The funeral is held at the Jali family home. Themba can barely speak, he is just staring into oblivion. Thembis mother is in such a state, yho! when I say the atmosphere is sad, It's an understatement. The vibe is horrific. We can't help at the kitchen because there's catering and everything else has been planned accordingly, there are even pictures of her plastered on the water bottles and the wood of the coffin is mohagony. Expensive, just like her.
Themba made the decision not to include the media as Thembi was a very private person naturally but the tabloids wouldn't have any of it. So a compromise was reached to only allow one magazine to cover the funeral. On the last night we saw her, Thembi instructed us that if she had to die, we are not allowed to wear black as there would be nothing to mourn for, she would be in heavenly peace. Funny thing is, she was always the most religious amongst us, she attended church without a fail every Sunday. She was just a marvelous soul, far too pure for earth anyways.
What saddens me the most is that her soulmate was left behind. They met in High School and have been together ever since. Yes they had problems but nobodies relationship is perfect and I am sure that Themba misses her as much as she would miss him.
We decided to wear Thembi inspired outfits instead. Something High fashion and expensive. Nomzamo wins the prize of commiting the most to this task cause she cut her hair in a female fade just like Thembis, probably because it was most likely going to suit her though, she has a small head and loud facial features, everything looks good on her. After the funeral, the guys decide to have a car drifting battle in honour of Thembi, nevermind that she could barely drive but nevertheless, every car was hooting, speeding and drifting. The radio was busting her favourite song which was "Dj Bongz-sengihambile"
The lyrics of the song read: "sengihambile, sengihambile, ngabuyela wena. Ngabuyela wena, Ngabuyela wena, ngabuyela wena. ubungangitsheli ngani, ubungangitsheli ngani? ukuthi uyang'thanda aw'kodwa bakithi"
sengihambile, sengihambile
How ironic, right?
When the fiasco was seemingly over and everybody started parking their cars, Themba comes out of nowhere with his range rover and spins his car as if he were crazy for a good 30minutes, each of the husbands joining in. At this point we are all weak, I can't stop crying. It's as if she will reappear within the smoke and smile. God Bless her soul. May she rest in peace.
What a send off, fit for a Queen.
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The next day is dull. Themba is resigning from his position in the government and is set to leave for the Eastern Cape this morning, Mandla is making his way to convince him to stay while I go to work. I ought to find someone to manage the shop on my behalf, I'm going to start showing soon and I have no time for paparazzi pictures of my fat ass walking in and out of the shop on a daily basis.
I also have a meeting with my realtor today and although I'm not in the right spirit to enjoy the process, I can't reschedule. Some of Thembis killers are still out there so as expected, the men beefed up security. Poor Miriam, a frail little white woman coming from the suburbs of Pretoria, she will probably faint when she sees me coming in with five armed men. Mandla was supposed to come with me but I think it's best he isn't, either than the fact that Themba needed him more than I did, the guy is picky! it's best he sees it when I have already bought it.
I'm also supposed to see Zanele soon, It's been a while since we had our catch up session and can you believe that I have never met her fiancé. All I know is that he's in his 60s, caucasian and filthy rich! I wish it could be today but I would break down if I did. I'm a murderers wife, that does something to you inside. It's better cause I have 3 other women I can speak to about this but either than that, it takes a huge toll on your psychological state. After looking at houses, I'm going straight home to cook (yep I do that now, Mandlas stepmum secretly judged me when she found out he does the cooking around the house so I had to up my game and take YouTube cooking lessons) today is lesson 3, meaning we're having pork ribs, steak and chicken ALA king pasta for dinner so I head to food lovers to buy the ingredients.
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As expected, Miriam nearly dies when she sees me approaching but eases into it when we get to the second house. I'm not sold on anything, I asked her to keep looking. Next stop, home to the hubby to cook for him and our little one growing inside of me.
YOU ARE READING
Mandla
Short Story"Okay okay, you're right. I want you to be safe so you can come back home to me every night Mr. Hlatshwayo"- I say leaning in. He feeds into it, men are so easy to manipulate... "So can I keep it?"-Him "Hell no! find security, there is no way you ke...
