CHAPTER 68
SHLOBOSENKOSI MAVIMBELA

I haven’t seen Nhlangano since he left the
house on Friday, I tried calling him the whole
weekend but his phone has been off. I have
been struggling with everything, sleeping,
eating and just coping in general. My wife
wanted to drop everything in Johannesburg
and come be by my side but I didn’t allow her
to do so, it wouldn’t have been fair on
Basetsana. I’ll just deal with the drama that’s
happening here and once everything has died
down I will go back to her.
I’m sitting in the staff room at Nhlangano’s
school, waiting for him to finish writing. The
principal already went to the exam center to
ask him to come to his office when he’s done
writing. I am relieved that he came to write, I
was worried that Nhlangano would miss his
exam because of the ongoing drama. That
would have broken the little that’s left in me.
I don’t want him to throw away his future.
“Mr Mavimbela, here’s your son,” The principal
walks in with Nhlangano who has his nose
flared, he is not happy to see me and that
hurts.
“Thank you,” I offer the principal a smile and
he narrows his eyes. He tried asking if
everything is okay and I managed to brush
him off without giving much away.
“I will leave you two alone,” he walks out,
closing the door behind him.
“How did you write?” I ask, trying to lighten
the mood.
“Fine. What are you doing here baba?” the
vehemence in his voice makes me close my
eyes in pain. What’s happening to my sweet,
funny and fashion crazed son? I cannot
recognize this angry, disrespectful shell before
my eyes.
“You know why Nhlangano. Where have you
been? Have you any idea how worried I have
been about you?” I ask and he chuckles.
“I am old enough to take care of myself, baba.
I’m about to be a father so please don’t treat
me like a child,” I never saw a day like this
coming.
“Can you just calm down, I’m not here to
fight. I just wanted to know if you’re okay
and bring you home,” he shakes his head.
“I’m not coming back home. I told you I have
to step up for Khwezi and the baby,”
I get on my feet and take a deep breath.
“Nhlangano, you’re a kid yourself. You have to
understand that and give MaZikode and I a
chance to fix all of this on your behalf,” he
punches the air in frustration.
“Stop calling me a child, fuck!” he half shouts
and I’m left perplexed.
“Watch your language wena,” I warn him.
“No. I won’t. You need to hear me and hear me
good baba. I’m not coming back to your
house, you have refused to help my child’s
mother. I won’t live comfortably in your big
house while she suffers with the baby I made
with her,” I have an urge to slap this fool back
to his senses.
My hurt is suddenly replaced by anger.
“Big man, where will you stay with your
pregnant girlfriend? Where will you get money
to pay rent, buy groceries and take her to the
doctor? How will you help her stay off drugs
all on your own?” I ask, folding my arms
across my chest.
“I have a father who will stand by me. A
father who knows the pain of being your
victim,” he answers through gritted teeth and
my heart drop into my stomach.
“Mphikeleli?”My voice comes out in a whisper,
tears burn my eyes.
“Yes, he will help Khwezi and I through this
journey and I’m grateful that he didn’t listen
to you when you told him to stay away from
me,” wow, just wow.
“18 years Nhlangano and this is how you treat
me?” I’m hurting to my soul, I can’t believe
this.
“You wouldn’t have needed to give 18 years of
your life if you had just allowed my father to
be a part of my life and raise me,” a tear
escapes my eye.
The venom that’s coming out of this boys
mouth is slowly killing me.
“You’re saying all of these things to me?”
He looks around the room, “I don’t see anyone
else in here with us,” Huh! Okay, I won’t stand
for this disrespect one more minute.
MaZikode was right, we should let Nhlangano
to burn so he knows not to play with fire
next time. I wipe my tears.
“So you want to be his son?” I ask and he nods
without hesitation.
“I respect that. I give you to him for free, he
doesn’t have to pay a dime to me and my
mother. Please tell him to change your
surname too, the Mavimbela’s don’t have a
child that can stand before their father and
hurt his heart,” I grab my phone and car keys
on the table and head for the door, I stop
after turning the handle, “Please don’t come
running to me once Mphikeleli has removed
his mask and shown you who he really is.” he
blinks rapidly and swallows hard.
.
.
.
“Thale, thank you for rushing back home,” I
say and she nods.
“It’s okay, I was just at the library,”
“Shlobo, what’s wrong? I have never seen you
that angry,” my mother asks and I take a deep
breath, leaning back on the couch.
“Well, uhm, I went to see Nhlangano at
school. He told me that he’s living with
Mphikeleli now and said some awful things to
me. So, I wanted to tell you both that from
hence forth Nhlangano is not my son, not
because I want it that way but because he
has chosen a snake over me and insulted me
because of it,” Thale gasps in shock.
