THE ONE

INSERT 1

LUFUNO

The anger that brewed in my heart was excruciating. The

vacation that I planned for months was turned into a bae-cation
for my three friends and their companions. That was ultimately
selfish of them. The vacation was supposed to be about me, it
was initially planned for my birthday.
Three months ago I planned a vacation for me, my sister and
two friends. I chose the destination to be nothing else but about
nature and relaxation. The coast was out of the picture so I
settled for a place just outside Polokwane. I paid all the
expenses for my friends and I, including a four bedroom luxury
villa. But my friends decided to betray me.
The view from the deck was incredible. It was early in the
morning and the sun was rising prudently behind the highlands
that faced my room. A room that was big enough to
accommodate a family of four. This was the first vacation in two
years. A lot had been happening and this was supposed to be
the best one for me.
My mind reminded me I needed my functioning drink before I
started my day. I walked back to my bedroom and reached for
the gown that was behind the door. I opened my door and
peeped outside to check how safe it was to walk to the kitchen.
That was not the idea I had about that trip. I thought I would be
running stark-naked around the house with my friends.
The coast was clear, so I hurried to the kitchen to plug the
kettle.
“How did you sleep?” Masala asked, before grabbing a chair.
I was not in the mood to entertain her, so I grabbed the cup
from the cupboard and placed it carefully on the kitchen
counter.
“Are you still not over this thing?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“Who are you rolling your eyes at?” I raised my voice at her. I
was not going to be disrespected by her after her betrayal.
“Don’t test me Masala…don’t dare test my patience.
“What do you want us to do now Lufuno?” Masala shouted from
across me. “We said we are sorry so many times since we got
here last night, I am starting to think you are selfish.”
I laughed out loud, clapping my hands.
“Who is selfish? You guys changed my vacation into honey-
moons with your men and I am not allowed to be angry about
it?” I put my hands on my waist.
“But what do you want us to do? It is done. We are here. And
we have been apologising all evening.”
“You did all these intentionally because you know I can afford
to take care of you and your partners. Because I am the stupid
one who blesses everyone with my money, including your
broke-ass boyfriends.”
“Take back your words, take back your words right now.”
Masala shouted.
“What is wrong? Truth hurts huh?”
“Whoooooaaaa!” Masindi shouted, rushing to the kitchen. She
grabbed my hands and tried to push me away from Masala who
was making noise in my face.
“Leave me alone Masindi, leave me alone.” I shouted.
The noise became unbearable to Lucy and the men, because
they all ran from their respective rooms to the kitchen.
“What is going on here?” Masindi’s boyfriend asked her,
walking to her.
I folded my arms to my chest and controlled my breathing. I
was not going to shout at these men, but the fight was not over
between me and my so-called friends.
I picked the muffin from the bread bin and placed it on a
saucer. I could feel all eyes on me. I picked my cup of coffee
from the counter and turned to everyone who was staring at
me.
“Lufuno, we are sorry for inviting our boyfriends…but when
Lucy and Oscar came up with this idea, we were too excited to-
” Masindi calmly said but stopped when she saw me popping
my eyes and tilting my head to her.
“What idea?” I asked, with an annoyed face.
“We wanted to bring you a date, but he could not be here. We
don’t know where he is. We were afraid to tell you because we
know how you can’t handle rejection,” Masindi explained.
I stood up from the chair and walked to the glass door leading
to the swimming pool and the magnificent view of the foothills. I
do not know if it was normal to feel the way I felt. The betrayal I
understood, but all my friends did not know what I needed in
my life. Even my sister didn’t know what I needed.
“Lufuno, please say something.” Lucy pleaded, walking to me.
“What do you want me to say when I was not consulted before
everyone decided to ruin my vacation?”
“Leave her alone. She thinks we are her employees whom she
shouts at when she is frustrated,” Masala said from across the
room. “We are your friends and we know how miserable you
are, and we thought we should turn this into something nice,
but you Lufuno, are always ready to attack us. And for your
information, we are going to pay you back your money…all
these men decided to pay for this vacation.”
“Calm down, Masala.” Lucy said.
“Don’t tell me to calm down when she has insulted my
boyfriend. She is quick to judge because she thinks she is
perfect.”
“How was I quick to judge if you all allowed me to sleep in tears
last night?” I asked, checking all of them, including the men
who were sitting quietly on the couches.
“Because we were hoping that Khathutshelo will arrive, but he
didn’t.” Lucy answered.
“So, where is he? My date.” I was curious. Who on earth
cancels a holiday like that?
I glanced at Lucy, and then Masindi. They both shrugged their
shoulders.
“I have been trying his phone. It was off last night.” Oscar said.
It was the first thing he said. “I am sorry for ruining your
holiday.”
My friends have been trying to apologise all evening, but it did
not touch me as much as when Oscar mentioned it. He is my
sister’s fiancé and I knew he cared for me as much he does my
family. They really did not mean to hurt me.
I hated this Khathutshelo before even meeting him. How could
he be so thoughtless? A phone call to let everyone know that
he had changed his mind could have been appreciated.
“It’s okay.” I said, cleaning my eyes before the tears fell down
my cheeks.
“I am going to take a shower.” Oscar left the lounge, followed
by Masindi and Masala’s boyfriends. They have been quiet
since the previous evening.
Just when the guys disappeared, tears fell down my cheeks like
a waterfall. I was feeling betrayed and hurt by my own friends.
They did not have any idea how much that vacation meant to
me.
“Why are you crying Lufuno?” Masala asked with her arms
folded to her chest. Masindi and Lucy rushed to give me a hug.
“You guys don’t even know what I need.” I cried.
“We are sorry. We are tired of seeing you lonely and
miserable.” Masindi said, but Masala kept laughing
sarcastically.
“What is wrong with you, Masala?” Lucy asked.
“I am tired of living my life for her. We always put everything on
hold because the queen here is having a miserable life which
she chose. How many times did we cancel our plans for her?
I’m tired.”
Masala was right. I had been a pain in my friends’ lives. They
always cancelled their plans and turned down invitations
because they did not want to hurt my feeling. I wiped my tears
and walked to the kitchen.
“Come now, let’s prepare breakfast before you starve your
men.” I boldly said, picking the eggs and veggies from the
fridge. The ladies washed their hands and started chopping
veggies after another in silence.
Just when everyone was invited to the kitchen by the smell of
the bacon and omelettes, I sneaked to my room, leaving my
friends with their companions.
'What am I going to do all weekend?' I thought to myself as I
opened my luggage bag to check what to wear. It was a good
day for a floral over-the-shoulder dress. My yellow sandals
matched perfectly with the dress. I pulled the dress and laid it
neatly on the bed.
I glanced at my dress for a while before snatching it from the
bed and tearing it up with tears gushing out of my eyes.
Where was that Khathutshelo? I felt so empty, lonely and
rejected.
What a miserable life I was living.

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GUYS, NOTE I WILL POST AN INSERT EVERY SECOND

DAY SO THAT I ALSO WORK ON THE BOOK!!

ENJOY!! 😘😘
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THE ONE

INSERT 2

KHATHUTSHELO

I had been waiting for a week to get my vacation leave to be

approved by my boss. He kept delaying the approval and I was
starting to panic because all expenses were paid and Oscar
already arranged the other guys to join the vacation. He would
never do me any other favour if I failed to fulfil my promise.
It was a birthday-moon of a woman I am in love with. She didn't
know how I felt about her and she did not know who I was. I
was going to introduce myself there when the guys arrive hours
later after the women. I saw her at Oscar’s traditional party
when he took the first step to lobola his woman. We were in
Venda at Tshisaulu, at that woman’s home and I could not stop
thinking about her since that day. She is sisters with Oscar’s
fiancee and she was the one hosting the exclusive event. I
have also seen her on TV a few times on some wedding show.
She was an event planner and was always featured on a
wedding shows where she plans and host the most exclusive
weddings ever. I had seen beautiful women before, but she
took the cup for me. She was loveable and beautiful but not so
friendly. She didn’t drive herself but had a designated driver to
do her errands and drive her around. I wanted to know much
about her so bad.
I twisted Oscar’s hand to arrange her friends’ partners and join
in so that we make her feel special on her birthday. I had a
surprise for her on a Saturday afternoon. I planned for a picnic
for two down by the river. Lucy gave me ideas of what she liked
the most. I was sure she was going to have an awesome
getaway.
My boss arrived to the office after 10am. It was a Thursday and
my vacation leave was supposed to be approved for Friday and
the rest of the following week. My cubicle was stationed not so
far from his office so I had full access of him from his glass
office. I was able to see when he was having a hectic, a rough
or just a normal day.
I watched as he shouted at his personal assistant, a young
beautiful girl who was as young as his daughter. She kept her
eyes on the floor as he kept shouting and pointing his fingers at
her. She always took the bullet and get a bouquet of flower few
days later. We were so used to it but it was not pleasing to see
her getting attacked for just a small salary.
I stood from my cubicle and walk to the kitchen to refill my mug
with more coffee. It was my second cup already.
As I was busy brewing the coffee, I was also trying to make up
a story about what I needed the whole week off for. I came
back from the kitchen and strode to his office. He noticed my
shadow standing by the door so he lifted his head and gestured
for me to get into his office. I opened the door and stood there
for a while without saying anything. He kept his eyes on the
laptop until he asked me what I wanted in his office so early.
Imagine, it was already ten o’clock.
“Sir, I wanted to remind you to approve my leave for tomorrow
and next week,” I said.
“What leave?” he asked with his eyes fixed on the laptop.
“Remember I told you about the week that I need to go to
Venda for…uhm…we have some family issues to solve
and…yah.” I could not tell him about the vacation. He valued
work more than anything else so I couldn’t tell him I was taking
a week off to go on a vacation with a group of friends. It would
have been a blasphemy to him.
“Go and amend it for Tuesday until Friday. I need you to meet
up with MBC Consultants on Monday.” He said without moving
his eyes to me.
“That is not my account sir.”
“I know but James is busy with Love Daze’s account,” he
responded.
“But Sir, I should be in Venda tonight after work.”
“You reckon?”
I knew he was giving me an ultimatum. He needed me to
choose between my leave and one of the biggest accounts we
have. I was competing for a promotion with James and every
decision we made about everything, mattered. I stood in my
boss’s office with a mug burning my fingers. I didn’t know what
to do.
It took me so long to convince Oscar to make arrangements for
the trip. He told me a thousand times to never disappoint him
because he was also taking the risk in messing with Lufuno’s
business. I could not disappoint him just a day before the
vacation. On the other hand, I needed the account to prove
myself to Mr Mkhize. If I nailed that account, my promotion was
looking promising.
“Sir, I will take care of the account.” I said after deciding
between going to a vacation where I was going to please a
woman who would kick my balls for wasting her time or to work
harder on myself to prove myself for a promotion.
“Good.” That’s all he said and I marched out of his glass office
to my small corner.
I glanced at him when I got to my small cubicle. He raised his
hand at me and I hurried back to his office hoping he had
changed his mind.
“The ad campaign for Pretty Girls is on Saturday morning, I
want you to be here to direct the team. I want to see if you have
it in you,” he said and then dropped his eyes to the laptop. I
walked out of the office swearing under my breath. There was
no where I was going during the weekend.
I had been a junior marketing consultant for so long to have
deserved a promotion. Mr Mkhize made is so clear that we are
going to sweat off for our promotion because it came with so
much money. James was my opponent and I was always
worried that he would take my position.
The first thing I did when I got to my seat was to call Oscar. He
didn’t pick his phone so I wrote a reminder on my phone to call
him later when I got home.
My day got busy with head to head meetings with clients. I only
got home after seven and remembered to call Oscar. The
vacation issue had been playing in my head the whole day.
“Hey man, I am sure your bag is ready…oh, and not forgetting
a cooler bag my man,” he said just after answering his phone.
I felt the excitement from his voice. I could not stand to
disappoint him. I was seated on a couch instead of packing up
my bag for the following day.
“Uhm…yah…hey dude, I will have to drive there tomorrow.” I
said. I could not tell him I am supposed to be at work on
Saturday and Monday.
“Why? I thought we were using my car and the girls will drive
down with Lucy.” He said. I knew I should be telling him I have
to stay for a Monday meeting but rather not. It was better when
he was clueless than having to judge me for ruining everything.
I was also praying for a miracle on the other side.
“I have a morning meeting tomorrow and I will follow
afterwards.” I advised.
“As long as you make it by noon. I don’t want these women to
chop my head.” He said and I felt my throat dry up. How could I
tell him I could not make it until Monday evening? I told him to
hang up because I had someone knocking on my door. There
was no one knocking on my door. I was just running away from
trouble.
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Oscar warned me
so much about the woman I was dealing with. I was dealing
with a broken and a scorned woman. I was ready to give my life
to woman who might shove my feelings away to feel better
about herself. It was a serious burden to carry. I was even
scared to disappoint her by cancelling on that trip. I was not
going to hear the end of it for cancelling on the last minute.
Apparently she had been planning for that vacation for months.
I threw my phone on the table and myself on a couch. I was
regretting ever asking Oscar to twist Lucy’s hand to change the
birthday moon to a bae-cation. It would be my fault if the trip
failed. I would have been going to work without stress.

Friday morning I was supposed to be driving down to Limpopo

for a vacation. Instead, I was wearing a suit and heading to
Mkhize’s consultancy. I was wearing a formal shirt and a tie
because that was what they required daily. Mr Mkhize had so
many meetings booked for me on a day but I was supposed to
be on leave. I had no choice but to oblige because I was
contesting for a promotion that would change my life for the
best.
I only earned enough to pay for rent and pay for my car
expenses, the promotion is what I needed the most. I had to
impress the boss and his clients.
After work, I got home and glanced at my bags on a corner of a
room. I could not afford to drive to Polokwane, drive back to
Joburg and then again to Polokwane. It was either I drove to a
vacation and miss a meeting with a client, or stay in
Johannesburg and only drive to Polokwane on Monday
afternoon.
It was 09 o’clock late when I called Oscar to tell him I would
only make it on Monday afternoon.
He picked the phone and I could hear the commotion on the
background. I heard the voices of women fighting on the
background. I knew it was all my fault.
“Dude, where on earth are you?” he hissed on the phone.
“These women are about to kill each other because of you.
Where are you?”
“Eish, I got stuck at work…and I only got home now.” I said and
he screamed at me.
“Come on man…I am not going to look like a fool here. Lufuno
is spitting fire because we changed her vacation into this…and
you are not even here to take the bullet.”
“I wish I was there man…hey Oscar…can you hear me?” I
asked because I could not hear his voice anymore. I could hear
the voices shouting at the background.
“No…what the hell are they doing here? I paid for this vacation.
This is for my birthday. What are these men doing on my
vacation? This is not what I planned for.” I heard Lufuno yelling.
I felt my heart break from hearing her voice yelling from the
background. That was the woman I was in love with. The one
who was roaring like a lioness.
“Relax, Lufuno, we have everything under control.” The other
voice responded.
“No, don’t you dare tell me to relax…you guys are just back
stabbers. How am I supposed to trust you?” she yelled some
more and she was now crying. The voices were starting to fade
away because I could not hear clearly anymore.
“Dude, you better be here in the next hour.” Oscar emphasized.
It was impossible for me to be at Polokwane when I was
needed in Johannesburg hours later.
“What is going on?” I asked.
“Lufuno is throwing chairs at everyone for changing her plans.
Where the hell are you? Dude this is not what I signed for.”
“My boss gave me a task to do tomorrow and on Monday. I
really want to be there but it looks impossible.”
“Heee Khathutshelo Nengwenda, you better get up and drive
up here right now. Right now, if you know what is good for you.”
I wanted to get up in that very same second to drive up to
Polokwane but I had no money for fuel to come back on
Sunday evening to prepare for my meeting with the big client. I
was deciding on skipping the Saturday ad campaign but I had
no money to drive up and down. I finished all of it on the damn
vacation just to please Lufuno.
I should have stayed on my lane.
I was failing the woman before she could even meet me. Even
if I walked in there after an hour, she would hate me for
messing with her feelings.
“Damn me Khathutshelo, vacation or promotion?” I asked
myself before gulping one glass of whiskey.

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SORRY GUYS, I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MID-NIGHT DATA

😣😣

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THE ONE

INSERT 3

LUFUNO

I opened my eyes and it was a little dark in the room but the
television was still playing softly. I dozed off while watching
some boring movie. One bottle of dry red wine was finished and
I got the evidence from just a slight headache. I hopped out of
bed and put on some track pants and a vest. I was hungry so I
had no choice but to go to the kitchen. I picked an empty bottle
and the dirty glass; and headed to the kitchen.
After the cat fight in the morning, I decided to lock myself in my
room the whole day. All I did was to take a shower, collect food
and wine; and watched TV the whole afternoon until I dozed off.
It was actually peaceful than arguing with the people I loved
dearly.
“Oh, there you are. We missed you.” Masindi said when I
walked into the lounge. The couples were chilled cosily
watching a movie and I should admit that I was jealous. They
all uncomfortably moved away from each other except for
Masala and her boyfriend.
“Missed me my foot.” I whispered to myself while walking to the
kitchen.
“You are still angry?” Masala laughed and it annoyed me. She
was testing my patience and I was already running out of it. I
was really tired of all the fighting and Masala seemed eager to
fight til the end.
Why was it so hard for these people to allow me to sulk as
much as I wanted? I was hurt. I felt betrayed.
“Please stop annoying me Masala,” I said.
“Or else what? What are you going to do?” she shouted from
the couch. Her boyfriend gazed at her but she ignored him.
Everyone was just tired of her drama.
“Guys are we not tired of fighting?” Masindi asked calmly. She
was always calm and it was because she was the oldest
amongst us.
“I am really regretting coming here with you guys. It is my fault.
I am also sorry for allowing Khathu to twist this vacation into
this. I truly apologise. I also apologise that he is not here. He
can only make it on Monday,” Oscar said from his seat. “Can
we move on from these fights already?”
“How are we going to move on when the queen here wants us
to kiss her feet and bow down to her?” Masala asked, rolling
her eyes. “She has got to understand we were doing her a
great favour. She is lonely and this Khathu guy was just going
to complete her.”
Who said I needed a man? I knew I was lonely, but I didn’t ask
anyone to arrange a man for me.
“Okay, what do you want us to do to fix this? Anything sissy?”
Lucy asked. No one had asked me what I needed all these
time. Instead I was victimised by my own friend.
“I want your men to go book in another house so that we
continue to have the vacation I had initially planned.”
“I think that is fair enough, right guys? Why didn’t we think of
this already?” Oscar asked, looking at the other guys.
“She is crazy!” Masala jumped in.
“Stop calling me crazy.” I warned her with my finger pointed at
her.
“How can three people move because of one person? Haaa
guys, Haikhona…why do you guys like worshipping her?”
“Babe, no, this is her vacation and…..” Masala’s boyfriend tried
to say before she jumped off the couch and rushed to my room.
Masindi and Lucy ran after her and I stood there in the kitchen,
with my arms crossed on my chest. The headache I was having
didn’t allow me to have unnecessary energy. The guys seemed
defeated by all the drama.
“I need some air.” Masindi’s boyfriend stood from his seat and
walked out of the house. He was followed by Oscar and
Masala’s boyfriend. Shame, they could not stand the drama
anymore.
I hear the ladies shouting from my bedroom and I was starting
to get curious. I rushed to my room only to find Masala packing
things into my luggage bag.
“What the hell are you doing with my things?” I shouted at her.
“You have no right to touch my damn things inwi Masala.”
“I want you to get out of this house….my man will refund you
now…I want you to get the hell out of here.” Masala was fuming
with anger.
“Don’t tell me-” I tried to say, but Masala slapped me across my
face.
I sat on my bed with one hand on my cheek. I did not believe
what she just did to me. I sat quietly as tears fell down my eyes.
The slight headache became a migrane.
“Haven’t you ever asked yourself why your boyfriends never
stay?” Masala shouted in my face. “Every little damn thing is
about you. You, you, you Lufuno. Everyone should adjust to
what you want. We are not your puppets. I am just tired, really.
We were doing this for you and all you need to do is chill and
let us enjoy this vacation. Is Monday so far for you to welcome
your date? Haaaai man, you are making me so angry. We live
for you. We always adjust to your feelings. If you don’t want to
be here, then leave.”
“Sis, are you alright?” Lucy asked, kneeling in front of me.
I could not believe my friend slapped me. It felt like a trance.
“Please, leave my room.” I requested while wiping my tears.
“Fine…but my man is not going anywhere…if you are unhappy,
please leave and get yourself a room.” Masala shouted as she
walked out of my room. She was not even sorry about what she
did to me. I asked my sister and Masindi to leave so I could be
alone. I packed my clothes in my luggage bags. My phone
beeped and it was a payment notification from Masala. She
meant war and I was not going to stay here and swallow my
pride. I put on some sneakers and a hoodie then pushed my
luggage out of the room.
“Haaaa Lufuno…you can’t leave now.” Lucy said from the
couch. The room was silent and I knew it was because of the
fight I had with Masala. The guys were not back yet.
“It’s late, you can’t leave now.” Masindi said.
“Please guys. I am tired of all these fights and I am really
drained…I am so tired of all these fights so I have to go. I will
ask the reception to organise me a shuttle to town. I am sorry
for the-…”
“Finally, she is sorry.” Masala clapped her hands.
“Lufuno, please you can’t go.” Lucy stood from her couch. I
could see worry in her face.
“Let her go…stop treating her like a queen…she is a millionaire
so she is going to book another house, now!”
“Sesi, it’s okay. I swear. I am alright and I want you to stay…I
will get a hotel when I get to town.”
Another fight was about to erupt when Lucy tried to stop me
from leaving. I could be everything bad you can imagine but I
was not so violent. And I no longer had the energy to fight
some more.
I pulled my bags outside just when Masala was fighting with
everyone. I was happy that I was leaving that mess but I had no
idea what I was doing. What I knew was that I was exhausted
from all that fighting.
I managed to get to the reception. I placed my bags in the
corner of the room and freely walked to the receptionist.
“Good evening ma’am…may I assist you?” she asked me with
a curious face. Her eyes swayed at my luggage bags fit for two
weeks.
“Can you please arrange me a shuttle to the nearest town?”
“Uhm…ma’am, we might have a problem.”
“What problem?”
“See…we are located in a private farm and the arrangements
we had with the owner was the drive-in and out times… it’s one
of the things you acknowledged when you signed the terms and
conditions.”
“What do you mean?” I never read their terms and conditions.
“It is after nine o’clock, and the farm owner takes it as
trespassing…so we cannot risk our drivers to….”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I raised my voice. My
heart was starting to pump out of my chest. The pride I had did
not allow me to walk back to that house and what I needed was
to drive out of that place.
“Please calm down.” She said.
“I am stranded and I need to get out of here.”
“You cannot be stranded ma’am. Why don’t you go back to
your villa and you will travel tomorrow morning at five am.”
“I can’t go back to that house…do you have any room
available?”
She clicked on her computer and I was starting to shake with
fear. I was not, in anyway going back to that freaking house.
“Uhm, ma’am… we might have a slight problem.” She advised.
Why was there always a problems in my life?
“The only available villa we have is a three bedroomed villa.”
She lifted her head from the screen and gazed at me.
“That is not a problem.” I chuckled.
“For all the three to five bedroomed villas, we require a
minimum of three nights.”
“You must be kidding me.” I laughed.
“No ma’am.”
“Can I speak to the manager?” I requested. “I bet there is
something we can work out.”
“I am the manager…my husband too but he is not around
today.”
“So then you can help me. I need just a room to sleep for
tonight.”
“I am afraid I cannot help as…”
“Fine. I’ll take it!” There was no way I was going back to the
villa in which Masala was in. She was even right, I have millions
to spend and renting a villa for fifteen thousand was not going
to cripple my bank account in any way. Also, she paid back my
twenty thousand anyway. I was also not going to beg the lady
infront of me.
She assigned my villa and called a gentleman to lead me to it.
Thankfully it was far away from my previous villa. He walked in
and placed my bags in the main bedroom. I walked to the
kitchen to make tea as he walked around the house, switching
on the lights for me.
“Would you like me to assist you with anything?”
“No thank you.” I responded while watching him go around the
house to make sure I settled in.
Deep down I was wishing for some company. I needed
something to fill the emptiness I was feeling deep down my
heart at that minute.
He glanced at me with pity on his face. I felt pity for myself too.
I was in a three bedroomed villa, all by myself.
“Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee, perhaps?” I
sounded desperate but I just needed someone to talk to. I
needed someone to listen to me.
“A cup of coffee with me?” he pointed at his chest with his grey
gloves.
I stood in front of him with tears twinkling my eyes. The last
thing I wanted was for people to feel pity on me, but I could not
stand the loneliness I was feeling. He uncomfortably looked
around and thereafter took off his gloves. He seemed
speechless.
“Please…please!” I whispered.

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THE ONE

INSERT 4

LUFUNO

I crossed my arms and gaze at his eyes with self-disgust.

What was I doing? Posing to a stranger like a desperate wet
puppy.
“Ma’am, I don’t want to lose my job,” he said with one hand on
his chest. He meant well.
“Oh, yes, how silly of me,” I said. “You may leave. I am sorry.”
He left without saying anything else.
The loneliness was what I knew best but I could never get used
to it.
I walked around the new villa. It was as beautiful as the
previous one and I was starting to warm up to it. It was so quiet
and peaceful. There was no way I was leaving such a peaceful
palce, which I already paid for. I decided to stay the three
nights and work on my upcoming projects.
I get to the main bedroom and sit on the comfortable king sized
bed. I did not know what I was going to do about Masala. She
was right about me being self-centred but had no right to fuel
the fire and forcing everyone to turn their backs on me. She
had no right to lay her hand on me. No one has ever attempted
to slap me, but she did. I no longer knew where we stood with
our friendship.
I also failed to understand why everyone did not get where I
was coming from. I had planned my birthday-moon to spend
with my friends and they hijacked it to something else without
consulting me. That was just inconsiderate of all of them
including my dear sister.
It was already late so I jumped to the cold lonely bed and fell
asleep immediately. The light creeped underneath the curtain
to wake me up the following dawn. I tossed and turned
thereafter until I decided to wake up for a jog. There was no
way I was going to fall back to sleep.
The jog was an opportunity to sight see the place without
running into my friends. I woke up and get cleaned up before
wearing my gym gear. I hit the road and decided to go up the
hill so that I can capture the view for my Instagram posts. I put
my headsets on and trailed up the mountain.
“Can I please have some water?” a voice from behind my
shoulder dazed me. The music was still playing softly in my
ears so I decided to calm myself and continued walking faster.
“May I please have some water?”
I stopped and turned to witness a tall handsome guy with a
sweaty white vest. He stopped and sat on a rock beside the
pathway. I watched as he tried to catch his breath.
“Are you alright?” I managed to ask. He was obviously sprinting
up the hill to be that breathless.
“Yeah…I was running after you. Can I have some water?” he
asked once again. I looked at my bottle before handing it to
him.
“Please don’t finish it…I haven’t even walked twenty minutes.”
He looked at me while drinking from my bottle.
“Thank you.” he said, handing me back the bottle. He had a
cocky smile but still looked charming.
“Why would you sprint up the hill?”
“I have been eating junk all week and I thought I could shed it
off before driving back home…plus I saw you walking alone.”
I bet he was on a vacation with his beautiful wife and children.
For some reason, he definitely didn’t look anything single. He
had a well-built slim body with muscles as evidence of gym and
he looked like the type that takes good care of themselves.
I found myself drooling on a stranger and when he noticed that
I was lusting at him, I quickly turned away and started walking
away. I was not ready to have my heart broken by another
douche-bag.
“Are you also going up the hill?” he asked from behind me.
“Not really, I was just coming to see the view from up here.” I
said pointing at the foothills and river just far from our distance.
“Come, I will show you a better view,” he said walking past me
and leading the way up the trail to the mountain. I froze and he
turned to me with that smug smile on his face, “Come on now, I
am not a serial killer. Believe me if I was one, I would have
preyed on you already and you would have been dead by now.”
I forged a smile as it was not funny. I looked around me and
see a few other people following the same trail. It was safe so I
decided to follow him behind.
He trailed faster than I did. I could not keep up with his fit self
but he was really patient and tolerant with me.
I liked his patience.
“Should we turn back?” he asked as he reached for my hand. I
had taken a seat on a rock to breathe a little. I grabbed his
hand and pulled myself to stand.
“No. Let us go to the top of the mountain.” I said, taking a sip
from my water bottle. It felt good to have someone around.
He liked to joke around and for the first time I laughed a lot ever
since I got to that vacation.
“You should start jogging, you know? You won’t feel this tired
the next time you try to hike.”
“I think this is my first and last.”
“Come on, is it that bad?” he laughed.
“Yes it is. But the view from up here is amazing.”
It took us over an hour to get to the peak of the mountain. It
was all worth it. The beautiful stranger helped me to stand on a
big rock.
“Mama, I made it.” I screamed and my voice encored from
down the valley. He laughed and I danced a little.
I felt great!
I looked down the valley to see the animals drinking from the
river that flowed from the top of the mountain. I took a thousand
of beautiful pictures and selfies for my Instagram and
Facebook.
“This is so beautiful.” I muttered. I needed to see something so
amazing and breath-taking as the view in front of me.
“I agree.” He carefully sat down on that big rock and helped me
sit next to him.
He seemed like a gentleman.
“Why did your man allow you to hike alone?” he asked without
turning to me.
“Well…I came to this vacation with a group of friends but now I
am by myself for the next two days. Sad, don’t you think?” I
sighed and hoped not to get emotional.
“What happened?” he asked.
Thank God I finally had someone to talk to and vent on.
“Listen, it was supposed to be a vacation for me, my sister and
my two friends…and then they decided to bring their boyfriends
without consulting me. They had arranged for my blind date
and he never showed-up, which I know they made it up. There
was never a date for me. So we have been fighting ever since
our arrival until I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Wow.” He said nodding his head.
“Is that all you are going to say? Okay...okay in your honest
opinion, who do you think is wrong here?”
“Your friends.” He said and I smiled. At least one human being
is on my side.
“I have been called selfish just because I voiced my anger. I
yelled at them because I felt betrayed. Imagine I had planned
my 30th birthday to be this amazing experience…but I am fine
now. It’s all good,” I said while trying not to shed any tear.
“Today is my birthday and it is my worst birthday ever, you
know? They left me feeling so miserable.”
“Happy birthday by the way.”
“Thank you.” I sucked in my breath and calmed myself. “You
are the first.”
“I am glad to be the first.”
“And you? Why didn’t you bring your woman up here for a
hike?” I asked without looking at him. I was blushing and did
not know why. He kept his response until I gazed at his eyes.
“I wish I had one.” He stared into my eyes.

*****

I was back to my lonely villa and I found myself thinking about

the stranger guy. Blame it on the lonesomeness. He did not
even give me his name or asked for mine.
How disappointing? But it was for the best. I could not handle a
new flirt with a lot happening in my life.
I checked my phone to find a hundred missed calls from my
sister and Oscar. The phone beeped with more messages. I
switched it off and threw it in one of the luggage bags.
No phones for the next three days.
I had bought breakfast in the kiosk after coming back from the
hike. I ate the breakfast, took a longest shower and went back
to sleep. I slept until afternoon.
I woke up to an empty house once again. It was very hot
outside so I decided to go to the central swimming pool to lazy
around and get some more food. At least I could see other
people and not feel as lonely as I was feeling.
I pack my beach bag with a novel, a packet of chips, a tank top
and sunglasses; and then headed to the central pool area.
They pool lounger chairs were all occupied so I decided to sit
by the pool with my feet in the water.
My oversize straw hat accommodated me to read my novel in
the sun. I was deep in my thoughts when two guys jumped into
the pool and splashed water all over the pool area.
“My book! Dammit!” I screamed at them and they giggled as
they float on the water.
“I would like to apologise for my friends…they are silly at
times.” My stranger guy said from behind and I turned. I
remembered his voice. He reached for my hand to pull me out
of the water. His other hand was behind his back. I stood
beside him and try to dry myself with a towel.
“These are for you.” He gave me the roses. “There was nothing
much to buy here in the kiosk.”
I smiled at him before taking them. I took out the card from the
flowers.
“Happy birthday honey-girl. Keep your beautiful smile and
continue to shine.” I read from the card and sniffed my tears
away. That was what I hoped to get from my friends and not
from a stranger.
“It’s okay sweetheart.” He said and embraced me in a hug for a
little while before letting go.
“I thought you left.” I said after clearing my dry throat.
“I convinced my friends to stay a little longer so that I could take
you out for lunch before we bounce.” He said and it touched
me.
“How did you find me here?”
“It’s too hot, isn’t it? I waited for you, for hours, until I saw you
walk to the pool area.”
My day was turning into something better. He helped me dry
myself and put on the t-shirt from my bag. He led the way to the
restaurant. It was nothing fancy but good enough for this
unplanned occasion.
We ordered a bottle of wine and food; and picked our seats
outside with the best scenery of green mountains, rivers and all
things beautiful.
“Thank you for doing this. I owe you a lot.”
“Why is someone like you single? I fail to understand.” He
asked after taking a sip from his glassed. I watched as he
licked his red lower lip. He asked the question again to get my
attention back to the conversation.
“I think I am cursed.” I said and he popped his eyes.
“You can’t speak such…words can come to life.”
“But that’s how I feel.”
“I think you are just intimidating.”
“Excuse me?” No one has ever been that honest with me.
“Should I be honest with you?” he asked and I nodded. “I don’t
know you but at a first glance at you this morning in your gym
wear I could tell you are well-off, either you are from a filthy rich
family or you are doing great in life. So it is not easy to get you
to be any ordinary man’s wife. I am easily doing this because I
know after lunch I am leaving and I don’t get to embarrass
myself trying to impress you.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You know very well.”
“So you are just doing this from the goodness of your heart?”
“Yea… you seemed like you needed a friend.” I did need a
friend.
I laughed so hard at his jokes. For a while I seemed to have
forgotten about my problems. The food was also not bad for a
restaurant in the bushes.
“I’m Muzikayise, by the way.” He said reaching to shake my
hand.
“I am Lufuno.” I finally introduced myself.
“It was really nice meeting you,” he said standing up. It was
after our lunch. “I have to go back to the city of gold to hustle.”
“Thank you once again for rescuing me. I had a better birthday
lunch,” I said standing up to give him a hug. “I really
appreciate.”
He smiled at me before walking away. I watched him leave and
something inside me screamed to run after him to get his
numbers. He never asked for mine.
I kept watching him bounce out of the restaurant. As casual as
he was dressed, the guy was hazardously handsome!
I bite my lower lip and pat my timid cheeks before throwing
myself on the chair.
“Muzikayise, thank you.” I whispered to myself while filling the
glass with some more wine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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THE ONE

INSERT 05

KHATHUTSHELO

The ad campaign took less than five hours on Saturday. I

should have stayed at home. People were either recovering
from hangovers or their minds were just not at work. Meetings
were never meant for Saturdays. The team did not come up
with great ideas and I had nothing to report to Mr Mkhize on
Monday.
It was after 14:30 when I ended the meeting and released the
team to leave. There was nothing solid we were discussing and
I did not want to waste more of my time. Just when the last
person left the boardroom, I took my laptop to my small cubicle
to work on the pitch for Monday.
I was resting my back on the chair with my eyes closed in deep
thoughts when my phone rang. I glanced at the name flashing
on the screen. I sighed before putting the phone on the ear.
“Julia, what a surprise.” I said.
“A surprise? A surprise Khathutshelo?” she shouted on the ear
piece reminding me why we broke up.
She was not the friendly type.
“Err…yes?”
“Don’t tell me it is a surprise to receive my call when it is your
weekend too have your daughter visit. I have been looking all
over for you.” she snapped.
“Not! I was supposed to be in a vacation so we agreed that I
will take her the next two weekends.” I said.
Julia and I are co-parenting our daughter. I was 27 years old
when I knocked up the wrong girl. Julia is heartless and I
couldn’t take her behaviour anymore. I regretted falling in love
with her but she gave me an angel.
“I have to be somewhere and the nanny is off today.” She said
without apologising.
“I was still busy at the office but I don’t mind taking her until
Monday morning. I will be at my apartment in 20 minutes.”
She hanged up and I packed up my laptop into its bag and
hurried home. Julia is already parked outside the flat when I
arrived. I watched as she opened the door for Michelle and
picked her bag also. I parked next to her fancy car.
“Hello, daddy!” Michelle greeted happily as she climbed into the
back-seat. Julia gave her a kiss and then leaned to my window.
“Drop her tomorrow evening.” With that said, she walked to her
car and drove off.
“How are you my baby?” I turned to Michelle. She reached to
hug me.
“I am fine. Are you going to take me to McDonalds?” she asked
while settling into the seat.
“What did you have for breakfast?” I asked. Julia liked to take
her to restaurants when she was lazy to cook. “Don’t lie to
daddy, what did you eat?”
“Wimpy burger.” She mumbled. She knew that there was no
McDonalds for her.
“Then, me and you are going to cook together. Wont you like
that?” I asked while gazing at her on the rear-view mirror.
“Yah.” She muttered.
“I can’t hear you, Michelle.”
“Yes, daddy.” She raised her voice.
“Good!” I drove to my apartment.
Michelle hurried to the living room for the TV remote. I passed
the living room and headed straight to her bedroom. I placed
her little bag on top of her occasional chair and then sat on her
bed. I looked around the room wondering if Lufuno would
accept me with my daughter. I never wanted to be in a situation
where I couldn’t put Michelle first.
My previous girlfriend could not stand me because of Michelle.
She told me I always put Michelle first in everything. She felt
she was competing with a child. I knew from that minute that
she was not the one for me.
Julia and I only stayed together for three years with Michelle.
Things changed drastically in our life, mostly financially. My
salary was no longer enough for her. I had to end things with
her and start over.
Michelle walked to the room to find me seated with my arms
crossed.
“Daddy, are you fine?” she asked while hopping to sit next to
me.
“I am very fine my baby.” I said and she dropped her eyes to
the floor. “What is wrong?”
“Are you still going to throw me a birthday party?” she asked
without raising her eyes to me.
“Yes, I am going to throw you a beautiful party when you turn
seven.”
“But mommy said you don’t have enough money so she will
take me to Disney Land with my new dad. But I wanted a party
with my friends and my cousins.”
Julia liked poisoning my daughter. I always told her never to
speak badly of me in front of my child. It didn’t bother me what
she told her husband about me, but she was crossing the line
discussing things with our child.
“Maybe mommy thought you wanted a trip to Disney land for
your birthday. I heard it is so nice there.”
“I want to go there with you.”
The pressure. My daughter was the first reason I was working
so hard for the promotion. Julia is married to a business man
who can afford her and my daughter, but Michelle preferred
doing things with me. My salary was also not enough for so
many activities but I do my best in raising her. Now I had a
Disney Land trip to plan and budget for.
I needed that promotion.

*****

I raised my eyes to the clock on the wall in front of me. It was

already 09:00 am and the MBC Consultants team was arriving
in an hour’s time. I prepared a perfect pitch for them.
I stood from my chair and picked my mug so I could get myself
a cup of coffee. I noticed James sitting in Mr Mkhize’s office,
laughing his lungs off. The scene didn’t sit well with me. I took a
few steps before I saw Mr Mkhize raised his hand to me. He
liked signaling people from his glass office. I hurried to the
office and grabbed a chair next to my rivalry, James.
“Well, James will handle the MBC’s account,” Mr Mkhize said
after the formal greetings.
“Excuse me?” I thought I didn’t hear him well.
“James here will handle his MBC Consultants account. He will
juggle it with Love Daze. He just told me he will manage
perfectly,” he gave out more information.
“Sir, I cancelled my trip to Limpopo for this account. I have
been preparing for it the whole weekend,” I calmly advised.
“Those are sacrifices we make for our jobs. Things have
changed now.”
“Sir, I don’t find this is fair at all. I sacrificed something so
crucial in my life right now for this account sir, I can’t.”
“Are you telling me that you can’t do what I am telling you to
do?”
“No, what I …”
“James, are you ready for the meeting at 10?” he asked and
anger brewed in my heart. I was trying to control my breathing.
They don’t know I had to complicate Lufuno’s vacation for this
account. I didn’t give my daughter attention the whole weekend,
working on that account.
“Uh…if perhaps Khathu could brief me with what he had
prepared over the weekend. Checking the time, I only have an
hour to prepare so if he could send me the presentation,”
James requested.
“Yes, please Khathu.” Mr Mkhize said and I laughed. “Is there
anything funny?”
“You want me to give James my ideas? This is my concept for
my accounts.”
“Are you not working for Mkhize Consultancy? Is James not
working here too?”
“Yes, but it is unfair to give away my concept to him just like
that. I worked all weekend for this Mr Mkhize. I sacrificed a lot
for this so please keep the account with me.”
“MBC is James account and I am giving you an order to send
the presentation to him to pitch.”
“No, Sir.” I said.
“Excuse me?” he asked and I glanced at James. He was just
seated with his legs crossed, with a smirk on his face.
I stood from the chair and said, “I am not giving James my
pitch. Give me the account.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” Mr Mkhize barked and I walked
out of the office. I was angered and did not want to lose my
temper in front of them. I marched back to my desk and pack
my laptop bag.
“Promotion, my foot!” I huffed while hanging the laptop bag on
my shoulder. Mr Mkhize’s assistant ran after me. She stopped
me as I was about to get into the elevator.
“Khathu, Mr Mkhize is asking for you.” she said breathlessly.
I turned towards his office without saying anything to her.
I was pissed.
“Sir, you asked for me.” I said after opening the door.
“Where do you think you are going?” he asked.
“I was here for a meeting with the MBC team, but since I will
not be seeing them, I am leaving. I have to attend to a family
matter.” By family matter, I meant Lufuno’s matter.
“So you now make decisions by yourself?”
Mr Mkhize did not understand how infuriated I was.
“Sir, I am not going to give James my presentation.”
“You work for me.”
“I know that.”
“You shall find your first written warning on the table tomorrow.”
“I understand Sir, I will take the heat for my pitch.” I said and
hurried to the elevator.
James manipulated Mr Mkhize, that I knew very well.
My luggage was in the boot so I headed straight to Polokwane
to get to the lodge. I didn’t speak to Oscar since Friday. His
phone has been off since that evening.
I was thinking about Lufuno the whole drive. Imagining what
she would be wearing when I arrived there. I also bought her a
bouquet of flowers to apologise for not making it in time. My
prayer was that she forgives me for missing her birthday and
ruining her vacation. I was madly in love with her.
“My life will be complete with her. She will be my woman. Infact,
Lufuno is my woman.” I said to myself as ‘my girl’ song by
Marvin Gaye’s was playing softly.
Hey, I was a Marvin Gaye’s die-hard fan.
I got to the lodge hours later. I parked outside the reception and
check-in. A young guy helped me with my luggage to the villa.
The guys were chilling outside by the pool area, all cozy with
their partners. I scanned for Lufuno and she was not there. I
didn’t blame her, the couples were too cozy.
“Hey Khathu.” Oscar shot when he saw me walk towards them.
He stood from the outdoor couch and walked towards me.
“What’s up man?” I asked giving him a man hug.
“So, this is the guy that brought pain into this vacation.” One
lady said in an unfriendly voice.
“I’m sorry guys. I got caught up at work this whole weekend.” I
said while sitting at an empty patio chair. “Err…where is she?” I
asked hoping to see her already.
“She left.” Oscar said.
“She went back to Pretoria?” I inquired. It felt like a joke.
I was more pissed at my boss for messing things up for me. I
attended a worthless briefing on Saturday and the account I
stayed for was also taken away from me.
“Come, let’s talk.” Oscar said while standing up. He led me to
the kitchen, far away from the door that leads to the patio.
“I think you should just stay away from Lufuno for a little while,
you know? Just stay away from her for now,” he said without
staring into my eyes.
I had an idea that he fantasized about Lufuno. He once told me
how he was kind of obsessed with some girl. He could not
make a move at her because he had proposed to Lucy already
when it happened. He never gave me a name but I saw how he
glanced at her the day I was with him in one of Lufuno’s events.
He invited me because I kept pushing him. I watched Lufuno all
day going around, and Oscar was eyeing her in some strange
way. I thought I was seeing things, but he just confirmed it for
me by his statement.
“It is her you are obsessed about, right?” I asked.
“Excuse me?” he asked with his fierce eyes shooting at me.
“She is the one you told me about. The one you were once
obsessed with, right?” I asked once again.
“My own sister in law? Don’t be ridiculous. That is just
disgusting.” He grunted.
“Then what is your problem with me trying my luck with her?
You know how much I feel about her.”
“You have hurt her so much, man. And she is too vulnerable
right now. I am just worried about her. I care about her coz she
is my sister-in-law, nothing else. And these past days were just
hell for her and it was all your fault. I don’t think she will ever
forgive you.”
“It was not intentionally.” I said. “Where is she? I want to
apologise.”
“We don’t know but she sent Lucy a message that she is fine.”
He said.
“I won’t hurt her. I am THE ONE for her.” I tapped his shoulder
before walking to the fridge to get a bottle of water.
I gazed at him. I could see through his soul. He was bothered
by my statement.
“I see,” he finally said before walking away.

THE ONE

INSERT 06

MUZIKAYISE

I wished I could never meet Lufuno ever again as I would

obviously ruin her life.
I walked out of the restaurant and hurried past the swimming
pool. I did not turn to check my friend but I bet he was following
behind me. He meant business.
I got to our villa and headed straight to my room to pack the
rest of my things. We were supposed to be driving back to
Gauteng already but I asked to dine with Lufuno first. Zakhele
took it as a business opportunity but I just needed to take her
out of her misery. She truly needed someone.
I had a great hour with her. She was such a sad woman but yet
so beautiful and friendly. From the things we talked about, she
was a broken one who needed strength to stand on her feet
once again.
Why did I have to meet that woman at the first place? Zakhele
shouldn’t have seen me and I shouldn’t have mentioned about
her earlier after the hike.
My door banged open, then Zakhele budged in with his
swimming shorts sopping on the wooden floor.
“Jackpot, isn’t she?” Zakhele inquired while drying his long
brown dreadlocks with a towel.
“No, man. Not that one.” I said while shoving clothes into my
luggage bag. “Let’s get ready to leave.”
“What do you mean not that one?” he asked in a coldest voice.
“She is too vulnerable. We are not touching her. She is too
vulnerable,” I said without looking at him. I was concerned
about her.
“And that is exactly what we need. The most vulnerable,” he
reminded me.
I continued shoving my clothes into my bags with him staring at
me quietly. I wanted to get out of there and never see Lufuno
ever again. She worried me and I did not want to bring more
burden into her life.
I didn’t know what it was, but she touched my stoned heart. No
one ever touched my heart with just their eyes staring at mine.
Her beautiful smile kept flashing in my head and that angelic
voice kept playing in my head as I packed my bags.
“Zakhele, not her, please.” I repeated myself after noticing he
was still staring at me. He seemed shocked by my actions.
“What is wrong with you? Since when do you care who is
vulnerable or not?” Zakhele asked and then stormed out of the
room.
“She is too different, okay? We can’t.” I raised my voice for him
to hear from wherever he was.
I have been delaying to walk out of that game. That vacation
was supposed to be my last mission to make it up to him. Of all
women, I had to meet Lufuno!
“You liked her, didn’t you?” he called out from his room.
“Oh, please. My heart was not made to like no woman.”
“Dust yourself up man. She is our jackpot for your last mission.
She looks the part. You are doing this last mission for us then
you can walk out freely without me holding anything against
you. I will hold nothing against you,” he shouted, still from his
room.
“No, give me time to get someone else. I will get a…,” I didn’t
get to finish my statement as he walked in the room all dressed
up. He was fixing the collar of his black golf shirt.
“If you are not going to do this one, then I will.” He injected
while fixing belt.
Between the two of us, Zakhele was the heartless one.
“Dude, please.” I begged.
“Put your damn feeling aside and stop being a sissy. Since
when do you care about the vulnerability of anyone?” he asked
and I sighed. “If you want to play the good guy, then I will do
this myself.”
“Okay, okay, I will do it.” I shouted. He was already walking out
of the room. “Zakhele, I said I will do the damn job.”
I am the only reasonable guy between the two of us. I had to be
the one to deal with Lufuno. I had to come up with a plan to do
the mission and still guard Lufuno’s heart. She didn’t deserve
what was coming to her.
“What is her name?” he asked and I kept quiet. “What is her
damn name?”
“Lufuno.”
“What kind of a name is that?” he asked with a frown on his
face. He walked out of the room and came back with a laptop.
He stationed it on the bed, grabbed the ottoman and switched
the laptop on.
I watched as he typed the name on the google search. That
was the first step to the game. He got the spelling wrong a few
times until he barked for me to help. I gave him the spelling to
avoid him from physically hunting her down. He moved the
cursor to the imagine search and Lufuno’s pretty face flashed
on the screen.
Damn! Why was she on top of the search list? I glanced at a
picture of her raising the champagne flute, wearing a long white
gown. I felt sick in my stomach.
“Is she the one?” Zakhele asked and I frowned. “Is that the right
Lufuno?”
I kept quiet but nodded my head. If I kept the information,
Zakhele was going to hunt for her until he found her. He was
going to milk information about her and do the job himself. He
cared about no one. He just wanted to make a living. So,it was
better when I was the one running with the mission.
“Can we get going?” I asked and he ignored me. He was
running searches about her until he landed into her website.
“Bingo.” Zakhele said and then laughed.
“What?” I asked curiously.
“She is going to be the easiest target.” Zakhele roared with
excitement.
I was annoyed to the core. I knew what was coming for Lufuno
and I didn’t like a bit of it. I cursed the minute I stopped her,
even worse dining with her, and making her a target to our
stupid task.
The drive to Gauteng was dreadful. Zakhele kept singing and
drinking the whole trip until he dropped me at
Olievenhoutbosch, a township in Centurion easily called
‘Olieven.’
“I will call you later tonight, make sure you keep your phone
on,” he said and I banged the passenger's door. I watched him
drive off until he was out of my sight. Zama hurried to the gate
in her bum-shorts and a tight vest.
“You are home, babe,” she said welcoming me with a hug. She
placed her hands on her waist and gave me a sexy grin.
“What did I tell you about chewing a bubble gum like that?” I
asked while passing her and heading to the house. The smell
of the food made me sick. I hated chicken stews with a passion.
“Babe, there was nothing else to cook,” she said after reading
my face.
“It’s fine. I am not hungry anyway.”
I got to the bedroom and threw myself on the bed. I couldn’t
believe what was going to happen in the coming week. The
jobs were scarce and Zakhele was hungry to get back to the
game. We were at the vacation to hunt for new preys. Same
thing we did when we go to high class clubs on weekends. We
lure women to fall in love with us, date them until we could milk
them dry of their finances. The lonely and vulnerable women
were the easiest to prey on.
I have broken so many hearts I lost count. I recently wanted out
but I was now stuck because of Lufuno. If I didn’t do it myself,
Zakhele was going to break her heart, chew and spit it into the
ground like a tasteless gum.
Zama knocked on the door and then peeped into the room
before inviting herself in. She took off her sleepers, hooped on
the bed and lied on top of me.
I was not in the mood. I had stress to deal with.
She unbutton my jean and buried her hand inside my jean. I
grabbed her hand and gently removed it from my boxers. Her
face turned pale. I had never refused her magical hands and
her forever watery mouth.
“What is wrong?” she asked while lifting her body up and sat
beside my stiff body.
“Headache!”
“But, this can…take away…the headache,” she said while
pressing my hands on her boobs.
“Zama, please maannn!” I snapped, pulling my hands from her,
then she jumped out of bed and stormed out of the room.
Zama was just a friend with benefits. I stayed in her house
because there was nowhere else I could be. I helped her in
some ways and she returned the favour.
It was getting dark outside as I waited for the call. I was still
lying on the bed, with Lufuno’s face flashing in my mind and her
angelic voice ringing in my head once more.
The phone only rang hours later.
“Hello!”
“Sure, man! I did a good search on her.” Zakhele said happily.
“Sure. What did you find?”
“Lufuno Madzinga, 30 years old from Silver Lakes…wait for
it…she owns an Event company in Brooklyn. She fucken owns
a successful event company, man. I think she does weddings
and stuff for celebrities and the important people of this country.
Isn’t it great news? There is no need to heck into her accounts
to see how much she has, coz obviously she is m-o-n-i-e-d!”
Zakhele joyfully said.
“Oh, I see.”
“So I hacked her gmail account to get her android calendar.
She has a meeting next week Tuesday at Kream Brooklyn. We
are going to show our faces there and pretend to accidentally
meet her. Then you will take it from there,” Samuel added.
“Don’t you think it is too soon to meet her?” I asked. I was not
ready to look into her eyes and lure her into her greatest
misery.
“People meet every day.”
“But it is too soon, I tell you. Get another meeting at least,
preferably in Joburg.” I advised.
“Let me see here…there is another one on Friday afternoon at
Melrose Arch. Yah, I think Melrose Arch is perfect. She knows
you are from joburg.”
“Yep!” I let out a huge sigh.
“Next week Friday, Melrose Arch at 14h30. Get your
handsome-self ready and stop being a sissy,” he said and hung
up the phone.
“Damn! Damn! Damn!” I angrily banged the pedestal next to the
bed, causing Zama to rush to the bedroom.
THE ONE

INSERT 07

LUFUNO

It was early in the morning and I was seated outside the

balcony with a cup of coffee. I loved watching the sunrise every
morning. It was always beautiful and peaceful. I sipped from my
cup and kept my eyes on the peak of the mountain that I hiked
to, with Muzikayise days ago.
What a gentleman!
I was pleased with myself for not running after him for his digits.
That was probably what all women did after meeting him. I
would have sold myself cheap. He was just another stranger
and I had to keep it that way.
He was damn handsome though and guys like him were rear to
find. The ones that brighten your day and expect nothing in
return.
It had been two days with my phone off. I decided to switch it
on so I could call my driver to pick me up in few hours. It was
already Tuesday and my day to check-out of the lodge. I was
glad I stayed the three nights because I felt refreshed and well-
rested. I took it easy. I also booked myself into a spa after the
lunch I had with Muzi on my birthday.
A thousand messages beeped and flashed on my phone just
when I switched it on. A hundred messages were from Oscar
and Lucy, advising me that the guy arrived the previous day
and also asking where I was.
So, he did exist.
I noticed a few missed call from an international number. It was
definitely my parents. They were travelling the world since my
father retired two months ago.
“I am worried about you.” I read Oscar’s message. All his
messages were the same. He was worried sick. Oscar probably
felt guilty for allowing his friend to twist my vacation and
complicating everything for me and my friends. If only he knew I
was over it.
My PA called me seconds after my phone was on. I took it she
got notifications that her messages were now delivered.
“Morning Gean,” I greeted, resting my back on the couch. I kept
my eyes on the foothills in front of me.
“Hey ma’am, Lufuno? We have been looking all over for you,”
she said breathlessly.
“Why? Didn’t you tell the office that I was on vacation leave
until Sunday? It is only Tuesday today, you know?”
“The office knows you are unreachable until next Monday…but
everyone else is calling me every hour to check if you are in the
office or at the house. Your mother is worried sick and so is
your sister and her husband…and some guy named Khathu.”
I sighed and said, “Okay, I will call all of them back when I get
home. Gean, please arrange Ntate Molefe to drive down here
to pick me up? Tell him to leave right now so he gets here in
the next three hours. I will send you the location after the call.”
“Alright, is that all?”
“I will be at work tomorrow so book me meetings for the rest of
the week, only if there is a need.”
“Yes, there is a need,” she said. “We are hosting the mini expo
soon remember? And you haven’t finalised with the team what
you want in the show-room so maybe you can meet with
everyone on Thursday or Friday?”
“I totally forgot about the expo. Remind me the date?”
“Next week Saturday. It is already on you calendar.”
I had the best assistant in the world. She was literally my
walking-calendar. She had to move in with me to keep me
sane.
After a 30-minutes call with Gean, I packed my bags and got
ready for Ntate Molefe to pick me up. I was done packing and
bathing by the time he knocked on the door. You could have
seen the joy in my face. I was glad to be finally going home.
“The car is by the reception but the golf-cart is outside,” he said
while picking the last bag from the room. I nodded and he
walked out, leaving me walking around the house to ensure I
didn’t leave anything that belonged to me. I strode to the cart
minutes later.
“You had a great time, young ma’am?” he asked and I smiled. I
was not ready to tell him how disastrous it was and how cute it
also turned. Ntate Molefe was my venting bag. He always took
the punches on days when I was frustrated. “I see a glow in
your face young miss.”
“That should tell you that I had a great time.” I said. He kept his
eyes on the road.
That trip was some kind of an eye-opener. I needed it and it
served its purpose.
Lucy, Oscar and some guy were standing next to my car at the
reception. I sighed and Ntate Molefe eyed me while pulling the
brakes of the cart. I hopped out of the cart and Lucy threw her
arms around me.
“Funie, how could you do this to me? I was so worried sick
about you.” She held me so tight. I understood her frustrations.
I sent her an SMS the other day to tell her I was fine and that I
didn’t want to be bothered.
“I am sorry Lucy. I had to disappear for some peace,” I
whispered to her ear. I felt her heart throbbing as she kept us
attached.
“Don’t you dare do that again,” she said while letting go of me. I
faked a smile and glanced at Oscar who could not keep his
eyes on me. I could see some sort of guilt on his face.
“Uhm…we saw the car while…while we were sitting by the
balcony.” Oscar finally said. Ntate Molefe came here driving
one of my branded cars and it was easier to spot it from a
distance.
“Masindi is in a shower and she sent her greetings.” Lucy said
and I smiled at her.
“And this is Khathutshelo, your date.” Oscar introduced his
friend who was standing with his hands in the pockets.
He really did exist!
I stared at the tall, dark, Venda guy who stood before me. He
walked to me and tried to touch my hand. I moved my hand
away and Ntate Molefe cleared his throat. He had often told me
to keep it cool when potential boyfriends needed my attention. I
just didn’t want a stranger to grab my hand for whatever
reason. Mostly, the stranger that drove me so mad days ago.
“Can we please talk?” he asked while moving away from the
crowd. I gazed at Ntate Molefe who was packing my bags with
his eyes on me. He gave me a frown and I followed the guy. It
was either that or Ntate Molefe was going to lecture me the
whole trip to Pretoria. He didn’t care about losing his job
because he knew I needed him more than he did me.
“I am so sorry I could not make it on Friday. Lufuno, I am truly
sorry for missing your birthday. I was stuck at work and there
was no way I could be here earlier than yesterday. I messed up
pretty bad. Please forgive me?” He kept his eyes on me.
“It’s okay really. I am way over that.” I said and he seemed
shocked. I bet he was expecting the worst from me for messing
my birthday.
I was a changed woman.
“Please give me an opportunity to make it up to you?”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. You don’t need to make it
up to me.”
“An hour after work perhaps? Even 30 minutes over coffee and
cake…anything.” He seemed to be begging for my attention
and it bothered me. I remembered how Muzi advised me to be
less intimidating and always go with the flow. That I should stop
being so hard on myself and live a little.
“Saturday is fine with me.” I said and then let out a sigh.
He gave me a warmest smile and said, “Thank you. I will not
disappoint you. I promise. I will send you more details during
the week…ohhh and I brought you flowers, I left them in our
room.”
“You shouldn’t have…but thanks.”
I hugged Lucy and jumped into the back-seat. It was easier to
be at the back-seat and work on my laptop. We drove out of
Polokwane while listening to softly playing music. Ntate Molefe
kept glancing at me through the rear-view mirror and I kept
ignoring him. I knew he wanted me to tell him more of what was
happening.
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened?” he finally
asked and I turned my eyes to the rear-view mirror.
“Do you mind driving us safely?” I requested and he asked the
question again. I was used to him. He was more like my secret
vessel than my driver. He was also the only one who picked me
up on days when I drank myself to death. He and Gean knew
me more than most of the people in my life.
“I met a guy.” I muttered while blushing. “Remind me to keep a
best bottle of whisky for this guy until I find him.”
“Oh, who is the lucky guy?” he asked.
“His name is Muzikayise. He turned my birthday into something
sweet after I was badly disappointed by my family and friends.”
“He sounds like a good lad. Muzikayise! Such a lovely name
also.”
“I don’t know if I will ever meet him again, but if I ever do, I
should make sure I buy him the best whisky in town for him.”
“You are smiling,” he advised and I blushed some more.
“He warmed my heart.”
“So this is not the same guy as the one you were talking to
earlier? Who was that tall guy then?” he asked.
“Oh, someone who ruined my birthday. His name is Khathu. He
is not so important,” I said.
“But he also seemed like a nice fellow,” he said and laugh. “So
many lads to pick from, huh ma’am Lufuno?”
I laughed too.
“What is wrong with your sister’s fiancé?” he asked hours later.
I thought we were done talking about people.
“What do you mean?”
“There is something that bothered me that time you were with
that Khathu guy.”
“Oh, he is just guilty. It was all his fault that my vacation was
such a mess. He will be fine.” I brushed him off and he kept
quiet. He liked reading people’s faces and usually got his
readings wrong.

*****
Everything seemed blurry. It felt like a trance. I slowly raised my
head from the soft pillow and stared at the light beeming from
the full moon shining outside. I pulled myself to sit, trying to
figure why I was on white sheets. The room was different from
mine. I lowered my eyes to see a silk white and short night
dress on me. My hair was still in a bun but a little messy.
The door opened slowly and a shadow walked into the room. I
waited to see the face. It was blurry for a little while until it
became clear as the shadow stepped closer to the bed. I was
not scared. My heart was overjoyed instead.
He smiled. Muzi smiled and I suck on my breath. My heart was
warmed once again and my face could not hide the excitement.
“Did you miss me my angel?” he asked while getting on the bed
next to me. I smiled as I traced my fingers all over his chest. He
had a bold chest and muscular arms. He had the same scent
as the day he buried me in his arms for a hug.
He placed the tray filled with strawberries and a chocolate
deep. My favourite snack!
“I thought, I was not going to see you ever again.” I whispered
with my fingers still playing on his chest.
“Where would I be without you?” he asked with a cutest smile
on his face.
I watched as he stood from the bed and took off his white shirt.
He pulled down his white pants while staring at me with so
much hunger in his eyes. I was ready to receive him.
He got on top of me and buried his head on one of my
shoulders. He sniffed my skin and groaned while doing it.
“Lavender. You love lavender.” He whispered and I giggled. I
looovveeed lavender. I smelled like it every day.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
He brushed my hair, with his eyes on me. My heart was
content. That was the man I had been waiting for all my life. I
slightly moaned when he planted a few kisses on my neck. I
placed my hand on his back. He stripped bare one of my
shoulders and kissed it. The kisses continued to my one bare
breast.
“Muzi.” I whispered and he didn’t stop.
I felt his manhood hardened on top of me.
With his mouth on my one breast, he moved one hand to my
thigh. He caressed my inner thigh, buried his fingers on it and
had me moan some more. It was pleasurably painful. His hand
moved to my womanhood while I rub my other breast with my
warm hand.
“Muzi?” I whispered once more and he kept rubbing inside my
underwear.
I moaned and started moving my body at the rhythm of his
finger. His manhood was hardening some more.
“Muzi, first promise me you are here to stay?” I asked and he
stopped.
“My angel?” he whispered.
“Muzi?” I called his name and he moved his eyes to mine. His
face became fuzzy as I kept hearing someone calling my
name.

“Lufuno? Lufuno?” a voice kept calling my name. I slowly

opened my eyes.
“Hmmm? Who is calling me?” I slurred at the calling of my
name.
“Lufuno, are you ever going to wake up?” Gean shouted. She
stopped shaking me and walked to the window. She pulled the
curtains apart and the light blinded my eyes.
“What the hell Gean?” I murmured.
“Ntate Molefe is already waiting for us,” she said while packing
the laptop in its bag.
Flip! I was dreaming.
“What time is it?” I obviously over slept.
“Almost seven o’clock,” she advised. “I have to go to the office
so he will pick you up at your call.”
“Sure, please!” I said while pushing the duvets with my feet. I
was disappointed that I was just dreaming about the guy I liked.
She finished packing my diaries into the laptop bag.
She paced to door but stopped before walking out of the room.
“By the way, who is Muzi?” she asked and I narrowed my eyes.
“Uhm…he is a client, why?”
“A client that makes you moan his name with your hands on
your boobs and your honeypot? I would like to meet this client,”
she said with a chuckle.
I throw a pillow at her and she ran out.
“Get ready before you run late. Clients like Muzi are waiting for
us to serve them at the office.” she shouted from the corridor.
There was a smirk on my face the second I looked at the
mirror.
Even in my dreams, he kept a smile on my face.
‘Oh Muzi? I need to find you, so you could do to me the things I
was dreaming about.’ I thought to myself as I took off my
clothes for a bath.

THE ONE

INSERT 8

KHATHUTSHELO

Saturday was the day to win Lufuno’s heart. I meant it when I

said she was mine.
We spent the rest of the vacation drinking, playing games and
doing all activities they had at the lodge. It was really fun and I
wished Lufuno was still there with us. Everyone seemed to be
relieved that she was safe, fine and she accepted my apology.
I had been thinking of the set-up for my date with her. Lucy
advised that I take her to a picnic site because she loved that
more than anything. I had the Signature restaurant in my head.
I had always wanted to try their food, and it would be best to do
it with her. I called Signature, Brooklyn branch, to book a table
for two, for lunch. I arranged for the flowers on the table on our
arrival and requested a pianist to play on the day. I had to do it
the classic way.
We drove back to Gauteng on Friday noon. I got to my flat after
15:00 pm. I threw the luggage bag in my room and walked to
the living room for some TV. My phone ringed and it was a
private number.
“Hello.” I answered while lying my body on the couch.
“Now, you answered that it is a private number?” Julia roared
on my ear pierce.
“I just got home. I was not checking my phone all these time.” I
said after a deepest sigh.
“It is your weekend.”
“No…no…no Julia. I can’t take her today.” I said. I could not
ruin my opportunity with Lufuno. She was never going to give
me another chance if I ever cancelled.
“Excuse me? You must be joking.”
“Please Julia, can I please pick her up tomorrow evening?” I
begged. I needed the Saturday afternoon off.
“The school closed today. My husband and I are travelling to
London for business and Michelle doesn’t want to come with
us. I was going to force her but she caught a fever last night
and I can’t fly with her or else she will never get better.”
“Oh, how is she doing?” I asked while pulling myself to sit.
“I don’t know. She is okay I guess. We took her to the doctor
and they gave her meds.”
“I need to be somewhere tomorrow.” I mumbled.
“And I am flying out of the country tomorrow.”
Where was my mother when I needed her?
“What about the nanny? She can come with the nanny just for
tomorrow.”
“I released the nanny earlier today. Come on Khathu, you know
the drill. The day the school closes I release the nanny and
Michelle moves to your house for a week. Why does it seem
like you are forgetting your responsibilities? You don’t pay
much for this child so I advise you take other responsibilities
serious because we cannot always cover for you always.”
I forgot Michelle’s school was closing. I was already in trouble
at work and could not take another week off.
I kept the phone on the ear as Julia made noise. I was used to
her that way.
 “Is Michelle alright?” I asked, cutting her off from her
complaints.
“Stop asking me that and come pick her up.” She snapped.
Did I have a choice? Not any. That was my daughter we were
talking about.
I grabbed the keys from the kitchen counter and drove to pick
my daughter at Midstream, Midrand. I parked outside at the
drive way and texted Julia. Julia’s husband opened the door
and walked out with Michelle. I got out of the car and waited for
them to reach me.
“Hi, daddy.” She said in a hoarse voice. I picked her up as
Julia’s husband packed her bags in the boot.
“Thanks for taking her. We didn’t know what to do,” he said as if
she was not my daughter. I nodded. I didn’t have much to say
to the dude. I didn’t know what he knew about me. I never had
beef with him but we were not yet friends.
“Sure, safe travels tomorrow.” I said and he nodded.
“Her medication is in her backpack. She had a bath just an hour
ago and she already had her afternoon dose, so you can give
her more after supper,” he advised. He seemed like a better
parent than Julia.
“Thanks.” I placed Michelle down and get into the car. The guy
picked her up and had a conversation with her before placing
her in the back-seat.
She looked pale and unhappy.
I got us home and embraced her on the couch. We watched
cartoons for hours until I had to prepare her supper. I made her
favourite, noodles with a lot of sauces. She ate just enough to
take her medication. I gave her the dozes of medication and
tucked her in bed.
Oscar and Lucy had to help me out on this one. I get to my
room and dialled Oscar.
“Sure, bro?”
“I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Not really. What’s up?”
“I went to pick up Michelle today and I have to be somewhere
tomorrow. Can you please babysit for me for just two hours?”
“Sure, I am sure Lucy won’t mind,” he said and my heart
danced. “Where are you going tomorrow?”
“The date with Lufuno. All is set and ready, my guy. We just
have to show up then I sweep Lufuno off her feet.” I said and
there was silence.
“Uhm…eish, I just remembered…Lucy wanted us to go to some
art gallery opening and she will kill me if I cancel on
her…err…she...she already bought the tickets.”
“Are you kidding me Oscar?”
“I forgot she…she confirmed last week and you know how
women are crazy about their plans.”
“You are jealous of me and Lufuno, aren’t you?”
“Stop talking about things you are not sure of. Why would I
jealous of you? She is already out of your league anyway,” he
said and I laughed.
“Stop embarrassing yourself Oscar. You like that woman and
you should be ashamed of it. She is your God damn sister-in-
law for crying out loud.”
“Whatever! Call me when you have better things to talk about.”
“Are you baby sitting or not?”
“I..I..I told you…we have plans,” he stammered.
“Sure my guy.” I said and hung up.
I was stuck with my baby girl once again. I wished I had a plan.
My younger sister is in Free State and my mother and the rest
of the family is in Venda.
The following morning I checked up on Michelle just when I
woke up. She was still burning like the previous evening. There
was no way I was going out with her.
I bathed her and helped her to eat breakfast before giving her
medication. I had no choice but to call Lufuno for a back-up
plan.
“Lufuno, hello?”
“Hi. Khathu here.” I said.
“Are we not meeting in the afternoon? Oh my God Khathu, I
forgot to have Gean diarize it for me.”
“Yes, we are supposed to meet in the afternoon. I just wanted
to advice on the venue change.”
“Oh, alright?”
“I will send you the location on your phone. Same time.
Please?” I requested.
“You will send me a location? Why should I trust you?” she
mumbled.
“You are right. Uhm…the thing is my daughter is sick and I
have no one to babysit.”
“Oh, you have a daughter?” she asked and I swallowed hard.
This was not how I wanted to tell her I had a daughter but I had
no choice.
“Yep. She is sick and I still want to make it up to you, today.”
“No, we can move it to some other time.”
I was going to be with Michelle for the whole of next week. If I
missed the chance, it was forever gone.
“No…no Lufuno. Please. I want to cook for you and have a chat
with you.” I say and I heard her sigh as if she was
contemplating on my proposal.
“Okay, cool,” she finally said and I smiled.
“See you later.”
I just shot myself on the foot by inviting Lufuno to my
apartment. I had never dined anyone in my house. I did not
even own a flipping dinner set or an exclusive cutlery. Oscar’s
words kept ringing in my head as I walked around opening my
cupboards. The guy is in love with his own sister-in-law and is
even failing to hide it.
Michelle was watching TV when I was busy running around,
trying to clean up the house for my guest. She was special and
that was how I was planning to make her feel. I perfectly
cleaned the toilet and hung new towels on the rack next to the
basin. I dusted the dining area and mopped the floor.
The fridge was close to empty so I had to do grocery shopping
for things to cook. I could not take Michelle out to open air. I
was doomed. I had no choice but to wait for Lufuno so I could
go to the shopping centre to get a few things. I decided to get
ready for her and watched TV with my daughter. She called
exactly at 14:00 telling me she was outside.
I rushed out to get her from the gate.
“Hey, I am glad you made it.” I said while reaching for a friendly
hug. She hesitated to hug me back but ended up letting in. I led
her to my flat while the chauffeur drove away.
“Welcome to my home.” I said and she faked a smile while
taking off her jacket. I took the jacket and hung it on a dining
chair. I didn’t own a coat hanger.
“Daddy, we have a visitor?” Michelle raised her head from the
coach.
“Yes my baby…this is daddy’s friend. Her name is Lufuno.” I
said while leading Lufuno to the couches.
“I like her hair and her dress.” Michelle said and Lufuno
seemed helpless. It was obvious she was not too good with
kids.
“Lufuno, this is Michelle. My six year old daughter.” I said and
she smiled at her.
I observed from where I was standing. Michelle was in love with
Lufuno but it was not the same with my guest. I had seen
Lufuno crack the most beautiful smile ever, but it was different.
It felt like she forced herself to be in my flat.
Why was burdening the poor woman? My life was not for her.
My heart longed for her but I was in no position to force things
to her, as much as I loved her. Oscar might be right that she
was way out of my league and maybe it should stay that way.
“Uhm…Lufuno, can I quickly go buy some few things at the
shopping centre? I couldn’t leave Michelle alone.”
“Oh…okay?”
“Do you want something to drink so long?”
‘No, I am fine.” She said.
“Okay, Michelle…daddy is going out for a little while so be good
to aunty Lufuno, right?” I asked and she shyly nodded.
I rushed out to buy a perfect dinner set and best cutlery. I had
to try my best to impress her. I also bought a mini grocery to
cook and then rushed back home. I walked in to a perfect
picture. Lufuno and Michelle were laughing together and my
baby girl looked so much better than earlier.
Okay, it seemed like there was still hope.
I cooked while they watched TV. I set up the table for Lufuno
and also dished for the both of us. I didn’t have those fancy
serving bowls.
“Do you like the food?” I asked to interrupt the silence that filled
the room. Michelle ate just a while ago so she left for her room
so I could dine with my guest.
“Yes, I love the chicken.” She said.
“I still can’t believe you are here…in my house.” I beamed at
her. “And I would love to take you on a proper date.”
“No please. There is no need.”
“I know I seemed unreliable, but if you could give me a chance
to properly dine you, you won’t regret.” I said and she placed
her fork on the plate.
“Where is this going if I may ask?” she questioned while placing
the fork and knife on the plate. “It is always best to know your
intentions so we don’t waste each other’s time.”
“I like you. A lot, in fact. And I know I started off on the wrong
foot and that is not how I am.”
“Seems like your life demands your full attention and I suppose
you are not ready for any additions to that?”
“What do you mean?”
“You cancelled our vacation for work, right? That tells me your
job is so important to you and I respect that. Today you
cancelled on our lunch date.”
“I didn’t cancelled.”
“You made changes to our initial date due to your daughter.
Don’t you think adding a girlfriend will be like…err adding more
stress to yourself?”
I wasn’t ready for such serious questions. That was not what
we were supposed to be discussing on our first date.
“I am ready to be with you.” I said and she laughed
sarcastically. I didn’t find it funny.
“Okay, this is not for me…I am not ready for this.”
‘Excuse me?”
“We are old and we should not beat around the bush, correct?”
she asked and I nodded. “The person I wish to fall in love with
is who I get attracted to at a first glance. I didn’t feel the same
with you and I don’t want to drag you around knowing I am not
attracted to you.”
“Isn’t it that you can…learn to love me perhaps…or once you
get to know me, you will fall in love with me?”
“That’s what I used to do and it got me nowhere. I have decided
not to waste my energy and time on something I don’t…ehhh
feel.”
I got her point and it broke my heart to know I didn’t stand a
chance with her. I didn’t know if whether she judged me already
or if she honestly wasn’t attracted to me at all.
“I feel it is better to get to know someone before you commit
your heart. That is my principle.” I said.
“Maybe I would have been considering this…but I also don’t
want to be with someone in my circle. You being friends with
my brother-in-law is just not going to work for me. I will end up
doing double dates with my little sister. Not for me. Honestly.
And I wasn’t ready to be with someone with a child because I
had never thought I would find myself in such a relationship.
That is just my deal breaker and please don’t judge me. I have
fears and concerns as a person and raising someone’s child
had always been my biggest fear.”
“Hmmm.” I was defeated.
“You seem like a really nice guy.”
That line again.
“Please, give me a chance to prove my love for you? The guy is
in love here…it is you that my heart longs for. All these other
things you will judge once you have seen what kind of a guy I
am. You know the day I first saw you, I knew you were the one
for me. I just knew it. My heart knew…and that is why I wanted
to make your birthday so perfect. I really… ”
“I am honestly not feeling this…and on my birthday, I met
someone who made my heart dance. I got the same feeling like
you had when you first saw me, so you understand what I am
talking about. I might not meet this guy ever again and I am
perfectly fine with that but I am waiting to meet someone who
will make me feel the way he did…the same way I made you
feel…I am longing for that feeling and believe me, I can rather
wait all my life than to jump into something that I don’t have the
strength to maintain.” Her words cut through my heart like a
dagger.
“You are right.” Sadness dawned my face and I felt like my
heart was beating in my throat.

