just drive, Melisizwe. If I wanted to murder you, I wouldn’t have chosen a place in the suburbs.” I respond.

“Yey, you never know with your gender. Maybe your hitman said you should deliver me to some villa and make me comfortable before sending me to heard ducks in our ancestral land.” I laugh. He is very sometimes. Emphasis on sometimes. My man is no comedian. All he knows is to charm me and give me some panty dropping smiles.

We finally get to the gallery and we are greeted by a lady who is the receptionist. She passes us to another member of their staff who shows us around. This place is breathtaking. The art on the walls is so enticing and it just draws you in. I take some time just to look around, even forgetting why I am here and who I am here with. After a few minutes, I turn to see Meli captivated by one of the pieces. I make a side note to also get it for him, even though it will leave a dent in my wallet. But this man does a lot for me. This is nothing. I snap a picture of him looking at the painting before the lady with us ushers us to a more private space where there is one painting inside. It is one of the biggest paintings in the gallery and one can never miss it. My man stop dead on his tracks when he lays his eyes on it.

I also study it, completely blown away and quite happy that I did not waste my money. I only told the artist the idea of what I had in mind and then sent a photo of Melisizwe. I had no idea that it would come out like this and I am beyond satisfied. It is a painting of him sitting down on a throne, covered in traditional wear from head to toe. He looks like a king. Thee king of the Gumede nation and all I want to do is bow down and obey him. After quite some time, he turns to look at me but the amazed look is still plastered across his face.

“Ntokazi, you did this for me?” he asks in a tone full of wonder and I nod with a wide smile on my face. “You don’t get tired of making me happy, neh? You want me to die of too much happiness?” I giggle and shake my head.

“You have done a lot of things for me, Mnguni. You have been there for me and showed me that you love and choose me time and time again. I could never reach your level of generosity but this is a gift to remind you just how much you mean to me and how much I love you.” My voice cracks up. I had no idea how many emotions this brought up. I am happy that he is happy. I am just over the moon.

He closes the distance between us and just hugs me. I know if we were alone, he would have kissed me, but my man is very respectful and he would never do something that might make someone else uncomfortable. He kisses my forehead and then breaks the hug but does not back away from me.

“How much did this cost you?” he asks and I laugh.
“You are not about to reimburse me for this, Mnguni. This is your gift. Accept it and appreciate it without being concerned about my pocket, okay?” he bites his lip nervously before nodding. My God, he looks so sexy and adorable while doing that. I reach up to bite his lip and he laughs before hugging me again.

“You are crazy wena, but I love you more for that.” He kisses my temple and just keeps me in his arms. This is my safe haven. My sanctuary and I don’t think I ever want to be separated from this man ever. He is it for me. Thank you, Mbulelo.