Mandla

Chapter 11: The train of love

We board on the train, everybody seems to be in high spirits. Mpheleliseni and Masthandile can't keep their hands off each other, no wonder they have so many kids. There seems to be a little tension between Noma and Melusi though. I know it's wrong but i'm glad we're not the only couple going through a rough patch. I threatened to raise his child with another man, he reminded me of that this morning. He said if I ever say that again, he will divorce me. Just like that. I didn't retaliate, not only because i'm not speaking to him but because he's never mentioned divorce before, we never bring that word up but today he did and it really hurt me.

The trains engine starts. Dalu and Nomzamo are talking about the success of the book launch and Mandla and I? nothing. The couples are either too occupied to notice the tension between us or they're really good at pretending. We'll be stuck in this train for three days so we'll have to make more of an effort to get along. I offer him a drink but he refuses, he then gets up and heads to our cabin, leaving me alone with our friends.

"Is he okay?"-Masthandile enquires
I nod and pour myself a drink. Melusi follows behind him, Noma and I lock eyes. We're both having man trouble today, out of all things to have incommon! this had to be it. ag!

The train ride is really pretty, I had no idea Cape-Town was this incredible from the inside; the hills, mountains, villages, lakes and rivers. It's such a romantic view, plus it just started raining so you can only imagine how raging my hormones are right now. Daluxolo and Nomzamo are now cuddled up under a blanket in their seat, right across from me. I excuse myself to go to the toilet and Noma follows behind me.

"Trouble in paradise?"-she enquires, as she closes the door behind us.
"that obvious?"-Me
"not exactly but as a fellow third wheel, I can tell"-She chuckles
"They are a silly lot aren't they, the others? (she laughs) so inlove. Want some?"-She says, pulling out a cigarette
"Oh I'm sorry, I completely forgot. I haven't been pregnant in years. bear with me"- she continues
I didn't know she smoked or chuckled or related or forgot. lol
"So what's going on with you guys?"-Her again.
I sigh.
"It's fine, You don't have to tell me. Melusi is sulking because I didn't pack his shaving kit in the suitcase. For three days? yho his hands must have gotten cut off!"-She nonchalantly lets out, in between puffs. I laugh.

I've never seen this side of Noma before, so...real. To be fair, I haven't really given her a chance. We share a few moments and enjoy a few laughs. Definitely the best 10min i've ever had in a toilet. She reminds me that we need to get back to our better halves, her to a sulking Melusi and me to a grumpy Mandla, the likes! We say our "see you laters" and she leaves first. I enjoyed that conversation, for the first time I can say Noma and I were bonding.
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"Dinner is set at 18:39pm here, you left home without eating. want me to get you something from the bar?"-I ask
He stops typing on his laptop and looks up at me
"I'm not hungry"-Then answers and goes back to his typing.
Ok! his tummy not mine. I throw my hands in the air for this one. He has absolutely no reason to be mad at me. Yes I was wrong but had he not slept with some whore, we wouldn't be in this mess and if he honestly thinks I'm going to grovel because of it, he is sadly mistaken.

"Okay starve then"-I say. He doesn't even flinch, he continues with whatever he's doing and I go through my phone.
"Looking for another man to leave me and father my child with?"-He sternly asks.
How dare he!
I lose it. I lay out all my feelings and yell like crazy but he just ignores me as if I didn't.
"Whatever Mandla"-I finally let out
"yeah whatever"-He mumbles
"What?"-Me
"I said you should get some rest, you're pregnant"- he mutters back.
The attitude on this guy! You'd swear his the one carrying his child. No you know what? fuck this, he doesn't deserve me. Yes I admit I was wrong for adding that last part but I was angry, angry because of him, because of his actions. I put my dreams on hold to be here with him and he's doing this to me? me? no no I will not put up with this.