THE ONE

INSERT 09

LUFUNO

I didn’t have a hectic week. But I had meetings after another

related to the expo I was hosting on a Saturday. I loved the
expo projects because they brought me more clients. More
clients, more money.
It was Friday morning and I was getting ready for a meeting in
Melrose Arch with a bride-to-be Charlotte.
“Lufuno, Ntate Molefe is ready for you,” Gean said while placing
a wedding scrap book in front of me.
“Do we have everything here?”
“But the menu is missing,” she bluntly said.
“And what am I expected to present to the client?” I asked and
she shrugged.
“The chef is on leave since Tuesday.”
“And why do I pay everybody else for?” I pulled the book from
the table. I hated anything unprofessional. I preferred to be over
prepared than under. I paged the book to look for any mistakes
and I just picked another one. “Gean, I am missing more than
five lace samples.”
“The designer said it is outdated and doesn’t see a need of
them being sampled.”
“And what if the client wants that outdated sample? How many
times should I tell you guys we must not decide for the client?”
“But we can always advice what’s best,” she mumbled the line I
always used.
“Yes, perfect, but sometimes we deal with traditional families
who require those crochet lace dresses.” I said and she
chuckled. “What’s funny?”
“But crochet lace is ugly…haisukha…it’s outdated,” she said
and I laughed.
“It is not for us to decide.” I chuckled while paging through the
rest of the book. Everything looked elegant.
At 14:00, Ntate Molefe dropped me just outside Moyo
restaurant. He left for the parking while I strode to the entrance.
I scanned my eyes around the tables outside, before the
entrance. She raised her hand for me. She was such a
beautiful petite woman.
“Good afternoon,” she said as I stood in front of her. “I am so
glad you are here.”
“Of course. How are you Charlotte?” I pulled a chair, placed the
laptop and handbag on the table; and took a seat.
The waiter brought us a bottle of white wine. I was never a fan
of white wine but I was not fussy when someone offered a
glass.
“I heard you wanted me to run the show,” I said switching on
my laptop and ready to start the discussion.
“Yes, I wanted you in person.”
“But you know my team can do a great job without me, right?”
“Yes, but I needed you.”
“You know it comes at an extra cost, right? Having I here in
person?”
“Of course. My father said I can do anything to get everything I
want, and I want a dream wedding. Only you can give me my
dream wedding.”
I smiled at her. I wished to be like her, to be excited about
having a dream wedding. “Okay, I collected pictures of a cherry
blossom wedding I chose for you.” I said, moving the laptop
screen towards her after placing the scrapbook in front of her.
She smiled. She looked excited. “These are just samples of
almost everything you need for the wedding.”
She happily paged through the book. She wanted everything
floral so a cherry blossom wedding was just perfect for her.
“I love it. I love it. I love it.” She chanted. “With an all lace
mermaid wedding gown. I love, love, love this lace fabric here.”
“All lace mermaid wedding gown,” I said while marking the
fabric she was dying for. “That’s what you will get.”
I raised my eyes from my laptop to notice him. He was standing
at the reception, glancing at me with a smirk on his face. I
shook my head out of misbelieve. My heart started pumping out
of my chest. I swayed my eyes to the guy he was standing with.
I watched as the waiter led him and his friend to the table far
from us. The other guy sat down, while he walked towards me,
with his hands in the pockets of his formal grey trousers. He
looked way better than the day we met. I liked his fitted black
shirt easily tucked into the grey pants.
“Hey…you?” He said standing beside me. I was flustered but
did not want to give it away in front of my client.
“Hey hi.” I said and cleared my throat. “I wasn’t expecting you
here.”
“Are you not supposed to be at work?” he asked.
“I am at it.” He tilted his head to get a full glance of the laptop
screen.
“Oh, you do weddings?” he asked, “That is so interesting.”
Charlotte watched with a smile on her face. I failed to
understand what she was grinning about. I was not expecting
the man who I spent my birthday with standing beside me. My
heart was dancing out of my chest once more.
“Yes, I do glamourous weddings.” I managed to utter.
He picked a brochure which was on top of my diary. He looked
at it and said, “Look, I will keep this for in case anyone I know
needs to get married.”
He waved at us and walked to his table.
Muzi looked way different from what he was, during the
vacation. He shaved and perfectly trimmed his hair; and he was
dressed neatly. My kinda guy. He was damn lovable.
“That was interesting. He kept you blushing the whole time.
You should have seen yourself,” Charlotte giggled, returning
my mind back to our table.
“Really? Never.”
“Who is he?” she asked and I furrowed my brows.
Really? Are we friends now?
I ignored her and pulled her back to the wedding discussion.
She was easier to please. I jotted down all she picked from the
scrap book and my presentation. We ordered the lunch and
had it over conversation about marriage and love. She told me
she wanted to give her husband as many children as he
wanted and I was shocked at that. She wanted to be a
housewife, something that would kill me of boredom.
It was after 17:00 when we finished our late lunch and
concluded the meeting. I had to call Ntate Molefe to come pick
me up. My phone vibrated just after pulling it from my bag. It
was a text message.

‘I am not going to allow you to leave without having a drink with

me. Muzi.’

‘Already got a wedding for me to organise? That was fast.’

‘If it is our wedding, then definitely my sweetheart.’

‘I don’t plan to organise my own wedding.’

‘Then I advise you get a wedding planner to get down to it

already.’

Charlotte slightly thumped the table. I raised my eyes at her

while placing the phone on the table.
“Sorry…did you say something?” I asked.
“I asked if you wanted dessert before I pay the bill.”
“No, I am fine.”
“Then I will be leaving now,” she said while standing from her
chair.
“Yes, uhm…I will have Gean call you for the measurements
and design of the dress next week.” I advised and she paraded
away from the restaurant after swiping her black card for the
bill.
I packed my laptop into its sleeve and the scrapbook into my
huge handbag.
“You were just going to disappear on me, weren’t you?” Muzi’s
voice shook me from behind me.
“Not really. I still owe you a fine bottle of whisky and I was
about to call you for that. Just to thank you for my birthday.”
“You want to buy me alcohol? I can never let a lady buy me
alcohol. Let me get you a few drinks instead,” he said and I
blushed. I didn’t want to, I just couldn’t help myself.
“It is a present, silly.” I blushed as he pulled the chair.
“You should stop paying people for doing the goodness of their
hearts. I was not expecting anything from you.”
He was a true gentleman. His friend left and we ordered
another rounds of drinks. I was not letting him go again. I was
on my third cocktail and was starting to feel a little fuzzy and
excited.
“Oh damn…look at the time?” he said while glancing at his
silver rock of a watch.
“You have to be somewhere?” I asked. I didn’t want him to
leave as yet.
“I have to be at Menlyn Maine in two hours. It is my sister’s
anniversary.” He advised while pulling cash from his wallet to
pay for the drinks. “I have to get a cab to the gautrain station. It
was…”
“Well…Menlyn Maine is on my way home. I can drop you there
if you don’t mind.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be a burden.”
“Stop being silly.” I said, pulling my phone from my bag.
“Uhm…I am ready to go now.”
I placed my phone back in my handbag and sipped on my
cocktail.
“Did you just call your boyfriend?”
“My chauffer.”
We jumped into the back-seat minutes later. We drove in
silence with Ntate Molefe glancing at the mirror.
“He just needs a ride to Menlyn Maine.” I said to Ntate Molefe.
He was dying to know what I was doing with a man in the car.
“I see. Would you care to introduce him?”
“His name is Muzikayise.” That was what I got for hiring a man
older than my father for a driver.
“Oh, the Muzikayise?” he asked, I laughed and Muzi frowned. I
tapped his thigh so he doesn’t ask anything. I didn’t want him to
converse with my nagging chauffer.
I was on my phone the whole trip and Muzi had his head rested
on the seat. His phone rang and I couldn’t help but glance on
the screen. It was his sister.
“Am I late? I am just 15 minutes away from Pretoria.” he said
on the phone. “What the hell? No Loraine… no one told me
anything about the venue change…No, stop screaming and
listen to me… No one dared to tell me you moved the venue to
Randburg for God’s sake….what? Come on... No, I am not
driving, Zakhele has the car…Fine! Loraine, I said its Fine!”
That was a hectic call. He shoved his phone angrily into his
pocket.
“Please drop me at a nearest McDonald,” he said to Ntate
Molefe.
“Why, what happened?”
“They moved the venue and didn’t tell me. Imagine! I will catch
the after-party. So I will have to wait for some guy driving from
Randburg to Hammaskral to pick other family members. He
should be picking me up after three hours or so.”
“Three hours? You can’t wait all by yourself. Why don’t you wait
at my house?” I invited him. I had to help him to return the
favour.
“Are you sure?” he asked and I nodded. “I am just a stranger.”
“You don’t know how much you helped me and rescued me
from my misery the other day. Let me help.”
Ntate Molefe headed to his quarters while Muzi and I walked to
the house. The lights were on but it seemed empty. Gean was
definitely out to a club or some party. I invited Muzi to the living
room, switched the TV on and hurried to my room to change. I
needed a quickest power shower of them all. I stood in the
middle of the room and struggled with the pencil dress I was
wearing. The zip was stuck just like it did in the morning.
“Stupid zip.” I hissed as I struggled with the zip.
“I can help you with that?” Muzi said behind me and I jumped
from the shock.
“What are you doing here?” I asked while trying to catch my
breath.
“I wanted the bathroom and I heard you from the corridor,
talking to yourself,” he said while licking his soft lips. He turned
me and reached for the zip. He carefully and slowly unzipped
the dress. I sucked my breath as his fingers burnt my skin. He
let go of the zipper and the dress fell to the floor.
“Muzi?” I whispered with my eyes closed.

THE ONE

INSERT 10

KHATHUTSHELO

Lufuno was just damn right. My life still needed a balance

before topping it with a woman. I appreciated her time and she
sent me a gift, as a ‘thank you’ gesture for our lunch. It was two
serving bowls. That was so thoughtful of her but it just
confirmed I wasn’t impressive enough with my little dinner set
and gold cutlery.
That week, following my date with Lufuno, was too hectic for
me. I only showed my face at work on Monday, with my
daughter on my side. Mr Mkhize was at the office when I
arrived with my sick daughter. There was no warning letter on
my table, but files of two new accounts, so I still had my job. I
filed for another week’s leave to care for Michelle. I worked
from home the whole week and still had to juggle with Michelle.
She was a handful but finally got well during the week. For the
first time I was glad to drop her off at her mother’s house on a
Sunday. Julia and her husband landed on a Saturday
afternoon.
I had two exciting accounts to work on and I was glad to be
back at work. It was rumoured that James messed the MBC
account and boy, was I glad. That was you get for playing a
dirty game.
I was sitting in my corner when I noticed a young woman
chatting with Mr Mkhize. She looked very familiar but I couldn’t
recall where I knew her from. I stared until our eyes met. Mr
Mkhize was pointing at me from his glass office and she stared
back at me.
Flip! That was embarrassing. Mr Mkhize should have built walls
to avoid us staring at him and his clients.
I lowered my eyes to the laptop in front of me. I was working on
a new Kiddies clothes company. They needed a perfect
business marketing and a TV ad. That was small waters for me.
“You must be Mr Ne...uhm Khathu?” a voice said and I swayed
my eyes to the young woman standing next to me.
“Oh, yes.” I said standing from my chair. “Khathutshelo
Nengwenda.”
James and the other guys were slobbering at the beautiful
woman before me. She had a long blonde weave and in a knee
length pencil skirt. If I wasnt pierced by Lufuno's rejection, I
would have been drooling aswell. No more rich girls for me.
“We have been communicating a lot about the account and I
loved the ideas you came with, so we need to talk some more.”
I don’t remember ever communicating with her.
“Please remind me?”
“MBC Consultations?” she said and I frown.
“Oh, yes, but I was communicating with a Tshepo Maake. I am
sorry if I missed your name ma’am.”
“I am Tshepo Maake.” She said and I smirked. I wanted to
laugh but it would have been rude. I had always thought
Tshepo Maake was an old man that looked just like Mr Mkhize.
“My father wanted a boy for a first born so he named me
Tshepo…not even Matshepo… just Tshepo.”
“It is such a beautiful name, I tell you.”
“That’s what I get every day.” She placed her handbag on the
table. “We need to discuss the account.”
“Didn’t you guys pull out because…” she laughed, “No, no,
no…listen I meant you guys withdrew the account from
Mkhize.”
I waited as she gathered herself with tears clouding her eyes.
She was the type that cried tears with each laugh.
“Uhm…yes we did…that is why we need to talk to you.” she
said while cleaning her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Okay? Should I set a meeting orrrr?” I asked. I was a bit
confused.
“Tomorrow noon at our new offices in Midrand? Is that alright?”
“Email me the details. I will make time. Thank you.”
I watched as she paraded to the elevator. James waved at her
and she waved back with a smile. I sat back on my desk and
wondered what the meeting was about. Mr Mkhize kept his
eyes on me the whole time. It kept me wondering some more.

Now that Lufuno’s vacation was over, I had nothing else to look
forward to. The date was also over and my chance to win her
love was blown away. I liked her, but I felt it was better to let
her be. I didn’t even know what I was thinking, fancying a
woman who was a thousand times richer than I was.
“Know your league and play in your lane.” I babbled under my
breath while pulling my phone from my pocket. It vibrated
harshly in my pocket.
Thank Goodness!
I received an invitation from Oscar for their house warming.
That was my last chance to watch Lufuno laugh with her family
and watch her run around in heels. It was also my chance to
personally thank her for the two serving bowls that she sent
me.
The following day I headed to MBC Consultants, Midrand
offices. Tshepo and two other guys were already seated in the
boardroom.
“Thank you for showing up,” Tshepo said while putting a thick
document in front of me.
“We are glad you could make it…uhm…I will make this quick
because I have to run to another meeting, in fifteen minutes,”
the old man said and I nodded. “Tshepo here was convincing
me that you are the guy for her.”
“A guy for her?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Yes, we were disappointed weeks ago when we went to
Mkhize consulting for a pitch. They were unprepared and never
had great ideas for what Tshepo was looking for. She told me
the guy whom she was corresponding with via emails had
greater and perfect ideas, so we need you to run with the ship. I
trust her judgement.”
“Well…thank you…but this could have been done at Mkhize’s
office.”
“Not when it is not Mkhize we are looking for. It is you we
need.”
“Are you offering me a job?”
“It would be lovely if you take the job,” he laughed.
“What you see infront of you is our proposal for your service.
We need your services as Khathu Ne…Ne… eish your
surname. I will learn it. We need you to render your services at
a price written on that document. I need to work with you until
we execute everything. Billboards, TV, radio, all magazines
world wide... Uhm, I spoke to Mkhize to allow you on this one.”
This was unbelievable.
“I don’t know what you are still doing at Mkhize’s. Maybe it is
time you do some more consultations aside. Maybe start your
own consulting company?”
“I bet Mkhize would hit me with a restraint from trade if I
quit…but thank you for the faith in me.”
“Please look at the contract, sign it if you are fine and then
email it back to Tshepo.” The old man said while standing from
the seat.
I paged through the proposal with a smirk on my face. Things
were about to change.
“Please. I still am dying for the pitch you prepared for us.”
Tshepo said.
“Let me go read this…and I will advise further.” I said, sounding
like a business man.
Unbelievable.
The first thing I had to plan after receiving the lump sum written
on the proposal, is the trip to Disney Land with my daughter.
She doesn’t want to go with anyone else but me. I was going to
make it happen.
Mr Mkhize was sitting in his office when I arrived from the
meeting. He glanced at me from the damn glass and called me
to see him.
What did I say about how I wished he had normal walls? He
could see everybody’s moves from his comfortable chair. I told
him I had to go to the meeting but didn’t elaborate.
“Sir, you called for me.” I said while walking in.
“They offered you a job, didn’t they?” he harshly asked. He
looked frustrated.
“Sir?”
“Maake offered you a job, didn’t he?” he asked and I stared at
him for more details. I didn’t know how to put it that I was
offered a project instead.
“Uhm…yes…something like that.” He pushed a brown
envelope towards me.
“The offer for the promotion,” he said.
I picked the envelope and opened the letter.
Oh, boy, the promotion I had been waiting for.
I glanced at the letter and then Mr Mkhize who seemed to be
shaking from his seat. I shook my head and he grabbed the
letter from me and changed the notch amount. If only he knew I
was shaking my head with misbelieve that things turned out
well for me, for the first time, in one day. I smirked at the new
adjusted notch.
“I will take the promotion.” I could see relief in his eyes. “I just
have a project or two that I need to run with this year, but I am
ready for the new challenge and I won’t disappoint you.”
I didn’t know I was that good at my job. I knew how to do my
job the best way I knew how. If there was one thing I never
wanted to do, was to own a business. Never! I was never
meant for that. I would just have to run with a project or two on
the side but I was never leaving Mkhize Consulting as yet.
For the first time in a long while, I was able to fall asleep
without tossing and turning. There was no need to calculate in
my head how I was going to buy my daughter new fancy
clothes or taking her to vacations. The promotion could cover
for all that.
I got to work the next day to find my cubicle empty. I opened
my drawers and my things were still there.
“Hey, where are my things?” I asked Mr Mkhize’s PA.
“I moved everything to your new office. I couldn’t clean your
drawer coz they are a bit personal, but everything else is in the
office.” she said while placing the keys on my palm.
“Thank you.” I said.
I wondered what Maake had on Mr Mkhize. James and I have
been contesting for the promotion for decades. The office next
to Mr Mkhize had been vacant for ages. He was stingy with the
money.
That felt good. Walking to a beautiful, peaceful office. No more
listening to the useless office gossips.
My cell rang from my pocket.
“Khathutshelo.”
“We are still waiting.” Tshepo said from the end of the line. I
grabbed my new brown leather chair and buried myself.
“Look, I just got promoted hey.” I said and she laughed.
“I knew he was going to fight for you.”
“Fight for me?”
“He knows you are the best of them all…look we will add
hundred more to the project with us.”
“Only R100 more?”
“This is not funny. Hundred thousand more at the end of the
project. Please, I need to execute your ideas and I know how
expensive an intellectual property is…please jump in. It will also
open more doors for you. I know a lot of other clients that can
get you on board.”
Mr Mkhize had been making millions from our ideas. How could
a company die to top me a hundred thousand on top of what
they were offering me already? For the same job I have been
doing for ages?
“Fine. Send me the new contract and I will sign it now.” I said
before hanging up.
It felt good.
My new office was just the same as Mr Mkhize's. Thick glasses
for walls.
I swayed my eyes to James who stood outside with his hands
on his waist and anger painted on his face.
“Thank you James.” I mimed the words to him and turned my
face away from his.

THE ONE

INSERT 11

OSCAR

Lucy and I were excited about the new house. Our new home
together. It felt like a great accomplishment of some sort. I
married her traditionally and legally; and I was just waiting for a
white wedding to celebrate with everyone. She said she wanted
a white wedding when she was six month pregnant. Sick! But
my woman always got what she wanted.
We were not planning on having kids in the first three years of
our marriage, so no white wedding until then. We wanted to live
a little, travel more and party harder together. I loved her.
We met at a gallery opening. She loved to paint for fun and she
spent her spare time in art galleries, drawing inspiration from
other paintings or just admiring the beauty.
I was invited by my colleague to join her at a gallery opening in
Brooklyn. I went with her as I had no plans for the evening and
she had an extra ticket. At first I thought she was blind dating
me with another friend of hers, but no, we were there for an
opening.
I hated every second I was in the show room. People were
walking around admiring awful drawings hung all over the
room. I hated every piece of it and my companion was drunk in
the moment. I walked outside, grabbed a chair far from
everyone and smoked my lungs away. Lucy walked past me
with a phone on her ear. She was wearing a long grey dress,
with a colourful doek on her head and long earrings. I could tell
from the second I laid my eyes on her that she was artistic. She
sat on the bench just far from me. I could not hear her
conversation but she seemed happy. She laughed loudly until
the end of the call.
I observed as she walked towards me.
“These things aren’t for you, right?” she laughed hard while
walking back to the boring room. I threw the smoke on the
ground and hurried to her. She was staring dreamily at a
painting of a moon.
It was a damn moon she was staring at. It blew her away.
“What were you saying?” I asked from behind her.
“Flip! Man.” She turned to me and hit me with her string bag.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“But you did. What do you want?”
“You said something outside…what did you say?”
“You heard me.” she turned back to the painting. “I said, these
things aren’t for you. You look pale from the boredom.”
“You are right. Would you care to join me for a coffee, outside?”
I asked and she turned back to me. I loved her sparkling eyes.
She also had a perfect smile.
“Sure!” she said and I froze. I thought I was going to beg.
We walked out to a coffee shop just outside. She was an
accounting student at Tukkies and a painter on weekends. I
was was an engineer.
We went to a few dates after that. I fell in love and it was a
mutual feeling with her. She loved me dearly. I met her family
except for a sister she kept from me. She told me they were
having a bad vibe and she was distancing herself from her. She
met my family and I was ready to marry her.
I sent my family to hers for the first lobola negotiations.
Everything went successfully and we were super excited.
My nightmare started when we invited Lufuno to my old flat. I
remembered that day like it was yesterday. She was wearing a
white bodysuit tucked into those ankle grazer brown pants and
white heels. She had a longest weave. We had invited her for
dinner so Lucy could introduce me to her. Lufuno was bubbly
the whole time and she spoke the most about how she would
host the best wedding for her sister. She had a more perfect
smile and a funny laugh. She tortured me with each sweet
smile.
I fucken fell in love with her ever since that day.
It was done. I was already committed to a woman who loved
me with her whole heart. I had to learn to control my feelings
but I failed dismally. I wanted to tell Lucy, but didn’t want to hurt
her. I needed to tell Lufuno, but didn’t know how to.
Lucy was excited about the house warming. She had planned
everything with Lufuno.
The day arrived and we were both excited to have our friends
and family warm our house. I was responsible for the braai with
the guys.
I was in the kitchen with Lucy when Lufuno arrived with her
chauffer. He placed a large present box on the kitchen counter
and drove away after.
“Lufuno, what did you buy us?” Lucy excitedly asked her sister.
“You will open it later.” She said with her hands on her waist.
Torture to me.
“So, did you organise the platters for me?” Lucy enquired while
taking off the apron. She had been baking.
“They should be here in less than 20.”
“Perfect. Let me quickly go change.”
Lucy ran upstairs to change. I was left in the room with my
worst nightmare.
“Uhm…Lufuno, I need to talk to you.”
“What? You don’t have to keep apologising for ruining my trip. I
am over it already Oscar. Please, it is time to move on,” she
said while heading to the fridge. She picked the lemonade and
helped herself.
“Are you well kodwa?”
“Yeah…but I have loads of work to do today. You will have to
lend me your office later. I have a few calls to make and emails
to send.”
“Not a problem.”
Khathu walked in a few minutes later. He greeted me with his
eyes on Lufuno. That was one guy who could see through me.
“Hey, thanks for the gift. That was so thoughtful of you.” Khathu
said to Lufuno.
“Not to stress yourself. You should call me to make-over your
kitchen.” She chuckled and he did too.
“I would love that,” he said. “Oscar, you said you needed the
help with the braai…I think we should get to it.”
“Oh, yes, definitely.”
“You guys can go take care of the braai and I will get the
welcome drinks ready.” Lufuno said and tossed her hair
backwards. I swallowed hard with Khathu eyeing me coldly.
I led to the way to the patio.
I avoided talking about Lufuno with Khathu. I tried not to search
for her all over the place. After a few hours, the house became
full with our friends and family. I asked Masala not to come
because Lucy was still angered by the stunt she pulled on her
sister. Everyone drank and ate just the way I and Lucy wanted.
I was burning to clear the air with Lufuno. I was burning to let
her know how I felt about her, maybe I could free myself from
the nightmare. I walked to the kitchen. Lucy was laughing with
her friends. Lufuno was not in the room. More people were
watching TV and others debating in the dining room.
I remembered Lufuno spoke about work, so I headed to the
study room. She was not there. I went up the stairs to find her
in the office just next to our bedroom.
“Oh, you are here.” I asked while walking in, slowly.
“Yeah…yoh people are making noise downstairs. I couldn’t
focus.”
“Lufuno…errr…we need to talk.” I said and she glanced at me
with shock.
“What is wrong?”
“I am so in love with you and I don’t know how to handle it
anymore.” I said while walking towards her. She jumped from
her seat and walked away from me.
“You must be losing your mind.” She hissed.
“I have been trying to shut the feelings but I can’t help it.”
“You are crazy Oscar…you are crazy.”
“Look, I wanted to tell you so I could free myself. I will seek
help. I promise I will and forgive me for my messed up mind. I
just needed someone to offload my load. You have nothing to
worry about,” I said and she walked to the window.
“Oscar, she must never find out about your stupid feelings on
me. Never!” she hissed without turning to me. It felt like I
triggered a memory from the past. Seemed like I opened an
emotional memory.
I slowly walked to her. I touched her shoulder coz I knew I
messed with her feelings. She jumped from the shock and
quickly turned to me.
“What the hell Oscar?” she hissed. “Stay the hell away from
me.”
I stared at her red juicy lips. It was like she was hypnotising me
with each word that came from her mouth.
I titled my head and quickly buried my lips to hers so I could
taste her.
“Oh my God, Oscar? What are you doing?” Lucy shouted from
behind. I froze. Lufuno froze too.
“Uhm…babe.” I said while wiping my mouth.
“Lufuno? Lufuno again?” Lucy shouted with tears streaming
down her eyes. “Lufuno? Get out of my house.”
Lufuno stood beside me, frozen.
What have I done?
“Nooooo Lufuno? Not again. Not again Lufuno!” she creamed
with tears blinding her eyes. “Oscar!!!!! Lufuno!!!!”
People were starting to line up behind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TAKING A LITTLE BREAK TO FOCUS ON THE ROYAL

MISTRESS Book. I WILL KEEP MY EYE ON THE LIKES and
the SHARES, IF I AM PLEEEAAAASEEEED, I WILL THROW
ANOTHER INSERT BEFORE SUNDAY. OTHERWISE, SEE
YOU ON SUNDAY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE ONE

INSERT 12

KHATHUTSHELO

Lufuno looked beautiful in her light blue denim and white

converse platform sneakers. I saw her a few times serving
drinks to the guests. Both Oscar and I watched as she laughed
with everybody and danced with the little kids. I was still in love
with her. I was still deeply in love with her. I wished to be with
her but she deserved someone better than me, I supposed.
I had been sitting in the Patio with her in my head. Oscar
disappeared on me without a word. He seemed stressed about
something but he didn’t bother to share what it was that was
making him tense. It triggered to me that it had everything to do
with Lufuno. It disgusted me that he was failing to hide his filthy
crush on her but I had no room to question him. He kept
denying his feeling for her.
I was busy turning and working the meat when I noticed people
going up the stairs. The sliding door to the living room was
closed so I didn’t know what was going on. I tried to peek
through the door to see what could be the matter. The meat
was starting to burn on the braai-stand so I shifted my attention
back to my duty.
“Dude, come handle this one,” Oscar’s little brother said after
opening the sliding door.
“What’s going on?” I asked while dropping the braai fork. I
cleaned my hands with the apron that I was pulling off from my
waist.
“Seems there is a fight upstairs. Oscar and the girls,” he said
while rushing back inside.
It was now obvious what was going on. Oscar finally told the
women how he felt about Lufuno.
I rushed to get to where a few people were gathered.
“Lufuno…how could you?” Lucy is shouting from inside the
study room.
I tried to open the door but it was locked.
“Lucy…Oscar…let me in,” I shouted from outside. “Open this
door now, Lucy.”
I heard the key turn. Thank God she opened the door and let
me in. I closed the door and walked a little closer to Lucy.
“Babe, I can explain.” Oscar said while standing next to
Lufuno. They were standing by the window, at the end of the
room.
“What is going on?” I asked, hoping to get an answer. Lufuno
was tongue twisted and was shocked with no words coming
from her mouth. Lucy was weeping painfully, standing next to
me. Oscar had a pale face on.
“I found them kissing.” Lucy whispered before throwing herself
to the floor. She was brutally hurt, I could feel from her breaking
voice and her trembling body. I knew that day was coming, but
it came when I was least prepared. My head was also buzzing
from hearing that Lufuno and Oscar were kissing.
Did Lufuno feel something for Oscar too? I was confused. With
my eyes, I begged Lufuno to explain herself.
“No, hell no, he kissed me…I swear I can never hurt you like
that,” Lufuno finally said with her twinkling eyes. I was
comforted by her response.
“I hate you so much Lufuno…I hate you for always breaking my
heart,” Lucy yelled from the floor.
“It is not my fault Lucy and you know it…it is never my fault.”
“But why does it have to be everyone?” she asked and Lufuno
hugged herself with tears falling down her cheeks.
They have been through that before.
“I don’t know.” Lufuno whispered and it broke my heart. I felt
their pain, but didn’t want to conclude without knowing the
whole truth.
“Are you going to just stand there?” I asked Oscar. He was just
standing as if all that was not his fault. I had seen him look at
Lufuno before. I had witnessed the way he always lost his mind
when she was in a room. He was to blame on the matter.
“What do you want me to say?” he asked me and I shook my
head with misbelieve. That was not the time to argue with me,
even worse, to deny his feelings for his sister-in-law.
“Are you just going to stand there and pretend all this is not
your fault?” I asked again, hoping he would step up, be a man
and clean his mess up.
“Babe, I am sorry,” he said, slowly walking towards Lucy. “I
didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“When did it start?” Lucy asked while wiping her tears. Lord
knows, I didn’t want to be in that room to witness Lucy finding
out that Oscar had fancied her sister for years but I had to be
there for Lufuno's sake.
“Babe, please…”
“Since when Oscar?” she yelled with fiery eyes on him.
“That is…”
“SINCE WHEN?” she raised her voice and Lufuno flinched from
the corner.
“When I met her,” he yelled back.
Bastard! He shouldn’t have said that.
Lucy stood from the ground and picked a book on top of the
table. She angrily launched it to Oscar who was too slow to
duck. He didn’t see it coming. The book landed on his face and
Lufuno moved backwards to be clogged by the wall.
“All this time you were making me a fool Oscar?” Lucy cried
even more. “All these years Oscar?”
“Babe, please…forgive me.”
“Lucy, please calm down.” I tried my shot. “People are listening
outside.”
“Do you think I care about what people think?” she hissed at
me. I had never seen Lucy like that. She seemed possessed.
“But please, relax!” I pleaded once more.
“Lufuno takes all my men. One after another, one after the
next…they all fall for her. Since high school Lufuno, all my
boyfriends fell for you. You enjoyed the attention and led them
on…I know you did…but this is too much. You should have
spared me this one. Only this one Lufuno,” Lucy said with a
broken voice. I swayed my eyes to Lufuno who seemed
shocked.
“I thought it was only Vule...and I never led anyone on,” Lufuno
said. I believed her. It was her beauty and her incredible spark
that made all those boyfriends fell for her. I did too.
“You always enjoyed the attention Lufuno…you always did.
Stop lying!” Lucy yelled.
“You are wrong Lucy…you are very wrong. I never led anyone
on. Never.” Lufuno was now walking towards her sister. “I told
you a thousand times that I never led Vule on. He lied to you if
he ever told you I did…now if you are going to conclude the
same with Oscar, then you will be crossing the damn line Lucy.
I don’t want to see you hurt but I am tired of being blamed for
your men’s mistakes. I can never make a move on your
husband. Why don’t you ask your husband why he had his lips
on me? He also caught me by surprise.”
“You had always been jealous of my relationships because you
never kept any,” Lucy yelled at her sister. I saw Lufuno’s eyes
drop to the ground.
“You are my little sister, obvious I felt a lil jealous when you got
married first, but I never fancied any of your man. Never…and
we have been through this before with Vule.” Lufuno was
reaching out to Lucy. She was closer than she should have.
She reached for Lucy’s hand.
“Stay away from me Lufuno!” Lucy harshly pushed her sister
away. Her platform sneakers failed her. I literally heard her
ankle twist.
“Babe, please…it is all my fault.” Oscar was now standing in
front of his woman while I was helping Lufuno from the floor.
She did badly twist her ankle.
“I want you both out of my house.” Lucy hissed. “Oscar get your
stuff out of my house…and you too Lufuno.”
“Are we going through this again?” Lufuno asked while trying to
get to the table. She was now pissed.
“I don’t care…I don’t give a damn about you.”
“Babe, please listen to me…it was my fault.” Oscar pleaded
with his wife who was fuming with her hands on the waist.
Lufuno was packing her stuff into the bag.
“I will take you home Lufuno,” I offered and she nodded. She
had no choice. There was no time for her to wait for the driver.
There was no room for that.
“I don’t ever want to see you ever again…and never set your
foot in my house.” Lucy stormed out of the room with Oscar
behind her. I waited for Lufuno to finish packing her laptop and
files into her bag.

*****

“It was not your fault,” I said while glancing at her. I was driving
out of Oscar’s house. She had been silent since we got into the
car. “I know Oscar has a crush on you and he never wanted to
come clean whenever I confronted him.”
“So you knew?”
Yoh!
“I had an idea.” I responded and she stared outside the
window. She pulled her phone from her handbag, sent out a
text to someone and threw it back into her bag.
“How is your ankle?”
“It’ll be fine,” she coldly responded.
I drove us out of centurion in silence.
Now, I fully understood what she meant when she said she
wanted a man outside of her circle. She was avoiding all that
drama. It all made sense to me that day.
“We have been through this before…with Vule, her boyfriend
before Oscar. He kept pictures of me on his phone. That
pervert. He would save my bikini pictures from Facebook and
filled his phone. It broke Lucy’s heart and it broke our
relationship…and now this…we are done,” she said from
nowhere.
“You guys can still work things out, don’t you think?”
“To be blamed again of stealing her men when they end up
slobbering over me? No. I am fine without her if that’s what she
wants.”
“But she is your sister.”
“She should have thought about that before telling me things
she told me and pushing me. How is it my fault that people like
me? How is it my fault? Everybody feel a need to let their
frustrations out on me because they know I am not the violent
one. No, man. If she doesn’t want me in her life ever again, it is
fine with me.”
That was beyond me and I didn’t want to drag myself in their
fights.
I watched as she kept pressing on her ankle as I drove. She
had already taken off the sneakers.
“Should I take you to the doctor? I don’t mind at all.”
“Thanks…but you have done more than enough…I will ask
someone to drive me there when I get home.”
“Do you ever drive?” I asked and she looked outside the
window. “Sorry, I was just wondering why you have a chauffeur,
you know? If I were you, I would be driving that Merc like
nobody’s business. I also love your 5 series BMW.”
“I used to drive until I got myself into a fatal accident years
ago…I was seven month pregnant and I lost the baby…my
then boyfriend blamed me for taking business calls while
driving…and ever since then, I decided to never drive.”
I shouldn’t have asked that. I was just curious.
“I am sorry.”
“I am over it,” she said after clearing the lump that was stuck in
her throat. She lied, she was not over it.
I decided to shut up and drove in silence. The whole way I was
imagining us, together, driving like that every weekend. I would
love her and ensure I take her pain away. I loved her enough to
help her carry all her burdens. I decided to give it another shot.
I was going to ask her to another proper date when I drop her
off at her place. My heart wanted her. She was THE ONE for
me.
I drove past Menlyn and she started to direct me to her house
in Silver Lakes. We got to the estate after a good 20 minutes’
drive from Menlyn mall. I literally chuckled when I turned to her
drive way.
“What’s funny?” she asked and I shook my head. There was no
way I was going to tell her I was laughing at myself for aiming
higher than I could handle. Lufuno lived in a mansion I never
dreamt of building.
I parked behind a blue VW Golf R. I have always loved that car.
I didn’t know Lufuno owned one.
“New baby?” I asked while admiring it.
“No, it is my visitor’s.”
“Well...Lufuno, I was thinking…” my mouth shut when I noticed
a guy walking towards my car. He was tall and had tattoos on
his right arm. He was wearing flip flops, a vest and shorts. I
kept my eyes on him until he got to the passenger door.
“Hey, sweetheart…are you alright?” he asked. He seemed
concerned.
“Yeah, I am alright. Please get my laptop bag in the boot,”
Lufuno requested and he walked to the boot. “Khathu, you were
saying something?”
“uhm…I wanted to ask if you were fine.” I lied.
“Yes, and thanks again.” She pulled a wallet from her handbag.
She pulled two R200 notes and placed them next to the gear. I
protested but she insisted. “You will add on your petrol tank.
Thank you so much again.”
“Babe…you only had this laptop bag in the boot, right?” the guy
asked while opening the passenger’s door. I watched as he
scooped her from the seat like she was barred from walking.
She twisted her ankle, not chopped her feet.
“Your sneakers.” I shouted before they walked away.
“Yes, please Muzi…please get my sneakers,” Lufuno said and
he carefully placed her down. He walked to the car, opened the
door and received the sneakers from my hand.
“I can handle it from here.” He gave me a cold, deadly look.
“Sure, boss.”
Lufuno waved at me while her man scooped her from the
ground. I watched until they disappeared to the house.
‘So, she found him. That man that made her heart dance,’ I
thought to myself as I put the petrol grant into my wallet.

THE ONE

INSERT 13

LUFUNO

“Can’t you walk?” Ntate Molefe asked with his intimidating

voice. He was standing in the middle of the living room when
we entered. There was no need for Muzi to carry me, he was
just being a gentleman and I loved it.
“I sprained my ankle,” I advised.
“But can’t you walk?” he asked again. Ntate Molefe has been
baby-sitting me since I drove back with Muzi weeks ago. It has
been annoying me but I had no guts to confront him about it. I
could not reprimand an old man like him.
I tapped Muzi’s arm so he could drop me to the floor.
“I will get you ice blocks for the foot,” Muzi said after putting me
down. He walked past Ntate Molefe and disappeared to the
kitchen.
“Is everything alright?” I asked him while leaping to the couch.
“What happened to you?” he asked instead. It was times like
those were I wished my chauffer was younger than me or my
age, at least.
“I accidentally fell Ntate Molefe.”
“Don’t you need to see a doctor?”
“Khathu massaged it before we drove here…I just need to put
ice on it and I will be fine.”
“Alright, I will be in the other living room if you need me.”
“In your room, you mean?”
“No, here,” he said and stared at me for a protest.
“Fine.” I said and he disappeared.
I should have ordered him to his room, but where would I
begin?
I tossed around the TV channel until I landed on a wedding
channel. I loved watching other people’s creativity, but I always
ended up judging those with poor arrangements and
coordination. For that reason, I had been working on starting
the wedding workshops for the aspiring wedding planners and
brides-to-be who would rather arrange their own weddings. I
was always thinking of ways to bring more money to my
business.
“This is the best I could find.” Muzi placed the packet of frozen
peas on my ankle. He then buried himself in a couch next to
me.
“Thank you.” I said while pressing the packet onto my ankle. It
felt a little better. Muzi carefully picked my leg and placed it on
the cushion that he had set on an ottoman.
“Are you sure that old guy is just your chauffer?” Muzi
whispered and I laughed.

Ntate Molefe had been on our case since the day he met Muzi.
He suddenly became over protective. It started when Muzi was
in my room, helping me to unzip my dress. I was wet and ready
to give it away when we heard Ntate Molefe calling for me. I
had to quickly put on a t-shirt dress and rush down the stairs.
“Where is your friend?” he asked while I stood infront of him,
trying to act as normal as I could.
“He was using the toilet.”
“Which one?”
“Uhm…upstairs?”
“Tell him there is a toilet down here…and tell him to come join
me, there is a repeat match between Orlando Pirates and
Sundowns,” he said while changing the channel to Super
Sports.
“Are you not going to watch it from your room?”
“Do you know how boring it is to watch a soccer match alone?
Call your friend to come join me.”
I had no choice but to summon Muzi to join Mr Molefe for a
match and drinks. I hated soccer so I excused myself to go
watch a movie in my room until I dozed off. I woke up hours
later and searched the house for Muzi. He was nowhere to be
found. I checked my phone for a text and there was none.
The next morning, Gean and I were making smoothies for
breakfast when Muzi walked into the kitchen. He was still
wearing the same clothes, but that time, the shirt was
untucked.
“Muzi, where were you?” I was shocked to see him in my
house. I literally searched the whole house for him the previous
night. I also concluded that his family picked him up for the
party.
“I asked him to wait for his friends in my compound…we were
watching more soccer there until he dozed off,” Ntate Molefe
said from behind Muzi. “I will get the car ready, so please finish
up.”
“Thank you Ntate,” Gean said.
“Can…I get some…water?” Muzi requested. He seemed
pissed.
I reach for a glass from the cupboard and poured water for him.
Gean is watching us while finishing cutting the veggies for the
smoothie.
“So, you missed the party?”
“I dozed off watching stupid repeat games,” he said with an
angry face. “My phone had died.”
“I am sorry, I thought you left.” I said. “Can I make you
something to eat?”
“No, thanks. I think I should get going.”
“Now? Uhm…won’t you want to freshen up?”
“Lufuno, the expo is starting in less than an hour.” Gean
advised from afar. She knew I was always time conscious.
“I will drop him off at his house, while you ladies get busy with
your work,” Ntate Molefe said from the door. He appeared from
nowhere. He stood there and waited for us.
He was at it again. Ntate Molefe was interfering in my business
once again. What shocked me was that he never liked
spending time in the main house. He preferred staying in the
stuff quarters. On weekends he would have his wife over or
travel home to visit. It hasn’t been like that since Muzi got into
my car.
“Are you sure that guy is just your chauffer?” Muzi whispered
and I laughed.
“He is being an old man,” I said trying to brush it off.
“This guy polices me like I am a crook,” Muzi whispered with
annoyance painted on his face.
“He watches over me and Gean. He has been doing it for
years.”
“But he should just stick to what he is paid to do…this guy has
been literally on my neck since I got here.”
“Come on, it is new to him to have a guy around…It has been
years since we had a male visit this house.”
I understood his frustrations. Ntate Molefe was acting as if Muzi
was a bandit and it made him feel unwelcomed in my space. I
had to have a discussion with him about it.
Muzi and I initially had plans for after the house warming. He
wanted to take me to Kaya Beach for a late lunch and a movie
afterwards. He was around Pretoria when I texted him to tell
him I was driving home earlier than I anticipated and that I
sprained my ankle.
We decided to rent movies on BoxOffice and ordered boxes of
pizza so we could stay indoors. Muzi picked the romantic
comedy movies that kept us laughing the whole time. I was
starting to move on from the fight I had with my sister earlier. I
didn’t even tell Muzi about it. I felt we were still getting to know
each other and disclosing some information could turn him
away from me. He was for keeps.
I had an edge to kiss him the whole afternoon, but I couldn’t. I
didn’t want Ntate Molefe to walk on us or have Muzi judge me
for moving too fast. We agreed on spending time together to
see where it would lead us. Muzi shared with me how he
recently broke up with his girlfriend and didn’t want to move on
before he felt he was ready to. He didnt want to bring bad
baggage into our relationship. I understood and applauded him
for being honest with me. With that, I decided on the 90-day
rule. I liked him a thousand times but I had to keep my panties
on until we both knew what we were doing. I knew my heart
was for him though.
“I think I should get going,” Muzi said after the fourth movie. I
was not ready for him to leave just yet.
“Don’t you want to stay for supper?” I asked.
“So I could have someone watch how I chew because I am not
trusted in this house?” he said with a laugh, while standing from
the couch. “Babe, let me rather go. We will go out next time
when you get better, alright?”
I wanted to plead with him but I could not allow myself to sound
desperate for attention. What I needed to do was to have a chat
with Ntate Molefe. Muzi gave me a warmest hug before walking
away.
I had a great afternoon with Muzi. He made me blush, made
me laugh and he kept holding my hand. I missed that affection.
I missed feeling loved.
Only minutes later, Ntate Molefe walked to where I was sitting.
“Can we have a word?” I asked.
“Do we have to go somewhere?”
“No, I want us to talk about my visitor.” I said and he stood in
front of me with his hands folded to his chest.”
“Yah, it was about time we talk about him. I don’t trust him at
all.” He shook his head repeatedly.
“What did he do to you? Did you find him stealing from me?”
“No…but I have been a boy before and I know men like him. I
just don’t trust him.”
“You hated him the second he landed in my car, Ntate Molefe.”
“Yes, because a man should never accept help from a woman.
He should be the one offering you help. I bet things have
changed with time…but Imagine a whole man agreed to you
giving him a ride…and he also agreed to wait here in your
house? The next thing he was upstairs? No, I had to keep an
eye on him for you,” he said.
“Ntate Molefe, I don’t need to be fathered…that is why I moved
out of my own father’s house. Now, I cannot live like a teenager
in my own house. With due respect, please give me space.”
“Ma’am Lufuno…”
“No, Ntate Molefe, I hired you to be my chauffer…can we stick
to that?”
“You never had a problem with me overcrowding your space.
What is so special about this guy?”
“I don’t want to lose him and you are pushing him away from
me before I get to know him. Please.”
I have my hand on my chest as I spoke to Mr Molefe. It was as
if I was addressing my own father, the difference was, I paid
him to be what he was to me. It was just getting out of hand. I
was 30 years old for crying out loud. I had to get to the bottom
of the matter.
“I think you are in love and you are not thinking of…”
“You know what?” I stood from the couch. I was annoyed but
did not want to show him. “I think you should move back to your
house Ntate. You will pick me up every morning like we used
to. Take the Polo with you and I will pay you more for the
everyday trips. You will still keep the compound for the days
that we will arrive here during odd hours or when we have to
travel before dawn. I will make sure the security guys patrol
every day at night.”
“Is this because of your new friend?”
“No, I just feel like I am twelve years again and have to report
everything to my father…please. It will also be great for your
family aswell. Please.” I said, in a most humble way.
“Well understood young miss.”
“Thank you for understanding Ntate.”
“Not a problem at all,” he responded and then walked out of the
house.
Phewww!!! That was so hard for me, but it had to be done at
some point. Imagine a woman like me snooping around her
very own house? No man!
‘Dinner tomorrow, perhaps? I dealt with him.” I sent out a text to
Muzi.
‘Indoor picnic for my patient. I will bring wine!’ he responded
and I brightly smiled.
‘Wine gets me horny.’
‘I wish to see you in that lingerie you wore the day I unzipped
your dress. I will sort out the after-effects of wine for you.’
‘Your wish, my command, LOL!’
‘Girl, I am falling hard in love with you.’
“Damn! I am falling hard in love with you too my Muzikayise,” I
screamed to myself while sending him the heart and kisses
emojis.
THE ONE

INSERT 14

MUZIKAYISE

The life I lived was tiring. I wanted out so bad but how could I
do so when Lufuno was already in love and so vulnerable.
Zakhele knew where to find her and he would hurt her badly. I
had no choice but to play along.
The boom gate opened in front of me and I drove in to park
outside Zakhele’s garage. I could see Zakhele sitting outside
the patio with a laptop in front of him and whisky on his hand. I
used to fancy his life, which is why I started working with him. It
was fun but I wanted out. It was wrong and it was starting to
choke me.
I walked up to where he was sitting. I threw his car keys on the
table in front of him.
“No scratch, correct?” he asked without raising his eyes from
the laptop.
“Ofcourse, not.”
“How did it go?” he wanted feedback like I was his lousy
employee. We were dealing with a woman I truly liked here.
“Not so great.” I said and he raised his eyes. “She has cameras
all over the house, I can’t easily snoop in her things.”
He sighed and rested his back on the chair.
“I need to hack her security system and shut those cameras
down.” I trusted him to do that. Zakhele was an IT specialist
and could hack into anything. He kept his cool in his work so he
didn’t get caught. He could easily transfer money from one’s
account with just a click, however, he preferred doing it the
cleanest way. He preferred accessing the accounts with correct
pins and details to avoid the police knocking on his door.
“Like I told you, I couldn’t snoop around…plus she stays with
her father.”
“Whaaattt?” he asked and I nodded my head. I was trying to
keep him away from Lufuno as much as I could.
“Her father watched me like a hawk. So I don’t know how we
are going to get into her.”
“Uhm…maybe you could bring her here. I need her phone for a
few hours so that I can hack it.”
“Well, I don’t know, man…she prefers our dates in her house.”
“Why do I have a feeling you are hiding things from me?” he
asked after taking a long drag of the cigarette.
“For what reason?” I asked and he blew the air into my face. He
knew me too well.
“The stupid crush you have on this woman?” he said and I
shook my head with a cold face. “When are you seeing her
again?”
“Next week. She is going out of town for a week,” I lied. I
needed to come up with a grand plan to keep Lufuno away
from Zakhele. I needed a plan to keep her safe.
“Fine. So long, there is someone I need you to knock off her
feet.”
“Who is that? I thought I told you Lufuno is the last.”
“Oh, yes. Never mind. I will do it myself. I think I might end up
getting into this Lufuno chick myself too.”
“I’ve got everything under control.” I angrily said while standing
up. There was no way I was going to allow him next to her.
“Where are you off too?”
“Home. I need to rest a bit.”
“I will drop you later,” he said and I shook my head. I needed to
walk so I could take some time to think. Stone Ridge was not
so far away from where I stayed. I could walk a good hour but it
was good enough to let me unwind.
“Don’t be silly, man...I will drive you home,” he forced.
“Fine.” I mumbled. I didn’t want him to see that I had a serious
problem with that mission.
It was fun in the beginning. I met Zakhele a few years ago
through another friend. I was job hunting without success until I
landed into Zakhele’s door. I made a good living from a few
women before. They paid for my rent, vacations and I drove
their cars. I took a lot of money from them to build my mother a
house and support my three siblings. I didn’t regret any of my
actions, I just didn’t want to bring Lufuno into that. Also, the last
woman found out amy dirt nd threated to get me locked up. She
took away the car she bought me, the flat and left me
penniless.
I waited for Zakhele to finish his whiskey before he dropped me
at Olieven. Zama was watching TV with a bottle of Savanna in
her hand. She liked to drink on Saturdays, with me.
I greeted and she looked away and ignored me. I didn’t have
time for her so I headed to my room to find my bags packed
and left on my bed. The closet was empty.
“Zama, what is going on?” I returned to the living room where
she was sitting, ignoring my questions. “Zama, what is going
on? Why are my bags on the bed?”
“That’s because I want you out of my house,” she yelled and I
almost dropped my jaws to the floor.
“Zama, you are telling me to move out?”
“I want you the hell out of my house.”
“What did I do?”
“When last did we have sex? All you do since you came back
from that stupid vacation is look at your phone and stay on that
phone for hours with whoever it is you are now in love with,”
she shouted.
“But you were on your periods last week…I would have given
you some?”
“Yes, but I am not now. I waited for you the whole night the
other day. I waited the whole day today so we could have our
chillas but there you are looking like a rich nigga in stupid blue
chino shorts…I hear you on a phone chuckling with a woman
every day for weeks now. Soooooo, move to her house already
and leave me alone.”
“What happened to not catching feelings?”
“Not catching feelings? You stupid, Muzi. I want you out so that
I can find myself a man who won’t be busy entertaining other
woman for a living. You are nothing but a prostitute of a man
and I don’t even know what I am doing here with you,” she
loudly said as I walked closer to her. She needed a quick fix. I
knew her dramatic tactics are to get her cookie scratched. “No,
stay away from me Muzi.”
I was not going to stay away from her because I had nowhere
to go. My pride did not allow me to move to Zakhele’s house. I
couldn’t ask Lufuno to accommodate a grown man like me,
worse when she saw me like gold. I didn’t want to move back to
Soweto where my family was. I had to be as close as I could be
to Lufuno to keep Zakhele away from her.
“Come on, Zama.”
“Ungangidini wena Muzi,” she raised her voice.
“I am sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to your needs…come, let
me do to you what I do best,” I said while pulling her to stand.
She was wearing a short dress, with easy access to her warm
thighs. “Won’t you want me to give you a good one?”
She kept her eyes on me while I grabbed her butt. I pulled her
dress up until she had to lift her arms for me to take it off.
Pink bra and a yellow underwear! What a turn off, but I had no
choice but to keep myself turned on. I pulled her closer as I
started kissing her. She allowed the kiss and even parted her
lips for me to suck on her tongue. She liked it dirty. I knew
Zama too well.
I tried to undo her bra. It was always a struggle for me so she
helped me while I received her boobs into my hands.
She moaned as I suck on each of them.
“You like that?” I asked and she moved one of my hands to her
womanhood. “Oh, you don’t me to waste time, huh.”
“Haisukha Muzi…stop talking nonsense and get down to it,”
She snapped and I smiled.
She was drunk already.
I moved her to the couch where I gave her the head and made
rough love to her. She always loved it rough like that. With her
screaming my name the whole session, I knew she was going
to unpack my bags the following day.
I put on my boxers while she did her underwear. That was
always the routine. No cuddling unless I felt lonely or we
needed a second round.
“I am going to take a shower,” she said and left me lying on the
couch with my eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Things were starting to feel weird. I had been a different man
since I met Lufuno. I loved her smile and her sweetest heart. I
was worried I might break her heart and leave her wounded.
She didn’t deserve that. I liked her but she could never be with
a man like me. I was too much of peasant to her lifestyle.

The following day I headed to her house in the late afternoon

for our picnic date. I used an Uber since I didn’t want Zakhele
to know she was around. I lied about her being away and had
to maintain the lie. The assistant girl opened the door for me on
her way out.
Lufuno was at the porch, sitting on a huge cushion, with a glass
of red wine in her hand. She looked sexy like she always did.
“How is your ankle?” I asked while reaching to sit on the
cushion next to her. She had set up the picnic beautifully.
“It is much better. Gean got me this ankle protector so I keep it
intact,” she said while showing me the white protector sock.
“That was very wise of her.”
“I prepared this for you.”
She had prepared platters of meat, fruits and sorts of cheese to
go with the wine. I forgot to bring the wine I promised.
“Thank you, babe…it looks perfect.” I gave her a fake smile.
“Are you alright?”
“What? Why?”
“You seem a little tense. Are you bothered by anything?” she
asked and I ensured her I was fine but just tired.
We sat there for hours while chatting and getting to know each
other. We shared about our past relationships and it broke my
heart to find out she had a tear-jerking break-up with her ex.
The dude left her days after she lost their baby through an
accident. She was still in hospital when he broke up with her in
front of her family. She still blamed herself for the loss of her
baby. It broke my heart when she shed a tear talking about it.
“I like you, so bad and I don’t know why I am feeling like this,”
she started. “I thought I wasn’t ready to move on, but when I
met you, everything changed. You made me feel special. You
gave me hope.. I don’t know where this will take us, but please
Muzi, can you please stick around only if you have good
intentions with me? I don’t want to be hurt again. I have been
through a lot in my life I dont know if I can survive another heart
break.”
“Yea…yes…” I said without keeping my eyes on her. I couldn’t
lie in her face. My heart was strangely not allowing that to
happen.
“What Muzi? What’s wrong?” She saw through me.
“Okay Lufuno, I meant it when I said I am falling for you but
there are some things you need to know about me.”
“What? Are you married? Do you have a girlfriend?” I saw
sadness in her face.
Zama was not my girlfriend, so No, I didn’t have a girlfriend and
I was not married.”
“I am not what I portrayed to be.” I cleared my throat before
letting out more information. “I am not well-off, I don’t drive that
Golf R, I don’t stay in Stone Ridge were your chauffer dropped
me at, I live with a friend in some fucked up township…I don’t
even have a job.”
Her eyes were almost popping out to the floor. She narrowed
her eyes and folded her arms to her chest.
“Funi, I am telling you this because I am tired of living a lie…I
know we can never be together because you are well-off and I
am just a no-body, I am literally nothing. I used to be good but
my business went down the drain…so I have to start all over
again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I never thought we would get to this.” I said and there
was silence. I watched as she took in the information. It was
hard and I was scared to lose her. She was not yet mine but I
was already scared to lose her.
“Look, I understand…I just don’t think fate would have brought
us together if we were never meant for each other. Remember
we met a lot kilometers away from here? We didn’t meet again
here in Joburg for nothing...don’t you think?”
“Uhm…yah!” I murmured.
How was I going to tell her it was not anything close to fate that
made us meet in Joburg? That we hacked into her emails and
got the address of where to meet again? My heart didn’t want
to break hers.
“I don’t want us to labels this yet…but I want to get to know the
real you Muzi…the real you without a golf R or a house like
mine. I can help you with a job there at my event company, you
can always find something to do there, you just have to be
humble enough to let me help…or I can help you rebuild your
business, you know?”
That woman was genuinely in love. She had a greatest heart.
How could I say No to a woman wanting to assist me to shape
my life around? There was no way I was leaving her. Zakhele
was going to find another target. I was going to fight to stay with
Funi.
“I have never met an amazing woman like you. With a good
heart like yours.” I said and kissed the back of her hand. She
blushed.
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
It felt better, even with the diluted truth. I was going tell her the
whole of the truth when the time was perfect.
“Come now…I think I need to cuddle.” I said and scooped her
from the ground. I knew her bedroom so I carried her there with
us giggling and flirting the whole way there. I needed to seal the
conversation with an act.
I dropped her on her soft bed and pulled her dress off. Unlike
Zama, she was wearing a matching red bra and a sexy lacey
underwear. I swallowed hard as I observed her well-built vanilla
body.
“I had a 90-days rule.” She whispered and then bite her lower
lip.
“I will keep it to that, I promise…but let me make you happy.” I
whispered and she shyly covered her eyes.
I planted my soft kisses on her stomach and down to her
panties. I blew cold air into her underwear and she gasped.
She was the extremely sensitive type. Also, I knew how to do
the trick well. I moved her panty to the side with my fingers and
dug into her, fresh dripping-wet, cavern.
“Muzi…” she gasped with her eyes closed.

THE ONE

INSERT 15

KHATHUTSHELO

It was a Saturday morning, with a perfect weather for a long

run. I fixed my pre-gym drink and gulp it down while reading my
emails for the MBC campaign. I was meeting with the team
hours later to discuss a few things and for me to show them my
concept. It felt good to work that young vibey team.
Thirty minutes after my pre-gym drink, I put on my sneakers,
set my iPod to my gym playlist and ran outside for a jog. I didn’t
jog often, only when Michelle was not around to visit and when
I needed to unwind. I had a natural fit body and was eating
healthy enough to keep the same size for years. I didnt feel a
need to be buffy so I didnt go to gym.
I couldn’t help but to think about Lufuno and the mess Oscar
caused. I was tempted to check up on her to hear how her
ankle was and how she was holding up. The image of that
muscled dude scooping her out of my car made me think
otherwise. There was already someone to take care of her.
A steep hill stood before me, ready for me to climb. I had no
choice but to sprint up to test my energy level and to take away
the anger that I felt just by thinking about Lufuno’s man. How
was he better than me? The looks and the fancier car, maybe?
I was pissed.
I got to my apartment and threw myself on my couch. It had
been long since I did an hour of running and jogging. I needed
it.
“What’s wrong with you?” Oscar asked from the other couch.
He was up but still lying on a couch with a blanket over him.
Lucy didn’t want him back to the house as yet. It had been a
week since the incident and Lucy still needed space.
“I…was…sprinting.” I said, trying to catch my breath. My chest
was tight and my legs were burning.
“You are so unfit, how embarrassing.”
“Whatever!” I said while pulling myself from the couch. I headed
to the bathroom for a long shower. I changed into a pair of
jeans and a white golf shirt. Oscar was still lying on the couch
when I walked back to the living area.
“Dude, are you going to sleep the whole day?” I couldnt stay in
bed after seven.
“It’s not like I have anywhere to go. My wife doesn’t want me in
my own house.”
“Do you blame her?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You can’t blame her for being this angry…come on,” I said,
annoyed. He was taking the matter so simple.
We had argued enough about it. I had no choice but to pull
myself out of their business. I gave him the couch to use as
much he needed until he fixed his issues with the wife. It was
just going to be challenging when my little girl came to visit.
I made myself breakfast and then left for MBC. The team was
already there when I arrived to their boardroom. I spotted
Tshepo amongst the two ladies she was sitting with. She still
had her blonde weave, but chopped into half. She gave me a
smile just when I pulled an empty chair.
“Did I get the times wrong?” I asked while taking out my laptop
from the bag. I was even earlier than the supposed time.
“No, we had to discuss some things before our initial meeting
with you,” Tshepo said. She stood from her chair and walked to
close the door that I left open. I couldn’t help but notice her
perfect long creamy legs. She was wearing jeans shorts, short
but acceptable and a simple white t-shirt tucked in. “Guys,
please meet Khathu. The guy who is going to help us to re-
brand MBC to something greater than it is.”
Everybody mumbled their welcome song as I nod to each of
them. It was two guys and three ladies, including Tshepo.
“So we don’t know if you have something great for us already.
Remember we want the whole new look starting from the
parent company and then down to the branches. We want to be
heard. We want to be seen. We want to take over the city and
then the country and the whole world,” Tshepo said with so
much enthusiasm. I chucked at how she recited her sentence.
“Is it even going to be possible to do greater than the
construction division?” a guy asked. His face looked like that of
Tshepo’s father.
I pulled the projector cable and connected it to my laptop. An
MBC design flashed on the projector screen. The light took
everyone’s attention. I was pleased by the smiles on their
faces. I was definitely going the right direction.
“Okay, this is the branding I have for the parent MBC
Consulation which is currently just construction, right?. I feel
change is always great so we are going to clean MBC
Consultation first before we add the branches to it. I love your
initial logo but again I feel we need to start afresh, that’s why I
designed this logo to re-shape the brand from scratch. Do you
like it?” I posed the question to Tshepo, who was the head of
the project.
“Dad is going to loovveee this.” She said while sliding into her
seat. She grabbed her phone from the table and snapped the
picture of the logo. She didn’t have to. I was going to send
everything to her.
“The next logo is for the new architecture division so I am
praying you love it. I will also show you the one for the Interior
Decor. I am still working on the last division since it broader.” I
clicked on the next design.
“How did you layout all these divisions? I am asking before I
give my comment.” The same guy asked.
“Every logo for the three divisions is the same texture and feel
as the main one. I made them just a little different since I was
advised to treat the new divisions as new companies all
together?”
We stayed in the meeting for over four hours. I was giving them
what I had and changing some of the work to fit their visions. I
liked their participation, it made my job so easier than it was at
Mkhize’s office.
Everybody stood to get ready to leave except Tshepo. She took
off her white sneakers and rested her legs on the boardroom
table.
“Are you not leaving?” I asked while disconnecting the projector
from my laptop.
“No, I still have some reports to finalise before I go to a braai. I
know if I leave here, I will never get them done until Monday.”
“When do you get to rest?” I asked. She sounded like a
workaholic.
“I rest when I sleep,” she chuckled and I smile.
Instead of putting my laptop in my bag, I decided to stay behind
and work some more. I had no plans for later and it wasn’t nice
to get home to Oscar who was always grumbling.
“I think I will join you,” I said and she nodded. She jumped from
her seat and walked to the corner of the room to pick a portable
Bluetooth speaker. She paired it to her phone and played the
music softly.
“I like listening to music when I work. I hope you dont mind,”
she advised.
“Same here.”
“I’ll be back. I need some files from my office,” she said and
jumped from her chair. She walked out of the room barefooted.
She disappeared and the speaker went silent. She left with her
phone.
I connected my phone instead and listened to my Marvin Gaye
collection. His music kept me calm, made me feel romantic and
classic. Tshepo came back and took a seat with a smile on her
face. I took it she was enjoying the songs too. We worked for
about an hour before her phone rang.
“Hey Musa…What? You can’t cancel on me now…my aunt will
lecture me all evening...Please. I told you I will pay you…come
on, just stay for an hour and then disappear …oh, okay…I
understand.”
Disappointment filled her face as she threw the phone on the
table.
“Wanna talk about it?” I asked and she sighed.
“I am supposed to be attending my aunt’s birthday…and
someone just cancelled on me.”
“Is it your boyfriend or something?”
“No, I am single but I lied to my aunt and uncle that I am not, I
promised they were going to meet my boyfriend today. So I was
paying an old friend to come pose as one.”
“Oh, wow,” I said while resting my back on the chair. Rich kids
and nice-life problems.
“Khathuuu…why don’t you come with me?” she said happily
and I laughed. “Oh, please…just show yourself for 20 minutes
nyana and then disappear. I don’t have anyone to go with. And
you don’t have worry, my father will not be there and he doesn’t
even care how I live my life.”
“Why don’t you go solo?”
“So everyone could lecture me about marriage and kids?
Please I will return the favour, please Khathu?”
“My laundry needs ironing.” I said, she nodded repeatedly and I
laughed hard. “Are you kidding me Tshepo, are you that
desperate?”
“I am.” I laughed at her with her staring at me with a straight
face.
“Okay, let’s go. I could use some free booze,” I said and she
jumped from the chair with excitement. I couldn’t let a pretty
lady like her beg me. It was either a braai or an afternoon with
Oscar.
We used my car so she could direct me to a part of Midrand I
didn’t know. She left her car at the office.
We passed by Kyalami Corner so she could get a bottle of
expensive wine and flowers to give to the hostess. What a
tradition? I always went to parties empty handed, ready to feast
on anything they were serving.
Cars were parked outside the yard so I parked mine too.
“Please tell me as much as you can about yourself, I have to be
convincing,” she said and stared at me. Tshepo was adorable.
She had nothing on Lufuno, but boy was she hot and cute at
the same time. I smiled at her before clearing my throat.
“My surname is Negwenda, but I know you get tongue twisted
when you try to pronounce it,” I started and she smiled. “I am
32 years with a six years old adorable daughter named
Michelle. I have three siblings and my mom is the surviving
parent. I love soccer and travelling…and there is nothing more
to tell.”
“Michelle is six years and you have three siblings. Okay, I got it,
let’s go.” She opened the passenger door. I jumped out of my
seat and pick her flowers and wine from the boot. I followed her
as she sashayed to the yard.
I kept my eyes on her as she hugged almost everyone we met
on our way to the back-yard. It was not packed but all those
people looked intimidating. Good thing I could associate with
everyone.
“Hey aunty, I got your favourite wine,” Tshepo said to a tall
woman who wore thick make-up with pink long manicured nails.
I passed the parcels to the aunt.
“You are my bestest niece,” the aunt responded while hugging
her. “And you got me my favourite flowers too.”
They let each other go from the hug and the aunt narrowed her
eyes at me before asking, “Who is this chocolate yummy
brownie?”
“His name is Khathu, my boyfriend,” Tshepo said confidently,
like I was her man indeed.
“Guys, my niece has a boyfriend,” she announced to the crowd
which seemed to not care. I glanced at Tshepo who was
maintaining her sweet smile. “When did you guys meet?”
“It has been a few months auntie…I wasn’t lying, see?”
“I was starting to think you were making it up. Come, let me
introduce him to my friends and…”
“No, Auntie, Khathu is a little shy.” She whispered but I could
hear. “Let’s give him time to settle in.”
“Okay maybe a little later,” the aunt said and then turned to
walk towards the house. Tshepo and I walked to the Pool
house. A few guys were chilling there, others playing snooker
with drinks on the table. Tshepo got herself a glass of gin and
tonic; and she passed me a bottle of Heineken after asking me
what I was drinking. I joined the guys on the snooker table after
a little while when Tshepo was all over the place with her
relatives.
It was wrong to compare, but I could not help but notice her
easiness just like Lufuno. Their difference was that Lufuno was
more of a girly type but Tshepo was more fashionably relaxed,
in a good way though. She was wearing shorts and just t-shirt,
something that Lufuno wouldn’t wear to a braai.
“Love, please meet Uncle Ramatla, my father's younger
brother.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I said while shaking his hand. I thought
we were not meeting the fathers. Tshepo stared at me to play
along.
“So when are you bringing the cows for my princess?”
“Uhm…sir, that should be very…soon,” I said while gawking at
Tshepo.
“Yes, because I can’t wait to meet my grandkids…and wena
monna, do not leave my daughter on the day of the wedding
just because you are a coward,” he said to me and I peeked at
Tshepo who had her eyes on the ground for the first time ever.
“Come on…leave that idiot in the past, Ranwane. I am truly
happy now…oh, and Khathu already has a cute daughter and
we are raising her well…see you don’t have to worry about me
falling pregnant?” she said, trying to brush the embarrassment
that dawned her face.
“He better not.” The uncle gave me a warning look and then
disappeared after.
“Wanna talk to your new boyfriend?” I asked and she chuckled
while sitting on a camp chair next to where I was standing.
“It’s just some idiot who didn’t show up on the day to finish his
lobola. He called me to tell me he had changed his mind.
People were going up and down on that day and I had to break
the news to them.”
“Did he ever tell you why he changed his mind?”
“He didn’t love me enough to carry on with the marriage.”
“Wow! I am here now.” I said and she turned to me.
Why did it feel like I was confessing that I was there to replace
her EX?
“Thanks.” She stood up from the chair. “Let me get us some
meat. I want some more meeeaaattt.”
I watched as she walked to the house. I felt pity for her but she
was laughing with a group of old ladies, hiding all trace of her
unhappiness.
“Yoo…thanks for loving my sister this much, man,” the guy from
the boardroom said. He was holding a Corona and walking
towards me.
“Excuse me?” I had to get clarity of what he meant.
“Since I learnt about uKhathu, she has never been happier. I
had to listen to her call your name and how awesome you
are…but you are really good at your work so I believe her now.
She blabs about you every day and I knew it had nothing to do
with work…so I was saying thanks for taking her out of her
misery and loving her this much,” he said and I wanted to
correct him but didn’t. “I would have been giving you a hard
time for been with her now but she is genuinely happy. Haven’t
seen her like this in ages.”
“Oh, well…you see…” I tried to explain myself.
“Don’t worry if you have some doubts about her, she loves you.
I know her too well…she is my older sister,” he added and I
faked a smile. People shouldn’t have been confessing such
things to me. I was here just to help.
“Yah, she…she…looks happy.” I mumbled. The dude just told
me Tshepo loved me much and I was struggling to process it
without looking like an idiot.
I swayed my eyes back at Tshepo who was laughing so hard
from afar. I was beginning to see a most beautiful woman who
would make me happy.
“Good luck man,” with that said, he disappeared and left me
gazing at her.
But there was Lufuno too in my mind! I still liked Lufuno and
thinking about moving my eyes to the next woman felt like I was
back-stabbing her.
Tshepo came back to me with a platter plate full of meat.
“My aunt said I should feed you well so that you don’t run away
from me,” she said showing off the amount of meat on the
plate. I laughed with her.
Could she be THE ONE for me?
“Your aunt is totally right.” I said to her and she giggled.
“Yeah, right!” she said with a brightest smile and took a bite of
the steak. I couldn’t help but just watch with so many thought
running in my head.
The thoughts of her and I, possibly together??

