The Wife

Chapter Twelve

I shook him lightly. He stretched and yawned.
Me: I'm going to work.
Sphiwe: Let me drive you.
Me: No its okay. Breakfast is on the microwave.
Sphiwe: Thank you. I'll call you later.
Me: Ok. Bye.

I took my bag and left. Sphiwe and I have been doing whatever we're doing for about a year now. He was the one to look after me when I was still really struggling with my head. I had nightmares and all. So most of the nights he'd spend in my bedroom making sure he's there when nightmares begin. That made us grow this crazy attraction towards each other and I couldn't resist it. He was so tender and made me feel safe from the world somehow, Ndaba cared but not as much as Sphiwe did. I felt bad for stabbing Buhle at the back and mostly at cheating on Ndaba but he was cheating on me too so that made us even. It doesn't matter that I ordered Lebo to seduce him but if he was a loyal man he wouldn't have fallen for it.

I got to work. I succeeded in putting Zano at his place. We now work very beautifully together.

Zano: See that woman over there?
Me: Yeah.
Zano: She's been here since 3am. She's ordered 3 bottles of wine already. Please go talk to her.
Zano: I don't know. Woman to woman you know. I'm knocking off now. Start by giving her a cup of coffee. Tell her its on the house.
Me: I didn't sign up for this.
Zano: Just go get the coffee.

I took my notebook and went to get coffee and took it to the lady. She had her head bowed on the table. No it can't be her.
Me: Buhle?
Her: Hmmm?
Oh my God. I put the coffee down.
Me: I brought you coffee. My boss says you've been here since 3am.
She raised her head.
Buhle: Thank you.
Me: Is everything okay?
She chuckled and sniffled.
Buhle: Why would you care?
Me: Because we were once close.
Buhle: I'll be fine.
Me: Ok.

I made my way back.
Buhle: Does it make you feel good?
I turned with my heart beating faster.
Me: What?
Buhle: Being on your own. Leaving Ndaba.
Whew!
Me: I'd say so.
Buhle: How are you handling the cheating part?
Me: I got over it.
Buhle: Thank you.
Me: What's up?
Buhle: My marriage is failing. I've been trying to put it together but I'm failing, dismally. I don't know what to do anymore.

She broke down. Could I be the reason of that? I just stood there not knowing what to do. Hugging her would be so evil of me. I can't be taking part in breaking her marriage and comfort her.
Buhle: He barely touches me. Let alone sleeping at home. He'd rather sleep at work than to come home.
Me: I'm sorry. Let me get back to work. Drink your coffee, I will request an uber for you.

She nodded and wiped her face.
Buhle: Bianca.
I stopped and turned again.  "I know you guys might not be as close but can you please talk to him?
Me: What am I gonna say?
Buhle: Just...anything. Tell him that I want this to work.
Me: I'll try. I promise you I'll try.

I finally walked away..
...
After work I took taxis to prison. I arrived an hour early before visiting hours. I sat outside on a chair the security gave me. I called Sphiwe but he didn't pick up. I left him a message to get back to me and continued waiting.

I felt a light shake. I opened my eyes.
Me: Hi.
Security: You can go in.
Me: Thank you. I'm tired from standing.

I signed and went in. I said who was I there for, they sent me in. I found him already waiting for me. I took a seat and greeted him.
Ndaba: You made up your mind.
Me: I did. Where do I begin?
Ndaba: Nodwengu tradings has 15 million in their possession right now. If you get it you'll give Mango 5 meter and keep the rest.
Me: I'll call you when its done.

I got up.
Ndaba: B
Me: Yes?
Ndaba: Be careful.
Me: I will be.

I headed towards the exit.

This public transport business messed me up. The hopping on and off business didn't sit well with me. The taxi to Naomi's took too long to get full.

It finally took off. I listened to my earphones until we reached our destination.

I  buzzed the intercom a couple of times before Khwali let me in.