“I know he has hurt you but bhut’Shlobo
please don’t give up on him,” she begs with
tears glistening in his eyes.
“He’s the one that gave up on me, Thale. I
gave that boy 18 years of my life, loved him
unconditionally, provided for everything and
supported his every dream,” I explain with a
heavy heart.
“He is my grandson and I love him but he has
refused to listen to us. Let’s let him walk the
thorny road bare foot so he learns to listen to
those that have walked it before,” MaZikode
says, brushing Thalente’s back.
“I’ve washed my hands off him. He says he’s a
grown man and so I’ll let him be one,” my
sister wipes her tears.
“No one can blame you, Shlobo, not even Busi
in her grave. She has to save her son now, we
tried our best for 18 years,” mama adds and I
nod.
“It’s time to live my life now. I found a woman
I love with every fiber of my being and I’ve
decided to move to Johannesburg so I can be
closer to her,” Mama and Thale exchange a
look.
“Haibo! Shlobo, what about your company?
The soccer team? Your sister and me?”
“I’ll still run my company, I’ll have a satellite
office in Johannesburg. Meetings can now be
held virtually. I’ll only come to headquarters if
the need arises. Don’t stress yourself about
the soccer team, I don’t do much as it is. We
have people ensuring that it runs smoothly,” I
watch MaZikode shift uncomfortably on the
couch.
“You both can move to Johannesburg with me
if you like. I’ll buy you a house ma and Thale
can stay with you or rent an apartment,” I
say and she shakes her head.
“I can’t leave Mahlabathini. That’s where your
father and Busisiwe are. Why can’t your
girlfriend move to natal?” I shake my head in
return.
“I need the fresh start ma. Please be okay
with this,” she pinches the bridge of her nose.
“I told you that I’m in full support of your
relationship bhuti, I’ve always wanted you to
be happy and in-love. But I can’t leave KZN,
my mother and siblings are here,” I nod my
understanding.
“It’s okay, but you’ll stay here until you’re
married. Naledi and I will visit now and
again,” she nods with a smile.
“Ma?” I am not asking for her permission just
her blessing.
“You said you want to marry her and the Bible
says a man will leave his mother and father
and be united with his wife,” hao? That easy? I
thought she’d cause drama before she accepts
and blesses my decision.
“Thank you, ma. I love her so please be gentle
with her when we visit you,” she frowns.
“What is that supposed to mean? Am I a
monster?” I raise an eyebrow with a smirk.
“You weren’t pleasant to her when you found
her here with me,” she smacks her lips.
“That’s because you were being isfebe se
ndoda. You had just introduced Nonku to me
and then she comes crying to me. When I get
here to hear your side of the story I find you
kissing a girl with the biggest behind I’ve ever
seen,” she says and Thalente is thrown into a
fit of laughter. “But now she is going to be my
daughter in law, I don’t have a choice but to
open my heart and get to know her,” she adds
and my heart swells with gratitude.
“Thank you,”
“Now, when are you planning on leaving for
Johannesburg?” she asks.
“Maybe next week. I have to take care of
things at the office and drive to Mahlabathini
this weekend. I need to talk to my uncles, I’m
no longer sending the letter to Naledi’s family
mid-January, it’s now first week December. I
can’t wait longer to make her mine fully,” my
sister starts ululating.
“I hear you and that’s okay with me but let’s
hold Thalente’s ceremony before then. She
needs to use her father’s surname,” I nod
vigorously.
“Let’s do it this weekend then, we have four
days to prepare. I’ll call the Mavimbela elders
and Mamu’Gasela,” ma takes a deep breath.
“We will have to drive to Mahlabathini first
thing in the morning.” we don’t have a choice.
I’ll have to take care of things at the office
via calls and emails with my assistant.
NALEDI MOLETSANE
Thuli and her weekday dates. I’m tired out of
my mind, Mondays are the pits. I always have
so much to do at the office, Chief Executive
Officer is just a fancy term for an over
worked person. I miss my job as a manager, I
only had to worry about my department not
the whole organization. But asides the
complaints, I really enjoy the challenge and
experiences that comes with it all.
I get to the restaurant and climb out of the
car, fixing my pencil skit. I had to come here
dressed formally, I would have been late if I
started at my house to change. I walk inside
and I’m welcomed by a waiter, I tell him I’m
meeting someone and he points me to Thuli
by the corner. She already has a cocktail
infront of her, oh I need a drink. I couldn’t
indulge properly this weekend because I was
with my daughter.