THE ONE

INSERT 16

LUFUNO

It had been more than three months now. I haven’t yet labelled
my relationship with Muzi, but we were enjoying each other’s
company. He liked spoiling me with the little he had and I did
the same, without overdoing it.
I got him a spot in the company to work with the drivers but
things didn’t go well with Ntate Molefe there supervising
Muzi. Ntate Molefe was my head driver and he allocated all
other drivers accordingly. There was nowhere else I could
place Muzi so he had to go. I was awaiting his business
proposal to see if I could in anyway help or refer him to people I
knew. It was a little hard to let a blind eye about his
unemployment since I had never dated anyone who was not
well-off. Even worse when Muzi lied about it at first.
Well, with all that, I was still willing to make it work. I liked him
enough.
It was a Thursday afternoon and Masindi invited me for lunch in
Brooklyn, Kream, exactly where I needed to dine. I loved
Kream’s wine club and their perfect desserts. Masindi was a
high school teacher. She knocked off early that day and
thought we could hang out since I shut everyone out of my life
after Lucy’s house warming.
Ntate Molefe drove me there at 13h30. I told the waiter the
name of my hostess and he led me to a corner table. Masindi
was not alone. She was sitting with Lucy who was sipping on a
cocktail. I tried to turn away but Masindi rushed to me.
“Please, you two need to talk.”
“Why did you have to lie? Did she put you through this?” I
snapped angrily.
“No, she also didn’t know.” Masindi pulled my hand towards the
table. Lucy raised her eyes and then swayed them out the
window. I didn’t want drama or eyes on me so I grabbed the
empty chair and placed my handbag on a mini stand next to my
seat. That was what I liked the most about Kream. I didn’t have
to worry where to put my oversized handbags.
“Guys, we can’t live like this. I miss the two of you and I don’t
want to make any of you feel betrayed when I choose sides.”
“You are my friend, Masindi.”
“We are family now,” Masindi said. “Please just talk this
through.”
I was a little stubborn but Lucy was the worst.
“She can apologise,” I said and crossed my arms.
“Apologise for what?” Lucy asked and I kept my eyes on her.
The waiter was by our table, pouring me the wine that Masindi
ordered. He placed the bottle back on the ice bucket and took
my order for the main meal. When he was walking away, I
leaned to Lucy so I could not make noise.
“You are going to apologise for accusing me of all that rubbish
you accused me of. I am your sister and I never, never lusted
on any of your men…unfortunately they all did. You need to
apologise to me…not the other way around.”
“Where you not kissing Oscar?” she hissed.
“Your husband planted a damn kiss on my lips the very second
you opened the door…didn’t he tell you that?”
“They are not talking.” Masindi answered for Lucy.
“It has been three months Lucy…haven’t you spoken to your
husband?” I asked, shocked.
“I don’t want to talk to him,” she quietly said. “He has hurt me
deeply.”
“He is going for counselling before they continue staying
together. He is staying in the guest house and not in the main
house,” Masindi added and Lucy frowned at her.
“Well…I am sorry you had to go through this…and I am sorry
for not talking to you for all these months. I was angered by you
jumping into conclusion and accusing me of that rubbish.” I
said. I had to just apologise because she was not going to let
out an apology first.
“Are you going to say something?” Masindi asked Lucy who
dropped her eyes to the floor.
“I am sorry for accusing you,” she said coldly. That was much
better. On another day, we would have been giving each other
hugs, but not that day.
The waiter brought our main course minutes later. I had
ordered sushi instead. It had been a while since I feasted on
their gourmet salmon roses. Lucy took a few bites of her food
and then requested a doggy-bag. She had to leave and I
allowed her to.
“So how is you and Khathu?” Masindi asked.
“Khathu and I?”
“Yeah…ain’t you guys dating or something?” Masindi asked
and I shook my head. “Yoh Lufuno, I was so sure you guys
were an item.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Your Instagram pics of you and a guy on romantic dates,
picnics and stuff? I have seen them all but you haven’t revealed
his face,” she said and I smiled. “So, if it is not Khathu, then
who is it? Do I know him?”
“His name is Muzi.” I sipped my wine. “We met on my birthday
at that horrific vacation. He dined me and I didn’t take his
number, buuutttt we met weeks later at Melrose. Isn’t that
amazing?”
“Talk about fate, huh?” Masindi asked and I winked at her.
“So…what does he do?”
“Uhm…nothing so far.”
“What do you mean? Nothing?”
“His business drowned a while back and he is still picking up
the pieces,” I said and Masindi raised her eyebrows. I knew she
wanted to say something. “Masindi, what?”
“Are you going to survive this?”
“Why not? I know I like him and I couldn’t let him go just
because he is not well-off.”
“And if he doesn’t pick up the pieces? Or if it takes longer than
you can handle?”
“Come on, I am sure we can survive.”
“Okay, it is not going to be an easy ride though.” She sipped
her wine and dug on her salad.
“What do you mean?”
“Remember me and Anthony? How he kept working on his
business for over three years? I took care of us and he relaxed.
The dude just relaxed nje. I was just a junior teacher and I was
exhausted for taking care of him…I wonder if a millionaire like
you can handle it. I am not saying it is not going to work, but
knowing you have only dated hard-working guys, this might be
a little hectic… you used to die for hustlers, remember?”
I sipped on my wine once more and ignored her words. Her
damn words touched deep down at the core of my heart. What
if Muzi lazy around for years seeing I could afford us? Was I
going to survive it? It was not the money I was worried about, I
could take care of myself, it was just the drive and the sexiness
of the hustle of a man.
“I bet he will work his butt off for me.” I faked a smile. I was just
a bit worried since the job issue didn’t go well.
“He will…just get yourself emotionally ready for that challenge,
other than that, you look amazing giiirrlll and you are totally
glowing from all the loving he is giving you,” she said and
raised her wine glass. “Let’s toast to that.”
We clicked our glasses and thereafter gossiped a bit about
Masala. Shame, she was pregnant and the hormones were
driving her insane. It made sense why she was like a monster
during the vacation. She hasn’t apologised and I was not going
to start her.
I left for the office after the longest lunch date with my precious
friend. Gean hurried to my office just when I was getting myself
settled on my chair.
“Lufuno, we have a bit of a challenge. I couldn’t get hold of Mrs
Cindy from Mkhize consultants…apparently she relocated with
her husband last year and left the company.”
“What? Who is going to market our June weddings?” I asked
with my hands in the air. I always ran TV adverts of my
company just before winter. Business was a bit slow in winter
since people preferred the summery weddings and running
adverts of my exclusive package made me win.
“Mr Mkhize said he has the best guy, even better than Mrs
Cindy…he is her replacement.”
“Fine! I will give him a call.”
I read a few emails before dialing Mr Mkhize’s direct number.
His company had been marketing for me for decades.
“Mr Mkhize, hello.”
“Hello Sir…I heard the bad news about Mrs Cindy?”
“Oh, yes. She is no longer with us and is out of the country but I
have the best guy for you.”
“You know how sceptical I am.”
“You will not be disappointed. We have Mr Nengwenda and he
is dealing with a lot of our biggest clients. You will be
impressed, that I am sure of. I can even give you 25% discount
for being our valuable costumer. I owe you one and we want to
prove to you that we can still deliver the best service for your
company.”
“I love the sound of that. Okay meeting tomorrow?”
“Yes! 10am.”
I trust Mr Mkhize’s judgement, he knew me too well. I was
famous for quality only and I didn’t compromise.
After work I didn’t get to see Muzi. He had a business meeting
with an old friend and that made me feel better. He was indeed
working hard to pick the pieces. I didn’t mind loaning him a little
capital but only, only when I saw the most professional
proposal and a promising future of the business. I have done it
for a lot of people I knew.

Friday morning I decided to stay in the house until my 10

o’clock meeting at Mkhize’s office. I didn’t have any
appointments earlier than 10. I stayed in bed, thinking about
Muzi and our future together. Since the lunch date with
Masindi, I couldn’t stop thinking about her words.
What would happen if he never picked up the pieces?
It didn’t sit well with me that there was that possibility of him
failing. I hustled for my money. Day-in-day-out, I looked for
ways to double my millions and I needed someone to hustle
with me.
“Hey, how is it looking?” I asked Muzi on the phone. He
seemed to be sleeping and it was already 08:00.
“What, my babe?”
“The business meeting last night?”
“Oh…that? Not so great.” He said and disappointment filled my
heart. I was hoping for the best.
“What is the problem?”
“I will tell you about it tonight.”
“I have all the time now.”
“Babe, I will tell you tonight. It’s a lot of things.” He said and it
felt like an excuse to hang-up on me.
“Alright, I’ll see you tonight then.”
Ntate Molefe was at my gate at 09:30 so I jumped in and we
drove straight to Mkhize’s office. We always drove in silence
since he moved out and I always felt guilty because I knew it
was my fault. I was forever tempted to ask him to move back in
a condition that he stayed out of my business, but the thought
of snooping around my own house made me decide otherwise.
Mr Mkhize invited me to a small boardroom where I sat with
him waiting for Mr Nengwenda. The PA brought us coffee, tea
and biscuits as we waited some more. The guy was apparently
finishing up in another meeting.
“Sorry, I had to quickly finish the meeting with Candy Cups
Limited,” a familiar voice said. I lifted my eyes from my phone to
see Khathu standing infront of the door in a Navy blue slim-fit
suit and a white shirt.
“Oh, yes…Miss Mudau here was getting a little impatient,” Mr
Mkhize said and Khathu didn’t move from his spot. He had his
eyes fixed on mine.
“Oh yes…from Luv Events…” he said and grabbed a chair.
“Glamorous Luv Events.” Mr Mkhize corrected him.
“Yes…nice to meet you again Lufuno.” He said and we shook
hands.
“You two know each other?”
“Yes, we do,” Khathu announced.
“Even better. Well, Ms Lufuno here wants her winter TV ad. It is
her tradition to remind the world out there what she can deliver
in all seasons…and…”
“Sir, can we get James rather work on this one?” Khathu asked.
He simply didn’t want to work with me.
“No Khathu…she is our biggest client and you know we do not
refer the bigger clients to juniors. James is still a junior
consultant and we need your best service,” Mr Mkhize said.
“Okay, did you have anything in mind Ms Lufuno?” we started
our brainstorming.
We sat in the boardroom for about an hour. I was giving him
what I wanted. He asked all the questions and noted everything
down. He was professional. I liked it, period! He didn’t look
anything like he did months ago though. He looked, different.
A good different.
“I will work on the draft and will let you see it before we execute
everything,” he said while punching on his Ipad.
“Thank you.”
“And Ms Lufuno…you can join us tonight at the Altitudes. We
are celebrating Mkhize’s twenty two years in business and
Khathu’s promotion. I kept postponing his celebration so we do
it after closing a big deal. He made us proud once again.
Please join us…you have been a biggest part of us and it
seems fit that you join us in this celebrations.”
“Ahh, Mr Mkhize…I don’t think so…”
“I understand it is short notice…but if you ever change your
mind, do come join us at 20:00. The drinks and everything is on
me.”
“Thank you,” I said standing up. I shook both Khathu and his
boss’s hands and then rushed to my car.
What the hell was going on with me? I could not stop staring at
Khathu. I get into the car and finally let out a longest sigh. Ntate
Molefe glanced at me on the mirror.
“I am fine.” I ensured him.
“Alright.” He drove off until he parked at my designated parking
just outside the reception of my company’s building.
“Ntate, can you please arrange to sleep at your staff quarters?”
I asked and he raised his brows for more information. “I might
go out tonight and I am not comfortable using Uber after late
hours.”
“I will let my wife know.”
“You can go pick her up since this is a short notice?”
“Don’t worry yourself about her, she knows I have to work.”
I had a longest afternoon after the meeting. I couldn’t easily
decide whether I wanted to join them at the Altitudes or not. I
was tempted to go so I could get to see Khathu just a little
more. On the other hand, I had Muzi coming over for dinner. It
was a longest afternoon, indeed.
When I got home, I picked a perfect dress for the Altitudes and
matching stilettos. I was going to the party. I needed to nurse
my curiosity.
I took a shower and applied my make-up before putting on my
sexy black dress. I got carried away and forgot to cancel on
Muzi. The securities called me to give him access to the house.
I gave them the access and he was in my house just minutes
later. Gean was not home so I rushed to open the door for him.
“Hoooo, you have a sexy black dress on, all for me?” he asked
while getting in the house with a widest grin on his face.
“No, sorry, I forgot to text you…” I said with my hands on my
head.
“What’s up? Are we going somewhere?”
“No, but I am.” I said and walked up the stairs. I was kinda
running late and I was a time freak.
“Where are you going?” he asked from behind.
“Menlyn…there is this company that invited me for a
celebration…22 years anniversary.”
“Then why are dressed sexy like that?” he asked and I scanned
myself from the mirror. I did looked sexy.
“Don’t be silly. I can be sexier than this.”
“But babe…” he said, walking to me. “Let’s stay in for soommee
fun?” He was unzipping my dress.
“No Muzi. I really have to go. I promised them and I have to go
in a few minutes.” I said while sliding my foot into my favourite
Louis Vuitton heel. He angrily zipped up my dress.
“I am going to be bored.” He mumbled.
“Yea…Gean is not here and I will have to set the security
alarms…I will ask Ntate to drop you home if you used Uber?”
“Ohhh, is this event that important? I cancelled my plans for us.
Why can’t you do the same?”
“Muzi, it is very important, yes. This is how I get more business,
you should know that. I have to mingle in events and get myself
more business.” I said and he sighed.
“Alright, fine!”
“I will make it up to you. I promise.” I planted a kiss on his lips
and hurried to pick my clutch bag from the bed. “Let’s go.”
I had to be at the Altitudes, I needed to feed my curiosity that
night.
‘What is this thing with Khathutshelo Nengwenda?’ I thought to
myself as I climbed at the back of my Merc and Muzi opening
the other door.

THE ONE

INSERT 17

KHATHUTSHELO

I could not believe I was working on Lufuno’s TV ad. I was

shocked to see her in our small boardroom. Her presence in
that little room made me suffocate just a little and I still had to
be professional as hell. Mr Mkhize only told me his biggest
client, Glamourous Luv Events, needed a TV ad. I agreed to
meet up with the client after my 08:00 meeting with Candy
Cups Limited. Had I known it was Lufuno, I was going to make
excuses after another. I was fine without seeing her and I was
slowly getting over her. Now, I had to spend hours with her until
her Ad was on the TV screens.
The rest of my Friday was less hectic and the vibe in the office
was awesome. Everyone was excited about the party at the
Altitude Champagne Garden. I haven’t been there. Where
would I get time to gallivant when Michelle spent most
weekends with me? If it wasn’t Michelle visiting, then I would be
working on my new projects.
I got home just after five to freshen up and change out of the
suit. It was going to be the longest night so I settled for a pair of
sneakers, brown chinos and a white diesel semi-formal shirt.
I drove to the Times Square and got to the rooftop just minutes
before 20:00. James and the other guys were standing by the
bar outside, drinking from their bottles.
“Man of the moment,” James announced happily. It didn’t
matter if it was genuine or not, I was the man of the moment
indeed. Everyone around us cheered with me.
“Shoo James,” I said while fist bumping the guys there.
“How does it feel to close big deals man?” James asked.
Seemed like he had been drinking since noon.
“Come on…it isn’t a big deal.”
“Heeyyy, Mr Nengwenda!” Mr Mkhize shouted while working
towards me. Everyone was in their best moods.
“Sir,” I said.
“You have made me a proud man…a very proud man,” he said
loudly. He was naturally a loud man when he was excited.
“I am glad I did.”
“Guys, the tables are ready for supper. It is already late and
some people can’t drink before food,” Mr Mkhize’s PA, Mpho,
announced. She was still working just like in the office.
“Yea, we will be right there.” Mr Mkhize said and she walked
away. The place was beautiful and not overcrowded. Mr Mkhize
booked the place out for our supper and celebration until
eleven o’clock.
“Yooohh, yoooh, yoooohh…this woman?” James said after a
longest whistle with his eyes at the entrance. We all turned
there. The security personnel was opening the small gate for
our colleagues and her.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
She sashayed towards me, with my eyes on her damned
bodycon dress that hugged her perfect body. She didn’t mind
showing off her skin that night. I swallowed hard while counting
her steps towards me. She was taller than all the other days so
I drew my eyes towards her killer stilettos. I prayed to stay calm
and to not embarrass myself in anyway.
“I made it,” she sang as she stood in front of me.
She looked perfect, just as I thought she would.
“You look so amazing,” I said while giving her a hug. She
smelled divine.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said happily. “Hello Mr
Mkhize…hello guys.”
“It is good to see you again Ms Maake,” Mr Mkhize said while
shaking her hand.
The guys are drooling over her so I took her hand and walked a
little far away from them. She was there for me.
“What happened to you? Do you know how amazing you look?”
I asked while running my eyes from the neatly tied hair to her
flaming nude heels.
“I had to do a little shopping, you know?” she said with a
chuckle. “I haven’t been out clubbing in decades so I thought I
should look a little extra, you know?”
“Now I feel underdressed.” I said and she laughed.
“Don’t stress, you look just perfect.”
“Can I get you a glass of champagne before we go inside for
supper?” I asked and she nodded. I walked to the bar just close
to us and got her one flute of champagne. I give it to her and
she took her first sip. “So, when did you get back from
Lesotho?”
“Just this morning.” She said. She left for Lesotho a week ago
for her grandmother’s funeral. Her phone reception was horrible
so we didn’t get to talk at all. I was also sure she was not
coming since we spoke about the party weeks ago. She had
assured me that she was going to dress-up if she makes it.
A colleague of mine raised his hand from the entrance of the
restaurant. I didn’t notice everyone was inside except for the
faces I didn’t know. We headed inside and picked the empty
seat just next to Mr Mkhize’s wife.
“Can you please leave this chair open?” Mrs Mkhize requested
politely before Tshepo could settle on the chair. She picked her
clutch bag which was already on the table and sat on my other
side.
The waiters took our orders while my boss gloated about how
he started his business from nothing. How he almost gave up
and how things started working out for him years later. He told
us stories about his poor childhood and how he used to dream
big. We were all laughing at his tales until people started to turn
their heads towards the entrance. I did too.
“Hooo…Ms Mudau, you made it.” Mr Mkhize said happily while
standing from his seat. Lufuno was shyly standing at the end of
the longest table.
“I am sorry, I am late…I would have stayed outside if…” She
said nervously. I stared at her while holding my breath. I never
thought she was going to make it.
“Don’t be silly. Guys…I am sure most of you have seen her
face a thousand times at our premises. She is one of our
biggest three clients and she is a greatest part of Mkhize
Consultant…please sit here next to my wife.”
Lufuno glanced at me before walking towards the chair next to
me. She smiled at Mrs Mkhize and buried herself on the chair.
Flip!! I was battered by my biggest crush and my ‘somebody’.
Tshepo and I had been going on simple dates just to get to
know each other. She had a good heart and I could see her
love in her eyes. I was taking is at a slowest rate until I finish
my project with MBC in the next three months. I didn’t want to
compromise my career and I never told her I knew how she felt
about me. I didn’t want to entertain it. In the three months that I
have known Tshepo, she was the best woman for me. She had
not met Michelle yet but loved her from a distance. I didn’t want
to confuse my child by introducing her to my other female
friend. Also, Michelle was not over Lufuno yet. She asked me a
lot about her and told me every weekend how she loved her
braided her. I blamed myself for that because my baby can’t get
over a woman I will never be with. I never wanted to make the
same mistake so I kept Michelle away from Tshepo.
I whispered a greeting to Lufuno and she responded with her
poisonous smile. Thank God Mr Mkhize was still busy with his
speeches so I didn’t have to create a conversation.
“We are also here to celebrate Khathu…we have been
struggling with The Bank Investors’ account for months but the
big man here nailed it. I should really appreciate his efforts and
dedication. This guy here sleeps in the office sometimes. I am
saying this because there have been days where I emailed him
work and I would receive a call from him, at midnight, from an
office landline. I can never thank him enough,” Mr Mkhize said.
“Maybe you should make him partner,” Tshepo said from her
seat and everyone laughed. I smiled at her.
“And Ms Maake has spoken…make Khathu partner,” Mr
Mkhize said with his finger wiping off an imaginary sweat from
his forehead. Everyone laughed at his gesture. That wasn’t a
bad idea. I made so much money for him. He could manage the
people and I will handle bringing more money. I hated
managing human resource with a passion and that is why I
couldn’t even start my own company.
“Congrats!” Lufuno whispered to me and I smiled back at her.
Her eyes were dazzling and I couldn’t tell why. If I didn’t know
how she felt about me, I would have mistaken it for a lust on
me.
The food arrived while people where sharing about their
experience at the company. The waiters placed our plates in
front of us and people started digging in. Lufuno had ordered a
salmon dish and Tshepo had a salad.
“Khathuuu I want this,” Tshepo said to me while cutting some of
my lamb rack.
“And you were ordering a salad because?” I asked while
helping her to cut the meat on my plate. I realised Lufuno didn’t
notice Tshepo all that time because she had to lean over me to
notice my date. I bet she concluded she was my colleague.
“You know sometimes you get to a restaurant and order food
while not hungry but when the food arrives, your stomach
needs more,” Tshepo said and I smiled at her while stealing a
glance at Lufuno. She seemed to have changed her mood.
Maybe she was bothered by a text she read minutes ago. After
the dinner, the manager came to tell us to move to The Lobby
room which Mr Mkhize had booked for drinks.
“Tshepo lets go to the other side for drinks,” I said while
standing up. Lufuno was sometimes chit chatting with Mrs
Mkhize so we were not leaving her alone. I wondered why she
didn’t bring her boyfriend. He fitted perfectly at a place like
that.
I led Tshepo to the lobby room and picked a table for two. I was
having a Heineken and she was drinking champagne after
another. She kept dancing to every song and I tried joining her.
I couldn’t keep up so she settled on her chair beside me.
“Khathu I haven’t done this in agggeeessss…it’s so fun.”
“You overwork yourself…you should go out often,” I said.
“While staying at my father’s house? I should be home at 20:00
every night because he doesn’t want me to own keys to his
house.”
“You stay at home? You were not kidding?” I asked. She once
told me she stayed with her parents and I concluded she was
joking. Her father could afford to buy her houses if she didn’t
afford.
“Why not? There is free food, I don’t have to buy grocery and
cook…” she said and I laughed. “I’m kidding, remember I came
back from UCT last year. I have stayed alone for so long I need
my family around me…Imagine I stayed in boarding school all
my high school life, I stayed alone at varsity for more than
seven years. Remember I told you I finished a degree in
accounting first before I started my three year course in
Architecture and Planning. Sooo now, I need people around
me.”
Come to think of it, she had never stayed late with me. We
would watch afternoon movies and dined only for lunch and
breakfast.
“What about tonight? It is after ten now.”
“I booked at Fire & Ice. My dad doesn’t mind me going out
sometimes…but he doesn’t want to give me the house keys. If I
go out, he opens for me but tonight, I want to get drunk a little
and Fire & Ice is the closest,” she said and stood up to dance
with my colleagues who were closer to our table. She was fun
and she was having fun.
I gulp my bottle of Heineken and watched her dance. She was
better than most people I knew. I kept watching her until I
decided to sway my eyes to the bar. I noticed Lufuno watching
me. She was chatting with Mrs Mkhize but her eyes were fixed
at me. She quickly swayed them away when she noticed my
eyes on her. She was acting weird and I didn’t understand what
her problem was. She looked gorgeous and her dress was too
sexy for my liking. I didn’t shift my eyes from her so I noticed
her stealing small glances of me every 5 minutes.
Weird!
“Who is she to you?” Tshepo snapped me out of my thought.
“Hmmm?”
“That girl you who was sitting next to you…who is she to you?”
“Oh, I am friends to her family…yeah…a family friend,” I said. I
didn’t have guts to tell her she was the woman I had always
wished to spend the whole of my life with.
“You like her that much, don’t you?” she gulp the whole glass of
champagne. “You have been staring at her for ages.”
“No…come on, Tshepo.”
“What? You mustn’t be ashamed. I am just your business
associate, remember?” she sadly said.
“No man...”
“I am not blind Khathu. You are undressing her with your eyes,”
She said. "You are undressing her."
“Please…let’s forget about her and have some fun.”
“I try too hard,” she chuckles and then her chuckles turned into
a laugh. She was laughing hard at herself with tears twinking
her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I am laughing at myself for trying so hard Khathu. This stupid
shoes are killing me. This damn dress is itchy on my skin
because it is too tight…why? All because I wanted to impress
you…but here you are undressing and making love to another
woman with your eyes while I am beside.” She picked her
clutch bag and paraded away from the table.
Hee vhanna!
I hurried behind her without bringing attention to us. She kept
smiling at everyone to avoid drama and I did the same until we
were walking towards the escalators.
“Tshepo, please man…let’s talk.”
“Khathu, I will call you tomorrow. I feel a bit tired,” she said
while jumping onto the elevator without turning to me. I followed
behind. It was my fault that she was upset.
She hurried to the parking lot with me beside her. She unlocked
her car, got in and I jumped into the passenger seat.
“Khathu, please…I feel a little tipsy and if I start shouting at
you, you will hate me forever…please leave, I will call you
tomorrow,” she said while throwing her clutch bag to the back
seat. It was better to be shouted at than being ignored.
“I just want us to talk,” I pleaded.
“Look, I am sorry for being this upset…I shouldn’t be…it’s just
that it hurts that I try so hard, you know?” she said with tears
clouding her eyes once more. “I have been trying to supress my
feelings but I failed and it is unprofessional…I’m sorry. I am so
sorry. My father will be so disappointed in me right now.”
“Tshepo, please…,” I said and she turned the key to start the
car.
“Please Khathu, get out so I could go. I will call you tomorrow,”
she said while observing from her rear-view mirror. I sat there
quietly. I was never going to leave her upset like this. "I need to
go right now."
“I’ll go with you. We can chat over coffee and I will call a
colleague to pick me up later.”
With that said, she sped off to Fire and Ice. She parked her car
and I followed her to her room. Before switching on the lights,
she was taking off her heels while swearing under her breath. I
got in and threw myself on a couch at the corner of the room. I
watched as she fiddled through her overnight bag. She pulled
clothing and walked to the bathroom. All that time she was
quiet and I knew she was really upset. She was always a
bubbly person.
She came back wearing long track pants and a white tank vest;
and wiping her face with a wet wipe. She still looked gorgeous
in that mess in her face.
“I am sorry I made you feel the way you did,” I started and she
carried on wiping her make-up off.
“It’s fine, really. I am fine. I just want you to forgive me for
acting unprofessionally. It will never happen again,” she said
and then moved to the bar fridge. She threw away the wipes,
turned the kettle on and pulled a bottle of water from the fridge.
I had no words to tell her. I didn’t want to hurt with the truth
about how I liked Lufuno. I don’t want to be with her anymore
but I couldn’t help but stare at her.
“You should ask her out you know?” she advised while pouring
the sachet of coffee into a cup.
“I used to like her…not anymore.” I finally touched the topic. “I
was just curious at why she was minding my business.”
“How many sachets of sugar?” she asked as if we were not
discussing a burning matter.
“Just one, please.” I didn’t even need that coffee. I just needed
to make sure she was fine before I go drink the night away. I
watched as she brew me the hotel coffee. She passed it to me.
“Let’s forget about tonight…let’s just toast to your
achievements,” she raised her bottle of water towards me to
gesture the toast. Instead of raising my cup of coffee, I placed it
on a table beside me. I stood up close to her. I reached for her
other hand and caressed it.
“Tshepo, I like you too. A lot,” I started, “I just needed to finalise
the MBC project before I poured back my heart to you. Your
brother told me how you feel about me the day I was at you
aunt’s house and I have seen it. We have spent enough time
together and I am convinced you are THE ONE for me and
Michelle. You are definitely the right one for me and my
daughter. I know you like her so much and I can assure you,
she is going to love back too.”
She stared at my eyes while I poured out my heart to her. She
was special and she needed to know.
“We can take it slow until I finish the project so that I don’t
conflict with my work…but I know I want to be with you.”
She didn’t say anything. Lufuno’s incident had affected her and
I understood very well. If it was days ago, she would have
laughed or jumped, but instead, she froze in front of me with
her eyes on me.
“Please give me a chance to make you happy?” I muttered and
she glanced at me some more without saying anything. I waited
for long for her to say something. “Tshepo, please say
something, please?”
THE ONE

INSERT 18

KHATHUTSHELO

“No,” Tshepo responded and walked to the bed.

“Is it about her? Is it because of that stupid look I gave
Lufuno?”
“It was not a stupid look. You like her much Khathu.” She
uncover the white duvets and got inside. “Some guy didn’t
marry me because he didn’t love me enough. You love that girl
enough and I don’t want to make that mistake again and get
myself hurt like I did years ago. No, I can’t go through that pain
again.”
“I am telling you, I don’t like her anymore.”
“Stop lying to yourself. I don’t want to get hurt because when I
love I do it to the extreme.”
“I am sure that I don’t need her,” I said. I wasn’t sure but that
was what I thought at that very second.
“Please call your friend to come pick you up. I am tipsy enough
to fall asleep any second now. You can watch TV while you
wait.”
“Tshepo, please, let’s talk,” I pleaded while she tucked herself
in the comfortable looking duvets.
“There is nothing more to talk about,” she said and laid her
head on the soft pillow. I watched. I was astonished to see her
ignoring me like I did not exist. I picked the remote and buried
myself on that same couch while sending Dave an SMS. He
called me back minutes later to tell me he was outside.
Tshepo was softly snoring so I pecked her on a cheek and left
her room. I had thought about joining her in her sheets and
spoon her but I decided otherwise. I didn’t want to complicate
my MBC account.
“You were tapping some fine arse, weren’t you?” Dave called
out just when I was getting into car.
“Don’t be stupid.”
“So you are making so much money, huh? You can even afford
to book here just to tap it?” Dave asked while reversing the car.
“Just shut up, really.” I snapped.
“So, I wanted to ask you…I heard you are working with that
events girl…I wanted to ask for a favour.”
“What favour?”
“I want her number.” He glanced at me to notice my disgusted
face. “What’s wrong? You can’t have all these women to
yourself my man.”
“Can you please shut up?” I snapped again. He had no idea
that I couldn’t have both women. The both beautiful women
didn’t want me.
We walked back to the Altitude rooftop bar. The vibe had
changed and it was now overcrowded. It was obviously after
23h00 and the restaurant was opened to the public. I walked
back to the Lobby room to join my colleagues. They told me Mr
Mkhize left a tab open for drinks until 2AM. I picked a Heineken
from a fully loaded ice bucket and looked for an empty seat
thereafter.
Lufuno was still there. She was sitting at a corner table with a
tequila bottle in front of her.
Really? She was drinking herself to death.
“I think you have had enough to drink,” I said while taking the
shooter glass from her hand.
“Whaattt now?” she whined trying to grab the glass from me.
She failed to grab it from me so she took a lemon from a saucer
and squeezed it nicely into her mouth.
“I think you have had enough,” I said once more and she lifted
her head to me.
“Khathu, you are back?” she asked with a widest smile. I would
have been mistaken once more that she was in love with me.
Her eyes were sparkling and her smile was genuine.
“Yea, I am back…are you well?”
“I am … fine. I am just praying for Ntate Molefe to get here any
second.” She said.
I wished I didn’t have feelings for Lufuno. I would have been
walking to the dance floor and dancing my night off, but instead
of that, I was there seated next to her, nursing her once again.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” she asked trying to pull the shooter glass
from me.
“Talk about why you are drinking this much,” I said then gulp
her shooter. She glanced at me while I sucked the lemon.
“He was here,” she said with her hands on her head.
“Who was here?”
“The father of my dead child,” she said and it touched me. She
looked broken. “He wants back into my life after disappearing
on me and pretending I never existed for years…he was here
earlier claiming he needs me back in his life. Do you know how
crazy that is? He fucken left me in a death bed and now he
wants me to forget that and move on with my life? Does he
even know he screwed with my life? Now I can’t even look at
babies because it reminds me of killing my own child…now he
wants me back into my life?”
Now that explained why she could never date me because of
Michelle.
“Lufuno, you need to forgive yourself.”
“How do I do that?” she asked. “How do I forgive myself when I
was blamed for taking a precious life?”
“I don’t know? Just forgive yourself so you can move on from
this. You didn’t kill her intentionally…it was just an accident,” I
said. “It is really not nice to see you like this.”
“Why do you care?” she asked and I kept my answer. I was
never going to tell her how much my heart had always wished
to beat with hers. Even with her rejection, I still wanted her. But
she had humiliated me enough to ever try again. Her phone
rang and I saw it was Ntate Molefe.
“Hello, you are late.” She babbled on the phone. “What did I tell
you about being late?”
I grabbed her phone and told her driver to park at the drop off
area next to the main entrance.
“Come, let’s go,” I said while helping her up. I picked her bag
and helped her to the car.
“Khathu, I think I made a mistake,” she whispered as we
walked to the car.
“What mistake?” I asked with a frown of my face.
“I shouldn’t have come here. Seeing you with her? Meeting my
stupid ex? I should have stayed in bed.”
I wanted to ask more but her chauffer was opening the door
and helping her in.
“Thank you,” the old man said while closing the door.
I stood there and watched them drive away. I was enjoying the
breeze outside so I decided to just sit there for a little while,
thinking hard about what just happened. Dave buzzed my
phone and I went back to join my colleagues.
“Yes, he is here to explain himself.” Dave shouted as I was
walking towards them.
“Explain what?” I asked while opening another bottle of
Heineken.
“The two girls…which one is yours?” Dave asked.
“Uhm…none of them.” I said.
“There is no way. You keep disappearing with them.” James
said. “You are sure tapping some to get the business running. I
heard you are doing business with MBC and they are paying
you a big bucks…now I know why. And now you are handling
that other client’s ad. They personally ask for you and you can’t
stand here and lie to us.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“You were sitting there pat talking that events girl before
disappearing with her…you bounced out of here with that MBC
chick and came back hours later. Even a blind man can see
through you.”
“I knew Lufuno from outside of Mkhize consultation and I am
not going to pretend I don’t know her just to nurse your
jealousy…”
“Exactly! Why is hard for you to agree that you tapping her and
the other girl? You can’t just have women throwing themselves
at you for nothing.”
“If that’s how you get business, don’t you dare paint some of us
with your brush…I get business because I work myself harder
than most of the people.”
“Deny all you want. You are tapping…we all know you do.”
“Okay guys, we here to have fun…come on,” Dave jumped in. I
stared at James who had his jaws clenched. He was looking for
a fight and I was not going to give him one. We have been
rivalries for so long to know better. I man-hugged Dave and told
him I was off. I didn’t want to be there anymore.

*****

“What an eventful Friday,” I muttered to myself while shoving

clothes into a washing watching.
It was the following day and I was up to do my laundry and
clean the apartment. I had been thinking hard about what
James was talking about. It bothered me that he thought so low
of me like that. I knew I loved Lufuno and I was warming up to
love Tshepo, but I never mixed business with pleasure.
My phone rang in my pocket and I hoped it was Tshepo. I left
her a few SMS after she didn’t pick up my calls. It was indeed
her asking me to call her back.
“Hey Tshepo,” I said. “I was calling to ask if we can do
breakfast.”
“I don’t think so Khathu. I have been thinking hard and I have
decided to keep our friendship to only business. I don’t want to
compromise my father’s business and your career.”
“Well…I truly understand.”
“Sure, I will see you during the brief on Wednesday?”
“Yes, yeah…” I said and she hanged up the phone.
I didn’t want things to be like that but it was for the best. I knew
Tshepo was hurting but I had to keep things that way to avoid
more drama and conflicting with my business. I was doing great
in my career and I wasn’t ready to mess that up because of
women.
Lufuno had so much baggage going on and I used to think I
could carry her burdens with her. I felt sorry for her but the fact
that she didn’t want anything to do with me bothered me the
most. The way she looked at me the whole evening kept me
confused. I wished to ask her but again, I was working with her
account and the best thing was to stay away from her to
avoiding complicating my business.
My phone rang again and I wished it was Tshepo once again. I
wished she was changing her mind about not meeting me. I
wished it was her telling me to meet her at a closest Mugg n
Bean, her favourite breakfast spot.
“Sure Oscar,” I said after swiping my screen to answer.
“Braai nyana at Centurion? I want to watch the match there,” he
asked.
“No man…I am not up to it man. I have to prepare for the
coming week.”
“Come on, we won’t stay long.” He said and I finally agreed. A
soccer match won’t hurt and it was a boring Saturday anyways.
He picked me up hours later and we drove to Centurion. We
stocked alcohol at Forest Hill City and he got food as well.
“Didn’t you say braai?” I asked when he was buying food at
Barcelos.
“I lied…I have this girl I need to meet and I cannot meet her in
public so we are going to meet at her friend’s house.”
“Dude, are you crazy? And why are you tagging me into your
mess?”
“No man…it has been three months without the deeds…I need
some. Don’t act like you don’t,” He said. I have been cold
showering myself for far too long. “I will hook you up with her
friend and you guys can take it from there.”
I thought for a while. The thought of a woman’s touch did make
me feel hard under my shorts. I missed it. I needed it. It was not
like I was dating anyone. So, hooking with another woman
shouldn’t be a problem to anyone.
“Lucy should never find out about this or else…we are both
dead.” I finally said.
“It’s her fault but she will never find out.”
He drove us to some busy township. I had never been there.
He drove into a yard and there were two girls sitting outside.
We walked up to them. They were drinking Savanna. Oscar
hugged the girl in a short dress and introduced me to her and
the friend who was chewing a gum like it was the end of the
world.
They invited us in to watch the game. I sat on a one seater
while Oscar was seated with his girl. It bothered me to see him
with her but who was I to judge? Maybe his marriage with Lucy
was broken enough for him to give up. It had been three
months and Lucy was not ready to work it out. He told me how
frustrated he was and how he was slowly giving up. I was just
glad that he was not talking about Lufuno anymore. Maybe the
shrink is helping him to forget about her. Maybe I need to see
the shrink too to help me suppress all my feelings for her.
“Do you mind chilling outside? Onica and Oscar annoy me,” the
other girl said and I followed her outside. It was better there
than watching my friend flirting with a strange girl while still
married.
“So, what do you do?” I asked.
“I am an accounting clerk for Public works," she said. No way
were we going to cross paths after this. I liked that. “So are you
also married and bored in your marriage like Oscar?”
“No, I am very much single.” I said.
“Keep it that way. It seems this committed people have
problems and they are the unhappiest.”
“So you are not committed?”
“No, I prefer friends with benefits.”
“How so?” I wanted her to break it down for me.
“I can’t keep a relationship so I befriend someone and we
benefit from each other…I don’t have the time, the money and
energy for a relationship and can’t afford to be emotionally
abused so I settle for no strings attached,” she said bluntly like
it was a normal thing to do. I glared at her to search for shame
in her face and there was none.
I understand where she was coming from. Investing feelings on
another person seemed like a full time job. I grabbed my wallet
to check if I still had a condom in it. Just in case we get excited
and decide to have some fun as adults. I was tired of those cold
showers to ease my strongest man-hood every morning and I
was no longer looking forward for a relationship.
“What is your beautiful name again?” I asked. Oscar told me
earlier but I forgot. It didnt matter then.
“Zamokuhle…but you can call me Zama.”
“Zamokuhle. Nice name.” I said and she beamed at me.

THE ONE

INSERT 19

LUFUNO

I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. It was Saturday

afternoon but I didn’t know the time. I woke up with a buzzing
headache earlier in the morning so I showered and went back
to bed. I blamed it on my stupid choice of alcohol. My ex
messed with my mind and I seemed to have taken a few steps
backwards from my healing process. I was doing much better
without having him around. Seeing him with his two brothers
walking into the bar made me choke on my champagne. I was
still watching Khathu walking besides the woman he was with.
Rendani noticed me in the crowd and walked to me, ignoring
Mrs Mkhize who was inviting me to host her tea party. He
asked for my hand. I was shocked and could have peed on
myself if it wasn’t for the restroom visit I did before he showed
his face.
“Babe, you look so great,” he said while forcing a hug on me.
He still smelled the same way he did years ago. Those years
when I used to burry my head on his chest every good night. I
didn’t hug him back. I was frozen.
“I will send you the email of the party,” Mrs Mkhize said before
she walked to her husband.
“Babe, let’s talk.”
“Rendani, stay the hell away from me,” I muttered. The music
was blasting and deafening but I chose to mumble my words.
“I tried calling you for the two years my love, I need you back in
my life…I looked for you.” he said.
That was just rubbish!
I obviously bought the house after he left me but he knew
where my offices were if he needed me. I was even reachable
to people who didn’t know me. What the heck was he talking
about?
I dragged myself to the closest bar stool and threw my numb
body on it. He walked towards me and reached for my hand. I
wanted to shout from the top of my voice but I was too numb to
do so. I wanted to push his buffed self away from me but I had
no strength left in me. People danced around us like my world
was not crumbling down all over again.
“Baby, I never got a chance to explain myself. I needed healing.
I missed you the whole time.” He said loudly into my ear. I tried
so hard not to shed tears in front of thousand strangers.
“Please excuse me, my boyfriend might be looking for me.” I
said while pulling myself from the chair. I had cried enough for
him and he was not worth anymore of my tears. I needed him
then when he broke up with me in hospital. He told me, with a
finger on my face that he will never forgive me for killing his
child. Did he care about what his words did to me? Imagine, he
did all that in the presence of my parents.
“Babe, please…let’s meet up and talk…”
“You are my past and I would appreciate if you stayed there.” I
said with my chest tightening with each word I spoke. He tried
to pull my arm but I managed to shove it off from me and
rushed to the Lobby room. There was no way he could pass
through since it was privately booked by Mr Mkhize.
I got myself a corner table and ordered a bottle of Tequila. I had
to numb the pain I was feeling. I wanted to leave but I still had
hope that Khathu would come back and talk to me. He seemed
to be the only one who genuinely cared for me. I wouldn’t lie,
but seeing him with that girl woken feelings I never thought
existed for him. I felt jealous, I felt cheated on. Call me selfish
but I felt I needed him for myself. It was awkward and
confusing, but I did. With all that, I still knew my worth. I didn’t
do well with rejection so I knew then that I had to keep the
stupid feelings to myself. I was meant to see him with her to
know not to embarrass myself.

I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door again. Gean opened

the door without my response. She walked in with a tray of
food. How generous of her. She placed the tray on the bed and
walked to the curtains.
“Don’t you dare open those curtains,” I quickly said before she
could pull the ribbon.
“It’s dark in here,” she said with her hand on the ribbon.
“Let it be,” I sniffed.
“Are you crying? Lufuno, are you crying?” she asked rushing to
the bed. Gean was more like my little sister than an assistant.
“I am fine.”
“No, you are not. Talk to me,” she walked back to the curtains
and pulled the ribbon to open them.
“Damn you Gean,” I said covering my eyes. Gean loved
tempering with my damn curtains and I hated it.
The sun shone bright into my painful eyes.
“This darkness is just going to make things worse for you.
Come now, sit up. Let’s talk.”
“There is nothing to talk about, I just had a rough night.”
“I heard you stumbling up the stairs last night. Where did you
go?”
“To some party in Altitudes…I should have taken you with.”
“You should have,” she said as if she was not entertaining her
new boyfriend last night.
“Do I have any meetings today? Can you find me any meeting
today?” I asked while digging in a salad from the tray.
“It’s Saturday afternoon.”
“I know. I need to work. I need something to get my mind out of
things. Get me a meeting with any client…I need to keep sane,”
I said and Gean pulled her phone from her back pocket. Work
kept me sane. Making money kept me sane.
Gean played her fingers on her phone and flashed a screen in
front of me minutes later. “What is that?”
“An email you received from Mkhize Consultancy on Friday
after your meeting. I noticed you didn’t open it. The consultant
sent you the layout of the ideas of the Ad as discussed in the
meeting. He also left some questions on the email that needs to
be discussed so I can call him to arrange a meeting this
afternoon? Last time I checked, Mkhize’s consultants worked
on weekends on a call. Remember we used to work on
Sundays with Mrs Cindy?”
What would I do without Gean?
A meeting with Khathu, awesome! Last night he looked so fine
and I couldn’t stop eyeing him. This meeting could also be a
chance of me clearing my image to him. I sure looked like a
mess after the tequila shots I took.
“Please call him to find out if he can meet with me for a
meeting.” I jumped out of bed feeling better than minutes ago.
I hopped to the closet to pick a dress to wear to that meeting. I
was still praying for a positive answer while picking the
matching turquoise stilletos. I was going to wear a navy blue
casual pencil dress.
“He said he will be available in the next hour so I told him to
meet you at Rhapsody’s centurion mall,” she said and I
beamed at her. “Why are you so excited?”
“Work makes me happy,” I lied. It had nothing to do with loving
work. I was just looking forward to seeing Khathu once more.
“But why does it seem like the guy was also just as excited?”
she asked and my heart smiled.
“Some of us enjoy making money, you know?” I said but she
raised her eyebrows. “Please save his number on my phone.”
Gean walked out of the closet to my bedroom to get my phone.
I continued matching up outfits for my meeting.
“Yoh, Muzi has been looking for you…seven missed calls?” she
said while walking back to the closet.
Who leaves seven missed calls? I grabbed the phone from her
and read the messages. I read a lot of them and left a message
for Muzi before jumping into the shower.
I was ready in 45 minutes and had an Uber to pick me up.
Ntate Molefe left in the morning and it would be rude to call him
at short notice. I got to Rhapsody and ordered a glass of
sparkling water with lemon. It tasted horrible but I had to nurse
my hangover and my grumpiness. Khathu walked in 10 minutes
later wearing a soccer jersey. I was there wearing a pencil
dress with a pair of stilettos and he was just wearing a soccer
jersey.
Thank God it was not a date or else I would have been pissed
off.
“Hey, your PA called me,” he said while grabbing an empty
chair. i watched as he threw himself on it, “I was out watching
soccer when she called, sorry, so please don’t mind my shirt.”
“You don’t have to explain.” I said after sipping my sparkling
water. I pulled my note book to pretend I was ready for a
meeting. I was there to see Khathu eye to eye and to nurse my
curiosity once more.
“I am sorry, I am little unprepared,” he said while staring in my
eyes. I could swear there was something more he wanted to tell
me but didn’t know how to.
“So, are we discussing business ooorr?” I asked, knowing for
sure that our meeting could be better off as social. I didn’t want
to be the one to mention it and pose as desperate for him.
“Look, I should be honest with you,” he said after taking a
deepest sigh. “I agreed to a meeting because I needed to find
out how you were holding up. I didn’t like how you were last
night.”
So he still cared. There was little hope.
“I am fine. I was just a little drunk last night but thanks for taking
me to the car.”
“It is the least I could do,” he said before calling the waiter and
placing an order for a Heineken.
How I wished he could order whisky or something a little better
than just beer. But who was I to choose for him?
I couldn’t put my finger to it, but Khathu was not himself. He
used to glance straight into my eyes, but it was different. He
kept swaying his eyes at everything else except me.
“Khathu, are you alright?”
“Why?” he quickly asked. I knew something was wrong but I
couldn’t put a finger to it.
“You seem distant,” I said and smiled at him.
He chose to ignore me so I let him be. It could be that I put him
in a compromising situation the previous evening. I was only
worried that I might have said something offish and didn’t
remember any of it. I admitted, I was too drunk and wouldn't
want anyone to remind me the things I said or did.
“Tell me again, where does your boyfriend live?” he asked from
nowhere and I was shocked. We were supposed to be
discussing business but the mood didn’t allow. But he had no
right to ask me anything about Muzi.
“Why are you asking?” I was curious and needed to know.
“Tell me, please?” he pleaded with his eyes.
“In Olieven,” I said and he raised his brows. “He stays with his
cousin…why are you asking?”
“No…I was just asking,” he said and gulp on his beer.
“Are you…happy with him?” he asked. That was the part where
I was supposed to be honest with Khathu. I was supposed to
tell him how interested I was to know him more, but instead I
assured him I was happy with Muzi.
We stayed for more drinks without no discussion about
business. We both made peace with it that the meeting was
instead a social call but I was worried the whole time. Khathu
was not himself. I could swear he needed to tell me something.
I was just too proud to plead him to come with the news.
Muzi called me a thousand times while I was still with Khathu.
He was at a Centurion Chisanyama, waiting for me to pick him
up. I promised to pick him up in 30 minutes instead.
I didn’t get any news from Khathu but it was good enough to
spend some time with him. He was a different man. He was
nothing like that guy who asked to court me months ago.
“Khathu, do you have something to tell me?” I asked some
more. He seemed to be distant but I was seated next to him.
“No, not at all,” he assured me and I was sad to hear that. I
wished he could confess his love for me once more so I could
tell him I had room to give him a chance. I wasn’t going to be
the one to confess my love for him. I was not ready to be
rejected. I was not ready to find out that he was in a committed
relationship and he was happy with his choice.
My phone kept ringing in my bag. It was still Muzi asking me
when I was picking him. I cannot explain how pissed I was at
his texts.
“You need to be somewhere?” Khathu asked and I nod my
head.
“You can go attend to it. I am happy to see that you are now
fine,” he said after gulping his beer once more.
“When are we meeting during the week?” I asked and he told
me he would send me an email on Tuesday. I picked my bag
from the table and hurried to an Uber car waiting for me
outside. I contacted Muzi before picking him up at a
Chisanyama.
We drove home in silence. I knew Muzi was pissed but I didn’t
have the energy to smooth talk him and beg him to tell me what
the problem was. The driver dropped us outside my gate. I paid
and we walked to the house in silence.
“Where the hell have you been since last night?” Muzi asked
just when I shut the door close.
“Excuse me?” I asked him with my hands in my waist. I was not
going to give him room to disrespect me.
“Don’t make do things I don’t want to do, where the hell were
you?” he asked. He seemed to be insecure and it was a turn off
to me.
“I overslept and I was taking care of somw business.” I said
while walking to the kitchen.
“Do you see how you look?” he asked and I scanned myself as
if I didn’t know know what I was wearing.
“What is that suppose to mean?”
“Last night you went out looking just sexy…and today also? Are
you having an eye on someone?” he asked with a straight
face.
Was it jealousy? I had no time to nurse his insecurities. I also
hated that he was posing immature and childish.
“Don’t make me do things I don’t want to do to you, please.” He
said with his hands on his waist,
“Grow up! Some of us have business to take care of,” I said
and he chuckled.
“Business it is. Make me feel this small again and you will
regret,” he said and walked towards me. “I hope you are not
making me a fool Lufuno, because if you do, you are going to
regret everything.”
Whatever! What a turn off to have a man threatened by how
you dress.
“Haisukha! Whatever, Muzi!” I said to him.
“Lufuno, don’t test me,” he warned me as if he had something
on me. “Don’t test my patience.”
"Whatever!" I mumbled while making myself coffee with him
watching. "Whatever, Muzi!"

THE ONE

INSERT 20

TSHEPO

I woke up on Monday morning feeling like I had been hit by a

truck. I scored myself a migraine from all the thoughts that ran
in my head the whole weekend.
I pushed off my duvets with my feet and forced myself out of
bed. I dragged my feet to my bathroom. I opened the medicine
cabinet, picked the painkillers and threw one into my mouth. It
didn’t matter that I haven’t eaten anything. I just needed the
echoing pain in my head to disappear. I opened the taps on my
bathtub and walked back to my room to make the bed. I hated
Mondays sometimes, because of having to wake up early after
a busy weekend. I always had to work up early so I could travel
with my father to work. Daily, I got to work before 8 or even
earlier when I drove there myself.
It was 6 o’clock so I had an hour before breakfast. I made the
bed and chose the outfit for the day. It was safe to wear a pair
of stilettos, I didn’t have a busy day, just two meetings and I
was done.
I remembered I bought new shoes the previous week so I
reached for the brown shopping bag from the closet. A small
box of shoes which was placed next to my new shoes,
tightened my heart. It saddened me. I bought Michelle a pair of
wedges. I saw them in H&M and fell in love with them. I also
pulled a dress I bought for her. It was a flurry pink dress with
sparkles. I was going to give her the day we meet for the first
time. There was no more that so I searched for the till slip from
the handbag I used a week ago. I checked on few more bags
before giving up. I had a tendency of not keeping till slips.
From the shopping bag, I took out my shoes and shove back
the rest of the things. I hurried to the bathroom to turn off the
water and jump in. The water was warm enough so I sunk into
the tub and rested my head on the edge. I glanced into space
and my thoughts ran wild to Khathu. I really liked the idea of us
being together. He liked the things I did. We ice skated together
even though he sucked at it. We watched so many movies I lost
count. He laughed at my silly jokes and I truly thought he was
the one for me. He was the first man I fell in love with since the
hour I felt I was ready to jump back into the dating game. I felt I
was ready to move on from my ex.
That bastard of an ex! He stood me up on the day to finish his
‘mahadi’. My uncle said he chickened out because he was not
man enough. But I appreciated what he did. Imagine if he
forced himself to be with a woman he didn’t love? I would have
been tortured by his words and would be his punching bag
when things didn’t go his way. We don’t talk but I have seen
him around. We had the same circle of friends so I was bound
to meet him in one or two social gatherings. The last time I saw
him, we were at a Charlotte’s engagement party. He didn’t even
dare to look at me, even from a distance. I was happy that he
was content with his decision and that gave me closure.
I commend my father for being the best one ever. He taught me
about my worth from a very young age. He dined me always.
He took the responsibility of taking me to salons to do my hair
and nails. He never gave me money to buy clothes, instead he
paid for each and every piece I picked at all shops in a mall. He
never got tired. He told me no man could love me or treat me
better than he was supposed to. I believed every single word
he said. No man could love me better than my father. Even now
when I was older, I still knew I deserved to be loved more. No
compromises, which is why I appreciated my ex for being
honest with me.
I remembered the ‘mahadi’ day like it was yesterday. I wouldn’t
lie and say it was not painful. I was humiliated, hurt and
disappointed at once. I was sitting with my sister cousin in my
room when everyone was busy preparing for the day. See, my
family was not that traditional so even on the day of ‘mahadi’, it
was not as traditional as you could get from other Sotho
families. My mother had decided to host a party for me so the
family could meet my fiancé. My mother was coloured, as her
father was White and her mother a Mosotho. She was more
white than sotho so our lifestyles was too different. She had
invited everyone to come through to celebrate with us. I
remembered she also had an enchanted theme for the
engagement party. Crazy I tell you, but everyone respected her
invitation. Women wore ball dresses and men suits. She had
me wear a long classy dress with a touch of seshoeshoe. I
stood from my bedroom window to see my father go around
making sure everything was ready for the day. My ex was
supposed to arrive with his family in the morning to finalise the
negotiations before the party. Guests started arriving at 12
o’clock before he was even there. I watched as guest started
walking in with presents. I remembered my cousin tried her
best to keep me calm. She assured me he was just a typical
black guy who operated on African time. I tried to stay calm
until he called me to tell me he couldn’t do it. How cruel of him.
I was hurt and ashamed. His uncles should have called mine
earlier before the guests started flocking in. I locked myself in
the room the whole day while people feasted outside after
learning the groom-to-be cancelled on me. I wished to forget
that day, but it was not easy to forget it. I moved on from that
pain though.
Tokello was a romantic man. Too romantic to be precise. I was
excited to meet him. I was truly excited to meet a new man. I
was in a flight to Cape Town and was booked on a fourth row
from the front. Everybody got settled in the Mango flight and the
hostess shut the door and told us to buckle our seats. I was
waiting for the pilot to greet us from the intercom before the
safety demonstrations by the hostess. Instead, a tall light-
skinned guy stood before us. He greeted the passengers and
introduced himself as the main pilot for our flight. I smiled when
he joked that he was in control of our lives for two hours. I
chuckled and we locked eyes. I was smitten by him and him too
by me. When we landed in Cape Town, the intercom beeped
before his voice clearly spoke like a programmed machine.
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Cape Town. This is your
pilot Tokello Mabala. Thank you for flying Mango and do trust
us again to fly you safely to your destination. The weather
today is a minimum of 16 and the max of 24 degree. It will be a
beautiful sunny day. In that case, may I please take this second
to ask the woman in a pink dress, seated on the fourth row to
join me for ice cream later today? Everybody else, I won’t be
taking you for ice cream so enjoy your stay in Cape Town.”
I was shocked while everyone laughed and clapped their
hands. That was how he asked me for a first date. Little did I
know, he was going to disappoint me years later.
Now the fresh disappointment was from a man I liked.
Watching Khathu glance at that woman with passion in his eyes
brought those Tokello memories back. I could rather be stuck in
my father’s house than get into a relationship with a man who
was in love without another woman.
The water was turning cold so I also figured I was running late.
I quickly bathed then rushed to get dressed, fix my hair and put
on just a little make-up. I hung my handbag on my shoulder,
took some files from my table and then rushed downstairs.
“Good morning beautiful people,” I said while putting the files
on the table. I placed my bag on top of the files and hurried to
take a bowl from the kitchen cabinet. I loved my Rice Krispies
so I always had a box ready for me on the table.
“How are you?” My mom asked while brewing my father a
strong black coffee. The aroma filled the whole kitchen.
“Just a slight headache, but I am fine.” I said while pouring milk
from the fridge.
“Are you not overworking yourself maybe?” my father asked
while swiping his iPad.
“No ntate…yeah…maybe…” I moved my eyes from him and
poured my cereal into the bowl.
“Order lunch and join me in my office later today,” my father
said.
“Why? What is the matter?” I asked.
“There is a few things we need to discuss,” he said and carried
on reading the news from the iPad.
Minutes later, my father and I drove to work. The drive to the
office was quiet. Usually I would have a lot to discuss with him
to a point where he would shush me so he could listen to the
news and traffic report on radio. He kept glancing at me and I
kept giving him fake smiles. The headache was slightly buzzing
and I was pretending to be fine.
It was the longest Monday with my offish mood. By lunch time
my food order was at reception. I paid the delivery guy and
headed to my father’s office. He was already waiting for me
because his jacket was already off and the sleeves of his shirt
were folded. I placed the food on a table by the huge window
and settled myself on an occasional chair.
“So, what happened between the two of you?” my father calmly
asked. I knew that lunch was a social call to snoop on my life.
We haven’t done that for two years.
“Between me and who?” I pretended to not know what he was
talking about.
“Between you and Khathu?” he asked. “I heard you talking
about him with Bakang and I also know you two have been
going on small dates.”
“Nothing is going on between us…nothing at all.”
“Where you not at his party on Friday? After that you have
changed completely.” Trust my father to pay attention to me. I
was the only girl and he was overprotective of me than he was
to my younger brothers.
“Don’t stress yourself Paps…I am fine.”
“Do you want me to cancel his contract with us?” he asked.
“What? No! We cannot do that? I know how to handle my
personal business and I can never mix it with MBC. I am a
professional. We have worked so hard we can’t complicate the
accounts…we are almost done with his services anyway.”
“Alright, I was just making sure,” he said and took a bite of his
chicken breast.
I was matured enough never to mix business with pleasure. It
was just that my heart decided to fall a little more for our
business consultant. But now that my heart was in love, all I
had to do was to let go of Khathu and work on my new
business opportunity. Running an architecture division of a
successful company was not a child’s play. Even worse, I had a
burden to prove that my father hired me because I was capable
enough to do the job.

*****

Wednesday morning I was ready for a brief meeting with the

team and Khathutshelo. We haven’t spoken since Saturday. I
kept ignoring his calls. I should confess, I really missed him. I
didn’t know that until I saw him walk into the boardroom pulling
a laptop bag behind him. He arrived at 10h00 with everyone
ready for him to give a presentation.
“Mr Nenge…well Khathu…please tell us we are ready to shoot
for the magazine,” I said while he pinned the projector cable on
his laptop. I was the project manager and I had to run the show
as professional as I could be.
“Yes, I am glad it is part of today’s brief,” he said with a
confident smile. The man knew how to deliver his work.
My father sat at the end of the table with both his hands rested
on the table.
“Do you think you can be able to push the rest of the work to fit
a month instead of three?” my father asked and I knew where
he was taking it. He wanted Khathu done with his project so I
could not see him more.
“Ntate, let the man deliver us the best at his own pace…I trust
rushing things might compromise the quality of our work,” I
jumped in before Khathu could respond. I gave my father a
puppy look and he nodded to let it go.
“But Sir, if you should know, it is doable to push all the work to
just a month…I will just have to pull more plugs and put
pressure on my service providers…anything can be done to
make my clients happy,” he said confidently.
That did not sit well with me. It sounded like he was looking
forward to not seeing me anymore. My heart was not ready for
that.
“That is good to know,” my father said and I felt my heart
coming up to my throat.
My head was sure to get rid of Khathu, but my heart was willing
to do it gradually. I still wanted to see him. I still needed to see
him smiles a few more times.
“I scored a six page spread on Buzz Business magazine for
MBC to re-introduce your brand to the world. The photo shoot
and the business profile will be done on Friday. The journalists
will also be here to capture your work and do interviews with
the relevant people. Also, please check out your new website. I
turned a new leaf for you. The main MBC website have links to
the Architecture, Interior design, Maintenance division and
Construction division’s individual websites. Let me show you
here on my PC,” he started his presentation.
He went on and on about the layout of our business profile,
billboards adverts, TV ads and other campaigns. Ntate Maake
was impressed as much as I was. He delivered more than we
thought he could. It even seemed like I did not exist in his world
when he spoke about business. That was how professional he
was. I was proud, to be honest.
After the briefing, my father assured him his lump sum will be in
his account in a few days. He congratulated him for doing a
great job. Everyone packed their laptops and left the room. I left
behind with him packing things into his laptop bag.
“Everything looks perfect, thank you.” I said walking towards
him.
“I am glad you love everything,” he said while gazing into my
eyes. I was lost in his gaze. He cleared his throat and brought
me back to my father’s boardroom.
I should be honest, I thought it was going to be so easy to just
forget about him and focus on work. Staring right in his eyes
changed everything I had been working on. Those feelings for
him rose right back just by seeing his eyes and his perfect
smile.
“I have something for you,” I said. I decided to give him
Michelle’s present. I didn’t know anyone with a 6 year old
daughter except him. “Wait right here.”
Why was I feeling so awkward once again? My underwear was
soggy and damn I was not wearing a panty liner. I walked to my
office to get the shopping bag with Michelle’s shoes and dress.
When I walked back to the boardroom, he was slightly seated
on the boardroom table. His bag was on the floor, ready to be
pulled out to his next destination.
“Please, close the door.” I stood by the door. “Come on, please
close the door and lock it, we need to talk.”
I slowly walked in and locked the door as instructed.
“Did you get my SMS this morning?” he asked. What SMS? I
haven’t checked my phone since morning.
“I haven’t seen the SMS,” I said while placing the shopping bag
on the table. I cleared my throat as he was staring straight into
my eyes and turning me on. “I bought that for Michelle. I was
going to give it to her when we meet but I figured not
anymore…uhm…if it doesn’t fit, you can pass it to anyone you
know.”
He didn’t respond but walked closer to me. I walked back until I
was battered by him and the wall. I wanted to stop him but my
heart and my honey pot needed exactly the gesture he was
giving me.
“Do you how much I was struggling to look at you the whole
meeting? You kept turning me on and on…and on and on,” he
whispered to me and I sucked my breath. His hot air pierced
through my neck as his face was against my shoulder.
“I heard you say you want to finish the project in a month,” I
whispered to him, trying to tell him how disappointed I was to
hear that from him.
“Yes, I want to finish this project as soon as I can… so that I
can freely make you my woman.” That made me smile. I didn’t
want to be standing there flirting with him but my heart enjoyed
the affection. “I want you to be my woman Tshepo.”
“Khathu we spoke about this,” I said, still stuck between him
and the wall.
“And I thought about it,” he said. “You can complicate my life
the way you want or give me sleepless nights, I don’t care…as
long as you are my woman and you love me and I loving you
back.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I had a fucked up weekend and I had to decide between not
having a woman in my life or having one…I want you to be my
woman.”
“But…what about…”
“She is not important anymore. I swear on my words…I want
you…and I promise that I won’t hurt you Tshepo…look at me.”
He lifted my chin using his finger. “I promise I will not hurt you. I
promise to not hurt you Tshepo Maake.”
My heart yearned for him. He planted a kiss on my lips and I
parted them for him to dig deep into my mouth. He moved his
one arm under my flurry skirt. I felt his warm hand up my thigh,
moving to my soft butt.
“Hello! Hello! Is there anyone in there?” a voice shouted from
outside while struggling with the lock of the door. We parted the
kiss and I covered my mouth to ensure I don’t make a sound.
“This door is not supposed to be locked. We booked this
boardroom for a meeting.” the voice said.
“Alright, I will go get another key from security control room,”
another voice said before we could hear footsteps away from
the door.
“We have to get out of here,” I whispered to Khathu with a soft
chuckle.
“Not before I get more of the kiss,” he said and pulled me closer
for another passionate kiss. I loved every second of it, with his
hands all over my body.
“What if I get hurt?” I asked him. I wanted in but I had my
doubts. I didn’t know which one to listen to between my heart
and my mind.
“I know what I want, believe me,” he said. “Love is a decision
and I decided it is you I want to spend my life with. Not anybody
else but you.”
The person struggled with the door once more. I wasn’t going
to walk out of here with Khathu behind me. I didn’t care but it
mattered.
“There is somebody in there. Why can’t I get the key through?”
the voice complained while fighting to snug the key into the key
hole.
“Let’s move the meeting to fourth floor then, I can’t be here
waiting for people to fix doors,” another voice complained.
All that time I was standing with my body against the wall, with
Khathu’s hand inside my skirt. His hand kept burning my skin. I
loved the pleasure so I didn’t remove it.
“I want to do things to you,” Khathu said and moved his hand
between my thighs. He was at a sensitive place so I winced
and covered my mouth. People were still talking outside.
“Khathu stop it, there are people outside,” I whispered trying to
keep a chuckle as quiet as possible.
“Tell me you agree to go on a date with me,” he said and I
didn’t respond. He reached for my wet underwear and I winced
some more. “Say it Tshepo. Say you agree to go on a date with
me.”
“Yes, fine! Fine!” I whispered then bit my lower lip.
Who would have thought a man I wanted to get over had his
hands inside my skirt. I kinda knew what I was getting myself
into but I still wanted in.
“You won’t regret,” he whispered then kissed me without a care
of people finding solutions outside the door. He was
spontaneous like that and I loved it.
“Please promise me you won’t hurt me?” I said to him without
moving my eyes from his.
“I promise with all my heart, I will do everything in my power not
to hurt you,” he said and I pulled him closer to undo his tie. “Do
you have a condom?”
“I have one in my wallet,” he whispered after quietly clearing his
throat.
I haven’t been crazy and spontaneous in a very long while, two
years to be exact.
That was it!

THE ONE

INSERT 21

KHATHUTSHELO

I had my hands on my beautiful caramel woman. Who would

have thought?
I had her pressed against the wall with my hands pressing
against her boobs, one by one, I caressed them. Her shirt and
mine were on the floor. She dug her manicured nails on my
back while I played my tongue in her mouth.
It had been a while since I passionately made love to a woman.
In front of me stood the one my heart was ready to connect
with. She was as naughty as I was and I was ready for the
journey. I loved sneaky sex.
She softly moaned as I cupped her boobs. Boy, oh boy, was
my blood rushing from my toes to my head. I pressed my chest
against her warm bare upper body. The feeling was
overpowering me as people kept gathering outside for a
meeting. I continued kissing her while she unzipped my trouser.
I quickly pulled my wallet before letting the belt loose. She held
the belt clip so it doesn’t make noise for the people outside.
She slowly removed the belt from the trouser with both of us
clenching our teeth, hoping no one hears us. We chuckled
while she carefully placed the belt on the floor. By now I was
peeling off the condom and fitting it onto my strong hood. I
pressed her against the wall and slid my penis into her warm
heavenly cookie. I gritted my teeth while pushing through her
sealed vagina. She bit her finger to fight the pain and made
sure she doesn’t make a sound. I pushed in again and finally
went through her watery warm haven. She dug her nails on my
back again. That time, it was painful. I understood I was hurting
her also. I picked her one leg and she wrapped it around my
waist. It gave me more access to enter some more. I moved my
hips slowly until we were both comfortable to rock. She
dropped her mouth to my neck and dug her teeth while I
continued thrashing my manhood inside her.
There was no room to talk but we kept rocking. I was about to
cum when I heard a voice saying, “We need this boardroom… it
has a fitted projector, call the security to check the cameras of
what could be happening in there? What if we have a colleague
in there who has fainted?”
I stopped moving. I felt my armpit sweat up. I was still hard rock
inside her, but I wouldn’t be for long.
Cameras? What cameras? What the hell! I didn’t think about no
cameras.
I moved my eyes to Tshepo. She was giggling, letting out her
perfect teeth. My manhood kept growing stronger as she was
turning me on, but I was still worried. I wasn’t ready to have my
face all over Facebook with my pants on my ankles, making
love to a client’s daughter.
Bad reputation!
“Tshepo you didn’t tell me about the camera,” I said and she bit
her lips. I was still worried. My manhood was as good as a yoyo
that minute. One second it was threatening to weaken inside
her and the next moment Tshepo turned me on, causing it to
grow even harder.
“The cameras are not working,” she finally said and I got
excited.
Phew! I couldn’t imagine the shame and embarrassment of
watching myself on social media, having sex.
I dropped my mouth to her one boob and continued to rock her.
I was a little closer to heaven so I pumped her harder and
faster until I felt her body vibrated against mine. I let got
seconds later.
“Guys, who is fooling around? There are people inside there…I
heard noise,” another voice said. What was wrong with those
people?
“Why are you standing here? Are we not supposed to be
getting in for the next meeting?” I heard Mr Maake’s voice and I
froze. That very second, I promised in my heart never to be
sneaky ever again.
“We can’t open the door.”
“Where is Tshepo? She might have taken the keys after our
meeting earlier…now let’s move to another boardroom, I have
15 minutes,” he said and we heard footsteps moving away from
the door.
Never! No more boardrooms.
I pulled the condom off and dropped it to the wrapper on the
floor. I pulled my pants from my ankles while catching my
breath. That was thrilling but no more boardrooms for me.
Wow! Tshepo picked her shirt from the floor and put it on with
her eyes on me. She had beautiful eyes.
“That was nice, wasn’t it?” I whispered while buttoning my shirt.
“We should do it again,” she whispered and I swallowed hard.
The thought already got me excited. She took off her shoes and
put on her underwear. I watched as she fixed her hair. She
picked the condom and carefully wrapped it with a paper from
the bin. Afterwards she stood with her hands on her waist and
watched me fix myself.
“Why did you take off your shoes?” I asked and she careful sat
on the floor.
“We are stuck here until five,” she said. “I am not going to walk
out of here now.”
She was right. It would raise eyebrows. I took off my shoes and
joined her on the floor. Good thing it was carpeted.
“Where do you want me to take you for our first date?” I asked
and she pretended to be deep in thoughts.
“Burger King…oh my gosh Khathu I love their whooper
burgers,” she said with her hand on her chest. “Their burgers
make me gain weight so I promised to eat one when I go on a
date.”
“Burger King? The same Burger King I know?” I asked and she
nodded her head. She was shy and it made her look adorable.
“Burger King, yes.”
“Come here.” I helped her move to sit between my legs. I had
her back on my chest and my hands on her waist. I thought we
were going to do great together.
“What did you say on the SMS?” she quietly asked.
“I wanted to ask you to join me at Michelle’s school, tomorrow
evening. They have a mini concert for the school sponsors so
the parents are invited,” I said and she turned to me. “Look, I
don’t want to confuse her so we can sit together but you won’t
meet her as yet.”
“I understand,” she said while returning to her initial position.
“You will watch while I give her the gift, she will be so
excited…oh, that girl loves gifts.”
“She is a real girl.” Tshepo chuckled with her back dancing
against my chest.
We sat and talked in that boardroom for hours until it was five.
We fixed ourselves and stood behind the door to get ready to
do the walk of shame.
“I will open up and you will walk to the right and I will take the
left,” Tshepo said and we both chuckled. It was nice to sneak
around but no more boardrooms for me. Rather the cinema
room or my car. No more MBC.
She unlocked the door and with a straight face she paraded to
her designated direction while I pulled my laptop bag towards
the reception. Thank God most people were gone. I waved at
the security guard while rushing out of the building like I was
not guilty of having sex.

