Ntandwenhle : If Only Yesterday Was Tomorrow

CHAPTER 14

I ended up leaving alone. I had feeling I was going to receive a call from Stitch, so I took my phone with me. It was 12h00 when I arrived at Mlungisi's house. I was planning to leave at 19h00. I greeted the guard by the gate and he was so shocked he didn't even greet back. My presence made him feel uneasy. I gave him a questioning look and he just buzzed me in. Something just wasn't right but nevertheless I went in. Mlungisi's car was parked outside so I figured he was home. The house was still in one piece, that I was happy to see. I got off the car and made my way to the kitchen.

I got in and the kitchen was a mess. It looked like someone was cooking and baking. Baking utensils were scattered all over the kitchen and there were oils and spices too. My eyes landed on the olive oil and my mouth immediately watered. I made myself a cheese, peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich. I poured some olive oil on the soup bowl and dipped a slice. Chewing on that felt so right. I was disturbed by my phone beeping.

*String him along, fake feelings if you have to. We need to get what's Ndumiso's and he's the only thing close to it* A message from an unsaved number read.

"Must be Stitch," I thought to myself. I didn't know what it directly implied but I knew I had to play wifey to Mlungisi. I looked at my sandwich and dipped it in the olive oil again. I was still enjoying my bite when Sthabile walked in. I sighed and looked at her. She looked at me from head to toe and shook her head. I know I didn't look that bad, I know so because I checked the mirror before I left. I was wearing a black peplum dress with a brown coat and brown wedges. I heard a female voice moving closer to us. Mlungisi came in holding hands with Nokwanda. My jaws dropped. She was just as surprised to see me as I was. Mlungisi looked the same. He was still that dark-skinned, tall, handsome and masculine man I once called my husband. He looked at me and then at Nokwanda.

"Ubekwa yini la (What brings you here)?" he furiously asked staring at me. I looked at him and was ready to bite his head off until I remembered Stitch's text message. I closed my eyes and breathed out.

After composing myself I opened my eyes. He had let go of Nokwanda. He walked towards me and managed to pin me on the fridge with both my hands over my head. My sandwich fell. I shook myself and he looked at me breathing heavily. Every fibre of my being wanted to cry and run away but my sanity was working well. I stood in that position with my eyes closed. I already knew what was about to happen. He was about to beat me to death.

"What did I say to you!? Didn't I tell you to stay away from me and my children!?" he asked too close to my face. I jumped a bit but still said nothing.

"NTANDWENHLE YOU'LL LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" he growled. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He squeezed my cheeks and pulled my chin towards him.

"What-did-I-say-to-you?" he asked with his teeth clamped.

"You said you do. You said I'll forever be yours, with my imperfections. You took an oath to always stand by me. Even after abusing me all those years, you said you're sorry and I forgave you. You promised to never hurt me again. You said you'll never, ever hurt me again. You said a lot, you really did. And here we are," I said fixing my eyes on him. His eyes wondered above my head until he let me go. He moved from the fridge and stood by the counter. The room was filled with silence. He was busy tapping his foot on the floor with his head bowed down.

Sthembiso walked in typing on his tablet. He looked at me and then looked at his tablet again. He quickly moved his eyes from the tablet and looked at me again.

"Mom!" he said removing earphones. I smiled walking towards him with a tear escaping my eye. I know he hates me but he was still my only son, I wanted to embrace him. It was only after tearing up that I realised that I had missed my children. Sthabile clicked her tongue and walked out. I opened my arms and to my surprise he went in for the hug. Sthembiso and I hugging? The Gods had arisen. He broke the hug and cupped my face. I hid my face in his chest and cried. He let go and smiled at me. He then held my hand and walked away with me.