The Wife

Chapter Eleven

*Few weeks later*

Trying to make ends meet has to be the most hardest things I've ever had to do. I found a second job hoping it'll cover me but the salary was pure rubbish compared to the hard labor. I quit after my first salary, they paid weekly. I ordered a few hand bags and sold them. The profit is not much but its something.

Nothing seemed to be going right. Ndaba didn't make it any better with his depressing calls, he didn't give up. He didn't understand how free I felt with him off my back, as hard as things were for me, not being with him was my light in that darkness I was experiencing.

For so long I wanted out of that controlling marriage but I couldn't. You can't leave a man you know so much about. They never let you. They somehow feel like you gonna sell them out or something.

This morning I woke up and went to work. I knocked off at 2pm and went to the mall to send the bags.

When I came back, I found Palesa and Lethu camping at my door. Great!

I unlocked and went in. They followed. I put my bag on top of my tiny counter and turned to face them with my arms folded.
Palesa: You know its rude to just leave people at your door.
Me: I didn't know. What are you doing here?
Palesa: Ndaba sent me.
Me: To do what? Why can't you people leave me the hell alone?
Palesa: He desperately needs to talk to you Bianca and I'm so sick of him telling me he needs to see whenever I go there.
Me: I don't wanna talk to him. What part of that doesn't he understand?
Lethu: Can I get my allowance and leave? I should be somewhere.
I looked at her and laughed.
Me: What allowance boo?
Shs rolled her eyes.
Lethu: My monthly allowance.
Me: With your daddy in jail, you nolonger have that.
Lethu: I know the money is on you Bianca.
Palesa: Child please!
Lethu: I just want my money. Give me my money and I'll leave.
Me: Lethu there's no money, okay?
Lethu: I want my dad's money Bianca. Give me the cards!

God of Israel please! Please let me not slap this child!
Palesa: Bianca doesn't have your dad's cards.
Lethu: And how would you know that?
Me: Lethu. This is my house and under my roof kids do not talk to their elders like that. Leave.
Lethu: I am not going anywhere without my money!

I grabbed her by her collar and dragged her out the door. I closed it and unlocked. I put my hands on my hips and took a deep breath.
Me: Tell Ndaba that I'm busy.
Palesa: Just hear him out. He sounds desperate.
Me: I really don't care. Now if you don't mind, I've got things to do.

She took her bag and headed to the door. She held it open.
Palesa: Atleast think about it.

She walked out. I won't. I took out my food from the bag and went to camp infront of the tv and ate.

A knock came through and then a white envelope slid in under the door. I got up and went to take it. It was from the landlord. I opened it. I ran my eyes on it to see what's it about. Rent going up? No no no.

I opened my door and followed him. He was still talking to the guy next door. The conversation looked heated. He was also complaining.
Landlord: You're also going to complain?
Me: Yes.
Guy: Like are you for real? You can't go up in a space of 2 months, that's against the law.
Landlord: Whose law? This is my building and I shall do as I please. I am renovating so this price is very reasonable.
Me: What? Are you gonna  pay for our dstv subscription? Hire a cleaner for us?
Landlord: No. You are free to leave if you can't pay the money.

He left us standing there. We looked at each other in disbelief.
Me: This is crazy.
Guy: He's crazy.

I went back to my room. I wore my jacket and took my bag. There's noway in hell I can afford R6000.