The following day, the alarm woke me from a beautiful sleep. I

woke up with a content heart. Tshepo was mine and I was glad
she allowed me in her life. We spoke the previous night before
she dozed off on me. Before jumping out of bed, I pulled the
phone from under the pillow and checked my calendar. I only
had a meeting with Lufuno Luv Events after lunch. I was not
looking forward. She was becoming heavy for me.
I got up and prepared myself for the day. I picked my new
maroon suit and paired it with a white shirt. I grabbed two
apples from the basket and hurried to work.
Tshepo was all over mind the whole morning. I was craving for
some more sneaky sex.
It was at my lunch hour when I saw Lufuno walking towards my
office. She paraded past the open plan towards my office. I
checked the time from my wrist watch, she was early for the
meeting. She beamed at me when she noticed I saw her. I
gestured for her to come in.
She placed a Nandos’ takeaway box on the table and settled
herself on the chair at the end of the table.
“Did I mix the times?” I asked. “Your PA said 14:00.”
“I thought we should have lunch before the meeting,” she said
while taking out the food from the paper bag. She was too
friendly and acting weird. “I am here on a social call until
14:00.”
“Uhm…okay?”
“On Saturday, you asked me about Muzi…I am interested to
know what you know about him.”
“Oh well…I was just asking…nothing hectic,”

It was not my place to tell her that her idiot might be toying with
her heart. I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t walk into his
supposed room.
Small world, indeed.
On Saturday, Zama and I sat outside her house chit chatting
about love and relationships. We debated and argued about the
friends with benefit topic and how impossible it was according
to me. I told her it only happened in movies and there was no
way anyone could survive it. I asked her to prove it to me. She
told me she stayed with a friend who had sex with her when
she needed to. He was looking for a place to crash and she
needed a man to crush her cookie. I didn’t believe it until I went
to his room. Zama had seduced me the whole time and she
was hinting on getting some sex. Honestly speaking, I liked the
idea. I needed it. She led me to her room, which was locked.
Oscar and that other girl were using the room so she led me to
another one. I wanted to smash it so hard but I didn’t have an
edge to kiss her or foreplay her. She was lying on the bed and I
was on top of her, trying to rub her breast but there was just no
connection. She advised me to take a lubricant gel on the
drawer on my left. I pulled the drawer open and inside were
professional pictures of a man I knew. I remembered his face.
He had the same straight face he gave me when he told me to
stay away from his woman. The man on those pictures was
Lufuno’s man.
“Who the hell is this?” I asked and she turned her head towards
the drawer. She leaned over to notice the pictures.
“Muzi…” she said and rolled her eyes. “The nigga has been
trying modelling…imagine?”
“What are his pics doing here?”
“I told you he lives here.”
“Is he the guy you were talking about?” I asked. “You were not
joking about the sex buddy?”
“Forget about him…I need some D.”
I jumped out of bed and put my trouser on.
“What is wrong now?” she asked while pulling herself to sit.

Now, How was I supposed to tell Lufuno that her man was not
what she thought he was? She assured me she was happy with
him. I was tempted to tell her but I wanted out of people’s
business. She was not going to believe me anyway, since he
was too precious to her.
Lufuno called out my name until I shifted my eyes to her. I had
been lost in my own thoughts.
“You were saying?” I asked.
“Are you fine?” she asked and I nodded.
“You said you were happy with him, your man, correct?” I
asked and she shrugged.
“Why, are you jealous?” she asked and I chuckled. Exactly
what I thought she would conclude.
“I just wanted to make sure you were with the person you want
to be…people are…sometimes people are not as they pose to
be,” I said.
“So what if I am not sure about the man I am with?” she asked.
“Then you can…leave him maybe?” this conversation was not
easy with Lufuno. I was letting go of my love for her.
“Do you think Muzi is not right for me?”
“Yes, I don’t think he is right for you.” I said. “You know nothing
about the guy and you can’t tell me you love him.”
“Where are you taking this Khathu?” she asked.
“Nowhere. I was just saying.”
My phone saved me by ringing on top of the table. After the
phone call I changed the subject. It was just weird discussing
relationships with Lufuno. We had our meeting until my knock
off time. I rushed to pick Tshepo from her office and drove
straight to Michelle’s school. She was in her foundation class.
We were late so we sat at the back and watched my daughter
dance and sang. I was a proud dad.
“She looks just like you,” Tshepo whispered to me.
“She will have beautiful siblings,” I said and she smiled. Tshepo
really loved me. I scored a gold in her.
We laughed at Michelle reciting poems and singing for the
crowd. She was a star like me.
After the concert I went to meet up with Julia and her husband.
I was her enemy since I disgusted her every time I was around
her. We waited for Michelle to come out from the backstage.
She saw us and ran to my arms.
“Hey, you were so good,” I said while kissing her cheek. “I dint
know you could sing like that.”
“I told you I can sing daddy,” she said happily. “I can also play
piano.”
“She started with her piano lessons last week,” Julia’s husband
said and I nodded. I placed Michelle down and gave her the
present. She opened it excitedly and I glanced at Tshepo. She
was still waiting for me seated at the back.
“Baby, daddy has to go. I will pick you up next weekend,
alright?” I said and hugged her.
“Am I going to see your beautiful friend?” she asked and Julia
stared at me angrily.
“What did I say about introducing my child to your girlfriends?”
Julia opened her mouth for the first time.
“I have got to go,”’ I said and kissed Michelle. The best way to
deal with Julia was to ignore her. I couldn’t argue with her
around people, even worse when Tshepo was watching.
I walked to Tshepo and held her hand as we walked to the car
together. I didn’t know what I was going to do to have Michelle
rub Lufuno out of her head. It really bothered me.
“She loved her gift,” I said while driving us out of the school.
“I saw how she got all excited. She is adorable.”
I drove in silence as she directed me to Kyalami estate. I
parked outside her father’s mansion.
“Do you think we are going to be fine?” she asked.
“What? Yes my love…me and you are going to be great
together. I am ready to love you unconditionally.”
“Why are you sad? Did your ex say something to ruin your
mood?” she innocently asked. I wished to tell her I was
stressed about Michelle still holding on Lufuno whom she met
for just a few hours. It was too soon to share.
“Don’t worry yourself…I am fine.”
“Do you want to show me that you are fine?” she asked while
jumping the gear and sitting on top of me.
“I want to…but your father might be wondering about us parked
here,” I said trying to stop her from kissing me.
“He is in his office. He works until late,” she said while reaching
for my mouth.
Lord! I wanted to make love to her so badly but I was worried
about Mr Maake. Tshepo was not worried. I saw passion and
excitement in her eyes.
Damn! Tshepo was more spontaneous that I thought I was.
She slightly lifted herself up and buried her hand inside my
pants. Just that and I was taken away. I started grabbing her
and pulling her dress up while passionately kissing her. I
reached for her butt and squeezed it while still kissing her. She
was grinding her body on top of me and I was hardening inside
my pants. I wanted me inside her like I did the previous day.
She kept rubbing my manhood and I was lost in her spell. I
groaned with each movement she made with her hand.
I opened my eyes to see a shadow just outside my window. I
cleared my throat to let Tshepo know but she was enjoying
stroking me.
“What the hell are you doing?” I heard an angry voice shout
with a bang on my window.
What the??

THE ONE

INSERT 22

KHATHUTSHELO

“What the hell are you doing?” I heard an angry voice with a
bang on my window.
“Get out of here Bakang,” Tshepo shouted annoyingly. Did she
even know we were wrong to be doing that at her father gate?
“Are you crazy? In my father’s house?” he said angrily and
Tshepo rolled down the window to half, still sitting on top of me.
“Get away, Nooowww!” Tshepo whined and I was just seated
there with shame on my face. She definitely had tiny white
blood running somewhere in her veins. I was ashamed and she
wasn’t. I was just grateful it was not her father.
No more MBC boardrooms and no more cars.
I tapped her to move to her seat but she insisted of talking to
her brother while seated on top of me like we were going to
continue the deeds.
“Tshepo, are you crazy?” he was disgusted. “Get the hell away
from my father’s gate.”
“I don’t say anything when you sneak woman in your rooms…I
actually help you,” she said.
“Look dude, please…I am so so sorry man…we were not
thinking straight,” I said while moving Tshepo out of me. She
complied and I quickly covered my pants.
It was really embarrassing. I didn’t know what he was thinking.
He was one of the people I had to see in the meetings. At least
he used to think Tshepo and I were dating and it wasn’t a
problem.
“You can do it in the boardroom all you want but not in my
father’s yard,” he said and opened the gate with a remote. He
was coming from a jog as he was wearing running shoes and
shorts.
“He knows about the boardroom?” I asked. “What the hell?”
“Yea, he saw us walking out of the boardroom…I didn’t tell him
anything more,” Tshepo said without worry. I was sweating on
my seat. “Don’t worry about him, he won’t tell on us.”
“I have to get out of here,” I said while buttoning my pants. I
was still Mr Maake’s business consultant.
“You said you are not around on Saturday?” she asked.
“Yeah, I have a TV ad to shoot for a client. I bet it will take the
whole day.”
“Can I come with?”
“No, babe…I will take you on another one.” I was not going to
take her to Lufuno’s company. I was going to direct the
wedding TV ad. I was looking forward since it was the second
last encounter with Lufuno. I just wanted to stay away from her
and focus on my woman.
I drove home to an empty house. How I wished Tshepo was
there. All those spontaneous sex was getting us in trouble. It
was time she moved out of her father’s house.
I worked myself the whole night to make sure the shoot was
ready for Saturday. We picked the models with the modelling
agency during the meeting with Lufuno in the afternoon. I sent
Lufuno the script and confirmed the times with the Camera
crew.

Saturday morning I got myself ready for the long day ahead of
me. Lufuno’s assistant sent me the direction and I drove there
after breakfast at 07:30. Lufuno had outdid herself with her
building. It was beautiful five storey glass company with
balconies on the four floors. I parked my car in a parking slot
opposite the entrance. ‘Lufuno Luv Events’ were engraved
boldly on the glass wall just on top of the entrance to the
reception.
Wow, I was impressed. Her offices were way better than
Mkhize’s offices. I pulled my laptop bag and walked to the
reception. A lady in a yellow dress welcomed me and directed
me to the show room on the first floor of the building.
I should say, I was once a dreamer to even think she would
consider me her boyfriend. Lufuno was monied more than I
imagined. It all made sense why she was the way she was. I
walked to a beautifully decorated showroom, a room big
enough to be an auditorium. The room looked exactly like a
wedding reception. Everything in the room was grey and navy
but the flowers popped out perfectly to bring in colour. I
stationed my laptop on the table with the camera operators.
“Hello, you must be Mr Nengwenda?” a young lady asked me
with an iPad on her hand.
“Call me Khathu,” I said.
“I am Gean, Lufuno’s assistant. We talked a lot,” she said with
her hand up for a shake.
“Nice to finally meet you.”
“Can I ask you to come across to the make-up room? Lufuno
wants to see you.”
She led me to the room just next to the showroom. The room
was stationed for make-up and dress up. A lady was busy with
Lufuno’s face, she looked exquisite already. She was wearing a
white morning gown and pink shoe.
“Hey, you are here…are you ready to make me some money?”
she asked happily. Lufuno has recently been sweet towards
me. It was all evident that she was truly in love and happy, but I
was finding her gestures a little weird.
I sat with her and the ladies so the camera crew could finish
setting up in the show room. I was tempted to ask Lufuno how
she did it. How she turned herself into a millionaire that owned
such a huge company. She had impressed me to the highest
level.
Lufuno’s boyfriend walked into the room and searched for her.
He looked like a mess, a little frustrated if I may say.
“Muzi, what I doing here?” Lufuno asked, tapping the make-up
lady to give her a minute.
“You didn’t tell me you were having an event…you getting
make-up and all…?”
“Well…uhm…we are shooting a TV ad,” she lowered her voice.
The room was filled with people who didn’t care about her and
the man who just entered the room. I was a little curious so I
eavesdropped on them.
“You told me you had a lot to do, why did you hide this from
me?” he asked. I watched him and was disgusted by him. I had
no right to judge him but he was going to hurt Lufuno and she
didn’t deserve it.
“Yeah…this is work,” she said with so much anger. She no
longer looked like a woman who was in love and happy. She
had a frown on her face and Muzi seemed angry.
A guy wearing a TV crew shirt walked in and asked to see me. I
stood from the chair and Muzi turned to me and then back at
Lufuno. I had nothing to say to him so I followed the crew guy
so we could start working.
I enjoyed doing my work and I always chose to work with the
best. I directed the first shots of the ad. We had cameras
rooming around the room to capture the perfect shots of the
décor. I found myself picturing myself and Tshepo getting
married in a place like that. Flowers all over the room and all
glitters. I liked the idea and it seemed possible with the new job
and my new venture of consultation business. I was indeed
going to make it possible.
“Yoh…can I talk to you for a second?” Muzi asked from behind
and I turned to him. He looked pretty worked-up. Problems in
paradise I supposed.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“Where do I know you from?” he asked and I frowned. Lufuno
walked in and stood behind him. I couldn’t help but to trace my
eyes to her perfect mermaid white dress.
“Muzi, can you please stop embarrassing me?” Lufuno said
angrily behind him. Looked like they were arguing from the
other room.
“I am embarrassing you now?” he asked. To be honest, he was
indeed embarrassing her and himself too. Who on earth causes
a scene at his own woman’s workplace.
“Please let me do my work…stay or leave but let me do my
work,” she said and he turned back to me.
“Where do I know you from?” he repeated his question. It
seemed to be important to him so I decided to give it away.
“From Lufuno’s house. I dropped her there when she twisted
her ankle and you scooped her out of my car,” I said without a
smile. It happened months ago but it still annoyed me. He
made me feel less of a man in my crush’s face. I have moved
on from that but it still annoyed me, nje.
“Then what are you doing here?” he asked and I raised my
eyebrow. I wish to be a little jealous of my woman but Lord
should help me to never embarrass myself while at it. Couldn’t
the dude see I was working? I was not here posing for sexy
modelling pictures that filled his pedestal. I was directing a
damn TV ad for his woman’s million dollar company.
“I am here to work my guy…and we are behind
schedule…please excuse me,” I said. We paid the TV crew and
models by rates per hour.
“I will find out what you are hiding from me,” he said to Lufuno. I
chuckled to myself. He should be worried about what Lufuno
might find out about him.
I guided the team and did a few shots before everyone took a
break for lunch. The Muzi guy was still seated in the corner of
the room, watching us work. I walked to the serving station and
picked a few riblets and wings; and poured myself a drink. I
stood by the serving table with some guy asking me to give him
a job in my company. I posed as if I owned one. Maybe I was
meant to own a business just like my old crush. We argued
about soccer and cricket. I swayed my eyes to the door to
notice Lufuno who was walking into the room. I didn’t mean to
look but let me tell you, Lufuno commanded attention when she
walked in anywhere. She had changed into a red sexy cocktail
dress. I found myself overlooking but every guy in the room too.
I turned to the other direction and decided to play on my phone.
I was glad that I was never going to encounter with Lufuno after
the shoot. I was going to assign James to review the ad with
her and the editors. I had to focus on Tshepo but Lufuno’s spell
was too much.
Damn! She walked towards me instead of her man. She
shouldn’t have done that with her jealous man in the room.
“I am loving everything…I should say, you are better than Mrs
Cindy,” she said happily.
“Me...better than the guru herself? I accept the compliment,” I
said and Muzi walked towards us. The dude had a serious
problem.
“You look…sexy?” Muzi said while scanning Lufuno from her
black stilettos to her perfectly styled.
“That is the plan…we have to hit it on the nail,” Lufuno said with
her eyes on me.
Okay, all that was awkward. Her eyes on me while talking to
me, was just too awkward.
“Let me get the guys get ready for the next shot,” I said and
walked away from them. Whatever it was that was happening, I
didn’t want to be part of it.
I wished I smoked so that I could be outside puffing my lungs
out. The camera guys were still having lunch so I decided to
walk outside and sat on a bench just outside the reception. I
haven’t checked my phone so I pulled it from my pocket and
called Tshepo.
“Hey, are you done with work?” she asked. She seemed to be
sleeping.
“We are just taking a break…seems like we are going to take
the whole day but everything is perfect.”
“Oh, that’s great…I trust you.”
“So what are you doing?”
“I was taking a nap…I worked all night til this morning.”
“I love that, get some rest and I will see you tomorrow after your
church service, right?” I asked.
“Family lunch. I will see you on Monday.”
“Monday? We still have to finish what you started last night…
Tell me, didn’t your brother give you trouble?”
“Nah…I cleaned up his dirt so many times. My parents even
think his girlfriend is my friend…I pick her up and watch TV with
her until my parents leave for bed. He has done worse.”
“You guys are crazy…and what are you both still doing in your
parents’ house?”
“Bakang has a townhouse in Midrand but spends most days at
home coz he gets lonely, so he says.”
“I need to move you to my apartment so we can make love on a
normal bed and not have to sneak around like high school
kids…the things I want to do to you? Hheeee, you don’t wanna
know,” I said and she laughed. She promised to get an
apartment after my project with MBC. I could patiently wait for
her.
“Who is she?” Lufuno asked from behind.
“What the hell Lufuno?” I asked while putting my phone back to
my pocket. She startled me.
“Sorry, if I startled you.”
How long was she standing behind me? And what did she want
from me?
“It’s fine.”
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Tshepo.”
“Same girl I saw at the Altitude?”
“Yea.” I said and she sighed.
“She is lucky to have you,” she said and I narrowed my eyes.
Why was Lufuno so friendly to me?
“I am lucky to have her,” I said. She had to know she was not
the only woman who could make me happy. Tshepo was even
better than her but I wouldn’t tell her that.
“We are ready to shoot,” she said and I stood up. I wondered
why the ‘runner’ didn’t come for me instead. She turned and led
the way back to the room.
Muzi had his eyes on me as walked back to the room. It
annoyed me.
I grabbed my seat and watched as the guys do the shoot. We
had different girls in different winter gowns. We had
bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed in different winter outfits.
Everything was exclusive and I knew a thousand of people
were going to consider a winter wedding after that ad.
“Aaannnnd Cut,” I said as I was directed by my script. “That
was the last shot, thank you everybody.”
The room was filled with applause as the TV crew started
unplugging the lights. It was already after 18h00 and Muzi was
still seated in the corner, looking horrible. I spoke to a few
people before pulling my laptop bag to my car.
“Dude, can I have a word with you?” Muzi asked as I was
putting my bag in the backseat.
“Me? What’s up?” I asked.
“I know Lufuno has hots for you and you have hots for her…so
i…”
“Lufuno has what?” I asked. Lufuno hated me. She wanted
nothing to do with me.
“I said I know what is going on between you and my woman,”
he said and I chuckled coldly.
“What is happening between us?”
“I can’t put a finger on it.”
“You don’t have to put a finger on anything my guy…I have a
woman and I love her so you have nothing to worry about,” I
said.
“So you don’t see yourself drooling on Lufuno?”
“You are mistaken…I look at her just as every man does…so
are you going to fight all men in the world? You should rather
be proud that you have a beautiful woman who turns heads.” I
walked to my driver’s door and he followed me.
“I saw you outside here with her earlier. I am no fool,” he
hissed.
“I think you have a problem. You should have put your woman
on a leash so she didn’t have to follow me here,” I said. He was
pissing me off. I had a woman, a woman who would give me
sex in a boardroom and was definitely going to drive me crazy.
She loved me enough for me to mess up. I was over Lufuno
anyway, I thought so.
“I am going to find…”
“Tell me, why are you worried about your woman entertaining
other men when she should be the one worried?” I asked and
he squinted his eyes at me. “You heard me.”
“What are you trying to say?” he moved closer to me.
“I mean she should be worried about you having sex with Zama
everyday…not the other way around,” I said. He moved closer
and grabbed my shirt. I shoved his hands off me. I was not
going to be disrespected by another man.
“Dare mention that to her and you will regret it,” he hissed with
his finger pointed at me. He didn’t have to worry himself, I was
good at minding my own business.
“Just get yourself a job and stop following a woman like a wet
puppy, it is disgusting man,” I said and got into the car. Instead
of him walking away, he smashed my window with his fist. I
didn’t expect that so I sat there, shocked at what just
happened.
“That was just a warning,” he said with fiery eyes and walked
away.
I didn’t believe what just happened so I stepped out of the car
to see the window from outside. It was a smash-and-grab so it
wasn’t in pieces but he poked a whole with his fist and it was
messed up. People were watching me from their cars, far away
from me.
“Oh No! He didn’t!” I said to myself while marching towards him.
THE ONE

INSERT 23

LUFUNO

“Aaannnnd Cut. That was the last shot, thank you everybody,”
Khathu said loudly and everyone cheered.
What a day! It was a successful day though so I could not
complain. I watched as Khathu laughed with the camera crew
while putting things back into his laptop bag. I wished I had
given myself more time to know him. He was genuinely friendly
and demonstrated authority when doing his work. I liked it. I
agreed, I judged him too quick.
Without even looking my way, he pulled his laptop bag out of
the room. I wasn’t going to see him until a few weeks when we
review the ad with the editor. It bothered me. There was no
more excuses to call him or walk into his office.
I watched as the crew unplug lights and the equipment. The
models paraded to the dressing room to change out of my
gowns. The room was a mess and I had already told Gean to
allow the team to leave. They would clean up the following day.
I dragged my tired feet to my office on the fifth floor. Ntate
Molefe was waiting for us outside so I SMSed Gean to finish up
and then packed my things into my handbag. I wished for a
longest bubble bath and a good cup of orange tea. I picked my
bag and headed out.
I pushed the reception door open with my shoulder and walked
out with a happy smile. I was sending an SMS to invite Lucy for
Sunday lunch. I missed her and needed my sister back.
Khathu’s voice shook me. I lifted my eyes from my phone to
see Muzi on the ground with a bleeding nose.
“Make sure you get ready to pay for my window,” Khathu
angrily said to Muzi with his finger pointed at him.
“Khathu, Muzi? What’s wrong?” I asked while rushing to them.
Khathu was walking to his car and Muzi was struggling to stand
from the ground. “Khathutshelo?”
“I will send you the invoice,” Khathu said without turning to me.
I watched as he reversed his car and speed off. His driver’s
window was smashed.
Could it have been Muzi?
“What is going on? Muzi?” I asked as he cleaned his nose.
“Your idiot friend fucken tripped me,” he said angrily.
“But what did you do? Did you smash his window?” I needed
answers. I looked around and Ntate Molefe was standing
outside my car. There were a few people standing by their cars.
Thank God I didn’t know their faces and the possibilities of
seeing them again was not there.
“What’s going on?” Gean shouted and I lifted my eyes to the
balcony of the first floor.
“Get here Gean, let’s go.” I said to her and walked to the car
with Muzi following behind. I threw my things on the boot and
tried getting into the car. Muzi pulled my arm to stop me from
getting in.
“We need to talk,” he said. He had annoyed me greatly and I
was so pissed at him. From the second he walked into the
make-up room and causing chaos for me. Khathu wouldn’t just
trip him for nothing and I bet he was pissed by his smashed
window. Now I had to pay for his stupidity.
“I had a long day Muzi…I will see you tomorrow,” I said.
“No, we need to talk now,” he said. Gean got to the car and
jumped into the front seat. Ntate Molefe hesitantly got into the
driver’s seat.
“Fine, follow me home,” I said. I saw his friend’s car parked not
so far from mine. He nodded and I got into the car.
We silently drove to Silver Lakes. I could see Gean turning to
me every five minutes. It seemed like she had something to tell
me but couldn’t because of Ntate Molefe. We got to the house
and Ntate Molefe exchanged cars. He used the polo when he
was not driving me around. Muzi was not there yet, we might
have missed him on some of the robots. I went up the stairs
with Gean behind me. She didn’t turn to her room but followed
me to mine.
“Lufuno, do you know what is going on with Muzi and Khathu?”
she asked. I wanted to ask her to stay out of it but she was the
only person I talked to. Lucy was not in my life anymore and
Masindi was busy with the exam preparation with her students.
“I don’t know, Muzi just said he tripped him,” I said.
Gean cleared her throat and said, “I was seated at the balcony
the time they were arguing outside. I didn’t pay attention but I
heard Muzi saying Khathu shouldn’t dare say something…I
didn’t get it right but I think there is something that Khathu
knows which Muzi doesn’t want you to know.”
What could it be? Khathu did act strange the previous
Saturday. I was starting to get worried.
“Well…I will find out.”
“Muzi smashed the window with his fist,” she said with worry in
her face. “Are you sure you want to be with him here in the
house?”
I was getting more worried. What if he gets violent with me? He
was acting weirdly.
“Uhm…let me change so I can meet him downstairs.” I said
while taking off the cocktail dress.
Gean made us tea while I waited for Muzi. He was taking
longer than I expected. Gean placed my tea on the coffee table
and took hers to her room. I decided to take a quick shower
and put on my red silk nightdress. Muzi knocked on the door 20
minutes after my shower.
“Where were you?” I asked after opening for him.
“I had to breathe a little.” He said while settling on the couch.
Things had changed between us. I would blame it on me for
focusing on Khathu but he also played a role.
“Do you still like me?” he asked without looking at me. I did but
I was starting to feel a little different about us. I felt that I easily
fell in love with the first Muzi. The one that dressed and smelled
well who seemed to be having things together but he was a lie.
“I do…but things have changed between us,” I said without
sounding rude.
“Why? Is it because I am not rich enough?” he asked.
“You changed.” I said and he cleared his throat. We have been
arguing a lot since the time I picked him at Centurion
Tshisanyama. I understood he might be insecure but it was
becoming a turn off. Following me at work to check if whether I
was there just placed a nail on the matter.
“Do you know how humiliated I am?” he asked. An ego of a
man. “I had to watch you flirting with him the whole day, the
whole damn day Lufuno…I was there but I meant nothing to
you.”
“Is it why you smashed his window Muzi? Is that right?”
“You are not evening denying,” he yelled while standing from
his seat. “You are not even denying it, damn you Lufuno.”
Why was I supposed to deny something that was true. Yes, I
tried to flirt with the guy. He wanted me before and I wanted
him now, I didn’t see a problem with that. Muzi and I were not
yet rooted so he should just move on.
“You had no right to smash his window,” I said.
“I don’t care about his stupid window,” he yelled again. “Are you
not even ashamed of yourself?”
Why was I supposed to be ashamed?
“Look, I was not flirting with him…we were just working,” I lied
so he could calm down. I was not ready to be included in the
rates of those who have been laid hands by their partners.
“Khathu is from a marketing company that does my TV ad. We
were just working.”
“I love you Lufuno, and I don’t want to lose you,” he said calmly.
“I don’t want to hurt you at all because I love you but you keep
pressing the wrong buttons. You make me feel small since you
find out I don’t have money. You led me on. I fell deeply in love
with you.”
“I never looked down on you…that’s why I am helping with your
business…it has been weeks but I am still waiting for your
proposal,” I said and he dropped his eyes as if guilty. “Is there a
business. Muzi?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he dropped on the couch and burry
his face in his hands.
“Muzi, is there even a business?” I asked.
“No,” he said.
What? He lied to me AGAIN! What more was he lying about?
“Why do you keep lying to me? How are we supposed to be in
a relationship if you keep lying to me?” I raised my voice. There
was no more hope for us. I thought I could handle it but it was
getting too much.
“I am sorry but I can’t get things together…” he said. “But I am
trying modelling now.”
What if he was lying to me? All the words that Masindi told me
came back ringing in my head. Muzi wanted to eat off me. No,
that was not happening.
“Muzi I don’t think me and you can be together,” I said. “No, we
started ‘this’ with lies. First you told me you had a business.
You lied. I got you a job and you lied about not working well
with Mr Mkhize but I found out you were always late every day
and never listened to him. You told me you are working on a
business with a friend, and that too is a lie? No Muzi…how do
you even want me to believe that you are even modelling?”
“I promise I am modelling,” he said genuinely but I was done
with him. It was better to break it off before it was too late. I
could love him but Muzi was a lie. I fell in love with a lie and I
had all rights to correct it.
“You can’t leave me Lufuno, I am deeply in love with you,” he
said with pleading eyes.
“We will never survive this,” I said. “You broke my consultant’s
window because of your insecurities...I work with high profiled
men…you can’t handle it.”
“Please…you can’t leave me,” he said. “You will regret it.”
I was starting to regret being with him. He was not too matured
to handle a woman like me. My clients were multi-millionaires
and if he couldn’t handle Khathu, then he had a serious
problem. He walked towards me and pulled me close to force a
kiss. I was not in the mood so I politely push him aside.
“Lufuno, you can’t leave me or you will regret it,” he said. “I love
you so much I don’t want to hurt you. Don’t make me do it.”
“Do what?” I asked. He had been saying this since Saturday
but it was starting to get to me now. Did I bring myself a serial
killer? What did Khathu know? I started trembling in fear as
ideas were rooming around in my head.
“Don’t make me do it…please Lufuno…please don’t make me
do it…I love you…don’t make me do it,” he repeatedly said it
like a crazy person.
“Do what?” I yelled at him. He glanced at me with saddened
eyes and walked out of the house. I wanted to run after him to
beg him to tell me what it was he didn’t want to do, but I was
also scared. I heard the car drive away.
I hurried to Gean’s room but she was softly snoring. She was
already sleeping. I needed someone to help me reason. I was
tempted to wake her up but she was really tired. She
overworked herself today and she deserved to sleep. I hurried
to my room and dialed Khathu. He only answered when I was
about to hang-up.
“Thank God, Khathu is that you?” I asked. I had to be sure it
was not the new girl.
“Yes, what?” he asked.
“Is she there? Your woman, is she there?”
“No…” he said and I hung up. I needed answers and only him
could give me. He was fighting Muzi because of something he
knew. Gean heard Muzi say he should never dare tell me
something.
I grabbed my jacket from the closet and put on runner shoes. I
didn’t care I was wearing a nightdress with sneakers. I was
going to do something I haven’t done in a long while. Drive
myself! Waiting for uber was just going to delay me and I never
preferred it at night when using it alone. I rushed to the kitchen
to take the car keys for my Audi A1. It was small enough. I set
the house alarm before getting to the garage. I got into the car
and pressed a button for the garage door to open. I switched
my phone off so it couldn’t disturb me. It was a phone that
made me lose control and kill my baby.
I haven’t been in a driver’s seat in ages but everything still
looked the same. The gears still looked like the one I last used.
The lights were on automatic so I turned the car on. I
remembered to station my foot on the brakes before doing so.
Thank God Ntate Molefe always parked cars in reverse. I
placed the gear on D and slightly move my right foot on the
accelerator. I felt my face sweat up as I slowly drove the car
outside the garage.
I needed to talk to Khathu. I was worried about Muzi’s behavior
and Khathu had all the answers. On Saturday Khathu told me
not to trust easily. What did he know?
My palms were sweating but I drove slowly down the drive-way.
It was after 20:00 so I was praying the streets were not busy. I
pushed a button on the garage remote and it closed behind me.
I drove out of the drive-way, to the street, and then out of the
estate. I drove to Solomon Mahlangu Street slowly until I
decided to drive with hazards on. I had to do this. I was
sweating up but I didn’t care. Besides asking about Muzi, I also
needed to apologise to Khathu on his behalf. I liked the idea of
seeing him once more. I pressed on until things turned south
when I was approaching Khathu’s apartment an hour later. My
weave was sticking on my sweaty face and my eyes were
starting to be blurry. I remembered the day of the accident. All
the pain I felt when they told me I lost my child came back. I
had all windows opened but I needed more air. Rendani’s voice
echoed in my head, blaming me over and over again while I
was struggling to raise my head from the bed. I needed air. It
was dark outside and I was parked on the side of the road. I
picked my phone from the passenger seat and pressed it hard
to switch it on. I waited as it lit up and gave me a screen to
punch my password. I punched my password and swiped the
screen to get to Khathu’s number.
“Hello?” he answered after a few rings.
“Please come get me?” I said while gasping for air.
“Lufuno, are you alright?” he asked and I repeated my words.
“Where are you?”
“Two streets before…two streets before your apartment…”
“Two streets before my apartment?” he seemed shocked.
Obviously, I didn’t tell him I was coming.
“By the traffic circle…I am driving alone.”
“Okay, I am coming,” he said and hung up. I slid my phone onto
my pocket and tried to relax my head on the seat. When was I
going to move on from all that? I kept telling myself it was a
mistake but Rendani’s words would sneak in and rub it in that if
it wasn’t for me his baby would have been alive. I didn’t know
what to do to move on from the pain. Tears started rolling down
my cheeks as I tried to control my breathing. I made a mental
note to book an appointment with a shrink. I met up with one
but I gave up weeks later. I couldn’t do it and I always thought I
would be fine as time went by.
Khathu opened the driver’s door minutes later. I broke down
even more with him not knowing what to do. He tapped my
shoulder and asked me to move to the other seat. I cleaned my
face with the sleeve of the jacket and jumped over to the
passenger seat. He got in and drove us to his apartment. I was
so close.
He led me on to his apartment and I followed, still cleaning up
my face. Tears could not stop falling from my eyes. The TV was
playing loudly when we got in. He was watching soccer. He
picked the remote and reduced the volume. I settled on a couch
while he made tea. We haven’t spoken and I was getting
calmer by the minute. He placed a cup of tea in front of me.
“It will help you calm down,” he said and I picked it up to take a
sip. It tasted like Chamomile tea. He stood there without
moving. He needed answers.
“I needed to talk, I am sorry,” I said with my eyes on the mug in
my hands. I was ashamed.
He went to the end of the room and sit on a small corner where
his laptop was on the table.
“We will talk when you are fine,” he said. I watched as he got
busy on his laptop. He was a workaholic like me. It was a
Saturday evening after a hectic day of shooting the ad but he
was still working while listening to the soccer match. I drank up
the tea and placed the cup on the table. My head was
throbbing. I needed painkillers but didn’t want to bother him. He
had his back on me and I didn’t want to disturb him. I took off
my sneakers, pulled my legs to the couch and curled myself to
rest a bit.
I fell asleep on the couch because I woke up hours later with
the darkness in the room but music was playing sofly. The time
on the DSTV decoder was 23h40. There was a deamed light at
the corner where Khathu was still seated behind his laptop,
working. I slowly pulled myself to sit. I was sweating from the
jacket I was wearing and the cotton blanket that had covered
me. I took my jacket off and dropped it on the floor.
“Baabby, I’m hot just like an oven, I need some loving…and
baby, I can’t hold it much longer, it’s getting stronger and
stronger and when I get this feeling I need sexual
healing...sexual?” Khathu quietly mumbled the lyrics of the
song playing softly in the room. I felt like he was speaking to
me. I was indeed hot like an oven.
I cleared my throat and he quickly turned to me.
“Oh, you are up?” he said and stood from the seat. He walked
to the wall closer to the couch I was seated on. He switched on
the light. Just like when Gean opened the curtains every day, I
quickly closed my eyes so the light didn’t blind me. I gave it a
few seconds to open them again. Khathu had his jaw on the
floor with his eyes on me, in fact, he had his eyes on my
cleavage. I felt my nipples hardened with his eyes watching
them grow. I was wearing a red silk night dress. I didn’t mean to
but I didn’t think I would end up here in Khathu’s lounge. My
body was a little sweaty and I was getting a little horny from
Marvin Gaye’s words softly filling the room.
Khathu cleared his throat. I bet he was also listening to the
words too.
Damn! Khathu looked damn fine in a vest and shorts. Things I
didn't notice before. He stood in infront of me still trying to keep
his eyes away from me seated on his couch.
I didn’t know what I was doing, but I stood from the couch and
walked to him. He seemed to want to act on the words Marvin
Gaye was instilling in our heads. I slowly walked to him while
moving my hair to the back.
“Thank you for having my back,” I said while throwing my arms
to hug him. I didn’t care if he was going to receive me, I was
doing what my heart wanted me to do. He didn’t hug me back
but I felt his one hand moving on my back. He slightly pulled
me closer as I cling on him. I felt his manhood grow, pulling
through the shorts he was wearing.
“You’re my medicine, open up and let me in…darling you’re so
great, I can’t wait for you to operate,” Marvin Gaye kept singing
the words on the background.
“Thank you Khathu,” I said and his other hand joined in
caressing my back, slowly moving to my butt.
Yass!!

THE ONE

INSERT 24

KHATHUTSHELO

My member was pressing on Lufuno like a hardened steel. That

was the moment I have always been dreaming of, for so long.
Having Lufuno in my bosom and having contact with her vanilla
skin. I moved my hands to her butt and caressed it through the
silk short night-dress. I feel my hands warming up with each
hand-movement I made. Her expensive scent intoxicated me
as she kept tightening the hug.
I opened my eyes hard and looked around to be sure that I was
not dreaming. Lufuno was indeed in my arms, with hers on my
neck, locking me in. Her hair smelled as perfect as I had always
imagined. Her skin was as flawless as I have seen it from afar.
My D-man kept jerking inside my pants and Lufuno sustained
rubbing on it with her lower body. It felt amazing.
All the dreams I always had of us together came flooding in. I
had always wished to make her happy and make love to her
the best way she needed it. She kept tightening the hug and my
hardened steel kept twitching to the pleasure.
“Thank you so much for having my back,” she whispered and I
moaned to her voice. It was hypnotizing and turning me on.
Marvin Gaye stopped singing, bringing me back to reality.
Reality that I might hurt Tshepo with what I was about to do. I
promised her with my life, that I won’t hurt her intentionally and
I was about to do just that.
‘I promise with all my heart, I will do everything in my power not
to hurt you,’ my exact words to Tshepo echoed in my head
before I could grab Lufuno’s neck for a passionate kiss.
I cleared my throat and moved my body a little for Lufuno to get
the idea. We had to stop but I didn’t want her to feel bad about
me turning her down. Also, Lufuno was in a bad space and I
didn’t want us to do something that we would both regret. I
cleared my throat again and she quickly let go and threw
herself on the couch.
“I am so sorry, Khathu?” she said and I drop on the couch far
away from her. I swore under my breath and hoped my penis
could relax. The show has stopped and it could go back to rest.
It was 23h45 and I couldn’t ask her to drive home. I also didn’t
want to make it my burden to drive up and down at this hour of
the night. I was way too exhausted from working until late after
a longest Ad shoot.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” I asked and she shook her
head. She was definitely embarrassed about what we were
about to do. I was embarrassed too. It was really awkward and
going to bed was just the best idea.
I was a gentleman enough but I was not going to let Lufuno use
my bed, which practically belonged to Tshepo now. I also could
not let her use Michelle’s room because it is a no-go area so
she had to crush on the couch.
“Let me get you a pillow,” I said and head to my room to get a
pillow for her. I had already given her a blanket earlier when
she fell peacefully asleep on my couch. I came back with a
pillow and laid it beside her on the couch she was using.
“Khathu, I am sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I also wanted to…feel you, but I
have a girlfriend now and I don’t want to disrespect her.”
“I understand.”
I take my laptop from the table and strode to my room. I tried
working but couldn’t focus. I kept replaying what we were doing
minutes ago. It felt good but boy I couldn’t allow myself to hurt
Tshepo even if I wanted to. I tossed and turned until I fell
asleep hours later.
I am woken in the morning by an aggressive knock on my main
door. I could hear the knock from my bedroom and that person
was not determined to leave before having me open. I pulled
my cellphone to check the time but it was off. I forgot to charge
it the previous night. I pulled my vest from a chair next to my
window and put it on. I definitely knew who it was. My
neighbour was from that Jehovah’s Witness church and he
went around the floor sharing the word of God and inviting us to
join his church every Sunday morning. He never got tired of
knocking on our doors and he was always determined to have
a chat.
Lufuno was also getting up from the couch. She looked worried
by the knock. Her weave was messed up, I should have given
her my gym head wrap, I never used it anyway.
“Relax, Jehovah’s witness,” I said to her walking to the door
barefooted. She was up now and folding the blanket. I hurried
to the door to open it. I needed to tell the guy to come back in
the afternoon.
I was in my boxer’s and a vest; and she was in a long peach
dress.
“Khathu, your phone is off and I need a serious loo…oh I
brought the scones and jam,” Tshepo said while doing the little
dance to suppress the nature’s call. She had a container in her
hands and a bottle of strawberry jam. I thought she was joking
when she said she would bring me scones and jam for
breakfast so that I know she can bake for me at any day. We
were chatting the previous evening and she was baking scones
with her mother. I never thought she would stop by on her way
to church with her whole family.
“Tshepo?” I utter, shaking from what she would be invited to
inside.
“Come on now...take this…I need to pee…let me rush to the
loo,” she said while throwing the containers in my hands. She
pushed me aside and rushed inside. I followed behind and she
stood frozen in the kitchen. Lufuno was also standing with a
gown in her hands. Her hair was still as messy as the time I
saw her. I felt my body sweat up.
“Babe,” I said to calm her nerves and explain myself. But how
could I do that with Lufuno sexily standing in my living room in a
silk short dress and messy hair?
“Oh, I need to pee,” she quickly rushes to the toilet and left us
staring at each other. Lufuno quickly put on her gown and pull
her sneakers while I hurried to the bathroom door.
“Babe, can I come in?” I called out but she didn’t say anything. I
tried the door but it was locked. “Babe, it is not what you think,
okay? She was here last night because she needed someone
to talk to and she fell asleep and couldn’t drive home in the
middle of the night. She slept on the couch. Please believe
me.”
I heard the toilet flush and then the water running from the
basin. I was expecting her to walk out but she didn’t come out.
Instead, I heard a soft cry and it felt like a dagger was pressed
to my heart. I banged the door for her to open but she didn’t
come out at my call. Only minutes later, she slowly opened the
door.
“Babe, nothing happened.”
“You are in your boxers and she is in a sexy gown and you still
want to take me for a fool?” she asked calmly with no trace of
the sobs.
“Please believe me.”
“I am late for church.” She walked past me, stopped by the door
and turned back to me. “You can have her all you want.”
“Tshepo, stop!”
“I mean it, you can have her. I was just a fool to believe we can
make it work with you still in love with her,” she said and then
hurried out. I rushed after her but there were a few people
standing with her, waiting for the elevator and I was still in my
boxers, barefooted. I was defeated. I scanned down stairs to
see Mr Maake’s car waiting outside the gate. I had no choice
but to walk back to the house and flood her phone with
messages and phone calls. I walked inside my flat and bang
close the kitchen door. I reached for the kitchen counter and
lean against it. I just messed up my new relationship.
Lufuno was not in the living room and I didn’t see her walk out.
She peeped from the balcony and I told her to come inside. I
walked to the key holder behind the kitchen door and pulled her
Audi car keys. I placed it in her hand and asked her to leave.
My generosity just complicated my relationship.
“Can I please call ntate Molefe to come pick me up? I will make
arrangements to get the car picked up before the evening,” she
asked.
“Whatever,” I said and turned to walk to my room. I stopped on
my tracks when she called my name.
“I am sorry,” she said.
“For what? For complicating my relationship with my woman or
for seducing me?” I snapped and she looked shocked. I know I
rubbed and caressed her body but I should have driven her
home and let her chauffeur pick the car up.
She sighed and said, “For both.”
“What is done is done,” I shrugged.
“I know you are not going to ever want to see me ever again so
can we please talk?”
“Talk about what Lufuno?”
“About Muzi,” she said and dropped her eyes. “There is
something you know and I wish you tell me what it is. He has
changed and I am worried about what he could be hiding…and
he broke your window.”
“Smashed it with his fist you mean?” I asked and she cleared
her throat. “Look, I am one guy who stays out of people’s
business. I don’t want my name to be dragged into the mud
when people fix their problem and leave me for a fool. If you
are meant to find out, you will definitely do.”
“Please Khathu,” she pleaded and her voice was seductive to
my ears. I was tempted to tell her that Muzi, the man that made
her heart dance, was busy sexing another woman to shelter for
him. I was intoxicated once again by her pleading eyes but I
have no room for more drama in my life.
But why didn’t Lufuno just give me a chance when she could
have? I mean, I was going to love her whole heartedly and not
hurt her. I was also not going to break Tshepo’s heart in any
way. Now, everything was just complicated.
“Look, I wish I could help you, but I can’t. You are probably
going back to lay in his bed, on his chest and drag my name
into your sexy pillow talk. I am sorry. Please make that call so
they pick you up,” I said. I walked to the bedroom and threw
myself on the bed.
I have messed up and I have no idea what I am going to get out
of the mess. Everything about what Tshepo saw was just
wrong. There was nothing to say to justify the situation.
Lufuno left after an hour and Tshepo was still ignoring my calls
and texts. It was already noon and I wished I could see her.
She was still staying at home and I could not go to their house.
That would be disrespecting. I kept flooding her phone until I
eventually gave up. The only thing left to do was to go to her
office the next day.

On Monday morning I had to take the car to PG Glass for the

replacement of the window. I couldn’t drive around with that
guy’s fist shaped on my driver’s window. People kept giving me
funny looks at the robots and I was worried if it rained. I had
booked it in online over the weekend and I had no choice but to
have it fixed. I thought it was going to take just an hour or so to
fix a mere window, but No! They told me to pick the car after
work. They drove me to work very late and the first thing I did
was to flood Tshepo’s phones with more SMSs. I couldn’t start
by her office because I was car-less. Our next brief meeting
was on Wednesday but I couldn’t wait until then. I needed to
make her believe me. I felt guilty for cuddling with Lufuno but
nothing more than that happened.
I was about to log onto the NetFlorist to have flowers delivered
to her when I remembered I could call the reception. She would
not ignore the business calls.
I dialed MBC main reception and the receptionist forwarded my
call to her secretary.
“MBC, Architecture division, how may I help you?” an unfamiliar
voice says. I always dealt with Tshepo without going through to
anyone.
“Good morning, I am looking for Tshepo.”
“Regarding?” she asked.
“We are supposed to meet for lunch later and I wanted to make
changes on our meeting times, can you please forward me to
her number?” I lied. Anything to get hold of my Tshepo.
“Oh my word, Sir, I already booked her flight to Cape Town and
she should be in the flight in a few minutes. What time do you
want to change your lunch date to?”
“Lunch date?” I asked.
“Are you not Mr Tokello Mabala?”
“Yes, I am. I have been swamped with so much work I can’t get
my head around things…please remind me our venue?”
“Haaa Sir,” she chuckled. “You just said at the Wine Loft at One
& Only hotel but I didn’t book her there, she said it is too
expensive for her pocket but she will be there for your
marvelous date.”
I hanged up on her.
I tried to remember where I heard that name from because it
rang a bell. I also tried to make sense of the marvelous lunch
date she was talking about. Why would Tshepo fly to Cape
Town for a lunch date?
“Business lunch,” I convinced myself. But why at the most
expensive resort?
I switched my laptop on and forced myself to work on some
reports. I couldn’t focus as I was damn curious. I cracked my
head to remember what business I knew about Tokello Mabala
and there was none.
Was he the best Architect that always inspired Tshepo? I
couldn’t recall.
I pulled my laptop closer to me and goggled the name. His
picture flashed on the screen followed by his title ‘Aircraft
Captain’.
Tokello Mabala was Tshepo’s fiancé who had cold-feet and
never married her. Her ex was a pilot captain. With that, I
remembered the name was indeed Tokello Mabala. She once
mentioned it on our friend-zone days when I questioned her
about her dumb fiancé and she was generous with the details.
So Tshepo fled to Cape Town to meet her EX for a lunch date
at the damn One & Only resort?
Damn you, Tshepo Maake! Damn you!

THE ONE

INSERT 25

TSHEPO

I haven’t been in Cape Town in a little while, but I needed to do

it. I was shaking all the way to the shuttle car with my bag
wheeling behind me. I made it to Cape Town to see Tokello
and that was the biggest step. My phone kept vibrating in my
handbag and I knew it was Khathu. He had been SMSing me
and calling none stop since Sunday morning. I pulled it from the
bag, switched it off and shoved it back in my handbag. The
shuttle dropped me at City Lodge V&A Waterfront and I got
myself to the booked room. There was no way I was going to
pay a good four grand for just a night at the One & Only, never!
It wouldn’t damage my monthly allowance but I was not on
holiday to spend four grand for a few hours. I needed just a
room to freshen up and lay my head. I also didn’t want Tokello
to book me a room anywhere. I didn’t want to give him a
chance to end up in my room.
I sat by the window and stare blankly at the view of the city. Life
used to be easier when I was younger and care-free. I laughed,
cried and rejoiced in those streets up the mountain. I had good
and bad memories of Tokello and I, in the same streets of Cape
Town.
It is just after 11:00 am and I was supposed to meet Tokello at
13:00. I didn’t realise I missed his voice until he called me on
Saturday. I didn’t have his new number so I answered not
knowing it was him. I was stunned by his voice but I listened to
him pleading to meet up with me so we could talk. He avoided
talking about our engagement and him breaking it. He pleaded
for a chance to talk to me so he could explain himself, clear the
air and move on without guilt. I turned down the offer on
Saturday as I was sure about Khathu. Walking into Khathu’s
apartment to see him and that woman half-dressed got to me. I
knew I was gambling with my heart but I didn’t know it would be
so soon. I wanted to believe his explanation since I saw a
folded blanket on the couch and woman sneakers beside the
couch. She definitely slept on the couch. I so wanted to believe
him but my head was telling me something else. He looked
guilty and she was shaken by seeing me standing in the
kitchen. I have seen how Khathu stare at that woman and I was
just fooling myself by agreeing to be with him. I missed talking
to him but I prayed to be a little stronger for my own sake.
Seeing them together crushed the little hope I had for my
relationship with him. I couldn’t even tell everyone in the car
why I wasn’t myself thereafter. I didn’t even hear the sermon
from the Pastor. I was heartbroken.
Tokello called me again on Sunday afternoon during the family
lunch. I agreed to meet up for him to get things out of his chest
and give me answers to all the questions I had ever since the
break-up. My issue with Khathu made it easier for me to agree
to a chat. It wouldn’t hurt anyone. I asked Tokello to send me
the details of the lunch.
‘Lunch date at the Wine Loft, One & Only resort. Please allow
me to dine you here. I had always promised you I will, when I
afford. Grace from Mango will call you in an hour to give you
the ticket details,’ his SMS read. I was shocked to learn he
wanted me to fly all the way to Cape Town for a lunch date with
him. I agreed to the lunch. I could use some Cape Town breeze
anyway.
Here I was, almost ready to meet with my EX. I jumped into a
shower and dressed up afterwards. I had on a red over-the-
knee pencil dress paired with black sexy platform heels. I was
going to walk a good 10 minutes to the resort and still had to
look good while at it. I switched on my phone and a lot of
notification beeped in. Sharon, my team’s secretary, sent me
an SMS to call her as soon as possible. I dialed her number
and she picked on second ring.
“Hey Shaz, you were trying to call me,” I say while touching up
make-up on my face. She was on speaker and my phone was
on top of the dressing table.
“Tshepo, thank God…your father urgently needs your report on
the latest interior project and the junior architects are at the
seminar. Mr Maake is in a meeting now… can you please leave
your phone on so you can give him feedback? He said he
approved your leave on condition that you will work wherever
you are and give him all reports he needs,” she said
breathlessly.
“Yeah, I promised to be on the call. I promise I will keep my
phone on.”
“Alright, enjoy your lunch date. I’ll tell him to SMS you what he
exactly needs and you can email him back his reports.”
She hung up and Khathu’s name flashed on my screen. I didn’t
want to talk to him as yet but I missed him. I watched as he
tried a few times before giving up. He gave up so easily. I
finished with make-up and hair; and then headed to One and
Only. I was taking my time parading on the street, turning
heads of other pedestrians. I had to look a little perfect for my
EX so that he doesn’t think I lost my touch after the break-up.
He was waiting for me at the Wine Loft. He still looked fine as
hell. He was wearing a white shirt and a navy suit like he
always did. It is a pilot captain ‘thing’ of his. One would swear
he was immune to other colours. He wore a perfect smile and I
watched him admire me from a distance.
He walked to me and gave me a young hug before pulling a
chair for me. I buried myself on it and kept a convincing fake
smile. My heart was up my throat but I kept my cool. He had a
perfect smile like he was about to propose to me all over again.
A waitress walked to our table with a massive bouquet of red
roses. He was still a charmer, too bad he chose to break my
heart and I hated him for that. He received the roses and
passed them to me.
“I am glad you made it,” he said like we had never broken up. I
took the flowers and thanked him for the gesture. I didn’t know
what he wanted me to do with the biggest bouquet of roses in
Cape Town. Pack it up to Gauteng maybe? I wondered.
The waitress brought us the best bottle of wine. The room
smelled divine with all blends of wines. He ordered us lunch
and the waitress brought it minutes later. We ate in silence,
stealing glances of each other.
“I had always wished to dine you here, remember?” he said
while resting his back on the chair. I tried to read his face but I
failed to. “You should see their rooms. Just as we always
imagined.”
“Tokello, you said you needed us to talk,” I said. I didn’t care
about how the resort looked like. We have both been to better
places.
“I wanted to apologise.” He pulled himself back to the table and
filled my wine glass with some more of the Shiraz wine we were
having. It was sweet and bitter in a pleasant way. I wanted
more of it but we had to talk before I get myself tipsy.
“Only now?” I thought out loud.
“I am going for therapy and my therapist advised me to do this.”
I slightly rolled my eyes. Therapy my foot. The only person
between us who needed therapy was me. I was humiliated and
broken; and it was all his fault. I had to explain to a hundred of
people why my perfect pink rock ring was not on my finger
anymore.
“Tshepo, I messed up. I really did.” He picked my hand and I
shook it off from him. We were not yet there at holding hands
and looking into each other’s eyes. I needed answers to my
million questions. I was trying hard not to think about Khathu. I
would have loved to share this with him. I thought I would be
doing this with him waiting for me somewhere and he would be
the first to ask me how it went.
“Why did you leave me like that?” I asked for the first time.
“Because I was young and stupid…and didn’t know what I
wanted.”
“You said you were ready and we sat for pre-marital
counselling with the pastor for weeks.”
“I thought I was ready until that day. I am sorry I complicated
your life.”
“You didn’t complicate it. You humiliated me in front of my
family. You made me question my worth in a way. You took my
confidence away,” I said while pointing at him. He had no idea
how embarrassed I was. “I don’t even think my family will ever
forgive you.”
“I am sorry. I need your forgiveness.”
“Why now Tokello? You have been doing great without me.”
“I pretended to be fine. I am hurting every day. I kept kicking
myself for what I did. I didn’t want to hurt you more and the time
I saw you at Charlotte’s engagement’s party, I wanted to come
to you but I got cold feet. You know I was not invited? I knew
you were not going to miss it for the world and all I needed to
do was to see you. You looked happy and better without me so
I decided to let you be but I was unable to move on. Since the
break-up, I haven’t asked a woman out because I want you
back.”
I gulp on my wine a few times while he explained himself.
“Are you dating?” he asked and I gulp on the wine again.
“That’s not important. We are not here to talk about boyfriends
and girlfriends. We are here to talk about us,” I emphasized. I
didn’t know where I stand with Khathu. He has hurt me so
much but my heart wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Would you give us a chance?” he asked and I stare at him.
What was he talking about? He was the same man who left me
at an ‘altar’ because he didn’t love me enough. I said the ‘altar’
because it felt like he left me there on a day of a wedding.
“You left me because you didn’t love me enough.”
“I lied. I just had cold feet.”
I chuckled. Not at what he was saying. I was laughing at myself
for flying all the way here to listen to that rubbish. What did I
think anyway? I was just curious and needed to run away from
Khathu. I needed to breathe and be away from the truth about
the man I now loved deeply.
“What’s funny?” he asked and I poured myself more wine from
a new bottle. Tokello watched as if annoyed. Why did he bring
me to a ‘wine heaven’ if he didn’t want me to indulge? We were
surrounded by all sorts of wines in the world and finishing a
bottle wouldn’t kill me.
“I thought you would fill the void in my heart with your
explanations but none of that is happening.” I sipped from my
glass, no more gulping. “I thought I needed to see you for
closure, but I wasted my time Tokello. I should have stayed
away from you.”
“Why? I thought we were here to talk.”
“I thought I needed the…” My phone beeped from my purse
and I quickly took it to check the message. I was awaiting my
father to text me about my interior project. I opened the
message from an unknown number.
‘I am patiently sitting at the City Lodge waiting for you to finish
your lunch date with him. My flight back to Joburg is in four
hours. I will wait for you for one hour to come here. If you don’t,
then I will get the message. Khathutshelo.’
“Are you alright?” Tokello asked. I was stunned and I failed to
hide it.

*****

I rushed to City Lodge with my clutch bag under my arm and

the bunch of roses hugged to my chest. I was a little sweaty as
I walked faster than I should have. The wine was also starting
to spin in my head. Khathu was sitting at the end of the room
with his hands on his face. I walked up to him while catching
my breath.
“Khathu, what the hell are you doing here?” I asked
breathlessly and he raised his eyes to me. He glanced at the
flowers and then lifted his eyes to mine. I didn’t care what he
thought, I had to take the flowers with me. They were
beautifully arranged and I needed to take a few selfies with
them.
I had a thousand questions for Tokello but now I had more for
Khathu.
He stood from the couch.
“What are you doing here?” I asked again. How did he know I
was here and booked at the City Lodge? I told Sharon not to
tell anyone but my father.
“I came to talk to you.”
I turned to the elevator and he followed me. I needed to get to
my room to shake off the platforms heels from my feet. I also
needed a pair of sweat pants. He followed me silently. I thought
I didn’t want to see him but I was glad he flew all the way here
for me, just to talk. I opened the door, jumped in and shake off
the shoes off my feet. I threw the roses on the bed and pulled a
pair of sweat pants from the luggage bag. I changed into them
and a vest.
Phew! Why do I have to wear tight dresses though?
Khathu was watching me from the end of the room. I knew he
wanted to explain himself and to also question me about my
date. I wondered how he knew about it.
“Where is she?” I asked while wiping make-up off my face. It
felt like dejavu. It felt like the day I found him gawking at her at
the club. He walked me to my hotel room and watched me
change and clean my make-up.
“I don’t know. I don’t care,” he said with a straight face. I
chuckled. The wine was making me a little courageous.
“Why did you come here?”
“To meet my EX.” There was nothing to hide. He was standing
in his apartment half naked with a woman so dining with an EX
should not dare hurt him.
“So is this what you are going to do in this relationship
whenever there is a misunderstanding? Run to your ex and
shut me off?”
“There is no relationship. I cannot be with a man who loves
another woman. I told you, you can have her all you want. I
don’t know what you are doing here. You should have gotten
the message that I don’t want to talk to you ever again.”
Well, I was talking to him now but I thought I was never going
to.
“I don’t know how many times should I tell you that I didn’t
sleep with her. I wanted to sleep with her so fucken bad
Tshepo,” he said and I turned to him, stunned. I have read
many of his SMSs trying to explain but nothing caught my
attention like what he just said. “But I didn’t sleep with her
because I remembered the words I told you and I meant it. I
promised you that I will not hurt you and I still promise that.
Honestly speaking, I was just a little vulnerable when she kinda
threw herself to me but I couldn’t go through with it because I
treasure you. I treasure us. I really do. And now you running
back to your EX seems like you don’t love me enough.”
I did not have a come-back response. I just sat on the bed
quietly. My heart believed what he was saying while my head
was secretly hating on that woman.
“He bought you flowers to last you a year…do you love it?” he
asked.
“What? The flowers? Yes I do.” He frowned. I was also being
honest. I loved the roses.
“So, what’s up with you guys?” he quietly asked. I sighed.
“We were just talking about the past.”
“He wants you back, doesn’t he? Do you love him back?”
“What the hell am I doing here with you Khathu? I came here
running and I left that guy at the most exquisite dining ever with
wine to last me my life-time and you still asking me if I love him
back? What time did you send your text? What time?”
“15 minutes ago.”
“I had to run in those damned heels, looking like a fool, and you
still ask me I loved him back?”
He walked to me and crouched between my legs. He took my
hands into his and stared into my eyes.
“I love you and I don’t want to lose you.”
I am tickled by his voice. Blame it on the wine, or not! I loved
Khathu so badly I was ready to let go of our misunderstanding.
My heart spoke its own language and right now, it needed
Khathu.
“I love you too…but…”
“No buts. It won’t happen again. I don’t love her but you. She
will never be around me and I will be more thoughtful about
situations around me,” he said. “I will never make room for
misunderstanding. I will make sure of that.”
“You promise?”
“With all my heart.”
He pulled my neck and buried his lips on mine. He carefully laid
me on the bed still passionately playing his tongue inside my
mouth. I pushed the flowers off the bed and help him take off
his jacket. He slid his hand under my vest, to the back and
reach for the bra clips. I lifted my back a bit for him to un-do it
easily. It let loose and he cupped my right breast.
“You taste like wine,” he said and groaned as he continued
kissing me. He moved his lips from mine and planted them on
my stomach. I chuckled from the tickling.
I thought I was angry at him. Not anymore, I supposed.
He pulled my sweat pants, together with my underwear. I was
lying on the bed in just a vest while he takes off his clothes as
fast as he could. He was ready to attack like a hungry lion,
evidence was on how strong his manhood stood before me. He
jumped back on the bed and continued kissing me while on top
of me. Seconds later, my vest joined the other clothes on the
floor.
“Do you have a condom?” he asked and I shook my head.
“Just pull out.” I said. I needed him as much as he did me. No
room for foreplay.
“Are you sure?” I moaned and gritted my teeth as he enters me
before I assured him of my decision.
‘Welcome back,’ I thought to myself as I opened wide and dug
my manicured nails on his back.

THE ONE

INSERT 26
LUFUNO

It is embarrassing to have Ntate Molefe pick me up in my

morning gown and sneakers. I swear I will never embarrass
myself like this, ever again in my life. I don’t know what gotten
into me but I liked the idea of having Khathu in my arms. I get
into the back seat quietly and he drives off without saying a
word. We drive in silence until he parks in my drive-way. He
came with his assistant driver who followed us behind in my
A1.
“Miss Lufuno, may I please arrange a meeting with you
tomorrow?” This is the first time he says something since we
drove from Centurion.
“What is it about?” I ask curiously.
“I got a job in Joburg, and I was thinking of taking their offer,”
he says and I sit in silence. Ntate Molefe has been working for
me for years and he has been my best Transport manager and
driver.
“We can sit tomorrow morning, I don’t see a problem.” I lie.
I feel like crying so I step out of the car and hurry to my room. I
throw myself on the bed and let out a soft cry. I feel so horrible
and miserable.
Gean walks into my room minutes later.
“Lufuno, are you fine?” she asks while walking to me. My
curtains are already opened so she doesn’t have to rudely open
them to blind me.
“I don’t know how I feel right now.” I roll on the bed and face the
ceiling, wiping off my tears.
“Do you want to talk about it?” She sits on the bed.
“I kinda seduced Khathu and I feel so horrible about it because
he had to stop me,” I say and wait for her reaction.
She chuckles and says, “I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you at
all. The dude looked fine yesterday. You know boss lady, I
used to talk to him over the phone and always thought he was
those typical dark and not so handsome Venda men, but
hmmmm, he is fine as hell. Haaai shem, he is hot.”
I laugh with her. At least she is not judging me. She never
does.
“Ntate Molefe wants to quit. I don’t know what I am going to do
without him.”
“He just needs assurance, that’s all. Ask him to stay.”
“What assurance?”
“Well I think he feels he is not as needed, you know? Phela you
asked him to move out and he doesn’t want to step in your
toes…and he is worried about you.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
“Please take a shower and change out of those sneakers and
night dress. You look awful,” she says and I sit up straight. I did
look awful. “Hazel and I will set up your tea party with your
friends. Should we make it inside or at the porch?”
“Back porch is fine.” I advise. “Please tell Ntate to wait for me
for an hour, I need to go to Groenkloof.”
“What you doing in Groenkloof?”
“Isabella’s cake shop…you know I love their tea cakes.”
“They don’t open on Sunday.”
“Woolworths it is then.”
She leaves me walking to the bathroom. I fill the bath-tub with
pampering oils and soak myself in deep thoughts. I am
conflicted with my love life. Muzi is stressing me with his
behavior. He has been blowing my phone since earlier this
morning. I sent him a text to give a space for just a day. I don’t
want to spoil my tea party mood with the girls. Khathu on the
other side is awaking the freaky girl I once was but I know for
sure I won’t be seeing him anymore.
I dress into a cute pink tea-party skirt and a white lace top.
Working, shopping and dressing up is my therapy. I finish my
make-up and hair; then slide into my pink stilletos. I look like a
perfect host. I grab my shopping bag and head downstairs. I
pass Ntate Molefe having breakfast in the dining area and
headed to the back porch. Gean is setting up the table with our
helper, Hazel.
“That’s what I am talking about. Twirl for me boss, let me see?”
she says with her hands on her waist. What would I do without
this girl? I twirl for her while laughing. I feel a little better than
hours ago.
“Am I not a little too much for a party of four?”
“You look just perfect.”
Ntate Molefe and I drive to Parkview Woolworths. I almost got
the whole shop as I didn’t know what to buy. I pick the mini
koeksisters, chocolate eclairs, chocolate mousse pancakes,
scones and all sorts of cupcakes. I am a shopaholic. I pick four
different teas, including the chamomile tea I drank in Khathu’s
apartment. I think it is going to be my new favourite. I pick two
bouquet of flowers to set on the table.
Gean has done well with setting the table. She is learning from
the best. Hazel set the food on the table and by eleven thirty,
the girls are here. They rang a bell a few times before I open it
happily.
“What is she doing here?” I am irritated and now have my arms
crossed on my chest.
“Always looking like a millionaire that you are neh?” Masala
says while brushing her little baby bump. I stare at her hands
and sway them away when I felt my chest tightening up.
“I’m sorry I had to bring her," Masindi says. First she set me up
with Lucy and now it is my worst nightmare, Masala? I am glad
she reconnected me with my sister but I was not ready to sit
with Masala in my house.
“Come in,” I step aside for the three of them to walk in. I pull
Lucy and give her a warm hug. I miss my sister. I miss having
late night talks with her in bed.
“Hello, ladies…” Gean says while walking down the stairs. “It’s
always nice having you around.” She gets to the living room
and hug all of them before leading them outside. I pull Lucy’s
hand.
“Lucy, please stay over after tea? I miss you so much.”
“I have painting work to deliver to a client,” she says and I
swallow hard. I don’t want to sound selfish so I nod at her
excuse. There is a lot of times where I have personally chose
work over family. “But, I can stay until they call me.”
“Thank you.”
The girls are already picking scones and cakes; and pouring
tea. Maybe I should have arranged lunch instead. Masindi is
sitting next to Masala who keeps rubbing her stomach. There is
little tension on the table, maybe because we still have to
discuss about Masala’s behavior at the vacation. She slapped
me and haven’t apologised. Knowing Masidi, she will lead us to
that session soon.
“So what’s new in your life? Where is your new man? I see your
Instagram is filled with playful pics,” Masala says and I glare at
her without a smile. She doesn’t know how much she is
annoying me by being here. “Let me give you man advises now
that you are finally with a man.”
“Guys, I need your advice,” Gean jumps in and I smile at her.
She came for my rescue.
“What advice?” Lucy asks.
“So my boyfriend is relocating to Kimberley because he got
some big arse promotion. Thing is, he wants me to relocate
with him…and…”
“What about your job?” I chip in. She hasn’t told me anything
about this.
“He wants to get me in to the administration department and I
am not sure. My life is here you know but on the other hand, I
want to be happy with him and the distance might strain us.”
“Men can drop you like a hot potato once they see a better
woman, so if I were you, I would stay here and do me,” Lucy
says coldly. I am happy she said that so Gean could stay but I
am worried about her and Oscar.
“Or her man can love her just like Musa adores me. Not all men
are losers, you know?” Masala sips her tea. “And what about
you and the lovey dovey Oscar? That man of your is an
example of real man.”
Lucy drops her eyes and I sit frozen with nothing to say.
“Uhm…well…I am confused but I pray I make the right choice.”
Gean closes her topic.
“Guys, I drove a car last night. A good 20 km, even thought it
was hell for me, I drove,” I announce to my friends. Masindi
stands from her seat and hugs me from the back.
“I am so proud of you,” she says happily. “That is a big step.”
“So where did you drive to?” Masala asks, like she is sent to my
house to annoy the hell out of me.
“I drove around.”
“Can I get some champagne for this?” Gean stands from her
seat.
Tea and champagne? I don’t know. She hurries to the house
and comes back with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. I was saving
the damn bottle for myself.
I am forced to click the flute with Masala. She is pretending that
all is well with us and she is wrong. I wait for us to calm down
from the toast.
“Masala, are you ever going to apologise for what you did the
last time we were together?”
“What? Apologise for what?” she asks and I chuckle. Is she
crazy?
“Gean, please excuse us?” I ask and she walks away. I am not
going to have an argument in front of my employee. Masala is
brutal with her words she might end up offending Gean for
being my personal assistant.
“Are you calling for war?” she asks with a chuckle.
“Guys, we don’t have to do this,” Masindi says.
“We have to.” I say.
“Look, okay, sorry for punching you on your face and kicking
you out of the house,” she says with a smirk on her face.
“Get out of my house Masala.”
“What? What do you want me to do? Didn’t I apologise?”
“You are disrespecting me in my house,” I say and she looks at
Masindi for defense.
“Come on Masala, you didn’t mean it,” Masindi sadly says.
“Please excuse me,” Lucy stands and walks to the house.
Masindi follows her, leaving us deadly staring at each other.
“Can we talk like adults? Can you calmly tell me what problem
you have with me?”
“You always get what you want and you always think the world
revolves around you,” she says and I nod at her to continue. “I
will never forgive you Lufuno.”
That shocked me.
“What did I do to you?” I sip the champagne. The tea can wait.
“Because you took Rendani away from me.”
“Rendani? Rendani my ex?” This is news to me.
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about. I showed
you him and how I wish I could hook up with him. Later on I see
you flirting with him.”
“You showed me ten more guys. Was I supposed to stay away
from all men in the party? Didn’t we go to that party to find
men? Both you and I… and we kept pointing at potentials and
we laughed about it. You even flirted with the guys I pointed
out?”
She is being pretty childish. Even worse for keeping it for so
many years to only attack me about it when the same guy has
wrecked my heart two years ago.
“I told you to leave him when you told me about your first date.”
“For what reason Masala? Didn’t you say he is not my type?
You never told me that you wanted him for yourself.”
“Rendani and I had sex in the car. He took my virginity in a
fucken car that night and he came to you after…”
What?
I take a deep breath and gulp on the champagne. This
happened years ago and I don’t give a damn about Rendani
anymore. I cannot be punished for things I didn’t know.
“Well, I didn’t know.”
“I had to watch you flirt with him the whole night. He touched
you and whispered in your ear all night.” Tears are gushing
down her cheeks. “I felt so cheap…and I told you to leave him.
You chose to stay with him over me.”
“I didn’t know because you didn’t tell me any of this. Stop
crying, you will upset the baby.” I don’t want her to sicken the
baby.
“I had to be there for you when the same guy broke your heart
because it has always been our obligation to take care of you. I
feel pity for that Gean girl who has your back all the days of her
life. You are selfish and you don’t care about anyone but
yourself.”
I honestly did not know. Why am I blamed for this? Gean
agreed to stay with me and I pay her extra for work done on
weekends.
“I’m sorry you had…”
“You know why I ask you about your man? Because I am tired
of nursing your arse. When you break down we all have to jump
to make sure you are fine. I did it for so long I got damn tired of
it. You want people to beg you and leak your toes. Isn’t it what
you did to Oscar’s friend who offered to change your vacation
into something beautiful? But because you don’t listen to
anyone, you pushed him away and I hope you regret your
choice because he is a good guy.”
“Masala please…I want to…”
“All you do is lure our men in loving you. I heard about Oscar.
Wasn’t it enough luring Rendani from me? Now you had to do
the same to your little sister? You should be ashamed of
yourself. Ask Masindi why she never brings her man around?
Ask her? I trust she has seen how you look at him.”
Damn you Masala! I cannot be blamed for any of these except
for what I did to Khathu. Only Khathu’s woman has a right to
shout at me for seducing her man but the rest of the people can
go hang themselves. Why am I always blamed for all these
men’s weaknesses?
She keeps going-on and on about how I keep stabbing people
on their backs. I have no idea what she is talking about and she
is hurting me with words.
“You know what Masala?”
“I am not done,” she says and rubs her stomach. I couldn’t help
but smile at the thought of a baby kicking in her stomach. I
used to love the tiny kicks. My baby’s kicks were tickling
though. It was a beautiful feeling.
All thoughts of my baby comes flooding in my head. Why did I
have to lose my precious baby? I would have been a best
mother. I swear I would have been a great mother. Tears fell
down my cheeks without warning me.
“See what I am talking about? I can’t even be happy for my
baby just because this would happen to you. That’s why I
stayed away from you all these months,” she says and I quickly
move my eyes away from her baby bump. She stands and pick
her bag from the table. She claps her hands at me and yell,
“Get some help Lufuno. Get help ASAP!”
I gasp for air as I keep chocking from my sobs. I feel my heart
tightening worse than the other days.
“Gean!” I scream with all the energy I had in me. She comes
running with Masindi behind her. My chest feels heavy and I
can’t breathe.
“Lufuno, Lufuno, relax now…relax!” She says rubbing my back.
Masindi runs back to the house and comes with a glass of cold
water. I gulp at it trying to relax my chest by taking long deep
breath. Lucy is on her knees next to me.
“I am fine now.” I say taking the last deep breathe.
“Lufuno you need to see the doctor and the therapist.”
“I need to lie down for a minute.”
“I’ll help you.” Lucy follows behind me. I get to my room and get
into the duvets in my clothes. Lucy sits on the bed beside me. I
know she wants to ask me what happened.
“You’ll be fine.”
“Are you fine Lucy?” I ask and tears starts bowling out of my
eyes again. I didn’t know I was such a burden to people’s lives
and that I am selfish. “How are you? How are things with you
and Oscar? Are you fine?”
“Uhm…yah.”
“No, stop protecting me and tell me the truth…how are you?
And how are things in your marriage?” I raise my voice. I am
blamed for not caring about everyone but myself.
“It’s not..uhm…important.”
“Please tell me.” I beg and she shakes her head.
“Sleep.”
“Please be honest with me Lucy…how are you? How is work?
How is your marriage? I want to know and be there for you
aswell.”
“Oscar left me, okay? He left me because he thinks you are the
one for him. He told me I am not the one he has been looking
for. He says you are the one for him…so you know what? You
can have him to yourself. I am tired. I really am tired Lufuno.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when it happened?”
“So you can fake to be sick so we all jump on our knees to save
you? Haven’t you realized that we all live for you? You have
never set your foot in my house since that day and you tell me
you care? But we all jump to come here and nurse your ego by
telling you how perfect everything is. Everything is about you
and what pleases you. Masala told me about Rendani. Masindi
also keep her man away from you because you always get
what you want.”
“Lucy?”
“You asked me how I am, didn’t you? Then listen, I am tired of
pretending to be fine about your behavior. I want to believe you
so bad that you didn’t intentionally kiss Oscar…but no, the way
you look at all this guys…the way you sashay in front of them? I
know you led him on. I swear I know.”
“Never, Lucy?” I am in tears. My heart keeps tightening with
each scream she lets out.
“You seduced him, didn’t you? You seduced Oscar the way you
seduced Rendani.”
“I swear the only guy I ever seduced in my life is Khathu
because…” I try to defend myself but she laughs at me.
“Khathu has a girlfriend now, did you know?” she asks and
stares at me. I drop my teary eyes and it is a good enough
answer for her. I swear I didn’t mean to break Khathu’s
girlfriend’s heart. Everyone else, I am wrongly accused.
“Stay the hell away from Khathu because he has a
girlfriend…you deserve Oscar. He is THE ONE for you. Make
sure you jump to him before he gets a girlfriend and you end up
breaking another heart. You two deserve each other,” she yells
and then storm out of the room, leaving me wheezing and
gasping for air.