Speaking of Bassie, she and I spoke about
Shlobo extensively. I explained to her that
mommy loves him and would like to marry
him. I asked her how she would feel about it
and she giggled and asked if that would mean
having a sibling. I nervously answered yes,
scared that my response will make her hate
Shlobo but to my surprise she asked me to
marry him quickly because she wants to be a
big sister. My husband is going to be thrilled
when I tell him, he thinks Bassie doesn’t like
him much. The first time they met at my
mother’s house she was distant and when we
took her out for ice cream she relaxed a bit
and started telling him stories. Shlobo will be
ecstatic to know we have the go ahead to
marry and have kids from princess Bassie.
“Hey friend,” I greet her, clasping her hand.
“Hey, gorgeous,” she responds and sips her
drink. The waiter comes to take my order, I
ask for the usual poison, margarita and two
shots of taquila to give it a kick. Thuli asks
for the same and I laugh.
“Why did you start with a long Island?” she
shrugs her shoulders.
“I just ordered the first thing my eyes landed
on,” she responds.
“What’s been happening sis? I see the glow,”
she blushes beet red and I know the sex with
Mongezi is bomb.
“The thought of him alone makes me horny,” I
throw my head back and laugh.
“Thulisile, down girl!” good dick can really
bring a woman out of her shell.
“Nope, it’s only up. Mongezi is a pleasant
adventure, I’ve never felt so alive and naughty
in my life,” I’m happy to see her this light.
There’s even a spark in her eyes, one that died
when she was married to Jimmy.
“Love this for you friend,” my drink arrives
and the waiter asks if we are ready to order
food. We ask for some time and he walks
away.
“You’re the only one babes. My annoying sister
in-law came to my house without calling, let
herself in and overhead me and Mongezi
having phone sex,” I gasp in shock.
“No!” she rolls her eyes.
“She called a meeting with my children and
told them. They ganged up on me thinking I’ll
end things with Mongz but I set them
straight,” good for her. Jimmy’s sister should
focus on her life. Thuli is a grown woman.
“Do you need me to call a locksmith for you?”
she smiles and shakes her head.
“I’ve already taken care of that,” good, no one
should just pop up at someone’s house
without permission.
“I want to shock them sometime this week.
I’m going to invite them for dinner and show
up with Mongezi just to show them that this
is my life and I’ll live it however I want,” I
narrow my eyes.
“Do you think that’s wise?” she nods.
“Yeah, it will put them in their place. And
don’t worry, that doesn’t mean I have fallen
in-love with Mongezi,” phew! That’s a relief.
“Good, never forget that he is just a
temporary dick,” I take a sip of my drink and
my eyes wonder to the table at the corner, I
choke on my drink when I see who the touchy
touchy couple is.
“Naledi, are you okay?” Thuli asks.
“Yes… No… I mean I just saw Vhutshilo’s
girlfriend and my friend, Kat kissing over
there,” I say, pointing with my eyes, she turns
to see who I’m talking about.
“They are double adaptors?” Thuli asks,
shocked.
“Kat is bisexual, has always been. She just
chose to marry a man. I didn’t know
Vhutshilo’s girl is also playing for both teams,”
she claps once.
“Go there, they must be aware that you saw
them,” I shake my head, “Naledi go, you can’t
allow your baby daddy to be played like this,”
oh the same one that went running to my
mother and when his plans didn’t work he ran
to Venda. I’m yet to deal with that fool, he
has been avoiding my and Bassie’s calls. His
mom has been telling her granddaughter that
he is sick and will call as soon as he feels
better. I’m gonna have his balls on a platter
for ghosting our daughter. Bassie has never
went this long without talking to or seeing
her dad.
“Go!” I get on my feet and make my way to
them. They are in their own world, busy
whispering sweet nothings and giggling.
“Hey guys,” I say, too loud than necessary.
“Naledi,” Karabo is super embarrassed. Her
eyeballs are threatening to fall off.
“Friend, is this really you?” Kat asks, getting
on her feet and hugging me.
“Its me babe. You good?” I ask.
“Great, what about you?”
“I’m good,” we break the hug, “I was just
having drinks with Thuli over there and I saw
you both, I just had to come say hi,” Kat nods
with no remorse in her eyes. She’s cheating on
her husband in public. What the fuck is wrong
with her? Karabo is hiding behind her glass of
wine.
“Can we please meet soon and catch up? I
miss you,” I nod vigorously.
“I’ll send you my address, show up tomorrow
after work for a bite and a drink,” she hugs
me again.
“It’s a date,” she’s excited.
“Alright then. Let me go back to my table, you
guys have fun,”
“Bye babe.” -Kat.
“Later.” it comes out in a whisper from
Karabo. Does Vhutshilo know that his girl is
busy with another woman? This is hectic.