At the hospital
Thorello sat on the hospital benches anxiously shaking as the doctors delayed.
His heart was beating faster than normal, something wasn't right and he felt it. The look on the doctor's eyes when they pushed the stretcher away gave him heart palpitations.
Thorello: Bro something is wrong, why aren't they saying anything?
Thorello's brother: Stop that man Didi will be fine, she was just bleeding nothing deep.
Thorello: Bro her body temperature was disappointing, did I even feel the pulse or it was all in my head?
Thorello's brother: You did, stop that monna.
Thorello:(tearfully) I'm scared bro ka tshaba, What if?(swallowed) God not my wife.
His brother sighed and squeezed his shoulder then the doctor appeared from the hallway. Her stethoscope hanging around her shoulders and her hands buried in her pockets, her expression was unreadable. Thorello rose to his feet walking towards her his knees feeling more weaker with each step he took.
Thorello: Doctor how is my wife?
Doctor: I'm sorry Mr Mosweu there was nothing we could've done, when she arrived here, she was no more.
Thorello: No..not my Didi. Go and help her...she's...she..
The doctor blinked her eyes looking down.
Thorello:(to his brother) I was with her last night, she was fine we even made...God no!
He bit his trembling lips as a tear ran down his cheek.
Doctor: I'll give you some space.
The doctor left them and Thorello walked out followed by his brother.
He kept rubbing his eyes and swallowing as a huge lump formed in his throat.
When they reached outside he placed his hand on his chest and crouched covering his face with his hand crying.
His brother crouched next to him and held him tight as he continued crying.
At the doctor
I drove out of the parking lot my other hand rested on Nomonde's tighs.
Nomonde: Those beads are beautiful.
I looked at them and went to park on the open space.
Nomonde: Why are you stopping?
Me: You said you want to those beads nje.
Nomonde: You'll buy them?
Me: Cha I'll take them, Nomonde you can be stupid sometimes. Are you coming with?
Nomonde: Yeah sure.
We stepped out of the car and walked towards the table of the beads lady.
Me:(smiled) Sawbona nkosazana.
Beads lady:(smiled) Yebo bhuti unjani?
Me: Ngyaphila, Monde?
She faked a smile and pointed at the necklace.
Nomonde: How much?
Beads lady: R180
Nomonde: Yooh that's daylight robbery so...
Me: We'll take it.
I reached for my wallet and gave her R200.
Me: You can keep the change. Do you make this yourself?
Nomonde: Sbani let's go.
Me: Do you make this yourself?
Beads lady: Yes.
Me: Wow they're beautiful. I would also like you to make mine someday. Can I have your number?
Beads lady: I don't think so.
Me: You're turning down a potential regular customer? Your customer service skills sucks.
Beads lady:(shyly) You're blocking the view please shift.
Me: Ngnike inamba nkosazana angik'sheli futhi ukube ngyak'shela ubungeke unqabe.**Give me the number I'm not asking you out and if I did you wouldn't disagree**
Nomonde cleared her throat, I took out my phone and gave it to the beads lady and she punched her numbers.
I dialed her number and it went straight to voicemail.
I stood infront of her table resting my hands on it and she sighed and took my phone punching the correct number.
I smiled and took the necklace in a black plastic.
Me: Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.
I walked to the car following Nomonde.
I fastened my seatbelt and started the ignition and she clicked her tounge.
Me: Are you clicking your tounge at me?
Nomonde:(angrily) Yes! How dare you? Flirting infront of me?
Me:(raised my eyebrow) I wasn't flirting and if I was how is that any of your problem? We're not dating, you cheated on me. If helping you is giving you mixed signals tell me I'll stop.
Nomonde: I thought..
Me:(shouting) U thoughtani? And don't shout at me again I'm not your friend or boyfriend. Ungangjwayeli nje kabi nxx.
At Nomonde's house
I pulled over infront of their gate and looked outside.
Nomonde: I'm sorry.
Me: Take your kids and get out of my car.
Nomonde: I..
Me: One more word I'll bang your head on the dashboard.
She sighed and stepped out then went to take the kids from the backseat and their bag.
I looked at the side mirror and reversed then joined the sandy road leading to my house passing the vacant electric fenced fields.
At the hospital
Thorello and his brother walked towards the doctor's office and sat down infront of her.
Thorello: Can I see her before you move her to the morgue?
Doctor: Are you sure?
Thorello: Yes. Do you know the cause of death?
Doctor: Not yet, we'll wait for the postmortem results.
He nodded and the doctor stood up and they followed her down the corridor.
They reached her ward and Thorello held onto the door handle.
Thorello: I can't do this.
Thorello's brother: Yes you can, you have to. I'll be here with you.
He nodded and walked inside. They lowered the sheet exposing her face and Thorello's eyes fell on her face.
He placed his hand on her cheek caressing it....
Thorello: Please wake up, Didi we've just got married. You can't make me a widow this early, think of Keabetswe.(rubbing his eyes) we'll have another children if you want and move into our new house. Please wake up.
The doctor sadly looked at him as he went on and on begging his wife to wake up.
Thorello:(to his brother) I failed her bro, if I saw her early she would've made it. I...
Thorello's brother: Don't say that, it not your fault.
Thorello shook his head as tears streamed down his face and walked out.
TO BE CONTINUED