THE ONE

INSERT 27
LUFUNO

I am awake but lazy to open my eyes as they feel heavy. I want

to plan my week in my head before flashing my eyes open and
be blinded by the light in my bedroom.
‘Meeting with Charlotte to finalise her dress picking and cake
testing, her wedding is so close. I also have to sit with Ntate
Molofe to give him an offer to stay. Gala dinner for Major-Buzz
Company on Friday. Gean’s birthday is in a week’s time so I
need to surprise her with something big, maybe a mini-copper,’
I thought to myself. I am disturbed by a beeping sound that
goes on every minute. I am trying to plan my week but the beep
keeps disturbing me. I open my eyes and sway them around an
unfamiliar white painted room. I take a deepest breath and I
was able to, without feeling pains. My chest felt better than all
the days. I close my eyes to recall why I am lying on the
hospital bed. It takes me a good minute to remember Gean
shouting for Masindi in my room. I had a fight with Lucy and
she left my room yelling at me to stop faking my sickness.
Gean came to my room just after a few minutes and she
screamed for Masindi to help. I don’t remember much after
that.
The beep keeps going on every minute. Other than that, it is
quiet in the room. I pray to God for little strength on this one.
Wow, I can breathe much better now.
“Oh, Lufuno, you are up,” Gean says while walking in with a
cup of coffee. She looks like a mess. I pull a smile for her as
she walks closer to the bed.
“Hey, Gean.”
“Feeling a little better?” she asks and I nod for her. “Let me get
the doctor for you.”
“Wait!” I lift my hand and she reaches for it. “Thank you for
getting me here on time.”
“I am glad I did…now let me get Dr Simmons for you.”
She left and came back minutes later. She sits on the bed next
to me. I turn to the watch on the wall. It is just after nine. The
doctor walks in minutes later and Gean excuses herself.
“I am Dr Simmons, how are you feeling today?” He asks with
his hands in his white coat.
“I feel a little better than most days.” I lick my dry lips.
“I am glad to hear that.”
“What is wrong with me?”
“Coronary artery disease. I am worried that it is a warning sign
of a heart disease,” he says with worry on his face. I glare at
him for more information. “See, I am afraid you have bad high
blood pressure and that is the main factor for CAD. You had an
uncontrolled high blood pressure.”
“Am I going to be fine?”
“Yes, you will be perfectly fine if you take your medication. I am
giving you antiplatelet to prevent the formation of blood clots,
so you will be fine…but we need to talk.”
“Yes?”
“Is there anyone in your family diagnosed with high blood
pressure or CAD?”
“Not my parents.”
“Okay genetics are out. Look, CAD is caused by a lot of things
and yesterday I was made aware that you were stressed before
an episode happened? Are you stressed or depressed
perhaps?” he asks and I nod. There is no more room to lie
about it. I am depressed about a lot of things and I need help.
“Alright, I will get you consult with a therapist to help you deal
with stress and depression because I am worried about your
high blood pressure. Stress and depression is a risk factor for
both CAD, high blood pressure as well as the worst heart
disease…so I need you stop stressing, right?”
“Yea.”
“The nurses will help monitor your high blood pressure and
keep you in treatment. So we are going to keep you here for a
few days until I am confident that you are fine to go home.”
“Thank you.”
This is more serious than I thought.
Gean comes back just after the doctor disappeared. She has
some berries, yoghurt and bananas from the canteen. She
places some fruits on the table in front of me. I thought I would
eat later but the nurse walks in with oats and milk for me to eat
before I take my medication. I stick to Gean’s option of
breakfast and have the medication after. I need to get better
soon.
“Gean, how are you?” I ask and she narrow her eyes. It could
be weird coming from me, but I really need to know.
“Yeah, I am fine…why?”
“I just need to know.” I lick my dry lips. I am going to need Zam-
buk to treat my lips. “Gean, am I a burden to you?”
“What? Lufuno, how can you ask me that?”
“Because I need to know and I need you to be honest.” I am
already in hospital, they will rush to me if I distress myself by
this conversation.
“You are not a burden. We take care of each other.”
“I have never been there for you because you stand to be
strong but it is wrong for me to never ask how your life is…do
you like staying in Silver Lakes with me?”
“I do because I am able to assist you at any hour of the day.”
“Would you like to stay alone?”
“Who is going to help you with things when I am not there?”
She stares at me.
“Would you like to stay alone one day?”
“Uhm…I wouldn’t mind so I could start learning to be
responsible. I live in your house and I never pay for a single
thing…so yeah one day I would love to do things alone,” she
says and I nod at her.
“Where do you want to stay?”
“Arcadia or Hatfield...but I don’t mind helping you Lufuno, I
don’t mind at all. I learn so many things from you.”
“I know Gean, I know.”
“Well, should I ask Lindelwa to take over your diary?”
“Yes, for few weeks, please.”
“Muzi has been calling.”
“Tell him I am not well and need some time off. Don’t tell him
where I am. And please don’t allow Lucy, Masindi and Masala
to come here. I will see them when I am ready to do so,” I say.
“I got an email from Charlotte asking when she is coming
through to see you. I emailed her back that our event planner
will take over but she insisted on waiting for you to be back to
take care of her needs,” Gean says and I laugh. This Charlotte
girl is persistent.
“I will talk to her when I get better.”
“You should forget about business for a little while. We will take
care of everything!!!”
“I know,” I smile at her.

The rest of the week was just so boring, I cannot believe how I
survived until today. The routine was the same. Wake up, bath,
eat, take medication and watch TV. It is really depressing me
more to be stuck in a bed. I am used to working. I am used to
shopping and dressing up. I am on PJs only since Sunday
evening.
I have been seeing a therapist in my hospital ward since
Tuesday and I am glad someone is there to help me deal with
my issues.
I have seen a post on Facebook about me being hospitalised
because of depression and anxiety. Journalist are the cruellest
people I know, hey!
“Two years ago it was the loss of her baby, she is only
hospitalised now,” I read the headline from an online
newspaper. The whole story is about me depressed about the
loss of my baby. I think I know who gave away the information.
I just don’t want to deal with it now. Anyway, I thought I was not
going to go through my phone but I had to. I have a few phone
calls to make and it gets boring when my parents are not
around. They and Gean are my only visitors. I send Charlotte
an email about an hour meeting with her after a week. Before
putting my phone, I call Paul - my realtor.
“Miss Lufuno, are you well?” he asks.
“Yes, I hope you well.”
“I am fine. I have sent a few emails on Tuesday but they are
unread and your phone has been off.”
“Yes, I am not at my best times so I am taking some time out.
So, I am calling to stop you from finalising the Zimbali house
purchase.”
“What is wrong?”
“I want to purchase two apartments.” I say and he sighs.
“What are you looking for this time?”
“I am looking to rent out the Silver Lakes house, fully furnitured,
as soon as possible. And then please get me a two bedroom
apartment in the East and one in Arcadia. The Arcadia
apartment should be for eight hundred tops.”
“How soon do you want?”
“As possible… I want to move out of Silver Lakes so juggle with
the three transactions,” I say and he deeply sighs. I know it is
too much but I need it done. “Okay, get the owners of the
apartments to allow us to rent while you deal with the
purchase? Possible?”
“Yes, it is. I will get back to you tomorrow or Monday the
latest.”
I need to do this. Gean needs her own life and an apartment
will be the best present from me to her. She can get herself a
mini-copper. I pay her too well.
I also need to start living my life alone and stop depending on
Gean. I also need to learn to drive all over again. I am done
depending on people.
I send a message to Gean to book me into Zimbali for a week,
starting on Monday. I need some time to unwind and to start my
life all over. I see a text and my heart jumps a bit. It is from
Khathu asking me how I am and in which hospital I am at. I am
tempted to answer it but Lucy’s piercing words to stay away
from him because he has a girlfriend echoes in my head. I
choose to take the advice so I switch my phone off and throw it
on the medicine cabinet next to the bed.
I rest my head on the pillow but I hear a soft knock before my
visitor peeks from my slightly open door.
“Khathu?” I say and he walks in slowly. He has flowers and a
take-away brown bag. I smile at him.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, please, why not?” I am happy. I have never felt this joy
since Sunday. He walks in and places a take-away box and
flowers on the table. I watch as he sits on the chair stationed by
the window. He doesn’t look comfortable but I am happy he is
here. I needed him here.
“How are you holding up?”
“I am so fine, I think the nurses and the doctor love seeing me
here that’s why they are keeping me for longer! I am super fine,
I promise,” I say with a laugh and he beams at me. I see a sign
of relief in his face.
“You do look fine,” he chuckles.
“So maybe since you are, you can talk to the doctor for me,
man to man you know? Show him your fists and maybe he will
discharge me and stop keeping me here to decorate his ward,”
I pleased and he keeps laughing. I admire the way he
genuinely laughs. I stare at him and feel guilty. This is what
Masala and Lucy bashed me for. Soft talking people and being
overfriendly. I clear my throat and Khathu try to pull a straight
face. I want to ask what he wants here and where his precious
girlfriend is but I need his company. My heart is smiling and I
wish for it to stay that way.
“How did you find out?” I ask.
“Facebook…I saw some online news. I am sorry if you read it.”
“Oh, yeah…I am used to it.”
“Hey, I bet you pay your PA well. I begged her for days to tell
me where you are but hey she kept me running around. I saw a
comment on a Facebook post of where you might possibly
be…imagine,” he says and I laugh.
Gean has my back always.
He walks to me and stand beside the bed. He pulls my hand
and bury it on his.
“How are you Lufuno? I am worried about you.”
“I will be fine.”
“Would you tell me when you need anything? I am really
worried about you.”
I stare at him and I see panic in his eyes. I need him but I am
worried about his girlfriend. I have been accused of seducing
men and Khathu is here on his own, uninvited by me. His hand
is shaking in mine and my heart starts beating faster than it
should. As wrong as it looked, I felt a connection with him. He
pulls me into an embrace and I allow him. He is tense with the
hug but I appreciate it. I am conflicted right now. I need him
here with me and I also don’t want to be blamed for breaking
his union with his woman.
I clear my throat and he quickly pulls away.
“I don’t want to complicate things for you.”
“I know, I know. I am here as a friend.” He swallows hard. “Oh
damn, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come…uhm…please excuse
me.”
He rushes out of my room like he was chased out by a mob.
Why did I chase him away though?
I quickly pull my phone from the cabinet and switch it on as fast
as I could.
“I need you Khathu. Please come back?” I send him a text and
cover my face afterwards. I do need him right now, I really do.

THE ONE

INSERT 28

TSHEPO

I am in love and I am happy about it. Khathu is just so perfect

for me. He loves me just the way I deserve to be loved. We flew
back from Cape Town on Tuesday. We got the earliest flight so
we could both make it to work. I have been camping in his
house since Tuesday evening and my father sent me a link to a
real estate website to choose an apartment to rent. He says he
is tired of me making excuses of where I am and he is not
going to have me disrespect him like that. I took the offer and
applied for a rental. He will pay for it until I buy my own house.
I had to block Tokello from calling me. He has been flooding my
phone with SMSs since our date on Monday. If only he knew
my man followed me all the way from Gauteng just to kiss and
make-up. I told him, Tokello, that I have moved on and I
thanked him for the closure. I wasted my time flying there but
I’m glad I did. It made me realise how badly Khathu wants to be
with me and I got the best make-up sex ever. We literally didnt
sleep.
It is now Thursday afternoon and I have an appointment with a
doctor. Now that I am back to the dating game, I think it is time I
consult with a doctor. Also because Khathu and I are always
humping each other like rabbits.
I made the 14:00 appointment with Dr Moola. I was referred to
him by Charlotte. She says he is her family doctor and I trust
her. Charlotte is too picky with every simple thing so I trust all
her referrals.
The reception lady takes me to the doctor’s room. I chuckle
when I see the doctor is black. I thought he was Indian.
“Good afternoon, please take a seat.” He receives my sticky
note with my file number. They use online filing, how
impressive.
“What does your name Moola mean? I thought it was Indian.” I
chuckle and he raise his brows.
“Indian? I am very Venda.”
“Oh, my boyfriend is Venda too.”
“Is it? Maybe I know him, you know?” He is friendly. “Well,
Mula…M.U.L.A is short of Mulatshawe.”
“Yoh, I will stick to Mula.”
“Most prefer it that way,” he says. “So, how can I help you
today?”
“Well, I need a right contraceptive.”
“I see.” He types something on his computer. “So, do you have
anything in particular that you need?”
“Anything that works perfectly. I am not ready for a baby.”
“Okay, when last did you see your period?”
“Last month, but it was normal…my next period is in a few
weeks’ time.”
“Any unprotected sex activities lately?” he asks.
“Uhm…yea.”
“Well, I want to be sure before I give you anything that you are
not pregnant already. We don’t want that, do we?” he says.
“Well, Monday. I thought he would pull out but he didn’t.” Too
much information, I know. The doctor laughs hysterically.
Maybe it is the way I said it.
“Withdrawal? It works for a few.”
“Why not though? Don’t you guys feel the ejaculation coming
closer just like women know when they are about to cum?
Women know when they are close that’s why some of us are
able to announce to our partners to know that the feeling is
close and they shouldn’t dare stop humping, you know? So is it
not the same with males?”
“Well, it is a little difficult for some males to always predict
ejaculation,” he says after a fit of giggles. “Did you take the
morning-after pill?”
“I did.”
“Most morning pills are ninety to ninety five percent effective so
there is that five percent, you know? So, let’s rather not give
you anything until say the first day of your missed period.
Alright?” he ask before giving me lecture on all types of
contraceptives there is. I am glad I came to him. He knows his
story and he is not impatient with me asking silly questions. I
am going with the IUD. I am super scared to have it inserted
but hey, it is the only thing that will work. I always forget to take
pills and I don’t want no patch on my thighs or arm so IUD it is.
He did my health check and then gets busy on his computer. I
scan around his beautiful consultation room, he has beautiful
pics on the wall. There is a beautiful picture of a young lady on
the end of the table. I smile at the way she perfectly looks
happy.
“Who is that?” I ask and he raises his eyes to the direction of
my finger pointing at the picture.
“My woman,” he says with a smile.
“Do you love her badly?”
“I do. Yeah. She is my soulmate that one.”
“Tell me, if she was with someone else, would you be able to
live without her and love another woman?”
He rest his back on the chair and cross his arms on his chest.
“Well, I don’t know hey…that’s a difficult question.”
“Why is it difficult?”
“Maybe because she is the only woman I have deeply fell in
love with, all my life. Before her, I could casually date but she is
special and I don’t know what I would do without her,” he says
and I can see he means it. “Tell me where all this is coming
from?”
“I think I am in love with a man who is in love with another
woman. Sometimes I feel like I am competing with her.”
“Well, not everybody is with their soul mates. Look at me, I love
my woman with my life but I can’t really expect her to die for me
just because I would take a bullet for her. She loves me
perfectly and she has done things I never thought she would.
Her name is Ria. But I live everyday with fear that she might
want to be with someone else but me. Mostly because my
relationship with her is complicated and my family keeps
interfering, and I keep messing up sometimes, it’s just a mess.
Even with that possibility of her breaking up with me, I love her
deeply and give her my all. But I honestly don’t know what I
would do without her,” he says and I sigh.
This love game is not as easy as it looks.
“Do you think I should be worried about the other lady?”
“I don’t know, really. It depends on what you want and how your
man treats you, I guess. I’m so bad with such advices. I have
never been in love before Ria so I can say I am new in this love
matters,” he says and focuses on the computer screen. “Please
come back to me after two weeks. When we are sure that you
are not pregnant. You definitely need contraceptive. I will have
our PA send you a calendar appointment.”
My phone vibrates from my bag and I pull it out to see who
texted me.
‘Hey babe, I will be home again after six. I am rushing to see a
friend in Faerie Glen hospital. I love you,’ Khathu's SMS reads.
That is perfectly fine with me because I will pass by Menlyn to
get a mini grocery and dinner will be ready when he gets
home.
“I’ll see you in two weeks.” Dr Mula says. “Don’t stress yourself
about the other woman if your man loves you perfectly.”
“Thank you.” I pick my bag from an empty seat and walk away.
I know Khathu loves me enough and I shouldn’t worry about the
other woman.
I pass by Food Lover’s Market to get spinach and fruits for the
house. I get to Khathu’s apartment after five o’clock. The first
thing I notice on the counter is his phone. He probably forgot it
after texting me, because there is no other sign of him here. I
shift it closer to the fruit basket and pull a bottle of wine from
the cupboard. I poured myself a full glass and unpack the mini
grocery. I am going to make spinach with pumpkin, roast
chicken and pap. It is always his favourite.
I change into a simple dress and prepare him supper while
sipping on my wine and watching TV from the kitchen. His
phone lights up in front of me when I am packing the fruits into
the basket. I don’t mean to snoop but the phone flashed infront
of me.
I see a pop-up text from Lufuno. It reads, ‘I need you Khathu.
Please come back?’
I shouldn’t have looked but I did. The damn phone flashed in
my eyes.
I thought the friend he went to visit was a male, but it is
obviously not. No man can send such a pleading message to
another man. I wish I never looked at his phone.
I manage to finish cooking and he arrives home just after six. I
have spent so much time with Khathu to know when he is
stressed. He looks strained the moment he walks to the
apartment.
“Hey, babe, the food smell amazing,” he says while giving me a
hug. He is tense.
“I hope you are hungry,” I fake a smile.
He smiles at me and picks the phone from the kitchen counter.
I never touched his phone but I hope his guts tells him I
possibly saw a message from a ‘Lufuno’. He should turn off the
damn pop-up messages.
I dish for him and I; and set the dining table for us. He takes the
chair at the end of the table and I pick the other end.
“So how is your friend doing?” I ask and he digs on the food
with his hand. He is a Venda man after all. No spoon necessary
for eating pap.
“Very fine.”
“Who is it?” I ask, praying that he doesn’t lie to me or else it is
the end of us.
“Uhm…why are you asking babe?” he asks.
“Just wondering…who is it?”
“Lufuno.” He says with his eyes on the plate. I appreciate his
honesty.
“Who is Lufuno?” My heart is throbbing right now. I have never
asked the name of this ‘woman’ who stole his heart from me. I
am just praying it is not her whom he went to visit and who
asked him to come back because she needed him. The name
sounds familiar from the misunderstood Sunday but I am
hoping it is not her.
“Ahhh babe, what’s up?” he fakes a laugh. I know a fake laugh
when I hear one.
“Who is Lufuno?” I ask again. I dare him to lie to me and I am
going to walk out of here without a warning.
“Babe.”
“Who the hell is Lufuno?” I throw the cutlery on the plate and he
stares at me. I hate being made a fool.
“Tshepo what is wrong?”
“It is her, right? Lufuno is that woman you love dearly,” I say
and he focuses on the plate of food. He is guilty. “Did you go to
see Lufuno in hospital?”
“Yeah, but babe, I was just worried about her.”
“Why? What the hell Khathu?” I stand from the chair. “Didn’t
you promise to never put yourself in a compromising situation
with her?”
“Babe, come on.”
“You love her so much, don’t you?” I yell at him. “You choose to
betray me once again?”
“Come on babe, please relax.”
I hurry to the bedroom to get my damn stuff. He comes to the
room while I am shoving my clothes into my luggage bag.
“You make me sick,” I say without turning to him. He tries to
hold me tight but I push him away. I am done with him. I am so
done.
“Babe, please. Let’s talk.”
He begs until I give in.
“Fine! Let’s talk.” I sit on the bed. I am calmer and trying my
best to supress the anger.
“She doesn’t mean anything to me. I was just worried about
her. I pitied her. I want to be with you only. I am sorry I didn’t
mean to hurt you like this.”
“Look, you can’t be with me. I cannot be with someone who is
openly in love with another woman. You can’t fool me a bit, you
still love her so bad that’s why you care so much for her. You
care so much for her you didn’t even think for a second what
would happen to us if I find out?”
“Babe, come on…”
“Please stay away from me? This is my humble request. Let’s
do the business shoot tomorrow and I will be done with you. I
want you to finish your project with MBC and get the hell away
from me and my family.”
“Tshepo? Please give me a last chance to prove myself.”
“You need nothing to prove to me. I know what I know, from
your actions.”
I jump off the bed and finish shoving the clothes into my
luggage bag. He is still standing in the room with no come-back
to give me.
I can’t believe this! He went all the way to visit her? Probably
with flowers and fruit baskets! After the misunderstanding we
had on Sunday? What does he want me to believe?
“You know what?” he asks and I turn to him. “You can go. You
will never believe me when it comes to her. I used to like her
but now I don’t, but I care for her as a friend. That doesn’t mean
I love you any less. I just wanted to be there for her. My
mistake was going there without you or telling you about it. I
want to be with you.”
What an idiot?
“She asked you to come back because she needs you.”
“I am not going back there.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to be here with you.”
I pick my shoes from the closet and toss them into the bag
also.
“I loved us…but I am not desperate to be loved. No, I am not
desperate to be loved by any man, including you. Wena, you
just need to stop lying to yourself.”
“I think you are right.”
“Pardon?”
“I think you are right Tshepo. Maybe I am not meant for you
and I am going to do nothing but hurt you. We cannot always
fight about the same person over and over again. How many
times should I tell you I don’t love her? I was there because she
is a family friend…something like that. I want to be with you but
if you want to go, Fine!!” he says rudely.
“I respect her, hey.” I zip my luggage bag and pull it out of
Khathu’s bedroom.

THE ONE

INSERT 29

KHATHUTSHELO

It is now THREE MONTHS after the break-up with Tshepo. She

meant it that she is done with me. I tried reaching out to her but
she is not yet ready to take me back. I haven’t seen Lufuno
since the day I last saw her in the hospital, same day Tshepo
broke up with me. I feel like it was a success and I am finally
letting go of that goddess. I completed and delivered her TV ad
to all TV stations and now all I do is watch her whenever she
makes an appearance. I am proud of my work and at how the
final Ad came out. I should definitely get a share of her profits
on all winter weddings.
Today marks my last day at MBC and I feel like a wreck about
it. At least I used to see Tshepo in meetings, as unhappy as
she looked, I was able to see her and interact with her. After
today’s meeting, I am walking out of her life for good. That does
not sit well with me. I also don’t know what I am going to do
with all the time I used to invest in MBC’s project. I know I will
give Michelle enough time but I need something else to keep
me busy.
I have been working on the proposal to give to Mr Mkhize. I am
just waiting for the right time to throw it on the table.
I pull the blazer from the closet and put it on. I look fine. I brush
my hair that needs shaving and then wear my cologne. It is
nine o’clock when I get to MBC boardroom. The same
boardroom that Tshepo and I made love in, for the first time. I
miss her funkiness and craziness. I tried hooking up with one
girl last week but she was just boring from the time we left the
club. I asked her to brush my member as I drive us to my
apartment, but she came with useless excuses. I made a u-turn
and drove her to her flat. I am used to Tshepo who would give
me a good job while I drive. My freak would jump on the table
and let me join her for a good session. Now I can’t have all of
that. But that is not all that I miss about my Tshepo. She was
sweet and I could see in her eyes that she adores me. I think
she loved me too much it got to her head. She should have
given me the benefit of the doubt and allowed me to love her
accordingly.
Everyone is here in the boardroom except Tshepo. She can’t
do this to me. This is my last opportunity to lay my eyes on her
and see her beautiful smile. This is my opportunity to pull her
hand and force her to talk to me.
The boardroom is packed this time around, with more staff
members to see the pictures of billboards erected on the high-
ways and all the TV ads I made for MBC.
I grab an empty chair next to Bakang. He greeted me with a
handshake, with no sign of anger towards me.
“Well, the man of the moment is here,” Mr Maake says and
everyone applaud with me nodding at them.
Where is Tshepo?
“We are honoured to have had you change and shape MBC to
what is has become today. We are now international and we fit
in very well. Trust me, this is not the last time we work with you.
I have bigger and greater projects for you.”
Mr Maake is truly happy and it worries me what he doesn’t
know about me breaking his daughter’s heart. Tshepo
obviously didn’t tell anyone about the break-up. Only Bakang
knew about our relationship. Him and his father wouldn’t be this
happy towards me if they knew about the heart break.
“Now, show us what we have been waiting for,” Mr Maake says
and I plug the projector to my Mac Book. I play all the three ads
I did for them, the slide shows to play in International Airports
and digital boards across the country, the pictures of all the
billboards around all the cities and lastly the interview which I
hooked Mr Maake to do with CNN. I have outdone myself on
this project.
Everyone applaud as I search around for Tshepo. She is
nowhere to be found and I needed her to be as proud as
everyone in this boardroom.
After the showcase, Mr Maake advised everyone that there is
free food at the Company’s Eatrium. Pity it is ten o’clock in the
morning or else they would have been free booze too.
“Thank you for the opportunity Sir,” I say.
“You know what? Come over for dinner in my house tonight? I
have a perfect project for you.”
“Okay, Sir.”
“Dinner is at seven. Do you know where my house is?” he asks.
Do I know where his house is? I almost had sex outside his
gate.
“Yes, I do, sir.”
“I will see you tonight.” He shakes my hand and walks away.
I pass by Tshepo’s office. She is not at work today. I wonder
what could be the problem. The secretary told me she is sick
and took a week off. I hope she is fine. I will see her tonight
during dinner.
The day went by so slow with me wondering how Tshepo is. At
five I hurry to the mall to get something for the hosts. I think it is
Tshepo’s family culture to bring something when invited or
maybe it is just for the rich. I am standing in Checkers,
conflicting with myself what to get for dinner.
“Wine. Ahha!”
I walk to the wine cellars. I have no idea what to get. There is a
million of wines to pick from and I am no wine fan. I prefer beer,
any day, any time.
“Get The Chocolate Block,” a familiar voice says from behind.
“Hey Lucy, how have you been?” I ask while reaching for a hug.
I can’t look in her eyes since I know what Oscar has been busy
with. I heard about their break-up because of Lufuno, another
reason for me to stay away from her.
“I am fine. How are you?” she asks while pulling the The
Chocolate Block wine from the rack. She places it in my
shopping cart.
“I am good. Uhm…thank you?”
“How is your girlfriend? You haven’t introduced us.”
“Arg, she is fine.” I lie. I just don’t want to talk about it. “How is
Lufuno holding up? I last saw her at the hospital.”
“I don’t know.” That is my queue to shut up. We catch up a bit
before I hurry to pay. I don’t want her to ask me anything about
Oscar.
I was received by Bakang at the gate. Still no sign of Tshepo
and I don’t want to ask as yet. He leads me to the living room
where Mr Maake is watching the news. I give him the wine and
the flowers for his mother then burry myself on a couch on the
far end. I can smell the food from the kitchen and I can hear
voices from there too. I pray Tshepo is helping her mother and I
am going to see her later. I have nothing to say to Mr Maake so
we keep our eyes on the TV.
Oh, Lufuno appears on the big screen. I have worked on this
advert so many times to know when she is going smile and say
her words.
“Leave it to me. Leave everything to Lufuno Love Events. We
absolutely have your back,” I quietly mimic Lufuno's line from
the advert.
“You know that ad by heart?” Mr Maake asks with a laugh. Flip!
He heard me. I am so used to saying that line I forgot I am
sitting with him. Now it makes me look like a freak. He laughs
louder and I feel an edge to explain myself.
“The advert was done by me so I wrote those lines. Sorry, we
rehearsed them so many times, they keep ringing when it
plays.”
“You did that wedding advert?” he asks shockingly.
“Yes, I did.”
“My love! Come here, please!” he shouts with his face towards
the kitchen. Seconds later, his love, appears from the passage.
“And the yelling in the house?” she asks. She looks exactly like
Tshepo. He picks the remote from the table and rewind the
advert. It plays again.
“Do you know the guy who directed it?” he asks and then points
at me.
“What? Really? You know I love it so much I even recorded it?”
she says and sits next to me. “Tell me, how is her work? I know
you advert people sell us a dream and the actual service is not
as perfect.”
“No, she means her words that one. She is actually a celebrity
wedding planner and all sorts of planner. So what you see in
that advert is what you get and more.”
“No way. So the décor on the back ground is not filtered or
anything. No computer adds on?”
“None whatsoever. I was also blown away when I walked into
the room. I almost asked her if I could get married that instant.
That is how perfect she is.”
“And the dresses? She makes them?”
“She has a team that works for her. So she designs from the
dress, then food, then the venue and then the whole event. You
can call her up and she can pull out a perfect party for you.”
“I need her to host my anniversary in a months’ time,” Mrs
Maake says happily.
“What?” I realised I just sold Lufuno to a rich couple. “Uhm,
well…there are other best best planners I worked with. I will get
you their contacts.”
“No, I want her. I want her to do it for me,” she says and I feel a
sweat drop from my armpit. I can’t have Lufuno here with
Tshepo also. I will probably be invited to attend too.
Disaster!
“She really loves this woman’s work. Good job on the ad. I am
also fascinated, imagine,” he says and I nervously nod.
What now?
Mrs Maake disappears to the kitchen and minutes later we are
called to the dining room. I settle on the chair with everyone.
Tshepo walks in a little later with a mug in her hand. She glare
at me and then turn her eyes away. She looks so beautiful in a
pink sweat jacket and track pants. She likes to dress in a chilled
manner and she does it in an adorable way.
“The way, you love food? You had to drive all the way,” Bakang
says and she sticks her tongue out at him. She is still as silly.
“What about you? You also dont live here anymore. I am here
for the take-always,” she says while sitting next to her mother.
So she moved out of her father’s house. It was initially our plan
that she moves out but I am no longer part of the plan.
“How is your flu?” her mother asks with her hand on Tshepo’s
forehead. "Thanks for setting the table."
“Much better.”
“I hope you sleep over so I take care of you.”
“No, I am fine.”
We have supper with everyone shooting questions to me.
Questions about my next venture and all. Mr Maake also gave
me contacts of four clients who are interested in my services. I
can see millions in my bank account very soon. I am not going
to be able to do it alone, I am going to throw the proposal to
Mkhize.
After supper I have drinks with Mr Maake until Tshepo comes
to the living room to give her goodbye hug to her father. I also
ask to be excused as it is getting too late.
I hurry to the car and follow after Tshepo. I make sure I drive
two cars behind her so she doesn’t see me and change her
route. She stops at a complex in Lyttelton. She probably saw
me because she is parking outside the complex. I park next to
her and jump out of the car to hers.
“Why are you following me?” she asks after rolling down the
window. She didn’t tie her curly hair today.
“We need to talk. Please?” I ask and she steps out of her car. “I
miss you so much Tshepo.”
“You are still there?” she asks and laugh. “It has been three
months now…you have moved on by now.”
“No, I haven’t. Have you?” I ask and she doesn’t respond. I
stand in front of her and butter her with the car. I miss her
presence and her touch. “Have you moved on Tshepo?”
She turns her head away as my lips are about to touch hers.
“Babe, I miss you so much.”
“You told me to leave and I did.”
“Because you kept overreacting over Lufuno and I kept
assuring you I love you, not her. Remember the time you went
to Cape Town to talk to your ex? I didn’t overact because I
know some time you need to talk to the people from the past for
closure and all. I was doing the same. I know I hurt you by
going there to see her, but please understand.”
“I have moved on.”
“In three months you already moved on Tshepo? You didn’t
want to be with me, did you?”
“I just want to be happy and you failed to keep me happy.”
“In three months?” I laugh. “You never loved me.”
I should have hooked up with that club girl. I am never going to
have Tshepo back, I see.
Whose fault is it? Totally mine!
“I hear you are bringing her to plan and host my parents’
anniversary.”
“What? They spoke about it but I told them to get another
planner but your mother had already made up her mind.”
“I heard you and my mother confirmed that you approve of her
work.”
“Yes, but it it just business. Flat business.”
“You didn’t find it necessary to tell them not to consider her? So
you want her to come to my father’s house with me watching?”
Heee vhanna!
I am purely blamed here.
“I will talk to your parents to find another planner.”
“I am just showing you how much you always think highly of her
without considering my feelings...always.”
“No…No…you are being unfair.”
“Unfair you say?” she coughs. “You know why you scored the
MBC project? Which is now opening more opportunities for you
with all other companies that my father knows?”
“Why?”
“Because I liked you and saw so much potential in you. I fell for
you and made sure I speak highly, so highly of you to a point
where there was no doubt that you would deliver. I could have
picked Hendricks Mark or Gilbert Mafaza, I am sure you know
them, but no, I spoke highly of you…and that made you work
on your business more than you could have if you were just
stuck at Mkhize’s. So, I overheard you speaking highly of
her…not even considering that I might be in the house and
could hear what you are saying. You sold her to my parents
knowing very well that there is history between you two…and
you are tagging me along to your mess? You didnt hear
yourself. Thats what love does to a person.”
I honestly didn’t see things in this manner. I was stating her
perfect service. Nothing attached to that.
“When last did you see her?”
“The same day you left me… at the hospital.”
“Now listen to me. Go find her Khathu. You love her so much
and stop lying to yourself. I am very fine now and you have
nothing to prove to me anymore. I can’t ever be with you. You
love her the same way I loved you and it is too much. Now you
have been confusing yourself and lying to yourself about loving
me, boy you don’t. See after Tokello, I promised myself never
to force things with anyone because I got hurt deeply. So
please leave me alone, please.”
She leaves me speechless because I always contradict myself
when it comes to Lufuno.
I know I once loved Lufuno dearly, or still do, but there are just
so many things that tell me we won’t work. Never! First is
Michelle. How is she going to live with Michelle when she once
said she can’t? Michelle is my priority. What about Oscar and
his obsession on her? I have been friends with him for so many
years we cannot be torn apart by a woman. He can have her all
he wants. What about Muzi? The dude that poked my car
because of his insecurities? I am not scared of him but I am not
a woman snatcher. I think my failed relationship with Julia has
taught me so many life lessons.
So this is it? I am closing a chapter with Tshepo!
“I am honoured to have met you.” I move back from buttering
her and rest my back on the car.
“Same here.” She chuckles. “It was very nice meeting a freak
like me.”
We both smile but after a minute Tshepo gets into a fit of
coughs.
“Hey, hey, do you want me to get you something for that
cough?”
“No, I just need to get away from this cold.” She opens her door
and get into the driver’s seat.
“Please let me call you sometime? Pretty please.”
“I’ll unblock your arse on WhatsApp,” she says and stuck out
her tongue out at me. I am going to miss her fun, crazy self.
I slightly tap on her door before stepping aside for her to drive
away.
Just like that!
I AM DONE DATING.
I, Khathutshelo Nengwenda, am done dating.
THE ONE

INSERT 30

MUZIKAYISE

I am annoyed at Zakhele right now. I hate it when he pushes

me around like a damn puppet. I am sitting at his porch, waiting
for him to finish with his shower. His wife has served me with all
sorts of breakfast food and I am not even hungry.
I am worried about Zakhele’s next move. I wanted to retaliate
back at how Lufuno treated me but after reading the news
about her in hospital, I thought ‘No!’ She has so much to deal
with right now. She has moved out of her old house and she
doesn’t want me near her new home. We know where she is
staying, because ‘Zakhele’. He knows everything and I am
even bothered by today’s meeting.
I pour myself another glass of whisky and wait some more. I
don’t care how early it is, I need the whisky to help me keep
calm. Zakhele comes to the porch while drying his brown
dreadlocks. He has a smack on his face and I get knots in my
stomach.
“Dude, come on, I have been waiting.”
“You had no choice.” He settles on the chair and pour himself
whisky. He picks the ice cubes from that little shining ice
bucket. “I went to see her.”
“What? You went to see who?”
“Your girlfriend.”
“You went to see Lufuno without telling me?”
‘I had to.”
“You had no right. Didn’t I tell you I will handle it? I told you a
million times to leave Lufuno to me. I will handle her just fine.
Please my guy, please stay away from her. Stay the hell away
from Lufuno,” I say angrily. I know I am working for him and
making it up to him for messing the last mission, but I would
appreciate some respect.
“You are so in love and you are not thinking straight.”
“Come on, man. She just came out of hospital. She doesn’t
need more stress. Just give her time to heal.”
“I don’t care about how sick she is. I need more money. I need
more reserve because I am running out of cash. I don’t know if
you want to continue sexing that filthy girl you sleep with for
room over your head? I need money and Lufuno is our jackpot.”
He had to bring Zama in the discussion. That chick is driving
me crazy. She is breathing on my neck every day. She has
developed feelings and is making life hard for me. I even
resorted to using protection with her to avoid her claiming she
is pregnant with my child. I can’t deal with that much drama
right now. I need Lufuno back in my life. I told Zama I need
some place to crash for more months and all she does is
demand more sex. I don’t feel her no more. All I need is some
shelter. My modelling job is pushing a little for me to save and
win Lufuno back into my lives. I honestly can’t afford a damn
flat or back-room as at. They also need money back at home,
for survival.
“Zakhele, look my man, please give me some time for me to
convenience her that my business is now running and I need a
little cash loan.”
“I need a little more than just a cash loan. I need money, my
guy. Let me do things my own way.”
I know his way is always brutal and Lufuno doesn’t need that.
“Okay, I can score us the model agent. She likes me and she
has a lot of money too…”
“Do you know that Lufuno Mudau has a few millions in her
accounts, right? Do you know how many times I have seen her
bank balance and need her to share some with me?” he says
and giggles. I am totally annoyed by him. “Look, just step aside
for me to do my work. You don’t want your little girl to know you
have been using her while having sex with a girl like Zama. Her
little heart will fail, once.”
I want to step aside and give-up working for him but I am
worried about what he is going to do to Lufuno. She doesn’t
deserve what is coming to her.
I stand and click my tongue at him. This is the day I regret ever
knowing Zakhele and working for him. I am too worried about
Lufuno and how Zakhele could hurt her deeply. I grab my
phone from the table and walk away from his house. I hurry to
get a taxi to town, and then one to Brooklyn to try look for
Lufuno at her workplace. I get to her office at nine thirty.
“Gean, please man…please…I need to see Lufuno…it is very
important.”
“I cannot promise you anything. I don’t know when she is
coming next to the office and all her phones are off. I don’t
know where she is.”
“Please stop lying…I need to…” I pause the moment I see
Lufuno parade from the main entrance. She is wearing a navy
blue fitted suit, white formal shirt and white sandals. She is
wearing her hair so long. I watch as she takes off her
sunglasses and parade some more to the elevator. I leave
Gean with the receptionist and hurry to my woman.
“Babe,” I call out and she glare at me. I haven’t seen her in
weeks I don’t know what we are anymore. She fakes a smile to
me and presses the button to call the elevator. “Lufuno?”
“Hey Lufuno, you didn’t tell me you are coming through
today.” It means I am lucky if her glorious PA didn’t know she
is coming to work.
“Its fine Gean, I had to come back to work.” She presses the
elevator button repeatedly. “Please give me back my diary.”
“Are you sure Lufuno?” her assistant asks.
“I am sure Gean.”
The elevator opens in front of us. She walks in and I follow in
silence. She presses the floor and the elevator doors opens
there. She parades to her office with me behind her. I don’t
even know where to begin. She unlocks her office. I bet the
employees didn’t expect her to work today because her office
could have been unlocked for her.
She walks into her white office and takes off her blazer. I have
been in this office so many times but it is a little dry today. I
settle on the seat as she gets herself comfortable in her very
own chair.
“Gean, please arrange flowers for my office and order us
breakfast from Spur. Yes, Gean come on, I know. Please
arrange the flowers and reorganise today’s meetings to me.”
She puts the phone down and smile at me. She looks fine but I
know she is probably putting a strong face.
“How are you?” I ask and she tells me she is doing very fine.
“Sorry I shut you out. I had a lot to deal with and I needed some
time off from everything.”
“I fully understand.”
“Uhm…I came because we need to talk.”
“Muzi, please.”
“Lufuno, I need you in my life. I miss you. I miss us. I know we
started off on the wrong foot but I need you to give me a
chance to love you with all my heart.”
“I need to work on myself Muzi and you also need to work on
yourself because I feel like you are insecure. Breaking Khathu’s
car window? And the things you told me? That I will regret if I
ever make you angry?”
“I didn’t mean that. I was just sad. Very sad,” I said pulling my
phone from the back pocket. I swipe to the gallery and placed it
infront of her. She picks the phone and scroll through the
professional pictures of me on a runaway of a fashion show.
She nods as she keeps scrolling. “See I have been working on
myself while waiting for you to heal. I need you.”
“I understand but I just want to take everything slowly.
Everything, including my relationships and work and everything.
I need to work on me first.”
“It is him you desire, right?”
“What?”
“Is it that guy Khathu you love that you don’t want to give me a
chance?”
“He has a girlfriend, you shouldn’t be worried about him,” she
says, a little bit angry.
Hee madoda! Lufuno is one beautiful woman. I am watching
her switching on her laptop. She looks flawless while at it. I
stare at her white shirt which is slightly open on the cleavage
area. I remember once sliding my hands to her boobs. She
used to like it. I don’t know about now. She doesn’t look so
delighted to have me here. I am prepared to wait for her until
she is well. She is my woman and I am going to do my best to
win her back. It can take me all time in the world, but I will fight
back in her life. Fighting for her starts with me protecting her
from Zakhele.
“Uhm…Lufuno…”
“Yes?” she raises her eyes to me.
“How hard do you protect your finances?” I ask and she shoots
her eyes open. “Ohh…I am asking because I was reading
about some old white man who lost a lot of money because his
accounts were hacked.”
“What are you saying?” she folds her arms and stare at her.
“No…I just wanted to advice, you know?”
“Advice on what exactly?” I think I just shot myself on the foot.
“Ahh Lufuno, I thought I should advice you so you don’t lose
money. I read on the news and I thought I should warn you of
your finances and assets.”
“It is just weird that you are bringing this up. Like I am just
finding it awkward.”
“No…you don’t have to…well I thought I should advice.” I say
and she goes back to whatever she is doing on her laptop.
“Oh, and some guy, your friend, was here a while back. He
needs our services.”
“What services?” I quickly ask. So Zakhele was not lying.
“A birthday celebration for his wife. He didn’t tell you?”
“He…uhm…he mentioned it in passing. What exactly did he
ask from you?”
“What now? I can’t say much,” she shoots her eyes to me. “He
is my client and I cannot be discussing his business with you.”
Gean brings the breakfast and place it on the table, far away
from the workstation. She leaves the room after taking a few
orders from her boss. Lufuno tells me to help myself and I walk
to the table with food. I pull a chair and grab a cup of coffee. I
have eaten at Zakhele’s house but I am buying time with
Lufuno. I need to win her back into my life.
“Hey, I saw your ad on TV. It came out so perfectly.” I say and
she nods. She looks like she is deep in whatever she is busy
with. I decide to sip my coffee in silence to avoid her from
kicking me out.
“Whaaatttttt?” she says and punches the keys on the laptop so
many times.
“Lufuno, what’s wrong?” I stand from my seat. She picks her
office phone and dial the numbers angrily.
“Wait a minute,” she snaps at me while placing the phone to
her ear. “What the hell is going on with my accounts? Zack,
what do I hire you for? I just took a few weeks from work and
already my money is missing from my account? I know my
balance. The company had over R500 000 for operation...i am
at less than R150 000 and I want to find out how so? No, it is
not that because I signed off four payments which did not even
cost me more than what is missing. Why did I hire you if you
are not scrutinising the accounts for me? Hell no Zack, no one
contacted me to authorise anything. You know if it wasn’t for
someone mentioning about scams, I would have relaxed
because I have you to do your job.”
She hangs up and dial another number.
“Gean, I want you to arrange a meeting with the accounts team,
now. I said now, Gean!” she shouts and then threw her phone.
This has ‘Zakhele’ written all over it. Who else can silently steal
money from the bank if not him? He didn’t tell me he was taking
this route. I am standing here, trying to act as shocked as she
is. She cannot dare find out I was part of this.
“Muzi, why do I have this weird feeling about this? Did you?”
“What?” I ask angrily. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“No, I am just…you know what? Forget it.” She says and sits
back on her comfy chair. “Do you mind us meeting some ther
time? I have to get to the bottom of this, right now.”
I grab the coffee and walk out of the office. I pull my phone from
my pocket the second I walk out of the building. I dial Zakhele’s
number.
“Hey my man,” he says happily.
“What the hell did you do?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Lufuno’s money?”
“Oh, she found out? Only after four days?”
“Zakhele, didn’t we talk about this?”
“I was just checking if I still have it in me. I am proud of myself
for pulling this one.”
“Dude, are you crazy? She is going to get to the bottom of this.”
“She won’t pick anything up unless you tell her who is doing
that. The R350 000 was just the beginning”
“R350 000, are you damn crazy?” I hiss.
“It’s nothing compared to what she has. But I should commend
her for freezing her accounts. I couldn’t tap into it.”
“You know what, I am going to tell her about this.”
“Do so, if you want me to tell her where her phone was when
she couldn’t find it when you were still spending time in her
house. Try me. It might be time for her to meet her sex buddy
or your sex buddy rather? No, infact Zama is her sex buddy via
you,” he says and roars with laughter.
“Zakhele, please man, she is vulnerable right now. You can’t do
this. I will score you a perfect mission.”
“I work well with the vulnerable. You know what I am waiting for
her to do?” he laughs. “I am waiting for her to unfreeze one
account to transfer to her operating account, I will also make
my own transfer. My woman needs a trip to New York.”
“You make me sick.”
“I now make you sick?” he asks and laugh. “Just sit and relax.
Let me do my job and youl tell me if you need a share. I need
just a million. Nothing much. Just a million.”
Just a million?
Is he crazy?

THE ONE

INSERT 31

LUFUNO
I have a splitting headache and this is all because of all the
unsuccessful meetings I have been hopping to every day. No
one can help me with the information of where my money went.
The stupid bank can’t even trace it for me. I spent the whole
day looking for the culprit but nothing is coming through. I
regret ever stepping into my office door. I should have stayed at
home a little longer and not have to deal with this mess. I
should have worked from my home office, I wouldn’t have had
a conversation with Muzi.
I get home after six and I am so damn tired. I am mess and I
am so hopeless right now. What is going to happen now? My
gut tells me Muzi has a little something to do with this, but I
don’t want to think low of him. I know I trusted him too early but
there were no signs of his bad intentions. He never forced into
my life. I forced him into my world and that is my everyday
regret. We are not meant to be together. I lost interest.
I throw my handbag on the couch and burry myself there. I am
exhausted, so much. I am exhausted from shouting and
screaming at my finance team and from thinking of solutions. I
even missed today’s meeting with my therapist. She is doing a
great job with me but I can’t let go of Khathu. I could do without
Muzi but Khathu is a different case. He seems to genuinely
care for me, but I have decided to keep distance from him. I
pick the remote from the table and switch the TV on. I am now
staying at THE HILLS. I now stay in a three bedroom ground
floor apartment. It is small but good enough for me, staying all
by myself. I took the three bedrooms apartment because I don’t
see myself starting a family now and a huge house is really
unnecessary. I got Gean a flat and she was thrilled the day I
gave her the keys to her flat. She was so happy she even cried
tears. Ntate Molefe stayed with me after I requested him nicely
to give me time to learn how to drive again. He promised to
drive around with me until I get comfortable. I have driven four
times since the hospital stay. I drive just a little distance before
Ntate Molefe asks me to move back to the passenger seat. I
think he knows when I am about to have an episode. I don’t get
those episode too often anymore.
I haven’t seen Lucy since the day she left me in my room after
an argument. I am fine with her out of my life. She chose to
trust her pathetic ex-husband over me. Fine! I would never hurt
her to that extent but she chose to kick me out of her life. I have
written Masala off as well. The posts she made on Facebook
made me realize she was nothing but a hypocrite all my life.
She never loved me. Our relationship was broken from the
days of Rendani. I just didn’t know. Well, Masindi always
checks up on me. I am just not open to converse with her,
knowing she used to have separate meeting with Lucy and
Masala, discussing about me. I know she meant well, but I
don’t trust her anymore. Maybe we can still be friends, but I
don’t think we will work out. For now, I am all alone.
I settle on the couch and just when I raise my head, I see my
advert playing on the TV. I smile. I have paid a fortune for the
ad to play on prime time, always. I crush on ‘me’ being
confident on the TV. I looked so elegant and I can’t help to
smile at how perfect everything is. That Ad was just so perfect
but it always reminds of Khathu. How I miss him dearly. I
decided to stay away from him when he didn’t text me back the
day he visited me in hospital. He left me wondering for days if
he ever regretted visiting me? I held on to his flowers until there
was nothing left of them. I kept them in my old house and
moved with them the time I relocated. I kept the dried leaves on
a vase until the day I decided to let go. He didn’t want me
anymore and maybe it should stay that way. My phone beeps
inside my handbag. I pull it out from inside, hoping it was Zack
or the bank, coming with the best solution to this mess.
‘DO NOT UNFREZE YOUR OTHER BANK ACCOUNTS.
DON’T DARE,’ I read an SMS from a number I don’t know. This
looks like a warning, but from who?
I am starting to panic because I thought maybe it was a random
fraudulent transaction via the bank to my account. I know my
personal information is public as it is all over my business cards
and websites; however, I thought I was thoroughly protected.
‘Who is this?’ I send the SMS back to the number and I hope
whoever it is, responds. I wait for a good 15 minutes until I
forward to Zack to look it up. He was working with a fraud
specialist and maybe they could be able to pull something up.
I grab my handbag and proceed to my bedroom to have a
shower. I get an urge to call Muzi so I call and he answers at
the second ring.
“Lufuno, are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes.” I say and keep quiet.
“How are your accounts things going?”
“Fine.”
“Serious? Are you serious?” he asks. He sounds a little
concerned or relieved, I can’t really tell.
“Yes!” I lie. I have a gut feeling that Muzi has something to do
with this. My challenge is knowing how. We met kilometers
away from Pretoria and I truly thought fate brought us together.
“Okay…uhm…how did they do it? How did they find…out?” he
asks and I hear a beep.
“Let me go. Someone is trying to reach me.” I say and hang up.
I slide my screen to open a text. It is an email from a person
named Mr Maake. He is requesting that I host his anniversary,
a gift to his wife from him. I don’t think I can take clients right
now but I will think about it. I am so drained right now. I am
about to throw the phone on the bed when my whatsapp tone
beeps about four times. I open the pictures to see the
unbelievable.
Muzi is in bed with some girl who is wearing her hair in razor
cut. I zoom into her to see her face. She is the girl I once saw
when I visited Muzi at his cousin’s house. The house he is
sharing with his cousin in some township in Centurion. The
other picture he was sucking her while she spread her legs
wide open on the bed. Tears are now gushing down my face as
I keep scrolling to the next picture.
My head tells me to relax because I for sure didn’t know where
I stand with him. Maybe he moved on without telling me. Even
so, I feel betrayed. We should have communicated this. But
how, since I kept ignoring his texts.
‘I thought you should know what your man was up to when you
drop him home to me, every day,’ a Whattsapp text says. My
head starts spinning as I continue to read the same text over
and again.
Muzi betrayed me. I want to call the number back, but I don’t
want to get myself hurt. The doctor told me to keep everything
easy. He warned me to laugh often and not overwork myself by
things around me. But how do I do that when I just found out
Muzi was making a fool of me? I throw the phone on the bed
and curl myself to cry my lungs out. I am naturally emotional
but I am learning to control that. Right now I am crying for more
than just Muzi’s cheating. I feel so betrayed and hurt by him
and whoever is stealing my money. But Muzi? How could he? I
allowed this man in my world whole heartedly. He was just
making me a fool all this time? I am just an idiot.
I grab the phone and forward two pictures to ask with a text that
says, “Is this what you were hiding from me?”
Khathu’s name flashed on my phone so many times as I
decided if whether I want to know the answer. If it is that he
knew, then he betrayed me too. He watched me go around like
a fool. I am hurt and I need to stay calm for my own sake. I
have to be strong for my own good.
I leave the phone on the bed and go on to take a cold shower. I
feel so empty, lonely and miserable. I was doing so well before
walking back to my office. I shouldn’t have acted strong. I
should have taken as much time away from the office as
possible. I walk back to my room after the shower to find my
phone ringing. It is still Khathu. I honestly need someone to talk
to and he might be it.
I pick it up.
“Lufuno, you answered. Please tell me you are okay.”
“You knew he was sleeping with someone else, didn’t you?
That’s why you had a fight the other day?”
“Can we just talk. I can come see you?” he asks and I think
hard about it. I hang up and send him the location.
I need someone to talk to or else I will go insane. I should trust
Khathu, right? The therapist says it helps, it is just that I don’t
have anyone around me. I have been a burden to everyone
and I needed to change that. I dress into leggings and a long t-
shirt, just in case Khathu comes by. I don’t want him to think I
want to seduce him. He texted me to say he is on his way and I
ask him to buy me a bottle of dry wine from Pick n Pay
Woodlands. They open until eight. I had stopped taking
alcoholic drinks so I don’t confuse my therapy with ‘alcohol
happiness’, but today I need something to make me fall
asleep.
The gate controller calls me to give my visitor an access to my
apartment. I text Khathu the unit number and unlock the door. I
was not going to cook but I now have no choice. I don’t feel like
but I have to.
I hear a knock on the door and I tell him to open. He walks in
with Pick n Pay plastic shopping bag. I glare at him as he
slowly walks in. I missed him but I am not going to tell him. He
places the shopping bag on the table and walks to me.
I don’t want him to see me with swollen eyes so I look away. He
pulls me into a hug. I feel myself throwing my weight on him. I
needed this. I needed someone to just give me a hug and tell
me it will be fine. He lets me cling on him for longer than he
should have. The thought that he has a girlfriend and this might
be inappropriate creeps into my head and I pull out of the hug
and he lets me.
“He is an idiot.”
“So you knew?” I ask and he stare at me. “Did you know?”
“I did, but I didn’t find it necessary for me to mingle in your
business. I didn’t want drama. I wanted you to find out yourself
so that you don’t think I badmouthed you.” He shrugs.
“Is it why he banged your window?” I ask while pouring myself
a glass of wine. He picked a perfect blend. Bravo, Khathu!
“Yes,” he says and pulls a bottle of Heineken from the bag. He
opens the bottle with his teeth and throws the lid to the bin.
“Do you know how betrayed I feel right now?”
“I don’t think you should stress yourself about that idiot. He is
not even good for you, I don’t even know why you love him so
much. Oh, I remember now, he makes your heart dance. To
hell with that Lufuno I needed you in my life but you never gave
me a chance but him. Imagine! He is just some filthy piece of
rubbish. Honestly speaking, what do you see in him?” he says
without even blinking. I thought he was here to lend me an ear,
not to blame me for my stupid choices of life.
I pick the veggies and place them on the table; and then defrost
the chicken in the microwave. He picks the knife and starts
chopping the green pepper. I didn’t even ask. I sip on my wine,
envying his girlfriend. She has found a wonderful man in
Khathu. I am done hurting people so I am not going to do
anything inappropriate.
“Someone is stealing from my company.”
“How so?” he gulp from his bottle and then goes back to
chopping the peppers.
“R350 000 gone, it can’t be traced. My accountant and the bank
are working on it but nothing looks promising.”
“What? That’s a hell lot of money.”
“Imagine. I am a mess right now, I don’t know what to do.” I say
and cover my mouth. I really don’t know what to do about this. I
need money to run my business.
“Uhm…who do you think it is?”
“I have no idea. I received a text from some number telling me
not unfreeze my other accounts.”
“What? So it is someone you know.”
“Definitely.” I say and he walks around the room.
“We are going to find them. It is easy. I will make a few calls
tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.” I say. I need as many man-power as possible to
get to whoever it is.
“How are you holding up?” he asks while walking back to the
counter and back to chopping the onions.
“Khathu, I don’t know. I was doing so fine until today. Today
was just a mess. I don’t even know which direction to take.”
“Have you spoken to him? Your boyfriend about the pictures?
Who sent you?” He flipped the topics so fast.
“I don’t want to talk to him ever again.”
He keeps his eyes on the veggies he is cutting. I want to ask
about his girlfriend but I don’t know where to start. Why is he
here anyway?
Why isn’t he with her?
“Khathu?” I call and he raises his head to me. “Where is she? I
don’t want to hurt anyone’s heart ever again. That look on her
face the other day keeps haunting me.”
“She understood that day was just a misunderstanding but she
left me.”
“What? You are perf…uhm…I mean why?”
“She saw the text and she always says I will never love her
more than you.” I gasp at his words. It reminds me of Oscar
and Lucy. Oh God, I caused their breakup! What is wrong with
me?
I gulp on the wine and leave the kitchen to the living room. My
apartment is an open plan so Khathu stares at me as I cover
my face with my hands. I am exhausted for being blamed of
breaking relationships. I just broke another one and I feel guilty
about it. Khathu sits on the couch next to mine.
“Come on, it isn’t your fault,” he says and I shake my head. I
have been blamed for so long I am starting to believe I am
meant to break hearts.
“It is my fault Khathu. Everything is my fault. Always, I am the
one who messes people’s relationships.”
“Everything may be your fault but not my break-up with
Tshepo.”
“How not.”
“Because it is purely my fault. I was forcing a relationship with
her because I was afraid of being alone. I loved her but was not
in love with me. She loved me dearly but I wasn’t in love with
her the way I was supposed to. I should have tried harder but I
didn’t. So stop blaming yourself, it is not you. It is me,” he says
and I glare at him. He is the first person to own up to things like
these. Everyone else was always ready to judge me.
I stare into his eyes with so many questions. Does he still love
me? I am afraid to ask like I don’t care about his relationship
with his ex-girlfriend. It has been 12 weeks, a good three
months, but I don’t trust that he is over her.
“So?” I ask.
“So, I am done dating.”
“You are what?” I ask shockingly and happy that I didn’t give
him a hint that I want him.
“I am done dating Lufuno. I am D.O.N.E with relationships. I
had tried with Julia years ago. I tried winning your heart. I tried
a relationship with Tshepo. I am so taking a good break until I
find THE ONE for me.”
What? I thought my chance was coming. I thought we could,
you know, maybe he still wanted to try us.
“Why are you here?”
“Why am I here?” he asks and I frown. I thought it is obvious.
“Lufuno, you know I am here as a friend, right? I can’t allow
myself to see you break down again. I saw things on Facebook.
I saw everyone turn their backs on you and called you names.
So I am here for you. You know I have accepted that me and
you can never be together? Like never! I know. And I have
accepted so you can be free with me. The way I am so done
with relationships, you won’t believe I even called my mother to
find a wife for me in Venda? Maybe an arranged wife will work
better for me,” he says and giggles while walking back to his
chopping activity.
I turn away from his direction, sip my wine and hide my
saddened face.
It's fine!

THE ONE

INSERT 32

MANDIWANA

Today I am late. Vho Nengwenda is not going to be unhappy

about this. She is going to complain for so many hours before
we even start working. I have been working with her for few
months now, covering for my mom. It has been a while since
the doctor picked it up that my mother has arthritis. The doctor
told us she was not getting any better and ordered her to stay
at home and get some rest. It was fit that I fill in for her since I
have no job and I am always at home, unlike my sister who has
a spaza shop just outside our gate.
Mrs Nengwenda runs a small sewing business from her
garage. She is old but still capable. She does a lot of
minwenda, the Venda traditional wear, and her daughter does
the modern clothing. I help with trimming and cutting for them. I
love how she does ‘minwenda’ so perfectly and I am learning a
lot from her. I just don’t enjoy sewing. I just don’t have a
choice.
I hurry to the garage and find Mrs Nengwenda already running
her sewing machine.
“Ndi matsheloni,” I greet while dropping my back-pack to the
floor.
“You are late,” she mentioned. I know and I am embarrassed
about it. My mother should never find out or else ndo fa, ‘im
dead, dead’.
I pick a pile of cloths from the table and stationed myself in the
corner of the room. It is double garage and today there is a car
on the other side of the garage. I want to ask but I would be
imposing.
“Should I finish cutting these?” I ask while laying the fabric I
was cutting the previous day on the table.
“Please make us tea. There are avocados in the bread bin,”
Mrs Nengwenda asks and I hurry to the kitchen. I wonder
where Lutendo is.
“Lutendo, please fix me a quick sandwich and rooibos tea, I will
be in the porch. No avocados today,” I hear the voice from the
lounge.
I wonder who that is because Mrs Nengwenda only stayed with
her last born. Only now I remember I saw a car parked in the
garage. We have guests.
“A quick sandwich and rooibos tea,” I say to myself as I switch
the kettle on and taking the ingredients from the cupboards.
“No avocados?” I frown at myself. This person wants a fancy
sandwich, so I pick everything I could find from the fridge. I
spread two slices with butter, and carefully place the ham,
cheese, lettuce, tomato and top it with some sandwich sauces
that Lutendo loves so much. I place the plate, tin of sugar and
warm milk on the tray. I throw the rooibos teabags on the tea
pot and fill it with water.
Done! I carry the tray and treaded to the porch.
Khathutshelo Nengwenda? Wow! I did not expect to see him
here. He looks so handsome and older than years ago when
we used to play together.
“I brought you the food,” I say, placing the tray on the table,
next to the laptop. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Excuse me?”
“You haven’t changed a bit, you just look a bit older,” I say. I
see confusion on his face. “You are Khathu, right?”
“Who are you?”
“Mandiwana. We used to play together,” I say with a chuckle.
There is no way he could forget me. We used to play house
together.
“Mandiwana?” He shakes his head.
“Ohhhh okay.” I frown at him.
The phone on the table rang and he answers it, putting it on
speaker. I was ready to go, but he signals me to stay.
“Hey Julia, what’s up?” He says on the phone, still typing on
the laptop.
“Sorry, hey Khathu. I wanted to ask you to hang on with
Michelle for longer than a week, I have to be somewhere for a
couple of months and I cannot take her with because of
school,” a woman says on the phone. Her voice is not friendly,
shame! Khathu quickly takes the phone from the table, disable
the loud speaker and then places it to his ear.
“Julia, are you crazy?...what about Michelle? Are you serious?
Fine! She is my daughter and I will do what’s best from my
side…what do you want me to do? Do you think I am going to
get a nanny just for four months?...where am I supposed to get
one? No man, that’s wrong and you know it…fine!” Khathu yells
on the phone. He is pretty pissed. “Fine, Julia. I said fine.” He
hangs up and drops the phone on the table. He looks at his
phone and shakes his head.
“Can you give me the opportunity?” I ask.
“Excuse me?”
“Can you give me that job for four months? The nanny job?”
“I don’t think so,” he says and I shut my mouth. “Please bring
me honey and take the sugar away.”
I take the sugar from the tray and hurry to the kitchen to pick
the honey that he requested.
“Are you the new helper around here?” he asks while I was
walking away.
“My mother is not well and I am filling in for her…I am helping
your mother with the sewing,” I say, turning to face him.
“Oh, Vho-Masindi is your mother?” he asks and I smile. Atleast
if he remembers my mother, then he remembers me, not that it
is important.
“Yah, she is,” I say and he nods his head.
Yoh! Khathu has changed a lot. A lot lot. But I think it is Joburg
that made him like this.
I hurry to the kitchen to make Mrs Nethengwe and I some
breakfast. Ours was simple because it was just bread and two
avocados. I make us tea in another tea pot, place the sugar on
the tray and hurry to the garage.
“Sorry for taking long. Khathutshelo had asked for breakfast,” I
say while placing the tray beside her. She beams at me while
reaching for the mug.
“You met already?” she asks and I nod.
“He has changed a bit. He looks rude.”
“Oh. No! I know my son. He is sometimes grumpy in the
mornings.”
“I see,” I respond and then pour myself tea into my favourite
mug.
“And before I forget, please help me clean his room…that one
at the back. Lutendo was supposed to change the curtains and
just sweep the floor. He is here for a good week and that room
is dusty. Get the curtains from my bed. I can excuse you from
the sewing,” she request. I don’t mind at all. I always help her
whenever Lutendo is not around.
After finishing my breakfast, I hurry to the house. I carry the
basket with new bedding and curtains; and stride to the guest
house. I start by cleaning the bedroom and then the bathroom. I
could smell the same perfume that Khathu is wearing all over
the room. It smells very very nice.
I change the bedding to all the sheets I got from his mother’s
room. Afterwards, I push the chair towards the windows and
start hooking the new curtains, starting with the laces.
“Are you sure you are not going to break your leg?” Khathu
asks from behind. He walks in the room and lean his body on
the wall across the room.
“No, I usually do this,” I say, putting more hooks on the
curtains.
“Okay, I came to lie down,” he advices, taking his shoes off.
“Ohh, don’t you want to let me finish here?” I ask.
“No, finish there, I won’t disturb you, I just want to lie on the
bed. I only slept at four, working on some project.”
I turn to the window and continue to hook the curtains on the
rail. There is silence in the room, so I turn my head to check
what he was doing. He was standing by the mirror, changing
shirts. He unbutton his shirt and takes it off.
Ehh, Khathu wee. His body is very fine! His body is muscular,
and his skin looks soft and his perfume filled the room once
more.
I still keep my eyes on him as he put on a vest, and throw
himself on the bed.
“Are you going to finish what you are doing?” he asks, bringing
me back from my thoughts. I wonder if he noticed that I am
drooling over him. I had always had a crush on him ever since,
but something that should have disappeared by now.
“Yes, I am almost done.” I continue hooking the curtains.
“I remember you,” he says and my heart smiles. “We used to
call you Nunu.”
I chuckle and say, “Yes, that is me.”
“You have changed a lot, I could not even recognize you.”
“I gained a lot of weight, you mean?” That is what everyone say
about me.
“Not at all,” he says.
I jump off from the chair and place it at the corner of the room. I
pick the basket, and take his dirty shirt and place it in the
basket with the other dirty laundry. I walk out of the guest
house and hurry to the main house.

*****

It was a long day for me. We had a wedding order to finish

today. The first thing I do when I arrive home is to kick my
sneakers off my feet. I am tired, but cannot show it to my
mother who is sitting infront of a TV. I hate sewing and ha Vho
Nengwendwa is very far. I always have to walk a good 3km to
get there. Lutendo disappeared on me today. I had to help Mrs
Nethengwe with the cooking and hosting her son and his
beautiful daughter. I am so tired. I throw myself on a corner
couch and watch the TV with my mother.
“How was it today?” my mother asks without turning her head
away from the television. She never fails to ask me about my
day and how everything went.
“It was alright.” I sigh. “Khathu and his daughter are visiting.”
“Oh Khathu…I haven’t seen him in a little while.”
“He has become a little rude, I must say.”
“What do you expect from a person who works with TV
people?” my sister asks, walking into the living room.
“I bet you are right…I even asked him for a job and he refused.”
“Mandi, what job?” my mother asks from her seat. I glance at
her and see worry in her face.
“Mmma please…I knew Mrs Nengwenda wouldn’t mind…but
he refused anyway.” I know I have to help my mother, but I
cannot be sewing all my life. It isn’t my passion.
“I don’t want you leave Mrs Nengwenda helpless…she has
been good to us for twenty years.”
“Mmma…Khathu refused to give me a job…you have nothing
to worry about.” I assure her, but her face is still tense.
I leave to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. I am tired but I
am not going to complain. This is the life I know, while all my
friends are in Gauteng, making their dreams happen. My best
friend left for Pretoria a year ago and she is starting to make a
life for herself. I envy that. I didn’t get to finish my degree in
University of Venda, because of finances. I made peace with
that. I could have been an Accountant by now. I left my degree
at second year and my marks were incredible. But, life!
I open the fridge and notice we are running out of meat. I rub
my forehead and bang the fridge. I am really tired of living a
hustling life, really. I sigh and open the fridge again to pull the
last pieces of chicken. I place them inside hot water to defrost,
while I put the pot on the stove for porridge. My phone vibrates
from my pocket and it was Khuliso.
“Hey, hi.”
“Hi mufunwa wanga,” he says and I roll my eyes. Khuliso is
truly in love with me and I am not. We have been together for a
little while and I don’t want to break his heart. He has been too
good to me.
“Khuliso…I am about to cook,” I say, hoping that he would hang
up and I could continue cooking.
“Can I see you before I go home…I am passing your gate?”
“Eish Khuliso, I will see you tomorrow…I have started cooking
and my mom will be furious,” I lie. My mother is sitting away
from me and I could sneak out for a minute if I wanted to.
“Alright, I will see you tomorrow. Maybe I can get some time off
so I can take you out for burger.”
“I hope so too.” Actually, I do not hope he takes me out for
burgers or anything.
He hangs up and I start with my cooking. I prepare the chicken
stew and porridge and we have supper watching Generations.