He welcomed me with a hug.
Me: Why are you so tall?
Khwali: Daddy's son.
We laughed. Njabulo is really tall.
Me: I haven't seen you in years.
Khwali: Grade 12 isn't so civil to me. I'm just home for a 2 days break and then back to school on Monday.
Me: Uh baby. Atleast you're almost done. How are the exams treating you?
Khwali: Pretty hectic but I got this.
Me: That's my boy.

Noami came down. She looked rather surprised to see me.
Naomi: Go dress your brother.
Khwali: 50 bucks.
Naomi: 55.
Khwali: You're the best.

He jogged away.
Naomi: You're here.
Me: Yeah. We need to talk.
Naomi: About what? How you shut me out?
Me: I didn't.
Naomi: You never took my calls after you left.
Me: You never called.
Naomi: I did! A million times.
Me: I must've thought you were Ndaba.
Naomi: If on whatsapp?
Me: I do not use that anymore. Can we get over that? I have something  really important to say.

She poured us wine and offered me a seat.
Naomi: Shoot.
Me: Ndaba asked me to do a job for him.
Naomi: Ok
Me: Worth 15 million.
Naomi: Why am I being informed about that?
Me: I need you to help me.
Naomi: Excuse me?
Me: Naomi please. I can't so it on my own.
Naomi: Then don't do it!
Me: I need the money. With your accounts frozen, I know you do too.
Naomi: I'd rather sell this house and move into a smaller one than to sell my soul to the devil.
Me: Naomi please.

She got up.
Naomi: Close the door on your way out.
Me: Naomi

She climbed up the stairs   without looking back. I hung my bag over my shoulder and left...

...
I got home and went to take a long bubble bath. I brainstormed while in there. I had to do this job within this 2 weeks. I was hoping that the person whom I'll have to get info from is a man. That would make my job easier.

I heard a knock just as I wrapped a towel around me.

I took my phone and went to get the door. I let him in.
Me: I saw Buhle
Sphiwe: Good for you.
Me: Why did you lie about her being on vacation with her man?
Sphiwe: To get you off my back.
Me: She's hurting Sphiwe!
Sphiwe: So am I.
Me: You really want your child to grow up in a dysfunctional home?
Sphiwe: Ofcourse not. He doesn't even know what's going on.
Me: Eventually he will. Please go to your wife.
Sphiwe: I'd rather be here with you.
Me: No Sphiwe. No.
Sphiwe: Why not?
Me: She cares about you and she loves you. I don't.
Sphiwe: Oh?
Me: Yes. This was supposed to be harmless. You lied to me about Buhle having a man meanwhile she's stressing over you sleeping at work if that's even true. All she wants is for your marriage to work!
Sphiwe: I can't stand her. I try but I just can't. .
Me: Get out.
Sphiwe: Bianca I'm serious.
Me: Out!

He kissed my cheek and walked out. I stood there in the same position until I heard another knock. I stormed to open but all my anger toned down when I saw its Khwali.
Me: Is everything okay baby?

I shifted for him to get in.  He rubbed his palms together.
Khwali: I'll do it 
Me: Do what?
Khwali: Do the job uncle Ndaba asked you to do. I'll do it aunty B, we need the money.

That felt like a sharp object straight to my heart.
Me: Khwali.
Khwali: Ma has been crying to God asking him to intervene. My school fee is due end of the month. Mom only has half.
Me: Come here.

I hugged him.
Me: You're a smart beautiful boy. That job isn't for smart beautiful boys. I don't ever wanna hear you offer to do anything like what your father does. Go home and study.
Khwali: I just don't know what to do.
Me: God is gonna make a way baby. Trust that.

We let go. I couldn't handle how bad I felt. What example have we set for these kids? He's only 18, he shouldn't have any idea about how we made or make money.
Me: Do you wanna grab mcflurry?
He laughed.
Khwali: I'm not 10. I'd like a glass of-
Me: Juice? It's in the fridge. Let me go dress up.

He laughed.
Khwali: I see what you did there. Let me get myself that juice.

I smiled and walked to my room. I collapsed on top of my bed. How am I gonna get Njabulo out of prison? Naomi and her kids don't deserve this....