*****

The following day I get to Mrs Nengwenda’s house on time. At

07:30 I was already knocking on the kitchen door. I am
welcomed by Mrs Nengwenda who is about to relocate to the
garage for her sewing business. Her grand-daughter is having
cereal. Wow, she is a very cute little girl. She is a she-version
of Khathu.
“Mandi, please go and take this ironed clothes to Khathu’s
room.”
“Haaa…is he not sleeping?”
“He was up earlier. Just walk in there and place on his bed. He
might need them,” she says handing me the clothes.
“Yoh! But he might be sleeping.”
“Go now, then we can start with breakfast.”
Why can’t he come and pick the clothes himself. Haaaa!
I tremble while I stamp to the back-house. The windows are
open so I will just shout his name from outside.
“Khathu, Khathu…I brought your ironed clothes.”
He pulls the door open and ask, “why would you bring me
ironed clothes this early?”
“Uhm…I don’t know,” I mutter. He is just making me nervous.
Yoh! He has changed so much I am failing to get used to it. He
no longer looks like the man from this village. See now, I failed
to explain that his mother forced me to come here. I pass the
clothes and hurry back to the kitchen.
“Make him that mabele cereal. He loves it,” Mrs Nengwenda
says. It seems like I will be playing maid, here, haikhona!
I make the soft porridge for all of us and hurry to call him for
food. Mrs Nengwenda summons me to sit with her and Khathu.
I sit so I can also have breakfast before the long day.
“Khathu, khoyo!” Mrs Nengwenda says to Khathu but he seems
lost. “I said, there she is.”
“What?” he asks.
“Musadzi. There is your wife,” Mrs Nengwenda says and
Khathu burst into a loud laughter.
“Mma, I was playing. I am in no need of a woman,” he says and
then laughs so hard. I cant help but to laugh with him.
“Don’t be crazy. I picked the best for you.”
Eh Vho-Nengwenda matsina? Ehhh…kanti she wanted to hook
me up with her son? All the cooking and cleaning I am doing in
her house, kanti it is all for him?
Clap Once!
Haikhona.
I am not to be passed to a man by an old lady like her. Ehhhh!
Good thing he is cracking up at her words. I don’t want to
disrespect her because she is old, but she is insane. Purely
insane. Imagine! Heelllla!
“Yoh, Mrs Nengwenda, I am not looking for a man. Khuliso is
going to marry me very soon,” I say. I have to get the useless
thoughts out of her head.
“Eya?” she asks as if I will regret my decision.
“Mma, I am serious, I don’t need a woman.”
“Holuga. Its fine!” she says and looks away.
“Well, Mandiwana, are you still up for that nanny job? Just for
four months until Michelle’s mother comes back from abroad.”
“She is leaving the child again?” Mrs Nengwenda asks.
“Yes, her husband is working in China for four months so she
wants to leave with him. I will stay with Michelle until the
return,” Khathu explains to his mother.
“I can help you…and on weekends I will go look for a job. I
need to get out of here,” I say and Mrs Nengwenda smiles.
“Okay then…we shall leave in three days.”
“That is wonderful,” Mrs Nengwenda jumpps in with a beam.
Why is she so excited here? I am the one getting a four months
break, not her.
She beams at me and then sips her tea.

THE ONE

INSERT 33

TSHEPO

Oh! Flip! I forgot to set the alarm last night. I stayed up until late
thinking about Khathu. I also tossed and turned the whole
evening I even bet I slept for less than three hours.
I am woken at the same time that I am supposed to be at work.
Why did I have to move out of my parents’ house? My mother
would have woken me up.
I drag my feet to the bathroom and sat on top of the toilet seat. I
really don’t feel like going to work today. If only I had a choice.
I choose to take a quickest shower. I don’t have time to soak
myself like I do always. I rush to put on a dress that doesn’t
need ironing and do just a little touch-up of make-up after tying
my hair into a bun.
In thirty minutes I was done and rushing off to the office. Luckily
I don’t have early meetings. I got to the office after nine and
threw myself on my office chair.
Phew! I am so exhausted.
“Your father was looking for you,” Sharon says while standing
by the door.
“What is the mood today?”
“Uhm…he looks chilled,” she says and I follow behind her. I go
up to his office and find him busy with his personal assistant. I
want to run away but he gestures me to come and sit.
“And please call Khathu Nengwenda and arrange a meeting
with him for next week Wednesday,” he says to his PA who is
taking the notes.
Why does he need Khathu again? Isn’t he done and gone from
our lives? I don’t need his presence because he keeps
confusing me.
“Why do you need Khathu?” I ask once the PA is out of sight. I
move from the couch to the office chair opposite his.
“You mother wants to start up that restaurant. Can you believe
that?” he says, sounding proud of his wife.
“And Khathu?” I ask.
“He will help run her with everything just like he did our
business.”
“I see.”
“What is going on?” he asks and I smile at him.
“With what?”
“With you. I know you Tshepo.”
“I am just a little tired. I am over working myself.”
“Huh? You are not at work some times. You are always late.
How are you overworking yourself?” he points out and I drop
my eyes. “Are you pregnant?”
“What?” I shoot my eyes to him. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a question.”
“I am not pregnant. I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“Can you please talk to your mother? Come over for supper
tonight.”
“Dad…come on…I am always at your house.”
“Go now, I have work to do. I will see you at Supper,” he says
and stand from the seat. I think he is right. I need to speak to
my mother about everything. Maybe she can help me with
dealing with all this.
The day was so long with two designs I had to finish before
knocking off now at five. I wish I had somewhere to go after
work other than my condo. It is small enough for me but I get so
lonely sometimes. I wish I was still with Khathu. He was going
to love my balcony and I know he was going to work all night in
it.
I decide to drive all the way to Mall of Africa to do a little
shopping before going to my parent’s house. I want my mom to
do all the cooking so I stroll around the mall, buying new
dresses and more platform shoes. Thank God for them.
Stilettos are for occasions for me. I can’t survive running up and
down MBC with stilettos. I also do field work, driving around
and meeting clients to see their vacant land before I start
architecting for them. So I don’t buy new stilettos but three pairs
of platforms instead. I see a beautiful girl’s dress and I thought
of Michelle. The girl I liked and never got to meet her. I saw her
once at her school concert. I know we would have made a
great team, me and her. I was ready to love her dearly. I pick
the dress and pay for it. I will wrap it up and give it to Khathu
when we meet. We agreed to meet for coffee one of the good
days.
I get to my parents’ house just after six. Bakang is always here.
Okay, me and Bakang literally come to my parents’ house
every week. Mostly for my mother’s food.
“Is it me or you are gaining weight?” he asks.
“It is you.” I scan myself and not see any fats. I just see a t-shirt
semi-formal dress that doesn’t hug my body.
“It is this new style of hers,” my mother says. “We are used to
your bodycons and pencil dresses.”
“Oh, well…I can’t be wearing bodycons in winter,” I defend
myself.
“I am not talking about your dresses…your cheeks are puffy,”
Bakang adds. What’s wrong with him?
“Stop it Bakang…get out of my kitchen,” my mother hits him
with the apron she just took off. “You don’t tell a woman she is
getting fat.”
Bakang leaves the room and I help my mother with the rest of
the food. I always set the table so I get to the dining room and
set the table for four. My mother asks me to add two plates
because we have a visitor joining us for supper. My parents
love hosting people. I think it is because my mother is a good
cook.
My father and Bakang settle on the dining table while my
mother and I place serving dishes one after another. After
placing the drinks, I hurry to my old room to use to the
bathroom and to change to something a little warm. I still have
clothes here, for the days I choose to sleep over.
I hear people laughing at the dining area. The guests are here.
I hurry down the staircase to meet the guests we are hosting.
“I am Lufuno and this is Gean,” I hear her just when I get to the
living room. She is here. The woman Khathu adores. She
stares at me and drops her eyes just when I walk closer to the
table.
“Baby, my planner is here. Can you believe it?” my mother’s
says happily and I fake a smile. I don’t hate her but I don’t like
her either. I don’t know what I do her. All I know is that she is
not my favorite person in the whole world. So she remembers
me. She has seen me twice so she obviously remembers me.
She saw me with Khathu at the Altitudes and also the Sunday
she was in my man’s apartment. I mean my ex-man.
“We are thrilled to have you here and thank you for your time,”
my father says and I inwardly roll my eyes.
I am the only one who doesn’t like her because even Bakang is
praising her work and how much he has heard about her.
Apparently she is the one planning Charlotte’s famous cherry
blossom wedding. It is going to be the talk of the year.
She can’t keep her eyes on me. Maybe she knows she is the
cause of all my misery.
“I am sorry for pressurizing you to do this. It is just that my
queen wants the best only. Uhm, tell me, there is somewhere I
read about you being in finance dilemma. Are you blacklisted
or?” my father asks.
“News travel fast, don’t they?” she asks and sips on her wine. I
feel like sipping some but I am on a break. I have grape juice in
a wine glass so Bakang doesn’t question me of my decisions. I
don’t feel like wine and I won’t have wine. Oh! Yes! Bakang and
I drink with my dad, provided it is a glass of white or red wine
for supper. Only now that we are old and capable of doing
anything imaginable.
“I also saw some online news bulleting some fraudulent
transaction,” Bakang adds and Lufuno places her wine glass on
the table.
“Well, someone is stealing from my company. So far we can
account for over R400 000 stolen,” she says with a trembling
voice.
Say whaattt? She lost thousands from her account? Why am I
happy just by hearing her voice crack in between her words? I
am not heartless, I am just happy she is suffering in some way.
Don’t blame me! I am the one who is suffering from watching
my man love another woman. Not you!
“Close to half a million?” Bakang gasp “Kanti how much money
do you have?”
But true! That is close to all I have to my name. I am not talking
about my father’s trust fund, I am talking about all monies that
belongs to me. How much money does she have to still run an
empire after such a huge amount is stolen?
“Work four times harder than you do and you will see half a
million as pocket money,” My father says and Lufuno smiles.
“So, what are you going to do?” my mother asks. I also want to
know.
“I don’t know. Well, I honestly don’t feel comfortable talking
about this,” she says.
“You can’t trust nobody, right?” I ask. I can’t sit here and
pretend I am fine having her in my father’s house.
“Yes, you can’t trust anyone,” she says. I just lost my appetite. I
throw the cutlery on the food and storms out of the dining room
and head straight to my room.
I throw myself on the bed and let out a loud sigh! My mother
knocks once and then opens the door.
“Tshepo, are you alright?” she asks while walking in. I think I
was rude.
“I am fine Ma,” I say without turning to her.
“No, you are not. We have guests and what you did was rude,”
she says with her hands folded on her chest.
“What is so special about her? huh? Everybooodddyy lives for
her. What is so special about her?” I yell and my mother opens
her mouth to say something but I continue, “Why is she so
precious to you and dad and everyone?”
“Is this about Lufuno?” she asks.
Who else could it be? She shuts the door. She should have
done that long time ago before I yelled my lungs out. She walks
to me and sits closer to me.
“What is wrong?” she asks. “You are always worked up every
day. What is wrong?”
“I am fine.”
“Is this about Khathu?” she asks. So Bakang has been feeding
my parents nonsense. I told him what he saw in the car was a
once off thing, Khathu and I were never an item.
“He loves her so much mama,” I say and tears start falling
down my cheeks. I had never spoken to anyone about it. “He
was the only guy I truly loved after Tumisho but he loves
Lufuno with every fiber in his body. What is so special about
her?”
My mother pulls me into a hug. For the first time after so many
months, I choke myself in between sobs. I miss him. I want him.
I need him.
“Look, you will find somebody who treasures you the way you
want,” she says and I shake my head.
“I want him, not anybody else. My heart wants him.”
“But I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Who am I fooling? I CAN’T BE WITH HIM.
“I know,” I say and clean my face with the sleeve of the jersey I
am now wearing.
“Are you pregnant?” she asks and I pull away from her. “I have
been pregnant twice.”
“I am not pregnant.”
“You are always tired Tshepo. You wear t-shirt dresses more
than pencil. You no longer finish or even steal my bottles of my
wine. You are always sick. Come on,” she says and I let out
another agony cry. She pulls me to her embrace again and I
tighten my arms around her neck.
“I don’t know what to do mama,” I sob as I try to stop crying.
This hormones are dealing with me badly.
“It is Khathu’s right?”
“It is but you can’t tell anyone. I don’t want him to be with me
because of the baby. And dad mustn’t find out.”
“You are going to show very soon.”
“Well, I’ll tell Dad and Bakang that it was just a mistake during a
one night stand.”
“Why would you sell yourself so cheap like that?”
“I don’t want them to force Khathu into doing things he doesn’t
have to do. It was my mistake. Ma, please.”
“Khathu also needs to know.”
“No, he mustn’t find out. I don’t want him to feel like a trapped
him with the baby. I don’t have the energy to deal with all that,”
I say and my mother shakes her head. “Please Ma, please
promise me you won’t tell anyone until I figure something out.
Please.”
My mother glares at me with pity and I ask her again to
promise.
“I promise.” She deeply sighs.
“Promise me you won’t tell Dad, Bakang and Khathu until I
figure something out.”
“Figure what out?” she shoots her eyes at me.
“NO! No…no…no I won’t terminate. I just need a plan. Promise
you won’t tell them.”
“I promise.” She lets out a deep sighs again.
Please! I will find a way to deal with this alone. I am the one
who told him to pull out and it didn’t work.
Oh Lord! How I regret that Cape Town make-up sex.

THE ONE

INSERT 34

KHATHUTSHELO

I have been thinking about her all night. Weird, I know! I

remember Nunu very well. We once got married in my mother’s
garden when we were playing house. I think I was twelve years,
but she was younger. My mother was having tea outside and
she brought my father's camera when she saw us dressed up
and dancing with our other friends.
I should ask my mother for my old album, I am sure the
evidence of my childhood inclduing the wedding is all packed
up in there.
It is hot up here, and I am no longer used to this weather.
Honestly speaking, it is winter already but I am feeling hot. I
walk to the porch for some fresh air and burry myself on the
chair with my iPad. I can see Mandi putting laundry on the
washing line. All of it belonged to my daughter. My mother told
her to start her job by doing Michelle’s laundry and bathing her
before knocking off daily. My mother is such a funny old
woman.
“Such a beauty, doing hard labor?” I think to myself as I page
through the iPad. I pick to read my online news but I can’t help
but to steal glances of her. Of course, she is not my type, not
even close, but she is just interesting me with how easy she
does her choes.
“Damn! She saw me looking at her.” I think to myself as I wave.
After her greeting, she walks to the kitchen and disappear from
my stares.
I walk to the back-house and take a shower before putting on
some shorts, flip flops and a shirt. It is a lazy day for me and I
should take this opportunity to rest and not do much.
Michelle loves being around her grandmother who spoils her
rotten every time she is here in Venda. She no longer poses as
the princess who does salon and those kiddies spa every
month. She now fits in perfectly with the kids wandering around
the streets like I used to when I was younger. We are supposed
to be leaving for Pretoria soon but she doesn’t want to. She still
have another week of school holiday but I need to be at work. I
will leave her behind and she will follow next week with Mandi.
My mother said to trust her so I am doing just that. All I had to
do was book them two Translux tickets and I will leave the
money for food.

I left Venda for Pretoria on a Saturday. I had to pick Michelle’s

clothes and items from Midrand; and also do a little shopping
for the things we are going to need. With the money from
MBC’s project I was able to purchase a house in Centrurion
Stone Ridge. I am glad I did because we now have Mandi
staying with us for a few months. It is a four bedroomed house
so I am set for life. I don’t need a mansion so the house I
bought is perfect for me and Michelle. I had to put a huge lump
sum of deposit so I could be able to afford to make monthly
repayments for just a few years.
I manage to have Mandi’s room furnitured. It will be used as a
guest bedroom when she leaves after four months. I use the
fourth room as my home-office. I can now easily close the door
and work my butt off for my money.
Thank God Michelle changed her mind about the trip to Disney
Land for her birthday. Instead she wants a fun filled birthday
weekend with her friends. Blame it on the model C schools.
She wants to have a party at Bounce on Saturday. Talking
about Bounce Inc, it reminds me of Tshepo. She loved that kind
of fun-filled activities. Yeah, Saturday is Bounce inc and
Sunday Michelle wants to have a spa day at Life Day Spa with
her five friends. Thank goodness I have a budget for all of
these.
It is now Monday and I wake up very early for work. Today is
the day to have a chat with Mr Mkhize and also meet up with
the IT guy helping to trace the one responsible for Lufuno’s
misery. I despise them for tutoring such a hardworking woman.
She doesnt deserve the pain.
I get to my glass office and settle. I have two work meetings,
including the one with Mr Mkhize, a lunch date with Tshepo and
the last meeting is with the IT guy. I am indeed back from a
holiday.
Mr Mkhize gets to his office after eight. I can see him because I
have an office like his, and I always keep the blinds rolled up so
I could see everything happening in the open plan space. I
allow him to have a cup of coffe, read his newspaper and open
his emails while I get busy with the team running an ad for a
new Biking store. This is one of our smallest clients so I don’t
waste much time on those. I delegate more often.
Only at ten I go knock on Mr Mkhize’s door.
“Hey, Nengwenda, come on in.”
“Thank you,” I say while grabbing a chair.
“This seemed urgent.”
“Yes, it is. I needed to see you before I take on an offer from
some guy,” I say and he untighten the tie.
“What…what offer?” he stutter. This guy can’t hide it when he
panics. Maybe I know him too well to read his face perfectly.
“Don’t worry, I might not be taking it. I am here to give you a
proposal to make me partner,” I say and he widen his eyes. I
am not going to beat around the bush. “I had to pull the
financial reports for this one. I made an analysis of revenue we
made for the three years including the current year. The
revenue from marketing project for this year is almost double of
what you used to make yearly. All this is since my promotion.
Mr Mkhize, I have worked so hard for you and I made a good
name for you and myself. It is time for my step-up. I don’t want
another promotion but to partner.”
He grabs the file from the table and page through it. I had noted
my terms. I don’t need much more than I deserve.
“You know this is family business,” he says.
“I understand Sir and I believe you will make the right decision,”
I say.
“Uhm…yes…I will let you…know.”
“Thank you.”
I already know what his answer is but I will just wait for him to
do it formally. It isn’t a train smash. I push more work before
heading to Centurion Mall for a lunch with Tshepo. She agreed
on meeting up and I’m glad to finally sit with her and catch up.
She is already seated so I grab a chair opposite her. She is
already feasting on a full plate of hake and chips. I let out a
chuckle at how I caught her off-guard.
“Sorry, my hands are untidy for a handshake. I was so hungry I
had to order something,” she says and shove three chips in her
mouth. She must have been very hungry.
The waiter walks to our table so I order the chicken breast, avo
and prawns with a salad. When the waiter asks Tshepo if she
needed something else to drink, she asked for a glass of water
because everything else tastes like water to her anyway.
Since when? I laugh at her.
What happened to her favourite meat dishes and her wine?
I wonder!
“How is work?” she asks.
“All good. Today I dropped a proposal for Mkhize to make me
partner.”
“No, you didn’t,” she gasp and then a smile creeps across her
dazzling face. “He is going to give you.”
“I think so too.”
We are catching up but I am failing to concentrate. Tshepo
looks a bit different but I can’t tell what it is. She has long corn-
rows but still, she looks too different it is not the hairstyle.
Is it that I miss her so much? But her face looks fuller. I want to
ask but I know better than to ask a woman if she is gaining
weight. Biggest mistake a man can make.
The waiter brings my food and Tshepo is the first one to cut my
chicken breast. I see she still has her old habits. She used to
help me eat my food and then indulge in hers later while I
watch.
“Are you not feeling hot with that jacket?” I ask while cutting my
piece of meat. It is already winter, but no, this jacket is so thick.
“No, I am fine.”
“If you were in high school, everyone would swear you are
pregnant,” I joke and she frowns. I decide to shut up and eat. I
finish my food while she eats dessert.
“Uhm…I bought this for Michelle. I saw it and liked it,” she
places a shopping paper bag on the table.
“Oh, wow, thank you,” I pick the bag and pull the white dress
out. She will definitely wear this one for my breakfast date with
her on her birthday. “Such a perfect early birthday gift.”
“Her birthday is close? Are you still taking her to Disney Land?”
“No, she changed her mind.”
“She is a girl indeed, I like her,” she says and then frown a bit.
She stands from her seat and ran towards the toilet.
What? Is Tshepo growing some butt or is just me? I scan at her
as she hurries there. What was she expecting, eating a plate of
hake with chips, then extra chips, and dessert as well? Haowa
banna! Unless she is…no way! What? What if she is…? Hell
no.
She comes back minutes later and burry herself on her seat.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
“Yeah…yeah…where were we?” she ask after clearing her
throat. “Michelle, what are you doing for her birthday?”
“Uhm…bounce on Saturday and Spa on Sunday.”
“That should be fun.”
“Tshepo, are you pregnant?” my heart is kicking out of my
chest. I couldn’t keep the question to myself. What if she is
pregnant and it is my baby? Then it changes everything,
literally everything.
“What? Are you crazy?”
“No, please…don’t lie to me.”
“I am not pregnant.”
“Stop lying to me and …”
“Leave me the hell alone Khathu. Why are you forcing the
pregnancy on me? I told you I am not pregnant and that means
I am not,” she snaps and I shockingly stare at her. The girls on
the table next to ours turn their heads and she shly looks away.
“Im sorry, I am just asking.”
“And I told you I am not.” She picks the glass from the table and
sips her water.
Why don’t I believe her? Maybe she ain’t pregnant.
“Are you sure Tshepo?” I ask after a longest while and she
rudely picks her handbag and walks out on me.
Heee banna!

THE ONE

INSERT 35

LUFUNO

At least there is progress in my fraud case. The police are

dragging their feet but at least the IT guy that Khathu got for me
is cracking something. He speaks in codes and I have no idea
of things he talks about but he gave me the code of the person
messing with my account. He asked me if I know any person
who could possible use ‘ZKL’ as a code, username or
password. I have been cracking my head and I am failing to
make up what that could be.
ZKL? I can’t think of anything.
He told me not to stress about it as he is close to getting the
address and location of where they are doing their operations.
Isn’t it people like him who crack in people’s accounts? How
does he know all that he is doing? If it wasn’t that he drives a
Corolla Toyota, I was going to raise a brow. Unless he is smart
enough to hide under a plain life style.
Hey, things are a little hectic with my accounts frozen. See, I
have to run my business manually. I am a woman and I always
feared keeping huge amounts of cash in the safe. I only kept
just a few stashes to get by. The bank had no choice but to give
me a loan to operate my business. The clients pay to the bank
and whatever income I get reduces the loaned money kept by
the bank. They are lucky they had a solution to my problem.
Winter is creeping in and I should say Pretoria East is damn
cold. I can’t even walk around my own house in shorts. I have
to wear long PJ’s and a gown on top of that. I hate winter and
this one is too early. I only love it for snuggles on the couch
with a perfect cup of coffee.
It is past six and I am already home from work. I change into
sleep wear and drag my feet to the kitchen to prepare myself a
strongest cup of coffee. I need to stay up until late to work.
“Hey, the IT guy urgently needs the first payment. Will you be
able to transfer it now? He apologies that it is short notice. He
has an emergency at home,” Khathu’s SMS read.
Oh! No! I forgot to pay him this morning. I promised to do but I
honestly forgot. Blame it on this manual operations. I am
staying away from internet banking. The bank promised the
account they set aside for me is secured but I choose not to
listen until they get me a culprit. They are lucky I am still
working with them. I should have moved my money away from
them but I was advised otherwise. So now I forgot to pay the
most important person who is assisting me.
“Khathu, I am operating on manual basis. I completely forgot
and I only have cash.”
“Okay, let me transfer him five grand. Have it ready for me, I
am coming to pick it up NOW. I want my money. And prepare
supper. I haven’t eaten a damn thing the whole day.” I smile at
the SMS. How did I miss how wonderful Khathu is? He is so
free spirited and lovely.
“Dinner will be served in an hour. Your money will be ready for
you in an envelope.” I text before jumping out of the couch. I
was going to have bread for supper but no more. I have a guest
and he should be impressed, right?
I don’t even know what to cook. I haven’t gotten a chance to
buy grocery. He is going to have to settle for a mash, veggies
annndddd…oh damn, I have nothing decent to make. This calls
for dining.
I hurry for a quick shower and jump into a pair of black jeans,
simple blouse, a leather jacket and casual shoes. All black. I
pull my bag and count the notes for Khathu.
The gate controllers calls when he is at the gate. I pick my
handbag and walk out of the house. I meet him as he walks
towards my door.
“Hey Lufuno, are you only getting home now?” he asks and I
show him my small car, my A1. “What’s up?”
“I don’t have groceries so I am taking us out for supper and I
am driving.” It is time I show off my driving skills. I have been
doing great on my lessons with Ntate Molefe. “Come on, get
in.”
“Are you sure Lufuno?” he asks. I laugh while jumping on the
driver’s seat. He joins me minutes later. He doesn’t have to
worry. We will get to where we are going.
I drive us out of the complex with Khathu staring at every move
I make. I am starting to multi task in here and I bet he is
impressed. I drive us to Woodlands Boulevard at 60KM per
hour. Ofcourse people flashed their bright lights behind me but
Ntate Molefe taught me a trick. Full blast of house music to sing
along and ignore everyone outside my car.
“And we are here,” I say while trying to perfectly park it.
“Impressive…very impressive…even though I had to suffer a
deaf ear.”
“Come now, don’t be a party pooper,” I grab my handbag from
the back seat and lead the way to the mall. I want us to dine at
Heat Grill Room but I ask that he helps me with a mini-grocery.
He doesn’t refuse so we head to Woolworths first. Their shop is
small so we are done in less than thirty minutes. We take the
food to the car and then head to the restaurant. I should say, he
is great company. He goes around greeting kids and asking to
help mothers with their babies. He makes a good father,
doesn’t he?
“Do you still have that Oxtail in red wine sauce?” I ask the
waiter as he puts the menu on the table. I only come here for
Oxtail or Duck so he can keep his menu.
“Yes we still have that ma’am…what do you want to drink?” he
asks.
“Uhm…get me a bottle of Meinert Merlot 2014.” He notes it on
his pad.
“And you sir?”
“Can I take a look at a menu for a little while but so long please
get me a bottle of Heineken,” Khathu says.
“We don’t have Heineken today Sir, we have castle lite draft
and …”
“No drafts please…fine I will have a glass of wine with the
food,” he says and I chuckle. Wine? What happened today?
The waiter walks away to get the wine. Khathu buries himself
on the menu. He looks so handsome in his black formal shirt.
He obviously came straight from the office. He is wearing a tie
but it is not tight on his neck. His hair is nicely trimmed today.
It feels like we are on a date. I am saying so because the girls
sitting next to us are stealing glances of us. Khathu keeps
paging through the menu and he looks adorable while at it. He
keeps making faces, changing his mind about what he wants to
eat.
“What do you think I should eat?” he asks and closes the menu.
He places it on the table and glare at me. Is that a spark I see
in his eyes? I smile at him. Infact, I blush.
“Get a rib eye in garlic butter,” I advise and he points at me to
agree with my choice. The waiter brings the wine while our food
is getting ready.
“How is Michelle?” I ask and he frowns. “What? I just thought
about her.”
“She is around. Growing up so fast hey…her birthday is on
Saturday. I should get myself ready for a hectic weekend.”
“What are you doing for her?”
“Bounce Inc on Saturday and Spa on Sunday.” He says and I
laugh at the spa. That should be very fun.
 “Maybe I should come join you at Bounce. Is it the one in
Menlyn Maine?” I ask and he hesitantly nods.
“But you do know what happens there is jump around the
trampolines for no apparent reason?” he asks.
“And who says I cannot jump on trampolines for no apparent
reason?”
“What happened to Lufuno?” he asks after a gulp of wine. He is
going to get drunk too early for gulping this wine instead of a
sip.
“Therapy. My therapist suggested this kind of things…fun…and
joy…and all sorts of easy things. She says I should open up
more and join in the fun when I can.”
“Then you are invited. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
It has been a while since I dined finely like this with a good
company. Khathu is funny with his stories about his childhood.
Why didn’t I spend my birthday get-away with this guy though?
Isn’t he just perfect?
We order another bottle of wine but we don’t finish it. I still had
to drive us back to my complex. I insisted because I still need to
get comfortable driving at night. We decided on finishing the
rest of the bottle in my apartment and other bottles from my
collection.
“You know life is so much fun when you don’t care much about
stupid things?” he says after a gulp of wine. We are playing
music softly while chit-chatting.
“What do you mean?” I ask. I am light headed now but I am still
fine. I got us a Shiraz for a second bottle so atleast it is a little
light. . Khathu is already tipsy though. He had been gulping all
night.
“I mean…people should be allowed to live in any way they
want. I learn this from my daughter. She lives for the now and
does what makes her happy…she cares less about tomorrow.
When last did you feel like that?”
“Before adulting.” We laugh. Screw this growing up. Now we
have so many things to deal with.
Khathu places the glass on the table and stares at me. I feel
myself getting hypnotized by his glare. He doesn’t move his
eyes away. I want to ask what he is thinking about but I don’t
want to spoil the moment. I swallow hard and lick my lips.
Gosh, he is turning me on. It isn’t me. It is him. I move my head
slowly and kiss his lips. I slowly suck his lower juicy lip. I want
him like I did the other evening when I was in his house. He
closes his eyes and I do the same. I had to stop. I am afraid of
rejection but my heart loves this affection.
“What’s in your mind?” he whispers and I tell him he is in my
head. “What am I doing in you mind?”
I pull away from him and rest my head on the couch. I close my
eyes for a longest time.
“I have never been so true to myself than I am going to be right
now. I have messed up. Big time! You can punish me all you
want for all the pain I put you through. All the judgements I
pushed towards you because…I was angry at you for
destroying my birthday moon which I planned for over a year.
Okay, that is an old excuse. I just judged you too quick before
giving you a chance. Khathu, for the first time, first time ever I
am ready to get crucified for pouring my heart to a man. I never
thought I could do what I am doing now. Or am I dreaming?
Please wake me up if I am. If this is real, then tell me you will
let me in your life the same way you once needed me? I want
you Khathu. I want to try us.” I finally say without opening my
eyes.
“Come on Lufuno.” He stands and I open my eyes. “Why did we
have to beat around the bush for so long and complicate other
people’s lives?”
“What?” I whisper.
“No Lufuno…you know very well how I felt about you for so
long…I want you…my heart wants you but this is just mess.
You keep having me conflict with my mind and heart.”
“Are you still with her?”
“No! But she might be pregnant.” That stabbed my heart. “She
doesn’t want to tell me but I know she is pregnant and I know
she is going to need me until then…ofcourse she won’t take me
back and I cannot be with her if she doesn’t want but I need to
be there for her if she needs me.”
“I understand,” I whisper.
“Why did you have to complicate everything?” he asks.
“I am sorry.”
He sits next to me. He stares into my eyes and put his hand on
my cheek. He pulls me for a kiss and I receive him. He is
technically single, I don’t have to worry much. He pulls my
jacket off and rest me on the couch while kissing me.
I want to. I want him. I desire him. I want his affection. I need
his touch. I need everything.
“Are you going to stay after this?” he asks while unbuttoning my
jean. He stops and stares at me.
“Please don’t stop,” I whisper and he plants a kiss on me again.
“Am I going to stay after this?” I ask myself as a soft moan
escapes my lips.

THE ONE

INSERT 36

KHATHUTSHELO

Unlike the other evening in my house, tonight I don’t feel as

guilty. I am tipsy yes but not yet drunk. I am never ever going to
drink these wines ever. The feeling I am getting is
unexplainable. I feel tipsy, horny and good and I am light
headed. Lufuno’s warm hands are on my face as I play my
tongue inside her mouth. I had been waiting for this day for so
long. I hope not to mess it up. She is responding passionately
to my kiss. I didn’t know she thirst for me this much. I can’t
believe this is happening so I break the kiss and stare into her
eyes.
“Do you know how much you complicated my life Lufuno?” I
ask without breaking the staring contest. Her eyes are narrow
and they are pleading for pleasure. I can’t wait to give her all
the pleasure she deserves but we need to talk first. My penis is
poking out but I don’t care, we need to talk.
“Khathu, I am…sorry…” she whispers while playing her hands
on my arms. Her touch tingles me all over my body. I want to
take all frustrations on her but we need to talk.
“Why now?” I ask and she swallows hard.
“I…have realised my mistakes.”
“What about Michelle?” How is she going to love my daughter?
Michelle comes first before anything.
“I will learn to love her. You will teach me how to.”
“What about Tshepo?” There is a possibility that she is
pregnant with my child. But if she is, what am I doing here? But
what if the baby is not mine? She told me she has moved on, I
cannot be feeling guilty right now. I just want to know where
Lufuno wants to stand with me. I have prayed so much for this
woman and having her lying underneath me seems like a
reverie. She had me confused for so long it has to stop.
“Uhm…I don’t know Khathu…but I know I want to be with you.”
“What about your…uhm…boyfriend?” This is just complicated.
“We are over.”
This is it. My head is spinning and I am getting drunk all over
again. I am overjoyed and confused. I want her. I want to feel
her touch and the warmth of her haven. I attack her lips and
she moans as our tongues dance together in her mouth. She
undo my tie and unbutton my shirt. Her hands are warm to my
skin. She battles with my belt. It keeps dangling and making
noise.
“Fuck…I don’t have a condom,” I say and pull myself off her. I
am not about to do the ‘pull out’ stunt every again. I pull my
wallet to confirm and indeed it is not there. I thought I was done
sleeping with any woman so there was no need for a condom
armed in my wallet.
“Uhm…I also don’t have,” she says and pull herself to sit. My
machine is still poking out of my formal pants.
I feel like breaking a wall. I swear under my breath while slowly
buttoning my shirt. What a disappointment. I am standing
infront of Lufuno while buttoning my shirt. She reaches for my
waist and pull me closer to her. I look down at her and see
desire in her eyes. She unbuckles my belt, unzip my pants and
they fall to my knees. I want to stop her but my manhood needs
some fixing and she might be of service. She places her warm
hands inside my boxers and stroke the hardened steel. I gasp
as she moves her hand slowly and comfortably. I missed this. I
need exactly this. She pushes herself to the edge of the couch
and receives me in her mouth.
I swear at the warmth of her mouth. I am going to nut on her
face but she doesn’t care because she is forcing the activity to
continue. I decide to close my eyes and enjoy myself. This is
Lufuno Mudau, the woman I have always wished to end with,
giving me a perfect head. I have her face running all over my
mind until I nut without a warning. I slowly open my eyes to see
her wiping her mouth.
I didn’t, did i?
She jumps up and walks to the passage while I pull my boxers.
I pull my legs out of my pants and rest on the couch. She only
comes back minutes later. She throws herself on a couch next
to me and rest her head on my shoulder. I glance at her and we
both laugh. She gives perfect head. I rest my back on the
couch and still have her head on my shoulder. We dozed off
because she wakes me up hours later. It is freezing so we opt
to go to the bedroom. She pulls her white duvets and we jump
into bed. She rest her head on my chest and I pull her closer.
We should have been here ages ago but she had been playing
games with me. Just like Michelle, I choose to live for the now.
The now has Lufuno in my arms and I am going to hold on her
tightly, in case this is just a dream.
We are woken up by my five o’clock alarm. I have to rush home
to drive Michelle to school. I haven’t gotten transport for her
from Centurion to Midrand. Lufuno is still sleeping peacefully. I
bet she is not going to wake up anytime soon. People who own
businesses, they don’t operate with alarms. I wish to snooze
the alarm but I won’t make it to Centurion to freshen up and
drive to Midrand before heading to work. I softly get out of bed
and drag my feet to the living room to get my pants. I get
dressed and head back to Lufuno to give her a kiss goodbye. I
don’t know how things will be when she wakes up. She might
wake up to find this a mistake so I am not getting my heart
excited beforehand. I plant a kiss on her forehead and head
out. I shoot the burglar door to lock it before driving home.
Mandiwana is making lunch boxes when I walk to the kitchen.
She glares at me and then takes her focus back to her task. I
like that. She minds her business. I greet her and head to my
room to get cleaned up. After six thirty, Michelle is waiting for
me in the living room. She looks good in her uniform. I pick our
lunch boxes and drive out.
“Daddy, is mommy going to make it for my birthday?” Michelle
asks from the back.
“No…she won’t make it but we are going to have so much fun.”
“Why don’t you get me a new mommy?” she asks and I glare at
her from the rear view mirror.
“Do you need a new mommy?”
“Yes…I have another daddy so I want another mommy.” Hey,
kids of today!
I drop Michelle at Mid-Stream and hurry to Mkhize consultancy.
I get to my office just before eight. I fill my cup with the filter
coffee and get myself ready for the day.
“So you left me sleeping,” Lufuno’s SMS reads. Is she only
waking up at eight? Life is good, isn’t it?
“I made sure I give you a good morning kiss. I didn’t want to
wake you. You looked so peaceful.”
“Do we need to talk?”
“Do we?”
“I meant every word I said last night. I want to try us if you give
me a chance.”
“I am thrilled you haven’t changed your mind. See you
tomorrow at Bounce Inc, 11am?”
“It’s a date.”

*****

Michelle couldn’t be happier about the day. She woke up so

early and came to wake me up for breakfast. Mandi baked her
a cake so we have it for breakfast. My baby is finally seven
years. Is she just growing fast? She picks her legging and an
active shirt for the day. She looks pretty but too colourful for my
liking. It is her birthday so I am not going to spoil it for her.
Mandi refused to go with us because we are going to be
jumping all over the place for no reason. She said she had
laundry to do and she want to get a few things from
Marabastad. I wonder how she will travel there.
Michelle and I get to Bounce just after ten. Her four friends are
already here with their mothers.
“They allocated this booth for us,” one lady said as Michelle
hugs her friends. I am helpless, where is Tshepo? She knows
the people from here by names.
“Thank you. Uhm…yes…so are you joining us?”
“What? No, I will be at Menlyn Mall please call me when you
are done.”
“Alright, I will call you indeed,” I say and she leaves, followed by
the other mothers.
“Daddy can we go jump already?”
“We are waiting for the rest of your friends…” I say and she
settles on the bench. I sit next to her and get busy on the
phone. The three kids should be here already.
“I am on time, am I?” a familiar voice says and I smile before
raising my head to meet her smile. She is wearing a long active
shirt and grey leggings and runners. Damn! The legging shows
off her curves. She does not have long hair today.
“Lufuno, you made it?” I say with so much relief. I need help
with this birthday thing.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She hands the gift to Michelle,
“I got this for you.”
“Daddy can I open this?”
“Ofcourse!” I say and she attacks the box. She opens to find a
gold back-pack. Michelle smiles so perfectly it melts my heart.
“I love it…it matches my new shoes,” Michelles says. I bought
her gold sneakers for her birthday.
The other kids arrive and we set ourselves for fun.
Okay, the last time I was here, I was with Tshepo and we only
did one section of the whole park. What the hell? These kids
are fit and hyper active. Lufuno is fit enough to run around with
all these kids. I decide to sit on the floor and take pictures. My
phone rings while at it. It is Tshepo.
“Hey, Tshepo.”
“Hi Khathu…happy birthday to the princess.”
“Thanks…I will tell her.”
“I have a present for her.”
“Sure…I will pick it up tomorrow when I drop them at the Spa.”
“I am here at Bounce.”
“What?”
“Yeah…I was so bored I thought I should just come by and
watch you guys enjoy yourself.”
“Where are you now?”
“Buying the locker,” she says and I hurry there.
She can’t be here now. She is locking her items into the locker
when I get to her.
“Tshepo…what are…why?”
“I am bored Khathu. I got myself an hour ticket. I just want to
watch Michelle. I don’t have to meet her because you don’t see
it fit that we meet. I will just watch her and the other kids play
and watch you give her the present.”
“Tshepo…” I say but Michelle comes running and laughing. She
hides behind me and Lufuno come charging to me. Michelle
runs around me with Lufuno chasing her. Michelle is giggling
and trying to hide herself with me until Lufuno catches her.
“I got you now…” Lufuno says while carrying her.
“No…no aunty Lufuno, I tap out…tap out,” Michelle yells and
Lufuno puts her down. Only now she notices who I am standing
with.
“Uhm…hi…errr…come Michelle,” Lufuno says and hurries to
the rinks with Michelle.
“Really Khathu?” Tshepo says with a weak smile. She is about
to cry, I know that face.
“No…no…I can explain.”
“Fine. Explain.” She fold her arms and glare at me with
twinkling eyes.
“Uhm…she asked me to join and I thought why not?”
“I haven’t met Michelle because you never saw fit for us to
meet…how did she pass that?” Her voice is breaking.
“No Tshepo…it aint like that.”
“How is it like?” she raises her voice.
“Its…just complicated.”
“I thought I would be happy with you today. I thought me and
the baby have a chance but I see not.”
“You are pregnant with my baby?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore…does it?”
“It does. You know it does.”
“No, it doesn’t.” she turns back to the locker.
“Are you going to run away?”
“Isn’t it better to run away than watch a man you love play
happy family with the woman he told you not to worry about?”
She punches the password and pull her stuff from the locker.
“Are you pregnant with my child?”
“Why would I be here if I wasn’t?”
Damn!
Michelle comes running to me giggling. She and Lufuno are
having so much, no doubt in that but this is not the right time.
“Daddy…come play with us…aunty Lufuno is beating me on
the slam dunk,” she says and pulls my arm.
“Go!” Tshepo says with tears threatening to fall down her
cheeks.
“Daddy….come now…I am loosing…cooommeeee…aunty
Lufuno is winning….” Michelle sulk and it feels like a slap on
Tshepo’s face.
Oh boy!!!!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 37

TSHEPO

Khathu has a beautiful daughter. She has a cute little smile that
makes one beam even in the midst of a storm. She is pulling
her father to join her and her so called 'Aunty Lufuno’. I don’t
hate her. She is just not my favourite person. She has taken
away my happiness and I knew I could never win this game if I
even start playing it. She has that perfect booty that makes
every woman hate her but all men droll over her. She looks
expensive and she smells so too.
“Daddy…come on…please…” Michelle pulls her father by
hand. I want to leave but I am hypnotized by her beauty. She is
so perfect and adorable. I bet I am going to have the most
beautiful baby ever.
“Im coming now baby…give me a minute…”
“Please daddy don’t take time…aunty Lufuno will beat me
nil…she is tall…” Michelle says and hurry back to the arena.
Aunty Lufuno is tall. Ofcourse she is.
“Here. I got this for her.” I hand the gift to Khathu. I swear this is
the last time I buy this baby girl some gifts.
“Tshepo…can we talk?” he says while trying to reach for my
hand.
“There won’t be a need for that.”
“Will you ever listen to me and stop running away from
everything?” he asks and tears starts flowing down my cheeks.
“We never talk Tshepo. Always when we have to talk, you
always, always come up with excuses. So you are not going
anywhere before we talk. Put on your shoes, I will be back right
now. We are going downstairs to talk now.”
He disappears to the arena.
Why can’t I be with this man? I love everything about him. That
gritted order he just gave me makes things worse. I sit on the
bench and pull off the bouncing socks and back to my shoes.
He doesn’t take long before he comes back to lead the way
downstairs to Star Bucks.
He orders tea for me and iced coffee for himself.
“We have twenty minutes before they go down to the party
room,” he says and suck the tea from the straw.
Damn you Khathu! You are so damn fine. I am sitting here all
horny and angry. Pregnancy even makes it worse.
“Fine.”
“So, you are pregnant with my child,” he asks and I nod. He
laughs and then shakes his head. “So you decided to keep it
from me all these months?”
“What was I supposed to do? I didn’t want you to think that I got
myself knocked out to make you stay.”
“Was isn’t me who didn’t pull out? Didn’t I cum inside you? How
in the earth would I say you got yourself knocked up? You
should know me better than that Tshepo.”
“I found out after our separation.”
“And your father invited me to your house…that night when you
had flue? You were pregnant…I asked you few weeks ago
when we met ...and you walk out on me after I asked you if you
were pregnant. Come on Tshepo, you had so many chances.
We chat on the phone whenever we want.” He is pissed and it
is all my fault. I was just scared. I didn’t want to make him stay
with me because of the baby but I want him. Complicated, I
know.
“You wont understand.”
“Ofcourse I wont understand because you keep messing things
around for me. I wanted to be with you and forget about Lufuno,
but you kept pushing me away.”
“Come on, I know you love her more than you do me.”
“Then why don’t you leave me to it then? It was my decision to
be with you or her…come on, its just feelings…that’s nothing
compared to a decision that one makes.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.” I hiss and look away.
Okay, what am I doing here?
“Fine. It is nonsense to you…I won’t change your mind.”
“So, you guys are an item now?”
“Uhm…well…”
“You can tell me the truth so that I know where I stand with this
baby.”
“You know my baby will come first…come on, you know that.”
“So, you are an item?”
“It’s still early to tell,” he says and I stand. “Sit down Tshepo, sit
down. Why are you asking me all these questions and run
away when I answer?”
I sit back down quietly. He doesn’t understand. I am hurt. I want
him and he doesn’t. I wish to be his. I just wish. He will never
understand.
“What did the doctor say about the baby? The tests and all?”
Atleast he is changing to subject.
“The baby is perfectly fine.”
“Do you know what it is?”
“I want it to be a surprise to me.”
“Can I come to your next doctor’s appointment?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you going to shut me out of my baby’s life just because we
didn’t work?” he asks and I frown. How am I supposed to play
happy parents when he already plays happy couple with
Lufuno?
“I don’t want to get myself more hurt.”
“Is it not worse when I am not there? Come on Tshepo…you
know I care about you and I am obviously happy about my
baby…come on man. We had a chance but I understand you
never wanted to be second best…but my baby come first, you
know that well. How many times did we change plans because
of Michelle? My baby is coming to come first too…so just make
things easier for the both of us.”
“Fine. I will text you the appointment date.” I deeply sigh. This is
not so easy. I am sniffing the tears away. What did I get myself
into?
“Look, I have to go back to Michelle…and if you want you can
join us. I don’t expect you to though. And I am sorry you had to
find out this way about Lufuno...”
“I’ll go home.”
“Do you want us to meet next Saturday maybe? And talk over
lunch?”
And keep hurting myself by falling head-over-heels with him all
over again? No. Also, I have Charlotte’s lunch date at her
house. She is having a pre-wedding luncheon hosted by her
sister. I cannot miss it or she will never forgive me.
He gives me a longest hug. While buried in his arms, I have my
own wishes for us and the baby. I make a little prayer for
strength to carry on without him if it is ever possible. He kisses
me on the head and walk me to the parking lot. All that he does
keeps me in-love with him. I want to let go but it is not as easy.
I drive to menlyn to get a new dress. I am starting to show and I
am not so ready to break the news. The thought of telling
everyone that I am no longer with the father gives me chills. I
have been avoiding my father even though I know he knows.
My mother won’t keep the secret, plus I work with him.
I get a perfect fitting pants and a perfect blazer. No dresses for
now if not peplum. Thank God it is almost winter, I won’t have
to be looking sexy. My face is giving it away though, but rather
they assume than see me in a pencil dress.

This week was the longest. Khathu checks-up on me daily and I

wonder if he will keep it up. He forces me to stay on the line
until I tell him how I feel. He doesn’t want me to lose the baby
so he tries his best to keep me sane. I try to stress less and eat
well so that I don’t get complications in my pregnancy. It is
Saturday morning and I am hesitating to get off the bed. I no
longer want to go to Charlotte’s luncheon. Bakang told me the
guys are also invited. I am not ready to see Tokello if he comes
again like he did on the engagement party. I feel so sick
thinking about meeting him there. I thought the next time he
sees me after that Cape Town date, I will be looking fine as
hell. Now I am starting to look like a baloooon. This is so unfair.
The other reason I want to run away from Lufuno. My worst
nightmare. Her company is running the wedding, and knowing
Charlotte and her sisters, they are going to hire a company for
this luncheon and which company, if not the best of them all?
Lufuno Luv. Can I roll my eyes to that?
I drag my feet to the bathroom to start my day. From the first
month, even today, I throw-up every time I brush my teeth. If
only I could go around without brushing teeth. I would be so
fine.
By twelve o'clock, I am ready to go. Bakang told me we will
meet there. I wanted to hold his hand throughout this day so
that people don’t ask me if I am pregnant or not. I get to
Charlotte’s sister’s house and the back yard looks perfect.
There is no trace of Lufuno Luv on this décor though so I am
safe.
“Heeeyyy…Tshepo,” Charlotte says and hugs me happily.
“Look at you…you have…gained some weight.”
One down, a hundred more to go to tell me how fat I am. I
laugh with her and tell her I have been skipping gym lately. So
many projects to work on. I don’t care if she believes me.
Tokello is not here so I know I am safe.
Bakang calls to tell me he is skipping the lunch. He decided to
meet with his boys for Haartees fishing and drinking. Really?
Fishing in almost winter? I pick the food from the serving table
and sit by myself at an empty chair away from everyone.
Charlotte is all over the place. Her sister is busy too. I have my
phone on. That can keep me company. I am busy with my
phone when I hear a familiar voice. I raise my head to the
direction of where the voice is coming from. There, my ex, is
standing with Charlotte. He is with a girl, dressed in a short
dress, stilletos and a jacket hanging over her shoulder.
What a show-off Tokello. What a show-off. I get busy on my
phone, checking for movies playing in the next hour. I have got
to sneak out of this place. Charlotte and her fiancé saw me and
I finished my lunch, what more do they want?
I take the plate with me because I am going to use the garden
gate. If I walk back to the serving table, Tokello will see me. I
pick the plate and my bag; and hurry out to the drive-way
through the back.
Phew! No one saw me.
“Where you going to leave without greeting me?” Tokello says
from the back and I jump, letting go of the plate. It hits the floor
and I jump some more.
“Oh, hey…sorry…” I quickly get to the ground to pick the
pieces.
“No, no…let me…” he squats and join me in picking the broken
glasses. We both stand and he takes my portion from my
hands. His scent is stronger that the other days. It is strong but
refreshing.
“Thanks.”
With the glasses in hand, he moves to rest his body on my car.
There is no more running away.
“So where you really going to leave without saying hi?”
“No, I wasn’t leaving. I came to…uhm…”
“Come on. I saw you sneaking out.”
That is so embarrassing.
“Well…I was sneaking away from Charlotte. She wants me
here and I have to go...I have so much to do at the office.”
“Can I come with? I heard you guys did a great job with that
place and you, Miss Tshepo Maake, are kicking ass in this
architecture game.”
“Oh, don’t believe everything they say.”
“I read a few articles. They cannot all be lying. So can I please
come with you?”
“No, Tokello…what about your date?”
“I thought it was a ‘bring a date’ kinda lunch…she is a cousin,”
he says and I feel better. I am waiting for him to ask about my
weight but he doesn’t. I refuse to go with him to the office. First
because I wasn’t going there. Secondly because I am damn
horny and I will be torturing myself having him romancing me
with his words. Thirdly, I am pregnant and I cannot be
entertaining old flames.
“I am not going to the office. I decided to work from home.”
“It’s a Saturday, let’s go for movies? Just one movie and you
will work after” he asks and then walks to the bin to throw away
the glasses.
“No, Tokello…please.”
“Please Tshepo. I meant everything I told you at Cape Town. I
miss you so much and I want us to try for the last time. Please
give me a chance.”
“I have …a boyfriend.”
“They told me you broke up with him,” he says without turning
his eyes away from me.
“No, I am not in good space right now.”
“You know you will run around all you want but what I know is
that you are the one for me. One day you are going to forgive
me for my stupidity and the pain i caused you; and give me a
chance. You can block me all you want but one day…one day
Tshepo…you are going to be my woman again.”
If only he knew he will swallow his words when I take off this
pleated blouse.
“I have to go,” I say, unlocks the car and jump in. He hurries to
jump on the passenger seat.
“Acrimony by Tyler Perry is still playing in Cinema…they say
that starring woman does crazy things…lets go watch it.” He
taps the dash board to show me to drive off.
“Like really Tokello?” I roll my eyes to him.
“I know you were going to watch the movies,” he says and I
smile. I am that obvious, ain’t I? I need some company right
now so a movie date wont hurt.
“Yeah, right.” I start the car.
“You look good by the way,” he says and starts operating the
radio.
Is he here to confuse me?
He connects his phone to the car and starts playing Fally Ipupa.
I turn to him and giggle before mumbling the song playing.
Ohhhh how i love Fally Ipupa...I dont understand a single word
of most of his songs but I sing along annnyyyywayyyy. Tokello
joins in the songs because we used to mumble the words
together.
He is definitely here to confuse me.

THE ONE

INSERT 38

LUFUNO

This feels right!

I am finally with Khathu and it feels good if I should say so
myself. I curse whatever thing that blinded me before. How did I
miss his gentleness? He makes me feel wanted. He adores his
daughter and it makes me smile when he does everything she
asks for. I can’t say she is spoiled but I can say she gets
everything she needs from him.
I am failing to get Tshepo out of my head. Her face is haunting
me. She was hurt to see me at Bounce Inc with Khathu on
Michelle's birthday. I don’t know her to judge if she looked
pregnant or not. I saw her once at her father’s house and she
looked the same. I can’t really judge. I pray she is not pregnant
or else my relationship with Khathu won’t be as lovely.
Today is quite a long day, with two bridal fittings and three cake
tasting. I have an awesome team to run the show but one client
wants me to be present in all her consultations. She is paying a
good fat amount so I am not complaining.
Gean orders us breakfast the moment I walked into the office.
Things has changed since she moved to her own house. We
don’t talk as much and I live on take-aways. She brings my
breakfast and I ask her to join me.
“How have you been?” I ask as she grabs a seat before me.
“I have been good, except that you didn’t tell me that staying by
myself will keep me broke,” she complains. “Why didn’t you tell
me that groceries costs more than a thousand and petrol is
sooo expensive???”
“But I got you a house…shouldn’t that make things better? Or is
that a way of asking for a raise?”
“Today would be a best day to ask about a raise. Actually since
two weeks ago.”
“Today, why?”
“Because you are in a good mood,” she says and I laugh. She
folds her arms for me to explain myself.
“What? I am just looking forward for the day.”
“You were not like this two weeks ago. Come out with it,” she
says and rests her back on the chair. I smile. I need to share
this with someone and Gean is the only one in my life.
“Well…Khathu and I are dating…and I had a best weekend. He
took me to some lodge in Mpumalanga.”
“Khathu, Khathu? The advert guy?” she ask with her eyes
widened.
“Yes, him…we are dating and I am happy.”
“You should keep him…he is keeping you in a good mood,” she
says and my smiles fades away. I am stressed about Tshepo
and I can’t hide it. “What? Whats wrong?”
“It seems complicated. I don’t know if we will survive. There
was a girl before me and I don’t want to seem like I cause the
breakfast. I swear they were over.”
“Oh, please Lufuno. You just move on from that episode
already...” she says.
“Move from what already?” a voice from the door says and we
sway our eyes there. My man, is standing by the door in a black
fitted suit. He has flowers in one hand and a take-away
package on another.
“Hey, Khathu…we didn’t see you there,” I say and Gean walks
out after greeting him.
“I thought I should come by and thank you for this past
weekend. Thanks for tagging along,” he says after kissing me
on my cheek. He hands me the flowers and I smell them before
placing them on the table.
“I had so much fun this past weekend. I should be the one
thanking you,” I say.
“I also brought you breakfast…guess you’ll have this for lunch
since you are sorted for now.”
“Yeah.”
“I am on my way to a meeting in Faerie Glen so I passed by to
also bring you this.” He hands me a written card. “It’s from
Michelle. I promise I didn’t read it.”
I am smitten. Michelle is so adorable.
“Thank you aunty Lufuno for my birthday. please come to
dinner on Monday,” I read for Khathu.
“Hee banna…I saw her writing these thank you cards for all her
friends last week but I didn’t know she was inviting people for
supper.”
“She didn’t tell you about dinner?”
“Nope, I know nothing about this.”
“So, should I or shouldn’t I?”
“You should. She has already answered herself so according to
her you are coming and I would love to have you over for
supper.”
“I would love to be there for supper.”
“Thank you.” He walks to me and kisses my forehead. He
leaves me for a meeting and I am sitting here in my office all
smitten. I think Michelle and I will make a good team. Hopefully,
Tshepo is not pregnant with Khathu’s child. I want to
experience Khathu’s love fully and I don't want to share him
with anyone. I am day-dreaming when Charlotte knocks on my
glass door. Seems like everyone is by passing at the reception.
“Good morning…” she says happily.
“Hey Charlotte. You are early for our meeting.”
“I know…I just had to see you before ten,” she places her bag
on the table and seat.
“Okay, do you want some breakfast? My boyfriend brought
more food.”
“No, I am on diet. No solids until the weeding.”
“But the wedding is in a week’s time.”
“Exactly. That’s why I am on a liquid diet,” she says and I nod.
She is being a typical bride to be.
“So, what are the changes?”
“One of my bridesmaid is out of town on work and she will be
back in two months. It was urgent and she had to fly on
Saturday. So I am bringing someone to replace her. The
challenge is that the one I am bringing is not too petite.”
“Ooohh, Charloette…that’s a new dress altogether. This is the
last fitting.”
“Please Lufuno, I will pay for overtime if need be.”
“Is she coming through later with the other ladies?”
“Yes, so I thought I should highlight you, you know?”
“Uhm…it’s not a big deal but you will have to add another
dress...I cannot amend and add on an exciting dress. I am not
about to compromise my best work.”
“Money is not a problem.”
I enjoy working with such clients. I can go all crazy and all out
to make anyone droll on my work. I ask Gean to set the fitting
room as I finish with my breakfast. I can work on Charlotte’s
dress while we wait for her girls. I wonder why they picked a
Monday morning for fittings. I bet they don’t have jobs to go to.
Charlotte and I move to the fitting room for the last fitting. I have
two of these rooms for days when we have double booking.
Charlotte chills on a couch with a flute of champagne.
“When are you getting married?” she asks and I smile. I fail to
imagine how perfect my day will be. I live to create dream
weddings, I believe mine will be the best of them all.
“I don’t know.” It is too soon for me to celebrate my relationship
with Khathu.
“Don’t tell me you are one of those that say men are trash?”
she asks.
“Well, I had my fair share of disappointments but I can’t blame
all men, you know?”
“That’s good.”
She goes behind the dressing curtain and comes back minutes
later, looking like a bride from a fairy tale movie. She has a
biggest smile on her face and that is what makes me proud. I
love her veil that follows her behind as she takes each step. We
made this perfect lacey dress and i am proud.
“It is so perfect,” she says in a breaking voice. Where is a box
of tissue when we need one.
“You love it?” I ask for confirmation. The last time she was
here, the dress was in pieces. Today she had to get into a
perfectly trimmed dress.
“Thank you…I love it,” she mumbles while observing herself on
the mirror. It fits her like a glove.
“Let me see under the arms,” I ask and she raises her hands. If
it fits her perfectly under her arms, then I am happy.
Everywhere else should be fine.
“Wooow...” I hear voices mumbling as they walk inside the
fitting. I let out a biggest smile until the last person walks in.
Tshepo is walking in with a stern face.
WTF!
“You love it?” Tshepo asks her bridesmaids and they all jump in
to compliment her except Tshepo. She doesn’t look amazed to
see me so I take it she knew where she is coming.
“Yeah, Lufuno, that is Tshepo…the stand in bridesmaid,”
Charlotte says and I fake a smile. I wish to call my fashion
designer to come take the measurements but Charlotte
specified for me. Also, I prefer to stay professional as always.
“Alright, let me have you guys change into your dresses, then I
will take Tshepo’s measurements. There are your dresses, so
look for your name on the label tag and change behind those
curtains,” I say and they do as they are instructed. Tshepo is
standing in the middle of the room with her arms folded to her
chest.
“Tshepo, thank you for saving the day, I know you didn’t want
to do this,” Charlotte says.
“Its fine Charlotte,” Tshepo says in an unfriendly voice.
“Please stand on this.” She takes her jacket off and stands on a
mini stage. I take the measurements to her chest, her bast
area, her hips and her arms. I am dreading to go for her waist. I
don’t want to feel the bump. I am not ready to know. I measure
her legs and everything that need measuring. The last part is
the waist. Yes, her stomach do feel stiff. I didn’t press on it but
it is swollen. She doesn’t look like the girls that keep a not so
flat stomach so she might be pregnant.
“I am pregnant, please leave room for me to breath,” she says
quietly and I freeze for a second. I felt it myself but didn’t want
her confirmation. Now I need more questions to be answered. I
want to ask but I have to stay professional.
“How…how would…you like your design to be? Since you
are…pregnant?”
“Peplum, preferably,” she says and I note it on my booklet.
She ruined my day and my happy mood. How do I carry on,
knowing Khathu’s ex-girlfriend is pregnant?
I rush the rest of the fitting so that I could go back to my office
to breath. I cannot have a meltdown episode infront of my
clients. Luckily, their dresses do not need much alterations.
Just one dress needs to be tightened. I dismiss them to cake
tasting and hurry to my office. I let out a longest sigh before
calling Khathu.
“Yes, my love…” he says when he picks his phone.
“Is Tshepo’s child yours?” I ask. I don’t need to beat around the
bush.
“Uhm…what up?”
“I asked if Tshepo’s baby is yours?”
“Yes.”
“You knew Khathu? You knew but you kept it away from me?”
“Come on, I wanted to focus on us.”
“When did you find out?”
“On Michelle’s birthday.”
“You took me to a weekend getaway but kept the news from
me?”
“Come on Lufuno…I wanted the focus to be on us. It was about
us…I didn’t even bring Michelle up because the getaway was
all about us. I was going to tell you. I was also shocked as you
are,” he says.
I let out a sigh. I don’t know. This is not going to be easy.
“So, what does it mean? How does it affect us?”
“Uhm…nothing changes babe…I just need to give Tshepo
necessary attention and assistance when she needs one.”
“What?”
“I can’t expect her to do this all by herself when I am around…I
have to be there for her.”
“How Khathu? She is not over you…she wouldn’t have showed
up at Michelle’s party if she was. So, are you saying me and
her are going to compete for your attention?”
“Come on…there is no competition here.”
“She is going to make my life a living hell…come on Khathu,
you know that.”
“Okay, look, let’s talk about this when you come over for
Michelle’s dinner.”
“I’ll pass.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I don’t think I want to come to dinner in your house.” I need to
breathe.
“This is not my dinner. It is Michelle’s…come on…you know
she is expecting you there...dinner was confirmed the moment I
promised to drop the letter to you.”
“I cant come…”
“Fine…we wont talk about this…just come over for dinner, thats
all. I can be in my room if you want.”
“Khathu, I said I’ll pass.”
“No, no Lufuno…this is not how we are going to do
things…remember there is me and there is Michelle, we are
separate people. I need you tonight for Michelle…my baby is
expecting you and you are going to show up. We will solve us
later. I will send you the location to my house and you will show
up when it is time for dinner at seven. I am not going to watch
my daughter sleep in tears just because you are mad at me
and chose to disappoint her.”
“I said I will pass,” I say and hang up. I am not going to pretend
that all is well. We spent the whole week together, the whole
week including the weekend, and he fails to tell me his ex is
pregnant with his baby? I could have prepared my heart for
such a disappointment. This is a disappointment to our
relationship. I am hurt, truly hurt.
Come on Khathu.
My phone beeps.
“Dinner is at seven,” a text from Khathu with the location
attached.
Mxm!!

THE ONE

INSERT 39

MANDIWANA

Haaa, vhana vha ano maduvha! Kids of these days!

She is here in the kitchen, telling me what and how to cook!
Imagine! A seven years old is teaching me how to cook.
She has picked mushrooms, fruits and other uncookable things.
What am I supposed to do with raisins in food? Don’t you eat
these with peanuts?
“Please aunty Mandi…this has to be good.”
“What has to be good? I don’t even know what you want me to
do with this,” I say to her. I have to be honest with her. I don’t
know how to use any of these food items on the table.
“Mommy makes steak with mushroom…and she mixes
cabbage with raisins…I don’t know how she does it but it is
nice.”
“Okay, go and finish your homework, and I will make you this
food. Why is it so special?”
“Because I invited aunty Lufuno…” she says happily. She has
spoken about this aunty Lufuno ever since her birthday. She
sings of how beautiful she is and how perfect her hair is always
is. I want to see her.
"Okay, let me see here...go write your homework."
“Make it nice,” she says and walks to the dining table to write
her homework. She leaves me here in the kitchen, clueless of
what needs to be done.
Luckily Khathu walks in before I could cut and throw this meat
into the pot. I was about to give up. Aunty Lufuno was going to
have to settle for beef stew. Khathu hugs Michelle before
folding his shirt to help me. He looks drained but I don’t want to
ask. I am here to look after Michelle, not him. I bet he will be
fine.
“Daddy, I want you to prepare the steak with mushroom and
that sweet cabbage salad,” Michelle says and Khathu nods in
agreement. I still don’t know how to do this. Don’t they make
steaks in restaurants? How are we supposed to braai meat on
a stove? Don’t we just fry the mushroom and eat it with a fancy
breakfast? Haiiiii, I don’t see it working with meat. Forgive me,
but I just don’t see mushroom working with meat. What am I
supposed to do with it? Boil it with the meat? What Michelle?
“You can season the steak with salt and pepper…and spice
over there and we will fry it,” Khathu advise. I pick the barbecue
spice from the cupboard and pour it on the meat inside the
bowl. If I was home, I was going to cut this meat into pieces
and throw it into a pot and let it blow until tender. It is not the
case here.
“Daddy, also do the broccoli mash,” Michelle says and Khathu
nods his head.
“Are you not spoiling this kid?” I ask because everything she
wants, she gets.
“I know when to draw my line. This is how she eats her
veggies, so I don’t mind.”
“I see,” I say while turning the meat and adding more spice and
pepper. Khathu is now boiling broccoli and cauliflower. I don’t
think I will ever eat this tree-kinda-looking veggies. No thank
you! I have my small pot of pap and gravy. These people here
eat meet with salads.
Khathu looks unsettled and I am worried, you know? He is not
himself and I want to lend my ear. My phone rings before I
could ask how he is doing. It is my boyfriend, so I don’t have an
option to ignore him unless I want him to start thinking that I am
cheating on him.
“Hello,” I say while closing my bedroom door.
“So, you are not going to call?” he ask and I roll my eyes.
“I am still preparing supper. I was going to call you after eight
when I am done.”
“Who do you stay with?” he asks and I sigh. It is the third time
he is asking me the same question. I have no choice but to
maintain a lie.
“I told you that I stay with Khathu, his wife and kid.” Heeee, I
will not tell him there is no wife here unless I want him to come
here for me.
“This long distance relationship is not working for me. I mean…I
am getting myself worked up here just by thinking about you in
another man’s house.”
“You should know better. I am here so that I can work. You
should stop stressing yourself.”
“I think I should come there.”
“No, man. I don’t have time for this…please…I have to go back
to work.” I hang up on him. What is with his insecurities? If only
he knew that I am out of Khathu’s league. Khathu has an eye
for beautiful women. Michelle is too beautiful, I know her
mother should be too beautiful. This woman Michelle speaks of
everyday sounds like an angel walking on earth. Where will he
get the time to eye me, Mandiwana, all the way from a village in
Venda.
I walk back to the kitchen to find Khathu busy with the
mushrooms. I swear the smell of these things is too different.
He looks so handsome in his piece job.
“Are you good?” he asks and I nod. I can’t tell him how irritated
I am of my boyfriend. He has got to deal. I am in Pretoria for a
reason. I want to finish my Bcom and get a job very soon so he
has got to chill.
I continue seasoning the steaks until Khathu tells me they look
perfect. My next job is to see to it that they fry perfectly on both
sides. I do as instructed. I am keeping my eye on Khathu who
is frying the nicely cut mushrooms. He fries them until they are
tender enough and then adds salt and pepper. I want to laugh
but he knows what he is doing. He puts the fresh milk and stir
nicely. Heeeee, we learn new things everything. He stir until
everything is blended in. He adds a bit of that white mushroom
soup and the mixture looks perfect. It now looks like that sauce
they advertise in Spur.
“That looks nice.”
“It tastes nice too,” he says and wink. Pull yourself together
Mandi! The guy is being friendly here.
I watch the meat until it is nicely done. I wouldn’t have known
how to pull such a meal if it wasn’t for Michelle. We have done
that salad with her raisins. It tastes nice, really nice.
“You can set the table,” Khathu says and disappears to his
room. Luckily we have hosted his friend before, so I know
everything should be on serving bowls. I place the food on the
bowls and station on the dining table. Michelle is done with her
homework and is now wearing her favorite dress for dinner. It is
already half past seven and I am starting to wonder when the
guest will arrive. It is almost time for Michelle’s bedtime.
“Aunty Mandy, do you think aunty Lufuno will be coming?” she
asks.
“Yes, she is probably on her way. You know the traffic is so bad
when it is at night?” I say and she nods. I can see worry in her
face.
Khathu comes back to the kitchen. I stride to him for more
information.
“When is she getting here?” I ask.
“I don’t know, okay?”
“Can’t you call her? Michelle is going to lose her mind.”
“I know but I can’t call her right now.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“No, stay out of it. Let’s just wait until eight then we can start
eating. If she is not here…then fine!”
“Fine. But please find out where she is. Michelle is going to lose
her mind,” I whisper to him. He better do something. He knows
how his daughter is obsessed with her own plans. I am not
going to stay up all night for her to fall asleep. I had an
experience with her once. When her mother promised her she
will call at eight the other night. We stayed until ten and she
wept the whole night until falling asleep. I can’t go through with
that. I can’t stand to see her heart broken.
It is past eight and there is no sign of our guest. Some people
are just heartless nje!
“Daddy, we can’t eat…what if aunty Lufuno comes afterwards?”
Michelles asks her father. I don’t have to be the one to answer
so I keep my mouth shut. Khathu could be calling this person
but he doesn’t want to.
“She is not going to make it. Something came up. Please baby,
eat so that you can go to bed.”
“Didn’t you give her the letter?” she asks.
“Oh, I think I forgot…”
“But daddy….how did you forget?” she asks, tears almost
gushing down her face.
“My baby…I am sorry. I forgot….come here,” Khathu says while
forcing Michelle into a hug. “Please eat your food and go to
bed. I will invite aunty Lufuno another day.”
“Daddy, how could you forget?” she asks in a breaking voice.
“I will make it up to you alright?” he asks and she nods.
Hey, I wish I was Khathu’s daughter. My father never had time
to feed my feelings. He had no time to explain nothing to me.
Khathu had to shout at her to eat her food. Atleast she finished
her plate and then resign to her bedroom afterwards. Khathu
follows her while I clear the table. The food was very nice, I
should commend Khathu for it. Who would have thought
mushrooms that grow behind my house in Venda could taste
this good?
I hear a knock on the kitchen door.
“Khathu?” I call for him. It’s already almost nine and I can’t just
open for anyone. Khathu comes to the kitchen and I show him
the door. He opens it and then click his tongue before walking
to the living room.
Heeeee, you should have seen the woman following behind
him. Is this aunty Lufuno? No wonder Michelle is obsessed with
her. She is wearing shorts and a formal shirt tucked in. Her legs
are tall and creamy. Her hair is long and shiny.
“Khathu,” she quietly says like an angel is about to start
singing.
Where did Khathu get this woman?
“Lufuno, I wouldn’t have opened if I knew it was you.”
“Please, I am sorry.”
“You don’t have to be. She is sleeping and your visit is useless
right now.”
“Please, can I please explain?”
“Fine!”
I want to leave the kitchen but I have to finish drying this dishes
and go to sleep.
“Look, that Tshepo episode messed me up Khathu…I feel like
you hid the truth from me.”
“Hid the truth? Didn’t I tell you that Tshepo might be pregnant
with my child? I told you on the first day and I asked you if you
will stay this time.”
Evhoo wee!!! So Khathu has another woman pregnant while in
a relationship with another? I quietly clap my hands once.
Khathu?
“I know Khathu, I wished you told me before I could find out.
You knew the truth but kept it from me…I had to feel her
stomach to find out the truth. She told me herself, you should
have given me the information.”
“I don’t think it was important at this very moment because I
told you the possibilities…I wanted to focus on us for now.”
“I am sorry. I was just heart-broken about it.”
“I asked you because I know how fucked up this situation is but
you should have stayed away from us if you cannot go through
with this. Michelle slept with a heavy heart. I had to lie to her
because I can never see her disappointed like that. Please
Lufuno, just stay away from me and my daughter if you are not
going to handle the situation. I will be fine. You didn’t want me
before, I can survive like I survived before.”
Haaaaa Khathutshelo Nengwenda, that last line was not
necessary.
“I know,” she responds.
“So, please stay if you are sure about this. I can’t continue
driving Michelle crazy because of her obsession with you. I
would understand if you want out of this but please don’t string
my daughter along. Please.”
Hey, no one can messes with Michelle in his presence. I adore
that about her.
“Khathu, I was just shaken by this. I am worried if we are going
to survive. Tshepo is going to come running to you everyday
and you are going to run to her…I am just worried about a lot of
things.”
“Tshepo understands where we stand.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“She does.”
“Khathu, I am asking you what if she doesn’t. What if she is
planning a come-back to get you from me? You should have
seen her this morning.”
“Let me be the one to worry about Tshepo. You have to worry
about your own decisions…if you are staying with me or not. Sit
here and think about it. I have a few emails to send out.”
Khathu leaves the living room. He is cold and angry. The queen
is sitting on the couch with her arms folded. She looks stunned.
I would be stunned too. Mostly if I look that beautiful and a man
tells me to sit and think of my decision, I would be dazed. She
should just know that no one messes with Michelle and she will
be fine. If there is another woman pregnant, I would stay the
hell away from Khathu. Maybe not. I think Khathu loves this
woman. Maybe I should take a picture of her and send it to my
boyfriend to show him who he thinks I am competing with. My
braids won’t even give me a chance. If I send a picture of her
right now, my boyfriend would allow me to work here in peace.
“Would you like some tea?” I ask and she startles. She wasn’t
expecting me. I was queity working in the kitchen.
“Don’t you have wine instead?”
Yoh!! Alcohol at this time of the night? Doesn’t she have things
to think about? I walk back to the kitchen and come back with a
glass of wine.
“Don’t you have merlot?” she asks and I want to laugh. What is
Merlot? “Don’t you have red wine?”
“Hey sesi, there are a lot of bottles, I just took one and pour.”
“Where do you keep them? I can pick one,” she asks while
standing from the couch. She heads to the kitchen and stands
by the wine stand, pulling bottles after another, reading
something from them.
So, what are we going to do with this glass that I am holding?
Throw it into the basin? What?
Haowa!! Khathu should just keep this woman away from Vho
Nengwenda. Hai!

THE ONE

INSERT 40
KHATHUTSHELO

I thank God for bringing me the woman I had always prayed for,
but Lufuno is going to be the death of me. I never imagined her
being this self-centered, but what she did to Michelle was
uncalled for. She has to decide for herself before we even go
deeper in this. I want my woman to prioritize Michelle more
than me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t need a mother for
Michelle. She already has one, whom she loves dearly. I just
need a partner who will walk with me, in my vision of raising my
child. I need to make it up for Michelle for not being in a perfect
family with her mother and I. I need to teach her that she can
still be happy with her parents separated. She needs to feel
loved in all her surroundings. What Lufuno did was uncalled for
and if this is how we are going to operate, then I have a serious
problem.
I am sending out a few emails for tomorrow’s meeting. I have to
meet up with a new client and I need my team to pull as much
information about this client as possible. At this minute, I hope
Lufuno is thinking deeply about what she wants. I am prepared
for any decision. I was ready to let go of her if my baggage is
too heavy for her shoulders. I love her enough to let her pass
this relationship if it is too much for her.
“Khathu, I am going bed…do you need anything before I
sleep?” Mandi asks from the door. She always does this. She
will never sleep unless Michelle and I are sorted in all ways.
She is definitely working for her money.
“No, I am fine. You can go to sleep,” I say and she nods before
walking out of the office. She should do something about those
braids. They make her look older than she actually is. I bet it is
the least of her worries. She is just so rural and there is no
saving her.
I finish with the emails and decide to listen to music on my
phone. No Marvin Gaye today so I will settle for Kenny G.
Lufuno has got to do a lot of thinking to do and I need her to
take all the time she needs.
It is almost eleven so I head to the living room. Lufuno is sitting
with her hands covering her face.
“Hey, are you alright?” I ask and she sniffs her tears away. She
raises her eyes to me.
“I’m fine.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“You won’t understand…I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Talk to me.” I settle in a couch next to her.
“Khathu, you are asking me for so much, I don’t know what to
do. I don’t know if I will be able to be the perfect fit for you.”
“Okay, so you thought about this?”
“Don’t you see I am conflicted?” she says and tears stream
down her eyes.
“But what do you want?”
“I want to be with you but I don’t know if I will survive seeing
you and Tshepo together. I am afraid I won’t make a good
parent to Michelle. I am afraid I might be unable to accept
Tshepo child easily. I want to try for a baby soon but I know you
won’t be there to give me one too soon. There is just a lot to
consider. How can I make my life decisions in hours?” she cry
some more. Maybe this is a big steak to bite on.
“Okay, I am sorry for not telling about Tshepo’s pregnancy. I
concluded you will accept it since I highlighted the possibility. I
understand that this might be complicated and I am ready for
any decision that is best for you.”
“This is not easy. This is not so easy…”
“Daddy?” Michelle shows up from her room. Lufuno quickly
wipes her tears away. Luckily the lights are dimmed.
“Baby, why are you up?” I ask, ready to receive her into my
arms.
“I thought I heard aunty Lufuno’s voice,” she says rubbing her
eyes.
Just perfect!
“Hey baby…I am sorry I was late for your dinner. Thank you for
inviting me.”
“You came?” Michelle shoots a perfect smile. She walks to
Lufuno and hugs her.
“What where you dreaming about?” Lufuno asks.
“I don’t remember,” she mumbles. “Can you please put me to
bed? Mommy always does when I can’t fall asleep.”
Lufuno glare at me and I nod. Atleast Michelle can ease her
broken heart. We will resume our chat when she comes back.
She leaves with Michelle and I pick the remote from the table
and switch the TV on. The TV is playing but I am paying no
attention to it. My mind has drifted to the future. Say I end up
with Lufuno, how am I going to balance spending time with my
other baby? Now I have to work harder than before. Michelle is
expensive as it is and a new baby should be worse. My father
taught me well when it comes to taking care of my family. He
lived to provide for his family and I intend to do the same. What
if I don’t end up with Lufuno? Then it will just be me and
Michelle again. I have disappointed Tshepo so much I should
just stay away from her. I complicated her life and I am not
proud. I pray that God forgives me on this one.
It has been more than thirty minutes and Michelle should be
asleep my now. I get to the room to find my daughter in my
woman’s arms. They are sleeping peacefully. Even if I want to,
I can’t wake them up right now. All I can do is to cover them
with more blankets and switch the light off.
The following morning I take a quick shower before heading to
Michelle’s room. Mandiwana beat me to it because she is
standing by the door with her hands on her waist.
“I will wake them up, you can prepare the water for Michelle,” I
say and she turns without a word. Can I say she looks
disappointed? She should just learn to stay out of my business.
“Wakey, wakey…” I say gently shaking Michelle. She pops her
eyes open and let out a wide grin. She stares at Lufuno who is
softly snoring and gives me a questioning eye. She can’t
believe she just shared a bed with Lufuno.
“Daddy, don’t wake her up,” Michelle whispers. The love she
has for this woman is unbelievable. She gently uncover her
duvet and drop her feet to the ground. Lufuno is waken by that
and she opens her eyes to gaze at Michelle.
“Ahh, we woke you up?” Michelle says and covers her mouth.
“I was awake long time ago. I was waiting for you to get out of
bed before me,” Lufuno says and Michelle blushes.
Oh, my poor girl.
“Go take a bath. Mandi is waiting for you in the bathroom,” I say
and she stride there. Lufuno gets out of bed and straighten her
clothes with her hands.
“I am sorry I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I think that wine made
me worse.”
“It’s fine. We will have a chat after work.”
She leaves for her house to shower while I finish getting ready.
I drive to Midstream to drop Michelle while she yelps about
Lufuno and how she is happy she made it to come see her. I
tell her Lufuno might be going to work very far just to protect
her little heart in case she chooses to be out of our lives. She is
sad about it but I promised her the world. I can never bet my life
on what Lufuno’s decision will be. She has been through a lot
and bringing a baby into her life might be asking for more than
she can handle.
I try Tshepo’s phone the first thing I get to the office. We
haven’t spoken in two days and I only hope she is doing great. I
still need to find out about how Lufuno got the news. I leave a
message for her to call me when she gets a chance to do so.
I received the bad news from Mr Mkhize. He can only make me
partner in the next year and that is a good six months from
now. He has his own reasons and I have no choice but to
understand. For now, I need to push more of my projects and
Mr Maake has a few clients for me. I just don’t know if he is still
keen to recommend me. I don’t know how I am going to face
him after this saga. He adores Tshepo just like I do Michelle.
He might be plotting on killing me right now. So I am at a dead
end for now.
The meeting with a new client was a success. It will take me a
good three months to wrap up this account. Atleast I have
something to focus on for a few months.
My cellphone rings and it is my mother. I pick it with a smile,
knowing she is going to light up my day.
“Hello Ma,” I say, resting on the chair. This is going to be a
longest call.
“How are you Khathu…how are you and my granddaughter?”
“We are doing just great. She can’t wait for the December
recess…she wants to come help you at the fields.”
“Will she survive? It is very hot here in December. I don’t want
that woman of her mother to force me to put that lotion on top
of another lotion every day when she goes to play.
“Sun-screen Ma,” I say with a laugh.
“Yes, that one. She wants me to put it on her every day and I
always forget. All my children didn’t put that thing on and your
skin is perfectly fine.”
“I understand.”
“How is my daughter doing her job? Is she taking care of you?”
“Who?”
“Mandiwana? That girl is such a great worker. I am glad she is
there to help you.”
“Oh Mandiwana is doing just fine.”
“Yes, you should start saving up for Lobola. There is never
going to be a perfect woman for you than her. She does a great
job with Michelle. She helps me around here and she is very
wise…very very wise.”
“Ma, please.”
“Don’t please me. You asked me to look for a wife for you and
you are now pushing her away? Ni do di sola. You will regret, I
am telling you.”
“Ma, come on.”
“What is wrong with her?”
“Nothing is wrong with her Ma,” I say, praying that she drop the
subject. I can’t even tell her that I got another woman pregnant.
Not now. I will tell her soon so that we see the Maake family. I
am totally embarrassed about this whole situation. It is just
embarrassing I wonder how Tshepo is handling any of this.
“Then you should marry her.”
“Ma, someone is knocking on my office. I will call you tonight so
you can speak to Michelle.”
She allows me hang up.
Phew!!!
My mom and her dreams. How does she see me with
Mandiwana mara? It was perfect then when we were in Primary
school.
After work, I take a few files home so that I could finish working
on them. Lufuno is preparing for a Saturday celebrity wedding
and she has to take care of some preparations. We will talk
when she is ready to. This also gives her time to think deeply
about the decision she needs to take about her life.
I am praying for the best news but I am prepared for anything.

Tshepo hasn’t gotten back to me and I am starting to wonder.

We both agreed to do this and tomorrow is the doctor’s
appointment. She went AWOL on me.
I pull my phone from my jacket and dial her number while I
close the door to my home office. She picks it on a second ring.
“Hey Tokello…” she says happily.
“Tokello?”
“Oh, flip!” she says and hangs up.
What the hell?
I dial her number again and she ignores it. No man, I am
starting to get messed up by this. How can she call me
Tokello? I ring her phone until she picks it up.
“Hello Khathu.”
“Why did you call me Tokello?”
“It was a mistake.”
“But why did you call me Tokello?” I ask again. She cannot just
call me Tokello for nothing.
“I was on a phone with him…I put him on hold and when I press
the unhold button, I was answering your phone by mistake.”
“Are you guys talking now?”
“Well, yah!”
“What the hell Tshepo?”
“What?”
“How are you talking to…”
“What is wrong with you? You don’t have to worry yourself
about me. He is just a friend and we were on a call…that
shouldn’t worry you.”
“Are you sleeping with your ex? While you are pregnant with
my child?”
“Should that be a problem?”
“Tshepo, are you sleeping with him?” I raise my voice. That is
just disgusting man. How can she sleep with another man while
pregnant with another man’s child?
“Khathu, come on…you have no right to ask me that.”
“I have all the right…”
“No, you do not…unless you want to come here and sleep with
me when I need to be serviced,” she says and I stay silent,
“Ofcourse…I didn’t think so. So stop stressing yourself about
what I do with my body.”
“I am coming to see you now.”
“I am not home,” she says and anger brews in my heart.
“Tshepo, where are you?”
“I am out having fun like other single people. Shouldn’t you be
rubbing her feet right now?”
“Tshepo…where are you?”
“Khathu, I am out having fun like other single people…can I go
now?”
“What about tomorrow?”
“I will send you the address to the doctor’s office.”
“Where are you?”
“I have got to go. Kiss Michelle good night for me…I have got to
go.”
“Don’t you dare hang up.”
“Khathu, I need to go…come on…I have an incoming call.”
“Don’t you…” I don’t get to finish my line.
She didn’t just hang up on me!!!!
I try her phone and it rings until it goes to voicemail.
Is this woman trying to test me?
I try her phone once again and I receive a text for a response.
“Sleep Khathu. I will see you tomorrow at the doctor’s office if
you still want to come, goodnight. I have got to go.”
THE ONE

INSERT 41

TSHEPO

Sleep Khathu. I will see you tomorrow at the doctor’s office if

you still want to come, goodnight. I have got to go.” I send the
text and throw my phone on the couch. It flashes and it keeps
irritating me with each vibration noise. I am even irritated to call
Tokello back.
“Khathu, what do you want?” I shout after picking the phone
after a thousand rings.
“Are you trying to make me jealous?” He is fuming. I can hear
from his voice.
“Why would I make you jealous?”
“Can I please come and see you?”
“I will see you tomorrow. I really need to go. Why are you
worked up anyway?”
“I…well…come on Tshepo.”
“Right now I need to go so we will chat tomorrow, alright?”
“Is he there? Is your ex there?”
“No,” I say after a longest sigh. Only then he could drop the
phone. Where is his precious woman when he is minding my
business now?
He shouldn’t worry himself about things that shouldn’t bother
him. Why is it his problem if Tokello is here? Tokello is the last
person anyone could stress about right now. Even if I forgive
him, my family will never forgive him for humiliating me the way
he did. He is just keeping me company since he is flying to
Johannesburg more often these days. What will he do with a
pregnant woman anyway?
I don’t feel like going to work today. Tuesdays are the longest
for me and I have a briefing session with my father. I am still
hiding from him. I am still yet to tell him about the pregnancy
but there is a biggest possibilty that he knows already. My
mother can’t really keep a secret from him. I am worried that
Dad will flip and kill Khathu. My heart still cares about him so he
can’t die now.
I have no choice but to wear a black thick legging and an
oversize ruffle cardigan that covers up the front perfectly. My
face is the only problem now. I was on track minutes earlier but
now I am running late. My father is going to fume if I don’t make
the eight thirty briefing. I get to the parking lot and charge to my
office. I get straight to preparing for the day. Yesterday I left
early for that dress fitting. I didn’t finalise my notes.
My desk phone rings and I pick it after seeing my father’s PA
on the line.
“Please tell me he doesn’t want to see me now.”
“He is running late. There is an accident on his route to here so
he won’t make eight thirty so I shifted everything to start nine
thirty. You will see him at nine thirty.”
“Oh, thank God,” I say and she chuckles.
“Okay, bye.”
Now I can breathe.
I finish the briefing report and by nine ocklock I am done. Ask
me again why I wore all black. I feel so hot. Mostly because my
nerves were all over the place and also this cardigan I am
carrying. I take it off and hang it behind my chair. I miss having
a cup of good coffee. I am staying away from caffeine and de-
caf is just a waste of time. I want a strong smelling coffee. I
want to grab breakfast from the canteen but I know my father’s
office will have food. I will have me some scones there.
I have the best view from my office. My huge window overlooks
a boutique hotel. I love their well-maintained manicured lawns.
It is purely green and the flowers gives it a bit of necessary
colour. I grab my phone and sit on the couch by the window.
The warmth of the sun light on my skin is just perfect.
I can’t believe I am going to be a mother soon. I never thought
things would turn this way but I am fairly happy. Yes, I am
scared about the future but I am excited about meeting my
baby very soon. I pray to be the best parent for my baby. I pray
to be what my parents are to me. This is just amazing.
“Thank you God for this blessing,” I say rubbing my stomach.
My door flies open and I jump from the couch. Luckily my
phone, which was on my lap, fell on the couch.
This pregnancy will give me a heart attack. I jump at a smallest
sound.
“So, you are pregnant?” Dad asks me while standing firmly
infront of me. I am standing with one hand on my chest to calm
my throbbing heart and another hand on my little bump. It has
become a habit that one hand stays there for protection always.
“Tshepo Maake, are you pregnant?”
“What?”
Duh! There is no lying. I thought I was going to carry that hot
cardigan all day so I am wearing a tight vest that shapes the
now-showing belly perfectly.
What didn’t he knock le yena?
“Uhm…dad...”
“Sit back down.”
“What?” He is not supposed to be calm.
“Sit down on that couch,” he says while grabbing the visitor’s
chair infront of me. He sits and stares into my eyes. “You didn’t
tell me.”
“I didn’t want to disappoint you,” I say and he stares at me for a
longest time. He is disappointed in me, I can just see it from his
face.
“Who is the father?”
“Kha…Khathu,” I respond. There is no more need to lie. Khathu
wants to be part of this baby.
“Nengwenda?” He pronounces it perfectly like most people. I
always get tongue twisted. I nod at his question.
"Khathu is the father,"I confirm with my own words.
“You guys are not together?” he asks calmly and this is making
me so nervous.
Oh! Lord! My tears are running down my face now. I swear I
didn’t ask for these tears. They just decided to embarrass me
and worsen the situation.
“Yes, we broke up,” I say in between sobs.
“Tell him I want to see his family as soon as possible. Tell him
to stay away from you until he walks to my house and explain
all his doings.”
All his doing? It is my doing too.
I am cleaning the tears that are not stopping gushing down my
face.
I am crying because I am hurt by the break-up and I still love
him. I am crying because I disappointed my father who believed
I will turn out to be the best daughter. Lastly, I am crying
because I am pregnant and that is what pregnant women do
when emotions are mopping the floor with them.
“Daddy, that won’t be necessary.”
“I am not asking for your advice. This is not a briefing session I
am supposed to have with you in thirty minutes. I am not asking
for your permission to be a father, Tshepo. Now, go and tell him
to come see me with his family or else he will never be part of
all these. I don’t want you to see him until then. I don’t want you
talking to him until then.”
“But dad...”
“I am talking to you, Tshepo. Don’t interrupt me.”
“Sorry…” Can the tears stop already? I am not sad. I am just
pregnant.
“Tell him, I want to see him with his family.”
“Dad, I am sorry…I am sorry about being pregnant.”
“You can’t be sorry for being pregnant. You are going to give
me my first grandchild. It is Khathutshelo Nengwenda I have to
deal with for breaking your heart.”
“He didn’t…he didn’t…” I say but I am disturbed by my phone.
Both my father and I sway our eyes to the phone next to me.
Oh, Lord!
“What the hell does he want from you? Tshepo why is he
calling you? Is he bothering you?” He raises his voice at me..
“No…he…is not bothering me.”
“What does he want from you?” Khathu would be glad to have
a back-up.
“Uhm…no…he was asking directions to…”
“Give me that phone.”
Hell. No!
I cry again. This time to calm my dad down. He should shift the
attention to my crying. I can’t have him talk to Tokello when it is
I who brought him back into my life.
“You see why I want these guys to stay away from you? You
see? You are crying and breaking your heart even more.”
No, No, No...that’s not why I am crying right now. How do I
explain this?
“Give me that phone.”
“I will block him,” I say but he pulls the phone from me. “Dad,
please.”
“I cannot watch you cry like that.”
Yoh! But I am pregnant. That’s why I am crying. Emotions! Not
hurt.
“Go home. We will do the brief tomorrow. Go rest and stop
crying,” he says while standing up.
Yasss! A day off! I am not lazy but hey, a day off is a day off.
“My phone, please.”
“I will keep this.”
“Dad…”
“Tshepo, don’t you dare me…go home.”
Haowa ntate! I need my phone.
“Papa, please…”
“I will deal with these man for you.” He must be joking.
Oh! He is not joking. He leaves my office. I can’t leave without
my phone.
I pick the desk phone and call his PA to tell me what time his
next meeting is? I need to search his drawers for my phone.
She tells me at ten so I head to grab breakfast from the
canteen.
Minutes after ten I sneak to his office after telling his PA that I
need to pick a document from his table. She allows me with a
brow raised. She is the one who is supposed to be searching
for me.
Damn! My phone is not on any of the drawers.
“What time is he back?”
“After three…he is meeting the Morning Star hotel board
members in Central,” she says and I swear under my breath.
I feel for those guys. Tokello should not dare call again. My
father has not moved on from that episode. I have but my father
will never move on.

My father is boss. He is boss, struuu! He decided to own my

phone. I am now in the doctor’s room without Khathu. I don’t
know if my father shouted at him to stay away or if he is just
running late. I keep praying that Tokello and Khathu never call
my phone or else!!
“Hey, it is nice to see you again…how are you?” Dr Mula says
walking to his chair.
“I am very emotional,” I say and he laughs. He understands.
“Just like my woman. She cries all day for what? I don’t know.”
He always speaks well of his woman. She is dearly loved by
him.
“Don’t you this is medical?” I ask and he laughs again.
“See… your hormones are all out of whack…you just cry for
anything…its normal but you guys tend to over do it, don’t you?
Just like Ria…she was crying this morning because she
couldn’t put her shoes on…so if you cry for the silliest reason,
you don’t have to feel bad…you have a partner in my house.”
“I feel much better.”
“I have your tests back so we can go through them now, shall
we?” he asks and there is a knock on the door. Khathu walks in
after a call to do so.
“Sorry, I am late,” he says while sitting on the chair next to me.
He doesn’t look okay. The doctor carries on with the test results
and tells me to go behind the curtain to take off my leggings
and get into a gown. I complained about a discharge and he
has to make an observation.
“So doc…if I may ask…anga kona u adela na munwe munna if
she is pregnant with me?” Khathu asks. I know not his
language but I am sure he asked if I can sleep with another
man if I am pregnant with him. I wish to see Dr Mula’s face right
now.
“Uhm…yes…”
“But what about the sperms?” he asks.
“The baby is protected from everything. Nothing can get to
them…”
“Oh…but…?”
“That’s how it is.”
I lie on the bed and Dr Mula examines me with Khathu asking a
thousand questions. I want to laugh at how he wants to argue
with the doctor about sex.
“Are you guys, still together?” Doc asks. The conversation was
getting uncomfortable.
“No we are not and he is worried that I am having sex with
other men.”
“Are you? Tshepo are you having sex with other men?” Khathu
asks.
“No…but you should know it’s safe if I ever do...plus I will use
protection.”
“Why are you trying to hurt me with these?”
“Dr Mula, can you please explain to this man that I am always
horny...like my libido is increased? He has a girlfriend and I
can’t be hanging on him. If I want to have sex, please stay out
it.”
“But how…”
“Hayy sukha Khathu…please leave me alone,” I snap. I can’t
be always telling him the same thing over and over again.
“Okay, don’t get worked up,” Mula tries to calm me. “Sir, it is
safe if she using protection. Your baby won’t be affected by
anything.”
Thank you Dr Mula.
After the appointment, I leave for my apartment. I couldn’t dine
with Khathu as he had another meeting to rush to. Luckily he
didn’t call from my father. I watch a few movies until six o’clock
when I can drive to my parent’s house. I need to get my phone
from my father. Mom will have to help me.
I park behind a car that looks familiar.
I tread to the house.
Oh wow…my mother is cooking something curry. I can smell it
from the door.
What the hell????
“Tokello…what are you doing here?” I ask while rushing to him.
He is sitting comfortably in the living room.
“Your father asked me to come see him. I called your phone
earlier.”
“Please leave…”
“No, this is my opportunity to apologise to him for what I did
years ago.”
“No…you don’t understand.”
My father clears his throat behind me. He has a glass of whisky
in hand and his shirt is folded like he always does after a long
day.
“Come, this way,” he calmly says and leaves the room. Tokello
follows behind him.
Just perfect! I throw myself on the couch.
There is silence towards their direction. I am dying to know
what they are saying to each other. Curiousity is killing me.
“I want you to stay the hell away from my daughter, am I clear?
Don’t let me repeat myself boy…I want you to stay far away
from Tshepo Maake, AM I CLEAR?” my father roars from his
office.
Oh boooyyy!!

THE ONE

INSERT 42

KHATHUTSHELO

I don’t think Lufuno will stand for this.

What a mess I am in.
I wish she sticks around but why would I expect her to stay for
such a mess? I thought I had everything figured out but
everything seem so wrong. Call me selfish all you want but I am
worried about Tshepo moving on without me. I am a triple mess
right now. I am stuck with my precious girlfriend who might walk
out on me, while my baby mama is moving on with her life.
Where do I even begin to entertain the both of them? It is just
impossible. It is either I stay with Lufuno and abandon Tshepo
or vice versa. Tough decisions, I tell you.
The thought of telling my mother to organize the uncles to
receive Tshepo’s family is making me sick. A second child with
a woman I am not marrying? This is so wrong.
I am already at work and I wish to bunk work by lunch time. I
have a lot in my head and sitting here, with my laptop on my
face feels like torture.
My future looks blur at this moment. I don’t know how
everything will turn out. Everything is just so confusing.

I pick my phone and dial Tshepo’s number. It rings a few times

before she answers.
“Hello, Tshepo, are you there?” I ask as there is silence. I get
she is still angry at me. I can hear her breathing so I have no
choice but to say why I am calling. She always does this when
angry. “Hey, look…let me do the talking…you don’t have to
answer. Look, I apologise for everything Tshepo. I am sorry for
putting both of us in this mess. Look, Lufuno and I happened so
fast and I should have considered your feelings. I should have
waited maybe until the baby is born before I could pursue a
relationship with her. The thing is I didn’t know it was my baby
you are carrying. I wish I could just turn back the hands of time
and do things right. And…I am just worked up about you
moving on with another man. I…i…don’t kow what is wrong
with me but I am scared you might punish me for being with
Lufuno and you will start a family with another man and shut
me off. I sound like an indecisive man and it is unfair…but
eish…please Tshepo forgive me about Lufuno.”
I have said a mouthful. I wait for her to respond but she doesn’t
say anything. Instead, a man let out a deep sigh on the phone.
“Who is this?” I ask. I look at the screen and I indeed called the
right number. “Who is this?”
The person hangs up the call and leaves me wondering. So
Tshepo did move on, didn’t she?
Fck!
Fine! She is living her life and I should focus on mine, I guess.
I call Lufuno to come see me after work. We need to talk. She
doesn’t pick up. I bet she is tied up by the wedding coming up
on Saturday. She said she need to deliver the best in this one.
I try to shift everything aside and focus on my latest campaign
with a college. I have a few things to finalise before calling the
client for a first draft review.
I am sitting on my table, trying to focus on a new concept when
I see Dinah, my colleague, pointing at my office.
Oh! Shit!
Tshepo's father is the one that Dinah is directing to my office.
What is he doing here?
Mr Maake glare at me through my glass door and walks
towards me thereafter. There is nowhere to hide. Blame it on
these glass walls.
I walk to my chair and get myself ready for his entrance. He
doesn’t knock but just walk in and stands in the middle of my
office.
“Ntate, good morning…” I say and he grabs a seat on the other
side of the table. He fucken looks angry. I can just tell.
“I don’t believe I have to do this,” he says and laughs at
himself.
Everything is just wrong. I just know it is.
“Sir?”
“Don’t Sir me.”
This is going to be a difficult discussion.
“How may I help you today?” I ask, hoping that we can get to
business. I am kinda terrified.
Tshepo’s phone rings from his jacket. I know it is her phone
because her ringtone has always been that French singing
black dude from somewhere in Africa. He checks the phone
and angrily swipes it to his ear.
“What did I tell you? What did I tell you about staying away from
my daughter, huh? What did I tell you?” he coldly says on the
phone and hangs up after.
Tjerrr! He is the one I was talking to on the phone earlier.
“I have a client who needs image consultancy,” he says and
shakes his head.
“Yes, sir…I can help.”
“You know you disappointed me Khathutshelo
Nengwenda…you disappointed me when I had bigger plans for
you and your business. I cannot believe you are the same
person who made me proud months ago.”
“Sir, if this is about Tshepo then…”
“Damn right it is about her,” he bangs the table.
“Sir, Tshepo and I had….”
“I don’t care what you had. I want you to stay away from her
from today until you and your family comes to see me about
your mess.”
“But Sir, my family will be expecting you to come see them so
that we…”
“You are going to come to me with your family. I am not going
to run after what you did to my daughter. No one messes with
Tshepo, do you understand?”
“I do…but…”
I am not finished with my words but he flies to my chair and
grabs me with my clothes.
Yee banna!
He pulls me from the chair and pins me to the wall with my shirt
and tie.
“You are not going to be clever on me...I want you to stay away
from my daughter…do you understand me? I will keep her
phone if need be but I am not going to allow no man to have
her sleep in tears everyday, do you understand?…what did you
think when you impregnanted her and dump her for another
woman? What kind of a man are you?”
See, if I wasn’t pinned on this glass wall with my colleagues
watching me from outside, I was going to explain to him that
Tshepo left me before she found about the pregnancy. She
kept the news from me and I didn’t know until I was already in a
relationship with another woman. How can I say all that when I
am manhandled by an old man.
“I want you to stay away from her…do you hear me?”
“I need to be…part of the baby’s life.”
“There is no baby that you are going to be part of,” he hisses
and I want to laugh. Tshepo is carrying my child and I have all
the rights to be in their lives.
“Sir, please calm down,” I beg. My colleagues are lining up
outside.
“I want you to stay away from my daughter, do you hear me?”
He presses me harder against the wall.
“Yes! Yes, Sir.” What other option do I have? I need to get out
of this place in one piece.
He lets go of my shirt and I fix myself while he goes back to his
seat.
What am I supposed to do? Sit down and continue with the
meeting.
“You and your family are going to come to see me the soonest
and we will clean your mess,” he says and I nod even though
that is not how we do things. Her family is supposed to come to
mine and announce the pregnancy, then we will go to his house
and pay for the damages. But how can I tell that to him when
he is fuming like a volcano?
He leaves my office with people staring at me from outside. I try
to ignore them but it bothers me that they saw all of that. James
walks to my office after a few minutes.
“Dude, are you sure you are alright?” he asks while standing by
the door, “we were about to call the securities to come and
intervene.”
“It’s cool…I am fine.”
“What was that all about?” he chuckles. He is still as annoying.
“Nothing to worry yourself about,” I say and he folds his arms.
“Is that not the Maake from MBC?”
“Please, excuse me, I need to get back to work.”
He walks out of the office with a smirk on his face. Luckily
Mkhize is not here to witness this drama. I still need to make
partner. Knowing James and how much he needs scores from
the big boss, he will inform him.
I spend the whole day with people peeping inside my office. I
should say I am embarrassed by what transpired inside my
office. Everyone is probably asking themselves what I did to
deserve all that bashing.
I pack my files into my laptop bag and get ready to pick
Michelle from school. She sees me drive in and comes to the
car in her mini netball uniform. She looks perfect. I would kill
anyone who would mess up with her hence I understand Mr
Maake’s behavior. It was unlike him but what he heard me say
on the phone might have worsen the situation.
Michelle is her bubbly self. She doesn’t care that I am not
having such a great day. she tells me all about her day and that
I should attend her netball game on Friday afternoon. Julia
used to do all of those but this time I have to attend.
Supper is ready when we get home to Mandiwana.
“Michelle, why don’t you shower first before we start with your
homework and supper?”
“Yes, aunty Mandy,” Michelle says and proceeds to her room.
“Thank you,” I say before Mandi follows behind Michelle.
“For what?”
“Homework and taking care of her.” She is really helpful with
the homework. I don’t think I would survive doing what she
does.
“You are paying me well to do so.”
“Ofcourse,” I say.
“Are you alright? You don’t look so good…for days now.”
“I have messed up my life Mandi. Everything is just going south
and I feel like a failure right now.”
“Look, you might be failing at other things but you top being a
father to your daughter…don’t you think that should balance
you off?” she asks and I stare at her. “I wish I had a father like
you, you know? I think you have the right to fail on some other
things that you don’t have control over…but you are not a
failure.”
“Thanks…I needed that.”
She hurries to Michelle while I dish for myself. With Mr Maake
messing my day, I lost my appetite during the day but I am
hungry now. Lufuno’s phone is off and I can’t even call Tshepo.
I think I am depressed.
My phone rings from the table and I pick it up immediately.
“Hello Gean,” I say. She is still at the office. I have saved her
office number for cases where I cant get hold of Lufuno.
“Where is your IT guy Khathu?” she asks breathlessly.
“Hold on…what’s going on?” I ask. She didn't even greet.
“Where are you? I think the police are going to need answers
from you.”
“What answers?”
“Your IT guy cracked the account but he compromised it and
millions were withdrew from the accounts.”
“What?”
“Khathu, your guy disappeared on us and this morning he
cracked the code…and only hours ago Lufuno received
notifications that a million and a half was transferred from her
account with your name as reference,” she says and I choke on
my food.
“You are kidding me…aint you?” I shoot back after clearing my
throat a few times.
“No,” she says as if she is busy punching on her keyboard.
“Where is Lufuno?” I ask.
“In hospital…I was with her when she found out…it is not
looking good,” she says.
WTF!
“Why is she in hospital? What happened?”
“She was shocked and panicking so I think her heart was weak
enough to carry all of that…we had no choice to call the bank to
ask them to check the accounts and indeed the money was
transferred out with your name and surname as reference. The
bank had to contact the police because no one else was
supposed to be working on this without their concern. The case
was already opened and whoever was working beside them
was not supposed to.”
I feel my head spin. This should just be a prank.
“Which hospital is she in?”
“I am not supposed to tell you Khathu. You can’t be seen with
her. The police are looking for you.”
WTF?????
“You are the prime suspect to all of this…I know you are not but
not in the eyes of the people. I suggest you find that guy so that
he can explain what he has done. I have been trying his phone
since hours ago and I can’t find him. Find him and deal….” I
cannot hear the rest of the words as I shifted my attention to a
banging door.
“Evho weee…who is banging the door like that?” Mandiwana
rushes to where I am sitting, “Khathu, kanti you are sitting
here? Who is banging on the door?”
The door bangs some more and my heart pounds with each
thud.
Hee vhanna!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 43

LUFUNO

My throat thirsts for water. It feels dried up and my eyes are

so heavy. I hate meeting with the light when I open my eyes.
Somehow I get blinded by the rays of the sun or the brightness
in the room. I get myself ready to open my eyes as I keep
hearing the beeping sounds. I carefully open my eyes and
familiarise myself with the room. I know I am in hospital and I
am worried about what the doctor will say. I have a heavy
heart. The same heart that keeps failing me when I need its
cooperation more. The clock says eight thirty and I should have
been at work, finalising the touches for Charlotte’s wedding. It
had been my favourite project until Tshepo showed up. It is just
a mess now. She is pregnant with Khathu’s baby and I know for
sure that I don’t stand a chance anymore. Maybe I do if Khathu
loves me enough, but I have my doubts.
Breakfast is placed on a trolley tray by my feet. I don’t have an
appetite but I know better never to take medication on an empty
stomach.
I see the flowers lined up by the window. I know Gean had
them arranged. I love flowers and only their brightness makes
my day.
How did I get here? Everything I touch is a mess lately. I cannot
believe half of the things I have been through.
Is it not too much for one person?
I pull the trolley and eat half of the food in my plate. It is nothing
fancy but I have no choice. The nurse walks in and give me my
morning medication. She doesn’t say much but just stares at
me while I swallow two pills that she gave me. I am drained, I
don’t even want to make a conversation but I need to know
when the doctor is showing up.
“When is the doctor coming to see me?” I ask.
“He will do the walks-around before lunch,” she says and
register my medication on her booklet.
“Do you know where my phone is?”
“Your family took it,” she says and I nod. Whoever it is, was
worried that I will bury myself in work the moment I feel better.
If only they know that work keeps me sane.
“Can you please call someone for me?” I ask and she nods her
head. She feels pity for me, doesn’t she? “Can you please call
doctor Stacey for me? She is my…uhm…therapist and I really
need to talk to her. You can google her number, Stacey
Murray.”
“Alright, I will do that for you,” she says before leaving me to
watch TV. She is sweet, too sweet for a nurse.
I spend my day watching TV with no audio. I feel more
depressed with the silence of this room. They should have kept
me in a sharing ward, at least I would talk to someone and not
feel this lonely. I hear the door open but the curtains are also
closed.
“Can I come through?” I hear Stacey’s voice behind the
curtains. First visitor for the day, thank you.
“Yes, please,” I respond happily. It was getting pretty lonely in
here.
Stacey moves the curtain apart and walk through with her pink
file. She kept my record in the same file. I love how lovely she
looks in a white shirt and pink fitted formal trousers and yellow
stilettos. Not everyone can rock the colours like she does. She
is a pro!
“How are you feeling today?”
“I feel so dull.” I take a deepest sigh.
“Do you wanna tell me what exactly you are feeling?” she asks.
We are already in a consulting mode.
“I am hurt and discouraged.” I really am.
“What is hurting you the most?”
“The fact that I fell in love with a man who has made another
woman pregnant. I was so excited about us but I just found a
confirmation about her pregnancy and it just blew me away.
And someone out there is stealing from me. All my hard-earned
cash is going down the drain.”
“Okay, tell me more about this guy…tell me what you love
about him?” she asks and I smile in tears.
“He loves me so much. I didn’t believe at first but I got to know
how much he does. He is an amazing man, fun and loving. He
loves his daughter so much and he makes a great dad.”
“Do you still love him?”
“I am conflicted.”
“Tell me about it?” Stacey asks while recording in her file. Are
all these therapists taught to keep the questions flowing? She
asks same questions over and over again.
“I love him. I want to be with him but the new baby mama. It’s
like she knows that I won’t win this war or something, I dont
know. I wanna have babies of my own and Khathu has a
daughter already…and another baby is on the way.”
“So, CarTwo is his name?” she asks and I smile in my heart.
“Khathu Nengwendwa, yes.” She records it on her file, for what
reason, I don’t care but I wonder how she spelled all that.
“Okay, so you are worried that he might not want babies
anytime soon when you are ready to start a family?”
“Exactly,” I say, “What if I wake up someday and want to try for
a family? I don’t think he is in a position to do that and we might
fight about it and I am really drained to fight some more.”
“Other than that?” she asks to fish for more information. I don’t
mind really. It is her job and I need company before I can go
insane.
“He is loving and caring...I was blinded enough not to see it at
first..but I know why I was blinded. I was angry at him for
messing my birthday moon and when I was there in Limpopo
and miserable, I met a guy who brightened my day...and
Khathu met someone because I didn't want to be with him...and
only now we were trying this relationship thing...so, hey, it is
just complicated.”
"Does your heart want him?"
"It does but I am worried about the baby, Stacey. I don't think I
am ready for that chapter. I don't know."
“And if he is to give you assurance?”
“My heart might be at ease but I know he wants to be a best
father for his kids so I will always come last.”
“How does that make you feel?”
Really Stacey, really?
“I will be hurt ofcourse…and that would be selfish of me to want
him to put me first,” I say. “What do you think I should do?”
“Do what your heart tells you,” she says with no smile.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do what your gut tells you, if your gut tells you that
Car..CarTwo is not the one…go with it.”
“What if my gut feeling is wrong?”
“It is hardly wrong…that is why most people tend to regret their
choices because they should have listened to their gut feeling
at first.”
I need more than that. What am I paying her for? My gut feeling
has failed me numerous time and I am not about to do the
same again at this moment.
“I don’t think I trust myself right now.”
“No one is going to be honest more than you. Your heart knows
what it wants so go for it,” she says.
There is knock on the door before I could even respond. I tell
the visitor to come through. Gean walks in with my parents
behind her. I don’t know what I am feeling but tears fell down
my cheeks when I saw my mother. I need her. I need her to tell
me that all is well. Behind my parents is Ntate Molefe.
My heart is happy.
“Hey, I didn’t know you will be busy,” Gean says from across
me. She is walking towards the curtains.
What is with this girl and curtains. She pulls the rope to open
the curtains wide. I close my eyes until a few minutes when I
am ready to welcome the bright light from outside.
“Can I come see you tomorrow?” Stacey asks and I nod. I need
my mom more than I need my therapist. She has been absent
in many occasions of my life. I don’t blame her though, she
needs to live her own life.
Stacey leaves the room while my parents settle in the chairs
stationed next to the window. Ntate Molefe is having a convo
with my father and it makes me smile. I miss him dearly. Since
he left for the new job, I haven’t gotten a chance to stay in
touch with him. It means a lot to have him here.
“How are you?” my mother asks and without a warning, I let out
a cry. They should have asked me this question a few months
ago. I am not fine. I am hurt. I am devastated. I don’t expect
anyone to understand though. I have done well in hiding my
true feelings.
“Mma…am I cursed or something?” I weep. I am exhausted
from all this life.
Why do I have to go through all of this? First it was my baby
and now it is my hard earned money.
“haa, baby…don’t say that,” Mum walks closer to my bed and
pull my hand into hers, “Why would you think like that?”
“Maa…I lost my baby when I needed her the most. I lost
everything then…and now I am trying to pick the pieces but I
keep failing,” I say with tears streaming down my cheeks. I
have lived my share of pain. Can someone just help me with all
these load of burden?
“Baby…I don’t want you to think like that.”
“Why not? I keep disappointing myself. My heart is even failing
me.”
“And for that reason, I don’t want you to stress yourself about
useful things.”
I weep in my mother’s arms. I don’t care if Gean and Ntate
Molefe is here, I needed my mother so bad.
Everyone allows me to calm down after a little while.
“So, any progress with the case?” I ask Gean. I need to know
the truth at the end of the day.
“Khathu is arrested since his names where used as reference
to the transfer of a million and a half,” Gean says and I feel the
room getting smaller. Why is Khathu’s name dragged into this?
“What Gean? Why is he arrested?” I am trying to be calm.
“Don’t you remember before you lost your consciousness?”
Gean asks as if I would know. My mind shut down the second
an SMS told me a million and half was transferred out of my
account, I didn’t care about what followed after. Everything is
blur.
“Millions disappeared from your account and his names where
all over the transfer transaction?” Ntate Molefe asks.
“No…I think they are mistaken,” I say.
“Mistaken? Are you sure?” Dad asks. I am not sure but the gut
feeling that Stacey was talking about tells me that he did not do
any of these.
“Yes,” I say.
“Why don’t we get another private investigator to help us in
this?” my father asks in his seat. I agree with him. See, I am not
worried about Khathu robbing me because he didn't, I am only
worried about the baby. Khathu’s weakness is his babies.
“I don’t think he is part of any this…what I know is that he was
trying to help me.”
“I also don’t think Khathu has anything to do with this case,”
Ntate Molefe says from his seat.
“What are you saying?” Dad asks Ntate Molefe.
“Remember Lufuno the first day we rode with that precious
boyfriend of yours?” Ntate Molefe asks. I want to deny but this
might help me in all ways.
“I remember,” I say.
“I think that boyfriend of yours has everything to do with
this...that tall one.” He is my EX.
“How so?” I ask. Muzi has been out of my life for a few months
now. I haven’t heard from him since the day he was in my
office, discussing our future.
Muzi cannot have everything to do with this, can he? I am
struggling to put two together because he never gave me a
reason to doubt him. I am worried because I have been stuck in
this hospital and the most important person right now is not
here to witness any of this. I cannot say that I am disappointed,
I am devasted by all this.
“Do you remember the first day we met that Muzi guy? When
he was supposed to go to a party and something came up?”
Ntate Molefe asks.
“I remember.”
“That was just a tactic to get to you.”
“But,…it was…”
“You know nothing, everything about him is just wrong.”
“Who is this man you speak of?” Dad asks.
“The guy who warned me to freeze my account.”
“He told you that?” Dad asks after the room went silence.
“He knows something,” Ntate Molefe says. “He knows
something.”
“So they arrested the wrong guy?” Gean says.
"Khathu has to get out of there," I say.
“Can we allow the police to do their job? If they find this Khathu
not guilty, they will release him,” Dad says and Gean screams
from the top of her voice. She jumps and the phone cracks on
the floor.
“What is wrong with you?” Ntate Molefe asks and Gean lifts her
eyes to the television screen on the ceiling. I do too. There on
the screen is a picture of the IT guy in the news bulleting. We
all can’t hear what they are saying because this damn thing
operates with headsets.
“Gean, what did you read there on your phone?” I ask. I am
starting to lose my breath from all this panic.
“He…he…was found dead…,” Gean says and everyone gasp.
How? How come?
“These has everything to do with this case,” Ntate Molefe says.
“But who killed him and where?” Mum asks. I also want to
know.
“What if Khathu killed him after the transaction?” Gean asks
and I shake my head. The gut feeling doesn’t agree with that
statement. She should know better. What is wrong with her?
“I don’t think he can be stupid enough to use his names as
reference. Whoever did this wanted to frame Khathu.”
“Do you think it is Muzi?”
“But why would he warn me not to unfreeze my accounts after
the first fraudulent withdrawal?”
“Oh, my God…oh, my God…I just remembered something,”
Gean says breathlessly.
“What?”
“Remember Muzi once come to your house in a Merc and he
said it belonged to a friend?” she asks and I nod, “The number
plate was personalised 'Zakhele GP'.”
“ZKL?” I ask.
“ZKL, ZKL was the code used on the first withdrawal,” she
says.
There! Right there is a breakthrough!
“Daddy, please get Khathu out of that place…please,” I say and
he picks the jacket from behind the chair. He storms out with
Ntate Molefe behind him. My hands are shaking and my heart
is throbbing.
Is it possible that they killed the IT guy?
The doctor walks in minutes later.
“How are we doing?” he asks.
“I am file…just short of breath now and then.”
“I am back with the results,” he says and stands next to the
bed. Gean walks out and my Mum stays.
“She is not pregnant, is she?” my mother asks and I give her an
eye. Why would she think pregnancy out of all things? I have a
condition that they need to help me fix.
“Pregnant? Oh…well,” the doctor says.
“Oh, well what?” I gaze at him. “Oh…well, what?”
He smiles. Why is he smiling? Oh, well, what?

THE ONE

INSERT 44

MANDIWANA

Ndi dori ndo dela mini Pitori? Like really? What did I get myself
into?
I have never seen Khathu so pissed and angry like that. They
dragged him out of his own house because he kept refusing
what they were accusing him of. But I understand why he was
harsh on them. Those police did not even greet or speak to him
in a respectful manner.
Haa ngoho! Clap once.
I am sitting here in my room. I can’t fall asleep. I keep tossing
and turning. I don’t have a plan. It is after eleven and tomorrow
Michelle should go to school. I cannot call Vho Nengwenda
unless I want her to stay awake the whole night just like me.
She will panic and that will worsen what I am feeling right now.
I get off from the bed and sit by the window. I need a plan. I
don’t even know much about Pretoria and where Michelle’s
school is situated. She will have to miss school tomorrow. I
don’t know. I really don’t know.
I force myself to sleep and I am waken by Michelle. There is
light from outside the window so it is already morning. I didn’t
even hear the alarm.
“Aunty Mandi…” Michelle shakes me and I widen my eyes.
Yoweee! We are late.
“Michelle…what time is it?”
“It is six.”
“Okay, okay…uhm…don’t you want to skip school today?”
“What? No! I have presentation and netball practice today,” she
says. Haaa ngoho! Kids of these days. In my years we used to
celebrate such announcements. We prayed for a storm so we
could stay at home, but Michelle here wants to go to school, no
matter what.
“Uhm…okay…” I push the duvets aside and lead the way to the
bathroom. I don’t know what the plan is and time is ticking.
I let her take a quick bath while I make a call to Mrs
Nengwenda. I don’t know what to tell her but I need her to help
me here. Her phone goes straight to voicemail. Ofcourse, she
is in the village. Getting a network signal is a struggle
sometimes. Khathu’s phone is still on the kitchen counter where
he left it when they were pushing him out of his house. It is not
really useful unless it rings.
“Aunty Mandy, where is dad?” Michelle asks while getting into
her uniform.
“Uhm,he had to quickly take care of something at work.” heeey
the lie came out naturally.
“Who is taking me to school?”
“Can’t we use a taxi?”
“A taxi?” she widens he eyes. “I have never used a taxi.”
“What? What do you mean you have never used a taxi?”
“I mean I have never used a taxi,” she says and shrug her tiny
shoulders.
Mini? Clap one! Is it not good to be born from a well-off family?
The child here has never used a taxi all her life. I think I should
take her to Marabastad with me so she could see real life. We
shall use two taxis to go there and two back.
“What do you use?”
“Uber.”
“What?”
“Mom calls Uber for us if we have to go somewhere and she
doesn’t want to drive.”
“Uber…uber?” I whisper to myself. Haaaiii why am I even
worried when there is Google. I quickly fix her breakfast and
search for the transport on Google.
Okay this is very easy. But wait? How am I supposed to pay
R120 just to drive for less than 30 minutes?
Hey, I have no choice. Do I?
I call Uber to drive us to the school to drop her. The Uber
arrives at seven when we are set and ready. It drives us to
Michelle’s fancy school.
Guess what? The driver wants me to pay for another ride
home. Is this not day-time robbery? He flatly refused. Earlier I
asked him to wait for me because I was just dropping Michelle
to class and he did it with a smile. Only when I tell him to go he
tells me to clock another ride. Iwe vhathu? This is new to me. I
had no choice but to do what he is asking.
I get to the house and clean while listening to some gospel
music. Maybe a breakthrough will come. Vho Nengwenda’s
name flashes on my cellphone screen and my heart jumps.
What do I tell her?
“Hello Vho Nengwenda,” I say.
“Ee…hupfi hu kho itea mini? What is going on?”
“Khathutshelo was taken by the police last night.”
“Haa…why?”
“I could not make up what they were saying but he is taken for
questioning or something, I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you go visit him?”
“I don’t even know my way around this place. I only know how
to get to Marabastad.”
“Hey…let me see if I still have his friend’s number. His name is
Oscar and he will know what to do.”
“Yoh, that will be lovely. He can start by taking Michelle from
school…hay transport ya hafha is so expensive…very very
expensive.”
“Spend the money, munna wanu will refund you.”
Haibo! My man? khathu is now my man? Vho Nengwenda
doesn’t give-up, does she?”
“Ahhh, asi munna wanga. Khathu is not my man,” I say.
“Fine. For now. Look…please take care of Michelle for me and
don’t ever tell her where her father is…I will get on the bus
tomorrow morning.”
“Alright, fine. Please call Oscar and give him my number.”
“Fine.”
Phew!!! What a relief.
Khathu’s phone rings on the kitchen counter. It is Lufuno;s
name on the screen.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Hi…uhm…is Khathu around?”
“No.” Do I tell her what is going on? I don’t know.
“Uhm…okay…can you give me your cellnumber? I will have
someone transfer some money to you.”
“What for?”
“To help you with what you need until he is back.” So, she
knows. “I am in hospital and I won’t make it to help with
Michelle.”
“Khathu’s mother will be here tomorrow.”
“If I am out tomorrow, I might come by to see her. We need to
take Khathu out of there.”
Heeee!! I want to ask her if she is sure to meet Khathu's
mother, but who am I? I am just a nanny, aint I?
“Alright sesi.”
I give her my numbers before she drops the call. Minutes later,
I get a ewallet message. This will help a lot. Another text
message comes through and it is from Oscar telling me he will
pick Michelle up after school.
Phew!! Atleast I won’t have to go there.
I spend the day googling on how to get a person out of jail.
Hey, some articles are making me nervous. What if Khathu
really committed a crime? Well, they always say the ones that
do the worst are those that look innocent. Look at Oscar? I just
giggle at the thought. I mean look at Oscar Pistorius? I am not
talking about Khathu’s friend. That guy looked nothing like a
murderer. I even felt pity for him when the court asked him to
walk without those plastic legs. Now, what if Khathu is a good
guy because he is hiding something? They talked about monies
and fraud and all of that, what if he bought his house using all
that stolen money. I am really scared for him.
The car pulls outside just after four. I hurry to the door to see
Michelle walking towards the house holding this guy’s hand.
Hmmmm, he is handsome wee. Just like Khathu so but this one
goes to gym more.
“Hi, you must be Mandiwana,” he says.
“Yes…and you must be Oscar,” I say. I chuckle because I
wanted to add Pistorius at the end.
“Aunty Mandi, Uncle Oscar is taking me out for pizza.”
“You can join us if you want,” he says and I shake my head. I
don’t have apetite. I am worried about Khathu and praying for
his safe return.
“Why don’t you go watch TV in my room and I will come and
help you freshen up?” I say and she walks away from us. “So
how is the case?”
“Well…things are not really looking good.”
“What do you mean?” I whisper.
“Come this side,” he leads the way outside. “Okay, I just
organized him a lawyer but things aint looking good.”
“What did he do?”
“Apparently he referred some IT guy to help Lufuno,” he says
and manly rolls his eyes. I say manly because he is rolling them
eyes without showing too much. “Someone is stealing millions
from Lufuno.”
“Millions?” Yowee! I would die! Millions? How much money
does she have then?
“Yes millions…so Khathu referred a guy to her and there was
money transferred out of the account with Khathu’s name.”
Tjo!
“So, what is the IT guy saying?”
“The worst part…the IT guy was found dead.” I close my ears
at this. This is bigger than I thought.
“What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know… they refuse to let him go as he is the only
suspect right now.”
“Yoh, I hope they release him.”
“How are you feeling though?”
“Haw, he left me here with his child, I am worried ofcourse.”
“It must be hard for you…having your boyfriend locked up for
helping an EX?”
“What? He is not my boyfriend.”
“But his mother said I will find his wife at home. She says you
guys are as good as married.”
“Haibo.” Vho Nengwenda matsina?
“Yah…she said you are as good as his wife and he did great by
choosing you…you are the rightful one for his son.”
Vho Nengwenda should stop marrying me to her son.
“She sent me your contacts like this,” he shows me the
message. My contacts are saved as ‘Khathu’s wife’. “Embrace
it, you have blessings from his mother.”
Mxm!
"Come on...you would like that...wont you? To be Mrs
Nengwenda."
I smile. I didn't mean to smile. It is this guy giggling infront of
me that is making me smile. I am not smiling at being Khathu's
wife...I am smilling because...haisukha! I dont know why I am
smiling! 😊😊

THE ONE

INSERT 45

KHATHUTSHELO

Why did I have to complicate my life like this?

If it is not Tshepo and the unborn baby, it is Lufuno and all this
mess that got me here.
Damn! Damn! Damn! Allow me, I have to bang the walls in here
before I go mad.
It is freaken cold in here and I don’t even have a jacket. The
police dragged me out of my very house empty handed, to
question me. I didn’t know I will have to spend a night or two in
these cold holding cells.
What did I do to deserve this? I gave all my heart to a woman I
always desired all my life. She was all I ever wanted since the
break-up with Julia. I watched her from a distance and prayed
to God to make her my wife. I am inside this cold walls because
of my love for her. All I had to do was to help her lift the burden
off her shoulders. God knows I pray she doesn’t think I did all
these things they accuse me of. How on earth could I use
anything that will trace back to me? These police men should
be stupid enough to think I did all of these and leave evidence
pointing towards me. I mean, scammers should be smart
enough to use unrecognized codes when doing their dealings.
Why would I use ‘Khathutshelo Nengwenda’ as a reference to a
fraudulent transaction?
I have exhausted all my energy trying to explain myself over
and over again.
“Hmmm…so you had to get rid of the evidence, didn’t you?”
The detective’s voice shakes me out of my thoughts. I quickly
stand and walk towards the door. They have locked me in this
holding cell with two other men charged for what-I-don’t-know. I
fold my arms and walk closer to him.
“What are you talking about?” I ask. I am fricken feeling cold
and I am damn hungry. I need to get out of this place and get
home to Michelle. Thinking about her pains me a lot. She
needs answers, I know she does.
“I thought you said you won’t speak to us without a lawyer,” he
says and giggles. I know I said that but I don’t know anyone’s
number by heart. Who does that in this time and age? I regret
though, because the only number I know is my mother’s and
she hardly picks her phone. It is either on voicemail because
she didnt pick up or on voicemail because there is no network.
A day ago I refused to engage more with the detective as I
needed the lawyer. That is what you do when you are wrongly
charged for, right?
“I know I said I needed a lawyer…but what do you mean by
what you are saying?”
“Can you talk now?” he asks and I think hard about it. Curiosity
is killing me.
“Fine,” I hiss and he opens the door for me. He has his gun
hugged on his hips and he doesn’t wear uniform like others.
I follow him to a small room they use for questioning. I have
been in this room for more than five times in just two days.
Atleast it is warmer than the cells. There is a small heater
mounted on the wall. There is a glass of water which I thirst for.
I also wish for a good warm meal.
“Tell me what you know,” he says. For the hundredth time he
asks me this question. I have told them all that I know nothing
about the money stolen, what more do they want from me?
“I told you…”
“You said you want to talk. We can take you back to the cell,”
he says and I clear my throat. I need the warmth in this room. I
need good company. I need anything to keep me away from
that cold room with angry strangers.
“Fine, I will tell you what happened,” I say and shift myself to sit
on the edge of the chair, “Lufuno complained to me that
someone was stealing from her bank account. She said money
was withdrew from her company’s account and needed all the
help to get these guys caught. I told her I know someone who
could help. He is an IT guy who used to work for some bank. I
connected them and Lufuno paid him for the services he
rendered for her.”
“What was it in for you?”
“Nothing. I was helping my woman.”
“Your woman, you say?” he asks and chuckles, “So the same
woman who reported you?”
“What?” I gaze at him. There is no way Lufuno reported me. If
she did, then I curse the day I ever laid my eyes on her. She
cannot turn her back on me when I am in this mess because of
her. I stare at the detective and see something in his eyes. He
is lying. He just wants me to get angry and start confessing
things that I don’t even know of.
“So, where did this Terence, IT guy stay?”
“Sunnyside.” I know Sunnyside is well-known for all things bad,
but I swear he is nothing like what they think.
“So, who else where you working with?” Detective asks while
writing on his notepad.
“I was not working with anyone.”
“Okay, who else was Terence working with?”
“No one I know of.”
He picks the newspaper that is on the table and slowly unfolds
it. The room is quiet as he reads from the newspaper. He can
take all the time he wants, I need the warmth of this room. The
brown blanket they gave me in the cell does not do its job.
“So, you had to get him killed so that he doesn’t testify on you?”
detective says and drops the newspaper infront of me.
“What happened to him?” I ask. What the hell? What on earth is
going on?
“You should tell me…,” he says but is disturbed by a knock and
the opening of the door. i am disturbed too. It is his partner,
Detective Moloi, the nice one between the two. I remember his
name because he begged me to tell him the truth so that he
could help me.
“I think we need to let him go for now,” he says and my heart
jumps. I need to get home to my daughter, please.
“Why?”
“We just received this information.” Detective Moloi drops a file
on the table. He shows his partner some notes and I am here
sucking my breath and making a longest prayer.
I watch as they contemplate on the new findings.
“Who is this Zakhele?” the cold detective asks.
"Yah, who is Zakhele?" i ask. I also want to know.
“We cannot tell you much. But we are taking this lead and you
are free to go. You are not allowed to leave town until this case
is closed. You not allowed to engage with Miss Lufuno until all
is solved,” Detective Moloi advised. I need to see her so bad
but it can wait until all this is resolved. Anything to keep me with
my daughter. “Okay, come with me. Let’s fill in some forms and
you will be ready to go.”
Can all these police people be as humble as Detective Moloi?
He is so human.
I get to the reception and sign the papers I am told to sign. I get
my belt and I am ready to walk outside when I see Lufuno’s
driver seated on the bench with another old man. I walk up to
them after finalizing with the police.
“Where you here for me?” I ask without a greeting. There is no
time for formalities.
“Yes, yes…we came here to inform the police about the news
we figured out,” he says. “I am here with Lufuno’s father.”
What a way to meet him.
“How is she?” I still care.
“The doctor said not to worry. She should be discharged
tomorrow,” the father says while I shake his hands. I am excited
that they are here and I will be seeing Michelle in no time.
“What did you inform the police?” The detective didn’t want to
tell me but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t find out from these
two. Ntate Molefe tells me about Zakhele and him being Muzi’s
friend. It all makes sense now. Sad for Lufuno but this is good
news to me.
Without wasting more time, they drop me home. Oscar’s car is
parked outside my yard. I haven’t seen this guy in ages.
I open the door without knocking and Oscar is in my house
watching soccer. Shouldn’t this guy be bailing me or looking for
advise for me? He jumps out of the couch in shock. He puts his
finger on the mouth to signal me not to make noise. He rushes
out and I follow behind.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Shouldn’t you be looking for
help to get me out of jail?”
“I know…I was almost on…”
“There is no excuse…what are you doing in my house?” I ask
angrily. I had been freezing in that cell and he was here in my
house watching TV like the man of the house. “Are you still on
Lufuno?”
“What? Come on man…does everything has to do with
Lufuno?”
“What do you want me to think? I have been expecting you to
come for me but you here chilled as if nothing is wrong.”
“I was here with your wife and kid,” he says and I frown. My
wife and kid? “Your mother called me and I had to pick Michelle
from school…I was here with your wife and Michelle overheard
us talking about you in jail and she didn’t take it well. So I
wanted to make sure they are both fine before I leave…so ever
since they left for Michelle’s room, they are not yet back. Your
wife had to calm Michelle.”
Where is Mandiwana if Lufuno is here calming Michelle from
the news? I leave Oscar outside and storm inside the house.
Atleast Michelle will be calm and glad to see me. I hurry to her
room and softly knock before opening it.
Mxm!
By wife Oscar means Mandiwana. She is sleeping peacefully
with Michelle in her arms. It is evident that she fell asleep while
soothing Michelle to sleep.
I wish for this peace in my life. I miss it. All I have to go through
is Tshepo yelling at me for letting her down or having to deal
with Lufuno’s mess. I miss being peaceful like my daughter and
her nanny. Trouble seems to be far from them.
I walk in and pick the blanket from the closet. I lay it on top of
the duvet and Mandiwana opens her eyes. She closes her eyes
and opens them again real quick. She can be dramatic
sometimes. I smile as she pulls herself to sit.
“Shhh,” I say quietly to her. I don’t know how much rest they
needl so Michele can't wake up now unless she needs to.
“You are home? Come here…I was worried about you,” she
whispers and pulls me into her arms. I didn’t know I needed this
until she squeeze me real tight. I feel her heart throbbing hard
out of her chest.
“You can get some rest.”
“Are you alright?” she asks instead.
“I am fine.”
“Thank you for taking care of Michelle,” I say while staring into
her eyes.
“My job,” she says quietly before pulling me into another warm
hug, “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. I am happy
you are fine.”
I let go of the hug and cover them with a blanket as Mandi goes
back to sleep. I need a long hot shower and to change out of
these clothes. I carefully walk out of Michelle’s room and Oscar
is here in the corridor in all smiles.
“She makes a good wife, doesn’t she?” he says and I ignore
him.
“Remember how you have always wanted someone who would
love your daughter as their own?” he asks and raise his brows.
Mxm!
“She is Michelle’s nanny,” I say.
“I will remind you again in two years,” he says.
Remind me what? I am not attracted to Mandi. Am I? No, I
have Lufuno. As tough as our love can be, my heart yearns for
Lufuno Mudau.
I glare at how cute they look together before closing the
bedroom door.
My heart still longs for Lufuno, it does.

So, I am having a writer's block 🙈🙈 but Oom Koos took time to

write an insert for me. LOL I cnt stop laughing...I appreciate the
help LOL !!! Lol see, what I cnt stop laughing!!

THE ONE by Oom Koos

INSERT 45+(BONUS)
KHATHUTSHELO

**In deep thoughts**

"Why did I have to complicate my life like this?I know Lufuno
was worth a lot of things but surely going to prison in her name
is not one of them.Prison life is hell,the only thing that keeps
me going is thinking of my precious daughter. If it wasn't for
that.I would have given up on myself.**Taking a huge deep
breath**hmmm huuuuu.Damn this sh*t hole is stinking,We are
living like pigs&starting to lose mind after I've seen an old man
being beaten half dead.Its traumatic you'll never know what's
gonna happen next:All in all I've had the time to reflect on my
life.I think I know where I've lost it all.My venda ancestors tried
their level best to impede my relationship with Lufuno but my
bigheaded mind kept on torturing me to declare my feelings for
her whenever I tried to let it go.I guess I had to learn the hard
way that beautiful ladies comes with a lot of drama&discomfort
that makes a lot of men to lose their minds for a couple of
seconds since they'll be clouded by beauty.I'm no different
because those couple of seconds can end up messing your
whole life&if your not lucky you might give up the ghost.The old
lady's words"ni do di sola"kept on haunting me ever since I got
arrested.If ever had I really played attention to Mandiwana
maybe I wouldn't be in this situation"

**Still in deep thoughts **

Tears flowing down my chicks:I've been asking myself this
questions&I got no answers."What's going to happen if I got
released?.Will Mr Maake let a scammer who defrauded millions
of rands be close to his company, family&daughter?. Will
Tshepo still trust me?.Will she let me be part of my baby's
life?Will I get a chance to clear my name&reputation?. Will
investors trust me after this or its the end of my career? Ooooh
God can somebody please wake me up&tell me this is all bad
dream. "
Warden:*Beating prison's hardcore steel burglar frame with his
Donkie Bir*kho kho kho'Listenup guys I'm sorry for disturbing
you since your playing chess.Where is Khathuthuthu hai this
guy's name though,Khalutselo.?
Group Of Inmates:*made a huge circle as two Prisoners where
playing chess*
Prisoner one:*giggling at the warden*Aah Vader we don't have
that kind of person in here try cell B(Nextdoor)
GROUP OF INMATES:*Busting into a huge laughter*Some
rolling on the floor&laughing so hard as tears filled their eyes.
WARDEN:please guys I will be forced to disconnected the
TV&you will not be able to watch Soweto derby later.
GROUP OF INMATES: Suddenly there was silence as
the*Hummer-PRISON BOSS*'s facial expression change's.
THE HUMMER-PRISON BOSS:Stands up&walks to
shower.takes a wet tshirt&moves towards the prison double
decker beds.he slowly whipped Khathu who was laying down
on his stomach exposing his butchered back*Vrrrrphaaa*
KHATHUTSHELO:*miyanga were*Wtf?Hummer didn't I suffer
enough?I told you I'll cooperation from now on please don't
beat me up I can't take it anymore.
THE HUMMER:Wakeup cheeseboy&Don't ever raise your
voice when you talk to me I'm not your mother,your my
punching bag.The Wadern says you have a visitor.Wear this
wet T-shirt&tell(Screwdriver)to land you his trouser.remember
to come back with my airtime airtime airtime
airtime,cigarettes&R600 for the clothes.
KHATHUTSHELO:Stands up&complied the way he was
instructed. Minutes later he walks to the visitation area.as he
was wondering who was visiting him.
WARDEN:Come this side.go to the 3rd window.
VISITOR:*Sitting down*looking at a nearly unfamiliar face that
was bruised, swollen&a bit of black blood on his forehead*what
the hell?Khathu is that you for real?
KHATHUTSHELO: Recognising the voice while tears where
flowing down his chicks.yes its me please don't be scared how
is everyone?Where is Mitchell? Where is????
VISITOR:WARDEN Please call an ambulance I can't breath,I
really can't can't ca ca *collapsed&fell on the clean&polished
floor*

CHEERS!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lol I will post my INSERT 45 in the evening 😂😂😂😂😂

THE ONE

INSERT 45

KHATHUTSHELO

Why did I have to complicate my life like this?

If it is not Tshepo and the unborn baby, it is Lufuno and all this
mess that got me here.
Damn! Damn! Damn! Allow me, I have to bang the walls in here
before I go mad.
It is freaken cold in here and I don’t even have a jacket. The
police dragged me out of my very house empty handed, to
question me. I didn’t know I will have to spend a night or two in
these cold holding cells.
What did I do to deserve this? I gave all my heart to a woman I
always desired all my life. She was all I ever wanted since the
break-up with Julia. I watched her from a distance and prayed
to God to make her my wife. I am inside this cold walls because
of my love for her. All I had to do was to help her lift the burden
off her shoulders. God knows I pray she doesn’t think I did all
these things they accuse me of. How on earth could I use
anything that will trace back to me? These police men should
be stupid enough to think I did all of these and leave evidence
pointing towards me. I mean, scammers should be smart
enough to use unrecognized codes when doing their dealings.
Why would I use ‘Khathutshelo Nengwenda’ as a reference to a
fraudulent transaction?
I have exhausted all my energy trying to explain myself over
and over again.
“Hmmm…so you had to get rid of the evidence, didn’t you?”
The detective’s voice shakes me out of my thoughts. I quickly
stand and walk towards the door. They have locked me in this
holding cell with two other men charged for what-I-don’t-know. I
fold my arms and walk closer to him.
“What are you talking about?” I ask. I am fricken feeling cold
and I am damn hungry. I need to get out of this place and get
home to Michelle. Thinking about her pains me a lot. She
needs answers, I know she does.
“I thought you said you won’t speak to us without a lawyer,” he
says and giggles. I know I said that but I don’t know anyone’s
number by heart. Who does that in this time and age? I regret
though, because the only number I know is my mother’s and
she hardly picks her phone. It is either on voicemail because
she didnt pick up or on voicemail because there is no network.
A day ago I refused to engage more with the detective as I
needed the lawyer. That is what you do when you are wrongly
charged for, right?
“I know I said I needed a lawyer…but what do you mean by
what you are saying?”
“Can you talk now?” he asks and I think hard about it. Curiosity
is killing me.
“Fine,” I hiss and he opens the door for me. He has his gun
hugged on his hips and he doesn’t wear uniform like others.
I follow him to a small room they use for questioning. I have
been in this room for more than five times in just two days.
Atleast it is warmer than the cells. There is a small heater
mounted on the wall. There is a glass of water which I thirst for.
I also wish for a good warm meal.
“Tell me what you know,” he says. For the hundredth time he
asks me this question. I have told them all that I know nothing
about the money stolen, what more do they want from me?
“I told you…”
“You said you want to talk. We can take you back to the cell,”
he says and I clear my throat. I need the warmth in this room. I
need good company. I need anything to keep me away from
that cold room with angry strangers.
“Fine, I will tell you what happened,” I say and shift myself to sit
on the edge of the chair, “Lufuno complained to me that
someone was stealing from her bank account. She said money
was withdrew from her company’s account and needed all the
help to get these guys caught. I told her I know someone who
could help. He is an IT guy who used to work for some bank. I
connected them and Lufuno paid him for the services he
rendered for her.”
“What was it in for you?”
“Nothing. I was helping my woman.”
“Your woman, you say?” he asks and chuckles, “So the same
woman who reported you?”
“What?” I gaze at him. There is no way Lufuno reported me. If
she did, then I curse the day I ever laid my eyes on her. She
cannot turn her back on me when I am in this mess because of
her. I stare at the detective and see something in his eyes. He
is lying. He just wants me to get angry and start confessing
things that I don’t even know of.
“So, where did this Terence, IT guy stay?”
“Sunnyside.” I know Sunnyside is well-known for all things bad,
but I swear he is nothing like what they think.
“So, who else where you working with?” Detective asks while
writing on his notepad.
“I was not working with anyone.”
“Okay, who else was Terence working with?”
“No one I know of.”
He picks the newspaper that is on the table and slowly unfolds
it. The room is quiet as he reads from the newspaper. He can
take all the time he wants, I need the warmth of this room. The
brown blanket they gave me in the cell does not do its job.
“So, you had to get him killed so that he doesn’t testify on you?”
detective says and drops the newspaper infront of me.
“What happened to him?” I ask. What the hell? What on earth is
going on?
“You should tell me…,” he says but is disturbed by a knock and
the opening of the door. i am disturbed too. It is his partner,
Detective Moloi, the nice one between the two. I remember his
name because he begged me to tell him the truth so that he
could help me.
“I think we need to let him go for now,” he says and my heart
jumps. I need to get home to my daughter, please.
“Why?”
“We just received this information.” Detective Moloi drops a file
on the table. He shows his partner some notes and I am here
sucking my breath and making a longest prayer.
I watch as they contemplate on the new findings.
“Who is this Zakhele?” the cold detective asks.
"Yah, who is Zakhele?" i ask. I also want to know.
“We cannot tell you much. But we are taking this lead and you
are free to go. You are not allowed to leave town until this case
is closed. You not allowed to engage with Miss Lufuno until all
is solved,” Detective Moloi advised. I need to see her so bad
but it can wait until all this is resolved. Anything to keep me with
my daughter. “Okay, come with me. Let’s fill in some forms and
you will be ready to go.”
Can all these police people be as humble as Detective Moloi?
He is so human.
I get to the reception and sign the papers I am told to sign. I get
my belt and I am ready to walk outside when I see Lufuno’s
driver seated on the bench with another old man. I walk up to
them after finalizing with the police.
“Where you here for me?” I ask without a greeting. There is no
time for formalities.
“Yes, yes…we came here to inform the police about the news
we figured out,” he says. “I am here with Lufuno’s father.”
What a way to meet him.
“How is she?” I still care.
“The doctor said not to worry. She should be discharged
tomorrow,” the father says while I shake his hands. I am excited
that they are here and I will be seeing Michelle in no time.
“What did you inform the police?” The detective didn’t want to
tell me but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t find out from these
two. Ntate Molefe tells me about Zakhele and him being Muzi’s
friend. It all makes sense now. Sad for Lufuno but this is good
news to me.
Without wasting more time, they drop me home. Oscar’s car is
parked outside my yard. I haven’t seen this guy in ages.
I open the door without knocking and Oscar is in my house
watching soccer. Shouldn’t this guy be bailing me or looking for
advise for me? He jumps out of the couch in shock. He puts his
finger on the mouth to signal me not to make noise. He rushes
out and I follow behind.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Shouldn’t you be looking for
help to get me out of jail?”
“I know…I was almost on…”
“There is no excuse…what are you doing in my house?” I ask
angrily. I had been freezing in that cell and he was here in my
house watching TV like the man of the house. “Are you still on
Lufuno?”
“What? Come on man…does everything has to do with
Lufuno?”
“What do you want me to think? I have been expecting you to
come for me but you here chilled as if nothing is wrong.”
“I was here with your wife and kid,” he says and I frown. My
wife and kid? “Your mother called me and I had to pick Michelle
from school…I was here with your wife and Michelle overheard
us talking about you in jail and she didn’t take it well. So I
wanted to make sure they are both fine before I leave…so ever
since they left for Michelle’s room, they are not yet back. Your
wife had to calm Michelle.”
Where is Mandiwana if Lufuno is here calming Michelle from
the news? I leave Oscar outside and storm inside the house.
Atleast Michelle will be calm and glad to see me. I hurry to her
room and softly knock before opening it.
Mxm!
By wife Oscar means Mandiwana. She is sleeping peacefully
with Michelle in her arms. It is evident that she fell asleep while
soothing Michelle to sleep.
I wish for this peace in my life. I miss it. All I have to go through
is Tshepo yelling at me for letting her down or having to deal
with Lufuno’s mess. I miss being peaceful like my daughter and
her nanny. Trouble seems to be far from them.
I walk in and pick the blanket from the closet. I lay it on top of
the duvet and Mandiwana opens her eyes. She closes her eyes
and opens them again real quick. She can be dramatic
sometimes. I smile as she pulls herself to sit.
“Shhh,” I say quietly to her. I don’t know how much rest they
needl so Michele can't wake up now unless she needs to.
“You are home? Come here…I was worried about you,” she
whispers and pulls me into her arms. I didn’t know I needed this
until she squeeze me real tight. I feel her heart throbbing hard
out of her chest.
“You can get some rest.”
“Are you alright?” she asks instead.
“I am fine.”
“Thank you for taking care of Michelle,” I say while staring into
her eyes.
“My job,” she says quietly before pulling me into another warm
hug, “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. I am happy
you are fine.”
I let go of the hug and cover them with a blanket as Mandi goes
back to sleep. I need a long hot shower and to change out of
these clothes. I carefully walk out of Michelle’s room and Oscar
is here in the corridor in all smiles.
“She makes a good wife, doesn’t she?” he says and I ignore
him.
“Remember how you have always wanted someone who would
love your daughter as their own?” he asks and raise his brows.
Mxm!
“She is Michelle’s nanny,” I say.
“I will remind you again in two years,” he says.
Remind me what? I am not attracted to Mandi. Am I? No, I
have Lufuno. As tough as our love can be, my heart yearns for
Lufuno Mudau.
I glare at how cute they look together before closing the
bedroom door.
My heart still longs for Lufuno, it does.

THE ONE

INSERT 46

LUFUNO

“She is not pregnant, is she?” my mother asks and I give her an

eye. Why would she think pregnancy out of all things? I have a
condition that they need to help me fix.
“Pregnant? Oh…well,” the doctor says.
“Oh, well what?” I gaze at him. “Oh…well, what?”
“I take it, a pregnancy won’t make you happy… I was saying oh
well, the focus was not on that but she is not pregnant.”
Phew!! Did he really have to make me stress like this? I let out
a sigh and the doctor seems to regret playing about such
important news.
“Fine,” I say. I am glad I am not pregnant because it was just
going to complicate my life and I don’t need that right now. I
also have to get over my first child before welcoming the next
one. It is safe to say that the healing journey is going on well.
When I feel ready and content, then I will be ready to welcome
another baby. All this might be impossible with Tshepo’s baby
on the way. Khathu might not want another child with a different
mother and that leaves me childless and nursing other people’s
children. That is the mountain that stands between Khathu and
I.
“I thought I was going to clear you today but due to the high
blood check up with the nurse, hours earlier…I feel it will be
best that I stay here and monitor it until tomorrow.
“Please, I need to get home and start finiliasing Charlotte’s
wedding,” I say. People should understand that Charlotte’s
wedding is meant to be the wedding of the year and I have to
be hands-on to ensure that all is well.
“Lufuno, you need to rest. Don’t you pay people to run
everything for you?” Mum says and I give her a weak smile.
She doesn’t understand but it is okay.
“Okay, I promise not to work…but I need to be in my space.
This place depresses me even more. I just need to sleep in the
shower and smell the roses and do things that makes me
happy. I promise to take it easy on the work.”
“Well, I can have you sign the papers to release you…I think it
shouldn’t be a problem, but I would loved to keep you for a day
or two.”
“Let me sign, I need out,” I say and Mum frowns. Can anyone
understands how hospitals are? They are more depressing. I
want my own space and to watch TV without headsets.
The doctor shares the rest of the results and I am grateful that
the heart failure is not worsened, as long as I take my meds
and run away from problems. Run-away from problems, the
doctor said but how do I do that when I am in love with a man
who has another woman pregnant? I am conflicted by this one
because I might end up hurting myself. I want to love him but I
am afraid he might not love me back without holding back.
The doctor clears me to go and Gean drops my mother and I at
my apartment. The first thing I do before anything else is to
take a longest warm bath, contemplating on what to do next. I
“Do you still love drinking soup?” Mum asks while standing from
my bedroom door, “Are you loosing weight?”
“Ah, not really…I think it is just because of the hospital stay,” I
say while scanning my body on the mirror.
“We need to talk, don’t we?” Mum asks.
“I don’t think so…I am fine.”
“That right there is what you always gave me when you were
raging in your heart, always.” She sits on the bed and I join her.
We are about to get deep, I know we are.
“How was I when I was growing up?” I ask. Maybe what I am
going through has everything to do with my childhood.
Sometimes it gets so complicated that I get to think maybe I am
cursed, you know? Happiness, just a bit of it, is what I long for. I
want to be happy, genuinely happy but it seem impossible.
“You were always amazing, from a very young age,” Mum says
with a smile and I smile back, “You always hosted tea parties
for your dolls and you loved to pick your own clothes. I think
everybody, actually nobody understood you and I think it is still
that way even today. You used to do you, always. I remember
Lucy used to go out to play and you stayed in the house, re-
arranging my furniture and helping me cook and bake.”
“I still love to bake and cook.”
“I knew you would end up baking and cooking and hosting
people…it has always been in you.”
“How was my relationship with Lucy…she hates me now.”
“The divorce with Oscar turned her sour but give her time, she
will be alright. She always blamed you anyway.”
“She did?” My mother never told me this.
“You should know she lived in your shadow for so long. She
wanted to be you but you were unreachable. I use to dress you
both in this particular way, she liked it but you hated it so you
re-arranged your clothes and people loved it and praised you
more than her…leaving her heartbroken. You used to do things
together but you were praised and cheered more than her
because of your final touches. I never blamed you, you were
different and you are almost the same age.”
It does make sense why she blames me this much. I just wish
she had done things differently. Accusing me of cheating with
her husband was a blow to my stomach.
“Ma, I need your advice,” I say. Maybe she can tuckle this with
me.
“Anything.”
“I met someone.”
“When do I get to meet him?” she asks and I blush.
“He also has a pregnant woman who...,” I say and she frowns.
The smile she had is wiped away from her face. It is a big piece
to chew. “Don’t worry Ma…it was before we decided to be in a
relationship. I thought I was going to handle all of that, but now
I am scared if I might be able to.”
“It is not going to be easy,” she says. That is just the truth I
know.
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You know it baby…you know what you want. Deep down in
your heart is the truth you want to do…don’t hesitate on it,” she
says while squeezing my hand. She is not a typical mother who
would help you run away from your problems. She had always
wanted us to make our choices, mistakes and decisions. I think
that is why she leaves a happiest life with her husband.
“What about the baby? He has another older child and what if
he doesn’t want the third child so soon, and I want one?”
“Then you will have to decide what is more important to
you…the baby or him,” she says. I need her to tell me what to
do. For the first time in my life, I want someone to tell me to be
with Khathu and endure whatever pain coming my way or to
leave him because our relationship will not work out.

Dad sends us a text that Khathu is released from jail. I am

thrilled to the news. Atleast I can get him lawyers to clear his
name if he ever gets to court or something. I want to go see
him but Dad says to give him space. I am told he looks like a
person who needs space right now. I have to respect that.
What I could do is to call and find out how he is holding up. His
phones rings to voicemail. That left me sleepless almost the
whole night. I am worried about him. As complicated as we are,
I am worried about us aswell.
I only slept in the early hours of the morning. I watched movies
after movies until I dozed off. I am woken by my mother walking
in my room. Unlike Gean, she respects my curtains. She knows
I don't like the light from outside. She puts a tray of breakfast
on the pedestal next to my bed side. She has eggs and a toast,
just like I love it. She also placed the pills on a container.
“I can get used to this,” I say and she cracks up. I missed my
mother dearly.
“How are you feeling?”
“I am okay, I guess.”
“Don’t be afraid to say it when you are not okay Lufuno. It is
okay not to be okay.”
“I need to see Khathu. I really do.”
“Why don’t you go there after lunch? Let him rest this morning
while we go shop for some flowers. After your afternoon
medication, then you can see him.”
I like that because of the flower shopping and having to give
Khathu sometime to himself. He hasn’t called since last night
and I am trying to be fine about it. Why is he not calling me?
I force myself to eat breakfast before getting ready for the day. I
pick a simple long red dress and a black biker jacket. I should
have been working on Charlotte’s wedding but that will stress
me a bit if things are not going accordingly. I want to flood
Gean’s phone with texts but I choose to trust my team. I pay
them well to do a greatest job.
Muzi’s name rings in my head as I comb my hair. He was my
angel, wasn’t he? How could I be so stupid to be blinded by his
love? I will deal with all these on another day. I have to choose
to do things that will make me happy. Shopping for flowers
makes me happier.
I follow behind my mother as we walk around PlantLand in
Atterbury. For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be here. I
want to be in Khathu’s house. I need to find out how he is
doing.
“You know what, go…before you faint on me.”
“What?”
“You are miles away. I said go see him now before you faint on
me,” she says and I clock an Uber without hesitating.
The Uber drops me at the gate. I take a deep sigh before
knocking on the door. The nanny opens for me and leads the
way to the living room.
“Is Khathu here?” I ask and she nods before telling me he is
sleeping. I want to rush to his room but I am told his mother is
here already. I settle on the couch and wait for anyone to join
me.
Mrs Nengwenda walks to the living room. She is older than my
mother but not too old. She has an unwelcoming face.
“Ndi do ri ndi nnyi?” she asks while taking a seat in an opposite
chair.
“My name is Lufuno,” I respond. I hope she doesn’t ask how I
am related to Khathutshelo. Atleast not now.
“Oh, you are the woman who took my son to jail?”
“No, there was just some misunderstanding…he was…”
“What misunderstanding? Khathu left his child to go to jail for
you…that’s what I was told,” she says with her voice slightly
raised. Why am I not surprised? I am used to people blaming
me for their troubles.
“I am sorry for all the misunderstanding Mrs Nengwenda…I am
truly sorry. I came to see how he is doing and...”
“Let him rest,” she says.
“Can I bring something to drink?” the nanny asks.
“I would love a glass of water, please.”
“And also Mandiwana, please make that tea that Khathu
loves…and take it to his room,” Mrs Nengwenda says and I
stare at her. I didn’t know the nanny goes to his bedroom.
“Haaa…vho Nengwenda, he is still sleeping,” Mandiwana, I had
forgotten her name, says.
“Ndiri, take a cup of tea to his room.”
“Okay, if he is awake, can you please ask him to join us? I need
to ask how I can help regarding the lawyers,” I say. I don’t know
if it is wrong to ask. I just want to see Khathu and see for myself
that he is okay. By the look of things, I might leave this house
without seeing him.
“Mandi, take a cup of tea to your man…he might be thirsty,”
Mrs Nengwenda says and Mandi shy away while I am stunned.
What is going on here?
“Mrs Nengwenda…mara Khathu is not my man vhathuwele,”
Mandiwana says and rushes out of the room.
“I don’t know how many times I should tell you that he is…heee
Mandiwana…you need to get that into your head,” Mrs
Nengwenda yells at her from the living room to the kitchen.
I want to jump in and ask but that would be disrespectful, right?
“Mrs Nengwenda…did Khathu mention anything about me?” I
ask calmly. I can’t directly ask her if she knows that I am
Khathu’s girlfriend.
“He only told me that he was in jail because of Lufuno,” she
says and cross her arms with an angry face.
What a blow.
Mandiwana brings me a glass of water and tea for Mrs
Nengwenda.
“Inwi Mandiwana, I said take tea to Khathu’s bedroom. Why do
I have to repeat myself? That man needs your warmth and
care…who is going to be there for him if you can’t even give
him a cup of tea?”
Is this about a cup of tea?
“Haaaa Vho Nengwenda…” Mandi says while treading to the
kitchen.
Yah neh! I smile to myself.
This is going to be harder than I thought.

THE ONE

INSERT 47
KHATHUTSHELO

Can a man get some fucken sleep in his own house? Do these
people know that I didn’t sleep a wink last night? Thinking
about almost everything connected to my life? I have Michelle
to think about, also Lufuno, Tshepo and the baby on the other
side, and lastly, my very own life. I have not been to work in two
days and the last time I was there, I had Mr Maake pin me
against the wall. I have all the rights to stress about everything.
I still wonder if my job is still awaiting me. I texted Mr Mkhize
and gave a number of excuses why I am not at work, I hope it
works.
I can hear my mother’s voice from the leaving room. I wonder
what her problem is right now. She arrived this morning and all
I asked from her and Mandy is some peace and quiet. I had the
worst nights of my life with people shouting at me. I want to
cover my ears with the cushion when I hear Lufuno’s voice. I
jump out of bed and wear my gown before treading to the living
room.
“Why are you people making so much noise?” I ask and Lufuno
stands from the couch. She is wearing a long dress and a
jacket but still look as sexy as you can imagine.
“Khathu, are you alright?” she asks before I settle for a sit on a
couch next to her. I want to pull her into a warmest hug but will
never hear the end of it from my mother.
“I am fine Lufuno…I am fine,” I say and she sits on the couch
as I did aswell. My girl looks worried sick bout me and I am
genuinely touched.
“What did they say at jail?” she asks and I want to tell her but it
can wait. I have to deal with my mother alone.
“Please join me outside,” I say while standing and taking her
hand into mine. We need to talk by the way and I am not
thinking infront of my nagging mother. I lead the way to the
porch. It is hot and sunny today; and someone would think I am
dramatic by appreciating a day like this. Jail will make you
appreciate the little moments in life. That place can make up
you pray every night, seeking intervention from the heavens.
Just when we walk outside and far from my mother’s sight,
Lufuno clings on me and gives me a warmest hug. I can feel
her heart throbbing as she tightens her hug. I have nothing
much to say so I welcome her into the embrace. I allow her to
cry as much as she wants. She is freaking out and I
understand.
“You didn’t call me Khathu,” she says while wiping her tears.
“I am not supposed to…I am not supposed to see you.”
“WHY?”
“Because I was the suspect in your case and I was told to
never communicate with you. They told me yesterday and I
didn't want to mess everything,” I respond while she wipes her
tears away.
“I thought you didn’t want to speak to me…or something,” she
says before whipping. I am heart-broken because I never want
to see Lufuno like this.
“You know I would have called you the same second, but
everything is in the hands of the law. I don’t want to temper with
them…Michelle still needs me.”
We have a cup of tea over the conversation about the criminal
record. They obviously wont charge me until I am proven guilty.
I know I am innocent but I am worried about what Mr Mkhize
have heard. I still have to make partner and all this drama can
mess with everything.
“Khathu, what’s going to happen to us?” Lufuno asks. I can see
pain in her eyes and it is unfair that I am the one causing all of
it into her life. She deserve way better than all of these.
“Lufuno…I love you…I have always loved you…so I should be
the one asking you were we stand with Tshepo and the baby,” I
say and she stares into her hands. This is a difficult one. I for
one do not expect her to stay with me but I do wish she does.
“Do you want me to stay?” she asks. Ofcourse I do want her to
stay. I just don’t want to be the selfish one here.
“Lufuno, I don’t expect you to stay with me…but I would really
appreciate if you do,” I respond and she gives me a weak
smile.
“What is with you and Mandy?” she asks and I frown.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“No Khathu…I don’t mean to create havoc but I didn’t know she
was supposed to serve you in your room…am I missing
something?”
“No, she doesn’t serve me in my room…never…why would you
think that?”
“No, don’t stress about it.”
“Did my mother say something? Tell me?” I ask. My mother has
been putting ideas on Mandiwana and she should just know
that we can never work. Mandiwana and I are childhood friends
and it should stay to that. I am not attracted to her and she is
not attracted to me, my mother should stop forcing her ideas on
the poor woman.
“No. I was just wondering,” she says with a fake smile. I can
read through this. She is worried about Mandiwana when she
shouldn't be.
“How are you? What did the doctor say?”
“I am okay, I guess…I was just worried sick about you.” It feels
good to hear the woman you love confess how worried she was
of you. I had always dreamt of this.
“You should relax. I am okay,” I say.
Lufuno drives me crazy, this woman drives me crazy. Her
beauty makes me feel drunk whenever I look deep into her
eyes. She is more than I can wish for. Her teary eyes leads me
out of this universe. I wish to grab her ass and smash it hard
like I did on our vacation. Her calling my name the whole night.
If only I could take us back there where she dug her nails deep
into my back, begging me to do her some more. She has
dreamy eyes and her wet lips are not giving me justice. Her full
breasts turns me on just by staring at them. If only I could cup
them and feel them some more. If only.
“How is Michelle?” she asks, bringing me back to her. I was
miles away. I was undressing her with my eyes.
“Michelle is alright. She cried all night last night and she had to
sleep with me to make sure I was not going anywhere. I hope
she is able to focus at school today.”
“I am sorry she had to go through all this…because of me.”
“Lufuno, you are going to have to stay away for a little while,” I
say and she glare at me. We still had to come back to this
hurtful truth. I am not supposed to be meeting with her and I
don’t want to be in trouble.
“Why?”
“My name is not cleared yet and since I am one of the prime
suspects, I am allowed to be in contact with you. I should stay
away from you until the rightful person is in jail.”
Atleast she understands. As hard as it is, she does
understands.
I join my mother in the living room after Lufuno left. She was
unhappy about staying away but she will just have to be strong
for the both of us.
“So you still associate with her…after all the trouble she caused
you?” My mother asks when I seat next to her.
“What trouble Mma? She didn’t cause no trouble for me.”
“You were in jail just days ago…have you forgotten already?”
“Please…all evidence were just pointing at me. She did nothing
wrong.”
“Hmmm.” She focuses on the Tv playing infront of her. I want to
leave for my room but we still have to discuss the other
important issues, paying the damages to Tshepo’s family.
Where do I even begin with her already grumpy about my
relationship choices? Julia should just come back so that
Mandiwana can leave for Venda already.
“Mma…I need you to speak to the uncles for me.”
“Regarding what? You want to marry already?”
“No…not that…it is something else.”
“What would you need the uncles for?”
“I got a woman pregnant.”
“Heee…are you telling me that the same woman who got you in
jail is carrying your child? How complicated can this be?” she
asks.
“Mma…Lufuno did not land me in jail…please…”
“Well…I am disaapointed in you Khathutshelo. I thought I
picked Mandiwana perfectly for you, heee?”
“I didn’t need you to fix me with Mandiwana. I told you
already…Mandy is Michelle’s nanny and that is it.”
“Haai…fine…I cannot force this girl to stay with you
anymore…can I? I mean…who can stand for a man who
impregnated another woman? So…you want the uncles to go
see this Lufuno’s parents?”
“It is not Lufuno’s parents they have to see.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her name is Tshepo. Her father wants the family to meet
before I can be part of the baby’s life.”
“What are you saying Khathutshelo?”
“Tshepo is pregnant with my child.”
“Tshepo is another woman?” she asks and I nod. Come on, I
am not proud here.
“Inwi nwana…are you telling me you got one woman pregnant
and you are dating another woman before your child is even
born? How crazy can this be? You have got to be kidding
me…serious.”
“Please Ma…I don’t need you to judge me.”
“Why not. You have done the worst thing I have ever
imagined.”
“Well…unfortunately.”
“So you have broken up with this woman who is carrying your
child?”
“Yes…it is complicated.”
“Nothing is complicated here. You need to marry her.
Mandiwana can wait but you need to marry this woman
pregnant with your child,” she says and I raise my brows.
“Why should we force a relationship?”
“Heella munna. You cannot just impregnate a woman and
move on…you need to do right by her and marry her. What
kind of a man did I raise you to be?”
“Tshepo and I will not work because I love Lufuno.”
“You are just confused Khathutshelo…you are confused.”
“I am not…”
“Are you telling me you are going to father children from
different mothers? Heeee? Why don’t you just settle down with
this woman and be happy with her?”
“I am in love with Lufuno.”
“Then why did you make a baby with this other one?” she asks.
“Do you know that your blood is boiling now and if you are not
careful, you will go around making more babies…are you
aware of that?”
“Please…”
“Inwi Khathutshelo Nengwenda…I told you that you will
remember my words one day. You think you know it all but you
are just a boy. You know nothing.”
“Can we please talk to the uncles so that we do right by
Tshepo’s family?”
“Count me out of this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Doing right by her family is marrying her. You have
disappointed me. I had chosen a good wife for you but you
keep disappointing me each day.”
“Are you going to help me or not?”
“We will go there if you are marrying the woman.”
“Tshepo and I are over…I don’t see us working.”
“Athi your woman was here…bring this Tshepo here first and I
will tell you what you don’t know.”
“No, I am not going to have you decide anything for me.”
“You are confused my son but you still don’t want to hear the
truth.”
“I am not confused. I know what I am doing.”
“Fine, bring Tshepo here.”
This conversation is not going anywhere. I stand from the
couch and head for my room. I need to sleep for the two nights
that I didn’t.
“You get a woman pregnant and then jump to the next…you
are confused Khathutshelo…you are confused,” my mother
yells as I walk into my room. I bang a door at her remarks.
I am not confused.
THE ONE

INSERT 48

TSHEPO

Life was going to be so much easier if there were no all sorts of

cravings. This baby is making me eat like a pig. If I don’t order
buckets of meat then I have boxes of pizzas waiting for me to
devour. I have made peace with it, I am going to lose my figure
for good. How am I going to gain ten more kilos and shed it off
afterwards? I wonder how.
I was also never warned about hormones and how crazy they
can get. I get excited, angry and sad in the same second. Just
like that I snap like a ticking bomb.
I don’t wish to be at work today. I have some longest report to
prepare and it is Charlotte’s wedding tomorrow. I honestly am
not looking forward to it. Having to see Lufuno parade all over
the place will just make me puke. I wish I could chose between
going and not showing up. I wish to stay behind and stuff my
face with cakes and pop corns. I might also get to see Tokello
aswell. He left running the day my father lured him into his
study. What was he thinking though? I told him my family has
not forgiven him. I don’t understand how he followed my father
into a private room for a chat. He listened to what my father
said. He never calls me now. It is good I guess. Maybe my
father saved me from my own mistakes. I mean, I get bored
sometimes and maybe Tokello was going to be back in my life
for the worst. I don’t need a man now. I think after Khathu, I just
need to relax and do me. I never thought love could disappoint
me this much once more. I was never ready. Worse, I am
pregnant for a man who wants nothing to do with me. That is
just too painful but I understand. This is life and not a fairy tale.
“Bakang, are you getting yourself breakfast?” I ask him over the
phone. He has become my puppet and shame my poor bother
is playing along.
“I already had breakfast.”
“Can you pretty please rush to Mugg n Bean and get me
some?” I ask and bite my lip, waiting for him to respond.
“I am going to a meeting now…but its fine, I can rush there for
you.”
“Okay I want chicken mayo and mozzarella toast anddd
chocolate and raspberry oats…with a red cappuccino.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, I am not. I will pay you back…go now…I am waiting.” I
hang up. He is my brother, he should fit in where Khathu
cannot.
My phone rings before I could even put it on silent. I can’t help
but smile at the man who is flashing on my screen.
“Hi Khathu.”
“Oh, it is you…thought your father still has your phone.”
“No…he gave it back. He told me what he did to you, I
apologise.”
“It’s cool…How are you and the baby?”
“We good…I can’t complain for the both of us,” I say and hear a
soft chuckle. He is not himself. “How are you Khathu?”
“Well…I am okay. Just a lot going on but I am fine,” he says
and there is silence. I want to ask why he is calling me but that
would be rude. Hearing his voice is nice anyway and I still hope
that there is that little chance between him and I. I cannot lie
and say I am over him. I still pray for things to work between us.
“Khathu, are you there?” The silence is deafening.
“Yeah…uhm…I wanted to ask for a favour.”
“Sure?” if it has nothing to do with Lufuno, I am game.
“I was telling my mother about you and how my family is
expected to meet yours…so she insist on meeting you before
then.”
“What? Why would she want to see me?”
“I don’t know. She is not giving me peace hey…it is starting to
annoy the hell out of me…so I just wanted to find out if it’s
possible for you to come by…preferably when you are in a
hurry so that you don’t stay for long.”
“Khathu, I don’t know.”
“Please…I just want to rest and not have her nag me all
day…but if you can’t, I still understand.”
“What’s up? Why do you sound so defeated? I mean I can
barely hear you…what’s up?”
“Just got out of jail two days ago…and…”
“Jail? Khathu what were you doing in jail?”
“Such a long story.” He sighs deeply.
“Fine, I will come by after work.” I say before we both hang-up. I
am honestly worried about him. Why would he be in jail?
The phone call honestly messed my day. I lost all my appetite
before Bakang could be back with the feast. The time is ticking
slowly. Instead of waiting for knock off time, I rush to Khathu’s
house to find out how he is. It is awkward to be here but I need
to have this done.
Khathu comes to the living room after he was called by the lady
who opened the door for me. I take it, it is the nanny. I am
seated on a couch facing the corridor so I can see him drag his
feet to where I am seated. I last saw him a few days ago but he
looks like he lost so much weight. He doesn’t have that ‘thang’
anymore. I should confess, watching him in those grey lose
pants is making me feel a bit horny. I can trace his manhood in
those light pants. I quickly look away before anyone notices me
drooling over my EX.
“You made it early,” he says while sitting next to me. I tell him I
am worried about him. “You shouldn’t be worried about me, I
am fine.”
“Why were you in jail?” I ask.
“I am out now…it ain't important.”
“But, why were you there in the first place.”
“Because of Lufuno,” a voice says from behind the couch. I turn
to meet an elderly woman who is definetly Khathu’s mother.”
“How many times should I say this…it is not Lufuno’s fault that I
was in jail?” Khathu says while his mother sits on a couch
opposite us. I want to ask so many questions but I don’t. I am
curious of how the precious Lufuno got her man in jail though.
“So, you must be Tshepo,” she says and I nod. She looks very
friendly.
“I am Mme,” I say.
“So you are carrying my grandchild…how are you?” She asks. I
won’t dare mention Khathu’s surname coz it leaves me tongue
twisted, always, so I will settle on calling her ‘she’.
“I am fine. It is just that the baby leaves me with so much
cravings,” I say with a laugh. It is the truth.
“Nurse that craving…that’s how the babies communicate,” she
says and I laugh. If I listen to her, I won’t be able to walk soon.
“Tell me, why are you two not working on your relationship?”
she asks while staring at me. What am I supposed to say?
Khathu is seated with his hands on his temple. He doesn’t look
like one who will rescue me.
“Mme…Khathu and I decided on co-parenting this baby.”
“Co-parenting…co-parenting…for what reason?” she asks,
seeming annoyed.
“Uhm…we just could not go on with the relationship…and we
were both happy about the decision.” This is the truth. Khathu
and I were never going to work with Lufuno in the picture. She
fills a very huge space in his heart, that I am hundred percent
sure. I was not about to compete with another woman so I had
to walk out of the relationship. It is painful, I won’t lie, but that
was the best thing I could do for myself. When I love, I do it
whole heartedly. When I give my love to someone, it is
undiluted. Khathu was never going to give me the love I
deserve. I don’t think he is capable of doing so with Lufuno at
the back of his head. If we can deal with Lufuno, then I stand a
huge chance of being his one.
“I am an old person…and I am going to tell you something very
important…” she says and clears her throat. Khathu is still
uninterested.
“Yes, Mme,” I say.
“It is always best when a child grows up from a loving family.
Sometimes you will have to take some decisions to make your
child happy and for her to grow in a loving family…I think your
break-up reasons are workable. All I am saying is, can’t you do
this for the baby?” she asks.
“I cannot be with a man who is in love with another woman.”
“Who, Lufuno? He is just confused,” she says and a smile
creeps in my lips. I would love to know that Khathu is just
confused. I would love to know that he loves me and not her,
but I would be lying to myself. Khathu loves Lufuno and no
matter how much that makes me sick, I cannot change that.
The baby won’t change that either. I just need a little healing so
that I can move on and be happy all by myself. He just needs to
be over her and we will be happy together.
“Well…these days we do everything differently…we can always
parent together and make everything work…just like he is co-
parenting with Michelle’s mom.”
“That baby is torn apart I tell you…I cannot allow all my
grandchildren to grow up in this kind of a set-up. sometimes
you might need to comprise and you will find happiness along
the way,” she says. She doesn’t have an idea of what I will be
dealing with. I will be dealing with a man who will physically be
there with me but will be emotionally detached from me. That is
what Khathu will give me.
“Tshepo, thanks for coming…but I think you can go now,”
Khathu finally says from his seat. He doesn’t look at me.
“She is not going anywhere...i am still having a chat with her.”
“I don’t see a point of any of this…no point at all. All you do is
criticize Lufuno and you know nothing about her…nothing at all
Makhulu wa Michelle,” he yells. I widened my eyes. I have
never seen Khathu like this.
“I tell you always that I know better.”
“Know better about what? About my life? Please ma.”
“What do you know?” she asks.
“Tell me what Lufuno did to you for you to hate her so much?
What did she do, huh?” he says. See what I meant? This is
what I want my man to do for me, defend me.
“Lufuno ended you in jail…what more sign do you want from all
of these? You have a woman pregnant…why not marry her and
be a family? Are you going to be popping children everywhere
you go? I am helping you here because I know better.”
“Lufuno never got me in jail…never…it was just a
misunderstanding. How many times should I mention that?”
“Inwi Tshepo, don’t you love Khathu?” she asks. Why is she
making everything so awkward. I find myself nodding. “If you
love him, don’t you want to start a family with him?” That is
what I wish for but not with Khathu anymore. I love him so
much with everything in me but he doesn’t love me the same
way, shame. I think I am too young to settle for that. Call me
naïve or young, but I don’t want to be in a forced relationship.
This is going to be a forced relationship. What Khathu’s mother
is doing is forcing a relationship.
“Uhm…I think I should get going. Tomorrow is my friend’s
wedding and she needs me and the other friends to help her
around.”
“Others are getting married and you two are still fooling
around.”
“Ma, Please.”
“Please what…nne I am not going to pay for Tshepo’s
damages…we are going to ask for her hand in marriage,” she
says and Khathu shoots his eyes to her in shock. He doesn’t
say anything but his face said it all. You know, I had that little
hope within me that I was wrong about Khathu. I am glad I
came here today because I got my confirmation. Khathutshelo
Ne..Nee…eish, Khathutshelo does not love me the way he
loves his woman. Done, sealed, this case is closed.
“Ma, we don’t really need the damages and all…my father said
it is not necessary.”
“Haibo?”
“Yah, we are not so traditional…your family do not have to
come for anything,” I say, hoping she believes it. I am done with
Khathu. I will hurt myself even more for fishing for more truth.
“I need to be part of that baby’s life…you know what your father
said,” he says.
I pick my bag from the couch and hurry out. I think my
hormones are taking over now and I am proud of myself for
even staying longer than I did. Maybe I am just sad to know
that there is no more hope for me and Khathu. That little fire of
hope is deemed now. This is it, I am done wishing and I am
done dreaming about my future with this man. I got my answer
today and with that, I will live happily knowing the truth.
I am not the one for Khathu, I was never it.
“Tshepo, please…you cannot walk away just like that…” he
says from behind.
“Why not? So that I can hear about how much me and you can
never work?”
“No…not that. I want to be part of the baby’s life.”
“Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“Fine, you can be part of your baby’s life…but please stay away
from me until the baby is here.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I will let you know.”
“Please Tshepo,” he begs.
“No Khathu…I want to carry full term…please…I want to stress
about what to eat and what colour to start buying for it…not that
you are coming to see my baby while your woman is waiting for
you in the car or something. I am jealous…please…just give
me space until then.”
“Tshepo, please…”
“I got it, I am not the one for you…fine…I always knew it
anyway…please give me space…just a few months. Let me get
over you,” I bowl at him. My face is a mess now because
‘hormones’.
“Tshepo…”
“Bye Khathu…I will call you when the baby is born.”
I can’t keep hurting myself like this. I can’t!
What did I say about being happy, angry and sad in one
second?? I know the hormones might be taking over but I
know I cannot settle for this. I can't.

THE ONE

INSERT 49

TSHEPO
Charlotte outdid herself. Infact Lufuno’s team did an
exceptional work here. With my bitter heart, allow me to bow
down to her. They do not call her the Event Queen for nothing.
It is Charlotte’s wedding and everything looks perfect and
exclusive. I didn't see much but I am sold. This is truly a dream
come true for Charlotte and I am genuinely happy for her. This
is the kind of a wedding I want, but unfortunately I am going to
put so much stress to the event planner because they will have
to out-do Lufuno.
We are finishing our make-up and hair while Charlotte is getting
into an all lace creamy wedding gown. Lord have mercy! She
looks like an angel. I want to cry but I cannot because ‘make-
up’. The trail flows to the end of the room and the silver beads
are sparkling all over the chest area. I watch as she turns to the
mirror and smiles at herself. I am happy for her. We are all
happy for her. She is twirling in her dress when her cousin
comes in with a huge bouquet of pink roses. They remind me of
those flowers that Tokello got me on our date in Cape Town.
That day that Khathu flew all the way to Cape Town to conceive
his baby.
“For me?” Charlotte asks with a huge smile. She picks the card
and read it. Instead of a happy smile, she frowns and I see
panic in her face.
“What up?” her sister asks while Charlotte walks to the window.
“Whats going on?” her cousin asks. We are now starting to
panic at what is written in a card.
“Charlotte, whats going on?” I ask. I am starting to breathe
heavily. This baby will give me a heart attack. What is wrong
now?
“It’s Lufuno. She just sent this to apologise. She said she won’t
make it,” she says and I see relief in everyone’s faces. We
thought the groom ran away. Why is she crying over Lufuno?
Everything is going on as planned.
“Who is Lufuno?” the cousin asks.
“My wedding planner…she promised to be here to see that
everything is going perfectly.”
“Come on…the lady who is running this is good at her job. I
saw the garden. Everything looks perfect,” Charlotte’s sister
assures her. I also haven’t seen much but from what I saw
earlier during breakfast, everything is going perfectly. It is not
even two o’clock but the bride and her bridal party are ready for
a three o’clock wedding. That is just outstanding.
“Don’t worry…everything will go just perfect,” I say. Now I can
breath and have fun. I am happy that Lufuno is not showing up
and running around in my face.
After make-up, I get into my dress. It fits just perfect with a
peplum hiding a bit of the bump. I look just perfect if I can so
say myself.
“Guy, please finish up…we should be getting down to the aisle
in less than twenty minutes,” a lady in a black suit says from the
door. She has Lufuno written all over her so she is the assistant
planner.
“Did you get everything ready?” Charlotte asks. I understand, it
is the nerves talking.
“Yes ma’am…everything is P E R F E C T…believe me,” the
planner says. I believe her.
“Alright…okay…fine,” Charlotte says.
“I will come back for all of you in fifteen minutes,” she says and
walks out of the room.
We take a few headshots with the photographer before she
came back to lead us to the garden. We follow behind the
planner to the garden area. Charlotte is following behind us
with her sister in hand. Her father is waiting for her just next to
where we are standing.
“You guys will parade after the gentlemen as rehearsed. Please
line up here until your song comes through,” the planner says
before she disappeared.
Cherry blossom wedding in Winter, huh? I can’t believe this.
Before me lies a flower aisle to the front where the Pastor is
waiting for all of us. All you see in this garden is the grass, pure
white chairs and sakura flowers all over the place. The pulpit is
hidden by the flowers. The aisle is not red or white. We are
going to walk on a bank of cherry blossoms. None of this was
here last night when we did the rehearsal dinner. It was just an
open garden with us standing all over the place.
The gentlemen walk to the front with people cheering and the
music playing loudly. They all look like models in tailor made
suits and perfectly trimmed hair cuts. They line up perfectly in
front on the groom’s side, just like how we rehearsed. The maid
of honour parades first with me behind her. I can see smiles on
people’s faces. As I parade to the front, I could not help but
notice Tokello’s face amongst the people who are smiling at
me. He has a marroon and black suit on. He has a perfect and
a lustful smile on. Lord! Forgive me, I have sinned! I am lusting
on my EX who is lusting on me. This damn hormones just
made me drop something on my panty liner. I felt a wet drip
down my liner and thank God I am wearing one. Guess what
we are parading to? Michael Buble, Nobody but you. The plan
is to be cheeky, laugh and dance a bit while the guys mime the
words from the front. It is cute but funny and crazy. I dance a
bit, the best I could and Tokello laughs out loud. I tried and I
think I was so cute doing it. I finish my robot move and rush to
stand in front and wait for others to join us.
The groom walks in with his mother and then everyone stand to
receive our bride. She takes her time walking down the aisle
with her father in hand. I am all smiles as she walks step by
step to the front. Tokello is watching me the whole time and I
am starting to get a bit hot here. He should keep his eyes to the
bride and groom. I am smitten tough...he looks too handsome.

*****

By four thirty we are set for reception.

Phew!! I am tired from the routine step I had to attempt to do. I
say attempt because dancing is a skill. Some of these guys
went for dancing classes. The moves they did were not part of
rehearsal. I am just happy we are done with dancing. All I have
to do is to watch Charlotte and her husband dance to Tank,
Nothing On.
Do you know what the lyric says? I wonder who picked the
song and approved it on the dance floor for the first dance.
Hopefully, no one listens to the song. All it says is, “Just make
sure when I get there you’re naked…Don’t have nothing on. I
want to see what I came for, Soon as I hit the door.”
The old people are ululating so I take they are not listening to
the words. The younger ones are enjoying the choreographed
moves that Charlotte and her husband are showcasing. I am
here getting wet with each word Tank is singing and Tokello
giving me an eye every second I glance at him.
Dinner time! Thank God. I can grab something to eat and rush
to my room to take off these damn heels. Yoh! I need those
pumps so bad.
I serve myself food and take the plate with me to my room.
Charlotte booked us rooms in this boutique hotel. I am grateful.
It is already after six thirty and my nap time is almost around
the clock. I usually sleep at seven and wake up at nine to work
or have supper. My eyes can attest to this, we need a nap.
I eat my supper while standing by the balcony of my room. I
have a view of the reception area. Everything is beautiful from
up here. The lights are so bright it almost looks like day time.
I finish the food and throw myself on the bed. Habits! After
supper we are suppose to sleep.
Fck it! I need a nap.
I take off the dress and careful place it on the couch on the
corner of the room. I will get into it later and run down to the
reception room and pretend that I have been there all along. I
take off the bra and throw it on the couch before putting on my
sleeping shirt. I just need a power nap.
I am deep in my sleep when I hear a knock on the door.
‘What the hell?’ I thought to myself while stamping to the door.
Can a girl get some sleep?
“There you are.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask and he slightly shift me so he
could enter. I am standing here in a shirt and a thong.
“I had to see you,” he says while taking off his jacket. I shut the
door and jump back to bed.
“Why?” I ask and he says nothing. He takes his shirt off while I
watch.
“I had to see you.”
“What are….what…” I try to ask but he smash his lips on mine.
He throws his white shirt on the floor and make me lie perfectly
on the bed.
I never thought we will ever get to this. All emotions are
flooding me. Is this right? Is this wrong? Should I care? Why did
he follow me to my room? His hands are cold on my skin but I
love the touch. He smells just like he always did and I still love
all of it. He smells expensive and that scent is not making me
sick, surprisingly. His whispering is hypnotising me and I love it.
“You are beautiful,” he whispers to my ear and I flinch a bit.
Does he mean it? It doesn’t matter, does it? I need this. I NEED
THIS!!!!
“What are you doing?” I ask again. I have to be sure.
“Sexy so sexy…You are sexy...so sexy…” he whispers. Why
does he sound like Tank now? He kisses me and I kiss back
while wrapping my arms on him. I miss him. I miss this.
“What…what are you doing? I am pregnant Tokello?”
“I know,” he says while pulling my sleeping shirt off. I lift my
arms so he could easily pull it out. He throws it on the floor and
grabs my boobs.
“Tok…”
“Babe…please…” he says while staring in my eyes. I blink and
he suck on my first breast with his other hand on the other bare
breast.
“Tokello…I am pregnant,” I warn him again but he doesn’t care.
I am still enjoying him on my chest when I feel him enter me
without a warning. It is done, no stopping this.
He thrashes me a few times, hitting them walls. I want to
scream just like he likes it but I don’t want to sound like a freak.
He is a stranger now. He thrashes me some more until I feel
that 'feeling' building up, ready to explode together with my
body.
“Tshepo…Tshepo…” I hear him scream. He screams so loudly
until his voice turns into a woman’s voice.
What the?
The feeling is building up but I am disturbed by his woman
voice.
“Tshepo…open up…Tshepo…” the voice follows the bang on
the door. I open my eyes, “Tshepo, open now.”
What the?
I storm to the door.
“Hey, why are you dressed like that? We have to do the last
routine dance for the guests before we change out of the
clothes,” Charlotte’s sister yells.
Did she just disturb my dream when I was about to cum? For a
routine dance? Really?
“What?”
“Dress up. We have to do the last routine dance before we
change to jeans for after party,” she says while walking into my
room.
Perfect! Just Fcn perfect!!! I slam the door. I was almost
cuming. Damn her!!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 50

MANDIWANA

Haaaa! Clap once!

Vho Nengwenda needs to go back to Venda now. This woman
vha a kutedzela mulilo. She can really put petrol on fire. I now
feel bad for Khathu who seems nothing but traumatised about
everything that has been going on this past week. He is not the
desirable man that he was when I first got here. He seems
stressed. Worse, because he cannot even see this Lufuno lady
of his.
How cruel can the police be?
Heeeyy, before I forget, lets discuss Khathu’s women! Where
does this man get these sexy and beautiful women from? I
mean, Lufuno is a damn gorgeous woman who has money
written all over her. She looks like money and smells like it too,
huh? Tshepo on the other hand is a beautiful coloured woman
who speaks Sotho perfectly and who looks so sexy while
pregnant. I want to know where Khathu fishes these women
from. Heee…and what was Mrs Nengwenda thinking? Making
me compete with such gorgeousness? I don’t have time for all
of that. I can’t wear long hair that flies when I walk. I cannot be
pregnant and walk in inches of heels like I am paid to do so.
Ebo…I cannot!
On a serious note, this man’s life is torn apart right now and I
am afraid I cannot be there for him without looking like I want
him for myself. Even if I did, Khathu has so much to deal with
and I don’t think I am strong enough to be with him. Where am I
going to take two children? My mother would get fits just by
knowing that I am marrying a man with two children. That
shouldn’t be a problem though. I for one cannot handle him.
It is Saturday morning and he is already up and reading
newspaper in the porch. I hope there is no story about him in
that paper, but the way he is glaring at it…there is something
that hit him.
He is also trying to be strong for Michelle but no one is strong
for him. His mother is just here giving orders of who he should
marry and who he shouldn’t.
“Khathu, would you like some tea?” I ask and he quickly looks
away. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah…I am fine,” he says and I sit on an empty chair. Haaa
shame, I cannot just watch him break down even more.
“You haven’t been fine since last night.”
“She doesn’t want me to be part of the baby’s life until birth,” he
says. Hao!! Is that all? I thought he is stressed about something
mooorreee...important, you know? This is also important but
Tshepo has valid reasons that Khathu needs to understand.
“Did she say why not?” I ask.
“She says she doesn’t want to stress…something like that…”
he says. Okay, I can tell him that I overheard him and her
arguing; and I take her side because of what she said but he
will think I eavesdrop all his conversations…so No…I cannot
tell him. But honestly speaking, she made sense to me. She
doesn’t want to cry over him or stress or be angry and all sorts
of emotions that pregnant woman suffers from…because that
might just complicate her pregnancy. I understand, I second
her. But you cannot tell that to a man like Khathu. He wants in
and he means it.
“I think it is for the best, don’t you think?”
“What? Why?”
“Because you don’t get to complicate your relationship with
Lufuno,” I say and he smiles. Give me Bells somebody…give
me Bells. I made Khathu smile.
“Maybe you are right,” he says after a sigh.
“So what are the police saying?”
“I don’t even want to know…I have so much to deal with right
now. Like that boy’s face keeps flashing in my face. I feel
responsible for his death and I don’t know what to tell his
parents.”
“But it wasn’t your fault?”
“What if the same guys are after me or Lufuno? I can’t help it…I
am worried…but I swear I would kill them with my bare hands if
they ever try to come close to my family…I dare them.”
With the way he is saying all of these, I believe he would kill for
his family.
“Ezwi azwo ngo naka? Isn’t this beautiful?” Mrs Nengwenda
comes to the porch with a huge mug of tea. I wonder where
Michelle is because she is supposed to be having breakfast
with her right now. She always says Khathu is confused. I say
he is way better than her. She was the one insisting that
Khathu marries Tshepo but she is here telling us how beautiful
we look together right now. Mxm.
“Please Ma…I don’t have the energy,” Khathu says with no
interest to entertain his mother. Who is taking care of her
fashion shop by the way? Those old ladies in Venda might be
needing her services but she is here complicating the poor
man’s life.
“Mulandu? What is your problem?” Mrs Nengwenda asks.
“No…I just don’t want you to start telling me what I need to do
about anything,” he says. He sounds pissed today.
“Okay…hai…I wanted to tell you that I am leaving later today,”
she says and Khathu stares at her.
“How are you going to travel home? The buses are gone by
now,” Khathu asks.
“I know I am not needed here…so I asked someone to organize
me a lift home.”
“Okay…fine.”
“Haaa Khathu,” I say.
“What? She wants to go…let her go, please.”
“Hai…let me go and pack up. Mandiwana…please help me get
ready,” Mrs Nengwenda says while leading the way to the
house. I quickly follow behind, trying to catch up with her to the
house. She leads the way to my room. Her bags are packed
and laid on the bed. I wonder what she needs me for.
“Mrs Nengwenda…musi your bags are all packed.”
“Yes. We needed to talk.”
“Oh…okay..” I say while sitting on the bed. She is also seated
aswell.
“I am worried about Khathutshelo.” We are all worried about
him. “Please take care of him.”
“I will try.”
“I have faith in you. You are the one for my son…I know it very
well,” she says and I chuckle. This woman!
“Mrs Nengwenda, you want Khathu to marry Tshepo because
she is pregnant with his child…have you changed your mind?” I
ask, for the fun of it.
“See, I pitied that girl…I wanted to make her feel better. How
am I supposed to hurt a pregnant woman?” she says. This old
woman has to leave. She has to leave and never come back
here.
“Okay…but I think Khathu knows who he wants to marry…he
loves Lufuno…even his baby momma mentioned it.”
“You know I don’t like that girl,” she says and I fold my arms to
my chest. Her face has changed from happy to annoyed.
“What is wrong with Lufuno?”
“She is just…just not perfect for my son.” Heee! Vho
Nengwenda is hard to please. What is not perfect about
Lufuno?
“I think you should stop stressing Khathu about useless things
you know? That man needs to get over this traumatic week,
please Mrs Nengwenda. I think the best we can do is to be
there for him and lend him an ear when we have to. Right
now…This thing of telling him what is right or wrong for him is
stressing him more.”
“You see? You are the only rightful for him. He needs a woman
like you to stand up for him.” Haike! I give up on this woman.
“Now go to the salon.”
“Excuse me?”
“Go to the salon and do something about that hair of yours,”
she says and I turn to the mirror. What is wrong with my
braidings? Okay they are a bit old…okay maybe too old but
what does she mean I should go to the salon. I don’t need to.
I am counting minutes and seconds before her lift arrives. She
is becoming too much.
“I am leaving for Venda and I want you to take care of Khathu
for me.”
Haibo!
“He has Lufuno for…”
“Is aunty Lufuno coming?” Michelle asks from the door. She
has a warmest smile ever. This happens whenever she speaks
of this woman.
“No, Lufuno is not coming,” I say and she drops her eyes. “But
we can go see her if she is not busy.”
“Really?” she asks. Heee... what did I get myself into?
“Yes,” I say with a fake smile. I was trying to cheer her up and I
ended up just blabbing.
“Let me go change into something nice.” Michelle runs out of
the room and Mrs Nengwenda gives me an evil eye. I rush out
of the room to let Khathu know of what my stupid mouth
announced to Michelle. The kid is honestly happy. Khathu
doesn’t mind at all so I call Lufuno for a meet up. She says she
is home but doesn’t mind to have us over. I cannot drive so I
have to call Uber to pay them hundreds of rands just for a forty
minutes’ drive.

Michelle is so excited. The Uber drops us by the door.

“You made it,” Lufuno says while opening the door for us. She
still looks angelic with just a t-shirt and leggings. Michelle jumps
on her with a hug and Lufuno receives her with a warm hug
back. I am just here watching, awkwardly.
“You didn’t come to my dinner,” Michelle says while following
Lufuno inside. She is not over it yet.
“Why don’t we prepare lunch together?” she asks and Michelle
nods.
“Aunty Mandy, are you joining us?” Michelle asks while taking
off her jacket.
“No…I want to taste your food today,” I say while sitting on the
couch. I can still be part of them while seated here. There are
no walls in this house...I forgot what they call this set-up.
“Thank you for bringing her,” Lufuno says with her eyes on my
hair. She is saying nothing about my hair but she has her eyes
on it. You know that eye that one gives you when something is
wrong somewhere? She is giving me that eye and I regret not
doing my hair.
“It’s my pleasure,” I respond.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Not now…I am fine.” I lie. I want something to drink but I am
afraid that if I even ask for water, she will ask me what kind of
water. Now I have to mention that I need blue or white water or
whatever is there. I rather go thirsty.
She goes back to the kitchen to start making lunch with
Michelle. I have never seen Khathu’s daughter so happy and
lively. She really loves this Lufuno’s girl. I have been trying to
cheer her up this past week but here she is, singing and
dancing with the woman of her dreams.
“My father was in jail. Did you know?” she says and Lufuno
glare at me. She overheard the conversation between me and
Oscar…Pistorius.
“But he is out now…isn’t he?” Lufuno says in a cheering voice.
She is trying, shame.
“But he is not happy anymore. I want to go home to my mommy
but she is not there. There is no one at my old home,” Michelle
says.
“Why do you want to go to your old home?”
“Because…daddy is always sad and I cannot ask him anything.
He doesn’t sleep too,” Michelle says and my heart is broken. I
didn’t know it was affecting her this much.
“Uhm…daddy will be fine.”
“Are you going to be my other mother?” Michelle asks. I clap
my hands once in my head. These kids of these days. I am
never allowed to ask things like these. Even today at almost
thirty, I cannot ask my mother if her boyfriend loves her or not.
“Uhm…God willingly.”
“What does that mean?” trust Michelle to ask you everything.
“It means if it is God’s will.”
“If you are going to be my new mom…then, why don’t I stay
with you for now until daddy is okay?”
“Uhm…no…” lufuno tries to say.
“You don’t want me?”
“No…no…it is just that…uhm…”
“You don’t like me?”
Hai, I am not going to be part of this. I am not getting myself
involved. Michelle can give you headache when she wants.
“I like you baby…but I don’t think it will be wise to…”
“Why not?”
Yes Michelle…ask her why not? I want to laugh at how Lufuno
looks scared and intimidated by a kid. She is glaring at me to
help.
No. I am not getting involved. If she is in Khathu’s life, she has
to deal with these. She might aswell start practicing by Michelle
before the new born comes, LOL.
“Uhm…” she sighs, “…you know what? I don’t mind,” Lufuno
says and I raise my brow.
“Really…Aunty Mandy…can we call dad that I stay with aunty
Lufuno until he gets better?” she asks and I shrug.
I pull my phone from the bag and give Michelle to ring her
father. She walks out of the room just like how her grandmother
does. I walk to Lufuno.
“Are you sure?” I whisper.
“Well…I love Khathu and I should learn to…do this…you
know?” she says with panic in her voice.
“Ohhh Okay...” I say and turn back to sit.
Let the step-mother take over.
I burry myself on the couch and wait for the step-child to come
back with the response from the father.

THE ONE

INSERT 51

LUFUNO

This is the first time I have a small child freak me out. I am

sweating up here, waiting for her to come back from wherever
she disappeared to with the phone. Even though I am keen to
do this, I also wish Khathu could tell her she cannot stay here
with me. I don’t know what to do with babies and kids…I don’t
know what to do with them. What do they eat and drink?
Michelle is adorable though. She has this warm smile and she
melts my heart whenever she chuckles.
Mandiwana is sitting on the couch with her arms folded to her
chest like she awaits to witness some serious event.
Michelle comes back happily jumping and from that, I know
Khathu gave her a go-ahead to stay here, for... I don’t know
how long.
“Daddy says I can stay until tomorrow…” she says while giving
her nanny the phone.
Phew!! Just one night.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to go to do your hair today?”
Mandiwana asks.
“Aunty Lufuno can take me, right?” she asks me with a cutest
smile.
“Yeah…infact we can all go to the salon.”
“No…I am fine,” Mandiwana says. She is the one who needs
the salon more than us but I won’t insist, maybe she doesn’t
want to bother me.
“Okay,” I say and shrug. It would have been nice to go with
both of them to the salon.
Michelle comes to the kitchen to help me finish grilling the beef
burgers. We have lunch while Michelle tells me all about school
and everything that goes down there. She literally does almost
all after-school activities. She is smart for her age, if I am not
mistaken. She talks a lot and all I do is admire her free spirit. I
want to be like her you know? Care less about what everyone
thinks and be me.
“Then I think I should get going.”
“Now? Are you not staying for lunch?” She didnt eat with us
because she said she was not hungry.
“No...I am not hungry...so I have to leave now. I want to go to
Marabastad now that Michelle is staying.”
“Oh…” I wish I could take her there but I can never drive in a
place like that unless I want to scratch my car and I don’t want
to sound rude by not helping her. “Do you want me to drive you
there?”
“No…I will use a taxi,” she says. Will she ever say ‘Yes’ to
anything I suggest? Do we have a problem maybe?
“Michelle, baby…don’t you want to water my flowers in the
garden outside?” I ask and she jumps off from the couch
happily. “Fold your jersey and let me show you how to do this.”
I lead the way to my flower garden and get her just little water
to keep her busy for just ten minutes when I have a chat with
her nanny. I show her what to do and then walk back to the
house. Mandiwana is in the kitchen with a glass, getting water
from the tap.
“I have bottles of water in fridge…wont…”
“I prefer tap water,” she says and then gulp the whole glass at
once.
“You can have juice aswell in the fridge.”
“No, thank you.”
I pull a kitchen chair and climb on it to settle.
“How is Khathu doing?” I ask and turn towards the sliding door
to the garden to make sure that Michelle is not anywhere close.
“He is okay…just not himself. He hardly sleeps but he says he
will be fine,” she says and my throat dries up.
“Does he eat…does he talk?” I am worried now and he doesn’t
want me to call so that I don’t complicate the case. But
honestly, I want to talk to him and cuddle with him and make
sure that he is fine.
“He does sometimes…but his mother is something else. That
woman has to leave instantly.”
“What about his mother?” I ask. The time I was there, she didn’t
look like she likes me.
“Well…I can’t talk much…I don’t want to end up sounding like I
am gossiping; you know?” she says. Just by that, she ruined
my day. There is more she knows and doesn’t want to tell.
“But do you think she has a problem with me?”
“Heeee…vho Nengwenda has a problem with everyone.”
“I see,” I say and fold my arms. The thought that she is going
back to Khathu while I am here is kinda twisted but it has to be
that way.
“Where can I get the taxi’s to Marabastaad?” she asks.
“I can drop you at Menlyn. I am sure you can get them
there…but you can still join us at the salon,” I say. She does
need it and I don’t want to be rude mentioning it.
“No, I will go next weekend,” she says while going to get her
handbag from the couch.
Next weeken? Okkaayyy.
I get Michelle from the garden and we drop Mandiwana at
Menlyn taxi rank before heading to the salon. She picks the
corns rows with beads at the ends. I like it for her too and she
has good taste. I also pick the corn rows to match hers. I get
her PJs and tomorrow’s clothes aswell.
I think I am doing great at this nanny thing. I know I am a bit of
clumsy around her but she does listen to what I say and she is
not nagging.
For the first time in ages, I get to stop worrying about work. I
would have been calling Gean and the rest of the team to find
out how everything is at Charlotte’s wedding. I sent her flowers
this morning but I am sure she was worried that I was not there.
I bet everything went well. They should be concluding the
wedding by now. I should be glad I got an excuse not to go to
that wedding. I don’t think I am ready to face Tshepo again.
She is one mountain I don’t know how to climb.
“Aunty Lufuno, am I sleeping with you?” Michelle asks while
changing into her new PJs.
“Yes baby…you can sleep here with me.”
“Who is Mukhethwa?” she asks and I quickly turn to her.
“Where did you get that?” I ask and she points at a small
picture frame next to a vase of flowers. I framed a name and
placed it there. It has been there always, it is part of the room.
“Mukhethwa is my angel.”
“Did she also die?” she asks and I get a lump on my throat.
What does this kid know about death? “My papa told me that
Mommy has an angel. She was in mommy’s tummy and I was
happy that i was going to meet her…but papa said she went to
heaven because God needed her.”
I don’t say anything.
“Mommy was sad for long and she didn’t want to talk to me but
I told her I love her and I am sorry about her baby,” she says
and shrugs. Oh my God this child. “Mommy was always angry
and sad but daddy said I should give her time to heal. I miss
her when she is fun like when I was younger.”
I want to cry so bad but I cant. I cannot believe she went
through that. I know how terrible her mom could have treated
her from the anger of losing a child.
“Baby…” I don’t know what to say to this child.
“So is Mukhethwa your angel because she died?” she asks and
I find myself nodding.
“Yes…” Should I be talking about death and all these with a
seven year old? Are kids like her supposed to know about
heaven and babies in tummies?
“I know she is a beautiful angel like you,” she says with a smile
and I felt it. It feels like she is mending my heart this instant.
“Thank you.”
“You know what daddy says about angels?” she says. By now I
know daddy is Khathu and papa is her mother’s husband.
“What?”
“He says they never leave you because they stay in your heart
and make you happy all the time,” she says while jumping into
bed.
“Do you believe that?” I ask.
“Yes…I used to cry when Mommy didn’t want to sit with me that
time and daddy told me that mommy's angel is in my heart and
her job is to make me happy everytime…I stopped crying.”
This is all I needed. To know that my baby is in my heart and
that is just enough.
“Thank you baby.”
“Now I can pray for us.”
“What?”
“Don’t you pray when you sleep? So that you don’t get bad
dreams?” she asks while positioning her hands for prayer.
I need this child in my life. I close my eyes and she mumbles a
prayer. She touched me when she asks God to make her father
happy again. I turn off the side lamb after taking my evening
medication.

I am woken by the TV light. The sound is minimal but the light

is blazing in my eyes. I should get my eyes checked out for real
this time. I turn to Michelle and she is seated watching cartoons
with her cute arms folded to her chest.
“Michelle, please switch on the light for me?” I ask. Atleast if the
main light is on, I will be fine. She goes and switches the lights
on and comes back to sit beside me. The clock on the wall says
seven but I am still so sleepy.
I should say, this is the longest I have slept recently. I am
always up thinking about Khathu and how he is doing. I want to
call him but I am told to not complicate the case. I want to go
down the police station to find out the progress but I cannot do
that with Michelle behind me. It will have to wait until
tomorrow.
“Can I stay today too?” Michelle asks.
“What about school?”
“Aunty Mandy can bring my clothes for school,” she says. Oh,
flip! I don’t have Mandy’s phone and Khathu blocked me so that
we do not end up calling each other. I don’t have a choice but
to just drive there and drop her or ask Mandy to convey the
message for me to Khathu. Life can be so complicated, hey?
But I understand, he has to play by the rules and he is scared
to lose his career over this. The scary part is having him fall out
of love with me due to this conditions. We don’t talk or text and
this can just damage our bond. All I do is hope for the best. I
want to be with him. That little voice that everyone talks about
tells me it is him I should give my heart to. For once, I am doing
just that. I am doing what I feel is right.
“We will definitely go after lunch.”
She chooses to wear the new leggings I got her, a white long
shirt and a denim jacket.
“Michelle, don’t you want to wear the jeans instead? It will get
cold soon.”
“I love the leggings Aunty Lufuno,” she says. The details on the
side are pretty, I understand. After lunch I drive to Khathu’s
house with the plan that Michelle will get to the house and
speak to Mandiwana. If she is not there, we agreed that she will
come tomorrow after school.
I park behind a Red porche and Michelle looks excited. As I
park beside it, I can see a woman shouting and screaming with
her finger pointed at Khathu. They notice my car and they both
turn towards me. The woman rushes to where I am parked
almost breaking her legs from the way she is running in
stilletos.
“Mommy…” Michelle says while opening the car door.
“Michelle, why are you wearing a legging when it is cold?” she
says while helping her out of the car. She hugs her for a little
while before asking her to go inside her house to pack her
clothes. I want to come out of the car but this woman looks
pissed. I want to reverse, but that would be rude of me.
“Khathu, what did I say about beads on Michelle’s hair?” she
asks with her hands on her waist. Khathu doesn’t have a choice
but to walk closer to the car.
“Julia, please I don’t have time for you…you cannot just leave
my child and up to wherever you were and still want to control
what we do with Michelle, no…”
“We? We? Who is we here? Didn’t we agree that Michelle will
be introduced to your wife if you ever marry? Are you not
confusing my child?”
“Please man...Lufuno will be my wife…why not now?” Khathu
says and I smile with my hands on the steering wheel. He still
wants me. That’s a good feeling.
“And that coloured girl you brought to the school play? Huh?”
That should be Tshepo.
“Julia…please go inside and pack your baby’s clothes and
leave my house.”
“What?”
“You heard me…I am not going to allow you to come here and
demands things at your terms. I know what I am doing and I
have Michelle’s best interests at heart.”
“Shipping your baby to stay with a girlfriend I don’t even
know?”
“You don’t even know what my reasons are…and you are not
even asking…so just take your child and leave if you think that
is best. I need to deal with you through the court Julia. I am
tired of your crap…honestly.”
“Says a man who is wanted for murder and all.”
Oh No! Mara why? I am fuming by now but I cannot get out of
this car. I dont want Michelle to find me arguing with her
mother.
“Please leave my house Julia…please leave my house…” he
says while walking to her car. He opens the driver’s door and
wait for her to jump.
“I am not leaving here without my child. I can’t trust any of you.”
Now I wish to take Michelle away from this bitter woman. I am
still seated in the car. I don’t want fists to fly on me or her. And I
am trying not to over work my heart but what she are doing to
Khathu is killing me.
Michelle comes back from the house following Mandiwana who
has her bags parked.
“Go change her leggings into something warm,” she directs
Mandiwana who is looking at her funny. She shouldnt have.
“Change her into jeans yourself... All her things are here in all
this bags,” Mandiwana says while putting all the bags on the
ground, not in the car boot. She turns away and leave Julia
standing with her arms crossed. Michelle jumps at the back
seat after waving at me. I honestly saw sadness in her eyes.
What is wrong with this woman? Shouting infront of the child?
Khathu walks to my side of the car.
“Sorry, you had to see that…”
“Its fine…how are you?”
“I’ll be fine,” he says.
“You don’t look fine.”
“There is a lead and the police told me they will give me more
info tomorrow…now go…you shouldn't be here and we
shouldn't complicate the case, you know?” he says.
“Yes,” I say while staring in his eyes.
“I love you,” he says and kisses me through the window. It felt
like a stolen moment and I enjoyed that two second kiss. I
wished for more. “Now, go.”
He walks to the back seat of the porche while I reverse. The
mother is still shouting while throwing the bags in the boot of
the car.
I let out a sigh as I watch them through the rear view mirror.
Is this what they call baby mama drama?
“Brace yourself Lufuno,” I whisper to myself as I accelerate
away from Monavoni into the freeway to Pretoria East.

THE ONE

INSERT 52
TSHEPO

“It’s a boy…it’s a boy,” I hear my mom scream in excitement.

I open my eyes and the inside of the cake is indeed blue.
Today is my baby shower and also the gender reveal party as
Charlotte calls it. I was willing to know the gender when the
baby is born but I got pretty anxious about not knowing. Just
like everyone, I was now dying to know if it is a boy or girl.
“Oh, my God…it’s a booyyy?” I say with tears threatening to fill
up my eyes. I had prayed so much for a boy so that a girl won’t
have to be heart broken by men just like what I went through. I
have no idea what to do as a mother but this boy will teach me
exactly what I need to know. I can just imagine him as
handsome as his father. He won’t be as dark but I can just
imagine how cute he will be.
Mum takes the knife from my hand and continues to cut the
cake while my few friends and family hug me, congratulating
me on the boy. I know, I know…the doctor might be mistaken,
but I consulted with Dr Mula and Dr Robbie; and the results
where the same. Charlotte told me so because she is the one
who collected the results from both my GP and Gyne.
“Now I can shop for boys’ clothes,” Mum says while hugging
me. She insisted on coming to the baby shower and I am glad
she did.
“You thought it was a girl,” I say while carefully landing on my
couch.
“Those morning sickness you had throughout? I was sure it
was a girl.”
I was literally sick the whole pregnancy. It was either I was
grumpy or didn’t have appetite. The morning sickness and
heart burn were the worst.

It was a long day but I had fun with my family. Now I am

exhausted from posing with hundreds of people and smiling for
the camera all day. Bakang and his friends are packing my
presents into his car to take to my parents’ house. Apparently a
pregnant woman cannot stay by herself, in case she goes on
labour. I still have two more weeks before the delivery day. I
just need one last night all by myself before I move back home.
I will be renting my apartment out until I am capable of nursing
my child all by myself.
The babyshower was hosted at a boutique hotel in Midrand and
everything looked absolutely gorgeous. If Charlotte didn’t know
how much I don’t like Lufuno, I would have thought it is her
company that hosted us. But she assured me that Lufuno was
never part of any of these.
I am sitting here waiting for Charlotte to drive me to my
apartment. I left the house, thinking I am coming here for a
massage, only to find my family seated and waiting for me. She
still owes me a full body massage...I so neeed it.
“Remember I told you my husband’s friend saw you at the
wedding?” she asks while leading the way to my apartment. We
are now at my complex. She has my bags and I am dragging
my feet behind her.
“Charlotte…please…”
“What is wrong with you? It’s not like you are in a relationship
or something?”
“Seriously Charlotte?”
“I am damn serious…when last did you see Khathu?”
“I don’t need to see him,” I say. The last time I saw him was at
his house, visiting his mother and that was it, many months
ago. He hasn’t bothered me since then and his family never
came to mine for any chat or whatsoever. My father is pleased
because then the baby will belong to my family. I am saddened,
even though I am the one to shush him away. It was for the
best though because I cried less and never had much room to
be angry about him and his girlfriend.
“I am worried about you,” she says. “I am hooking you up…and
here you are playing hard to get.”
“I am not playing hard to get…I just don’t want to complicate
things.”
“Complicate what thing? You making room for Khathu to come
back into your life, ain't you? I think the dude is happy wherever
he is…I mean, he didn’t even force to be in your life after you
told him to stay away…if he really loved you, then he would
have made means…but where is he now?”
Truth hurts sometimes. I just had that little hope but I know I am
just fooling myself.
“Do you want tea?” I ask as we get into the house.
“I will make us tea…it is fine,” she says while proceeding to the
kitchen. I settle on the couch and switch on to TLC. This is my
birth preparation channel. I watch those scary birth stories so
that I prepare myself for the worst scenario.
“Do you think I should invite Khathu when I give birth? I had
always wished for the father to be there for support and that
bond, you know?” I ask. I have been conflicting myself with this
question.
“I think you should invite him…but be prepared for anything.”
“What’s anything?”
“What if the girlfriend doesn’t want him to be there with you?”
“Do you think it can get to that?”
“Yes, why not? I know a colleague of mine who was in your
situation…the ex husband asked if his new woman can be
there for moral support.”
“What? Lufuno is not coming near my baby at birth.”
“Why do you hate her so much?”
“Do you hear yourself Charlotte? I know she is your favourite
person…but really? How can you be this insensitive?” I ask and
she shrugs. I might be over reacting but I don’t need Lufuno in
my delivery room. If Khathu has to choose between us, fine, he
can choose her all over again!
“Sooo…what are you doing with this apartment. It is so cosy
and beautiful.”
“I am renting it. I plugged an AD but no responses yet. I will let
Bakang handle it once I get home,” I say.
“So when are you moving out?”
“Tomorrow…most of my things are gone. I just have a luggage
bag and toiletries in my bedroom, Mum wants me home ASAP.”
Charlotte only leave when it was already time to sleep. Problem
is, I can’t easily fall asleep. I get a lot of Braxton Hicks and they
are getting intense by the day.
I toss and turn until I pick my phone for Facebook. First, I
unblock Khathu’s cell number from the caller list and
whatsapp.
Flip! I forgot I blocked him. But if he really needed to talk, he
would have made the means. I wish to call him and ask how he
is doing, but the thought of calling at this hour and having his
precious girlfriend pick the phone is making me sick so I let it
go.
I think of leaving an SMS to let him know I am going on labour
in a few weeks, but it will be too obvious that I need his
attention and that is just embarrassing.
My phone beeps an SMS.
“I am interested in renting your apartment.” – An SMS from a
stranger at 23h30. Who does that?
“When do you want to move in?” I respond back on WhatsApp.
Blame it on the boredom.
“How soon can I move in? I am desperate.”
“As soon as Monday. I am moving out tomorrow.”
“Do you allow pets? I have a dog.”
“No pets, No parties and no overcrowding the apartment,” I
respond. Why didn’t I hand this to a property management
team? I shouldn’t be dealing with tenants.
“Where is this apartment?” the potential tenant asks and I leave
the name of the building without the unit number. They will
have to call me before knocking on my door.
I toss and turn until I made it to fall asleep.

I am woken up by a bang that sounds like Bakang’s. He knocks

like a man and I am easily irritated. Since the pregnancy, I am
irritated easily so I storm to the door in a tank top and pj shorts.
“Whaatttt?” I shout after opening the door.
What the heck? What is a handsome man doing on my door
step?
He is standing infront of me with one hand in the pocket. Since
when do they make coloured man this fine?
“We spoke last night,” he says with a smile.
“We did?” I ask. I had an impression I was chatting to a woman
and that was just minutes ago.
“We did…”
“But, wait a minute…I never gave you my unit number,” I say. I
gave him the complex but never a unit number. He stares into
my eyes and smile sweetly. I am here standing in Bakang’s old
tank top and invisible shorts. I don’t even want to think about
how my hair looks like. Once I sleep, I sleep…unless we need
to pee.
“I asked around,” he says and I hesitate to let him in. This is
how you let strangers kidnap you and kill you without anyone
knowing, “Okay, I got it from Charlotte.”
“Oh…” I slowly open the rest of the door and let him in. He
walks in slowly and takes a look around the kitchen. Thank
God, Charlotte cleaned up for me last night, or else I would
have been embrassed right now. I am so lazy these days.
“This is a beautiful apartment…why are you renting it out?” he
asks. I am still here when I should have rushed to my bathroom
to get cleaned up. I don’t even know what time it is.
“Uhm…I cannot be myself, can i?" I ask while showing off the
belly. "So you can only rent for six months or so.”
"Six months...fair."
“Please take a sit, I will be back in a minute.”
I rush to my bedroom and lock the door. I don’t even want to
look myself in the mirror.
“whaattttt??” I silently scream to myself. I didn’t put on a head
wrap before bed so my hair is all over the show. My chubby
cheeks are so swollen and I am wearing the most horrible
sleep-wear ever…and I am fully pregnant so I obviously look
like a hippo.
“Tall, sexy talking handsome coloured man?” I text Charlotte
and brush my teeth while I wait for the responds.
“He insisted.”
“He is the guy from the wedding??????” I text back.
“Yes…and he needed a place to rent.”
“What a coincidence,” I respond with a hundred ‘rolling eyes’
emojis.
“He is a very nice guy…don’t dare kick him out.”
“You should have told him I was pregnant…or atleast let me
give birth first,” I text.
“I told him.”
What? Where does he want to take a pregnant woman?
“I don’t understand,” I text back. I would have loved to call but I
know she is still in bed with her husband.
“I told him about you and Khathu and the baby. Look Tshepo, I
have to give my husband another round of morning glory. So I
have to go. Don’t tell him I told you about him…just let him do
his thing.”
Ewww!! But how I miss a good morning glory!
Morning glory? All things glory!!!!
I get cleaned up and put on a simple dress before rushing back
to my guest. He is watching TV when I get to the living room.
Guess what the time is? Seven thirty. I should be angry at him
but I am not. I usually wake up after nine o’clock on a day like
this. I attend the evening church service.
“I thought you will be coming tomorrow…”
“I had to urgently get here. I am sorry I made it so early…I
drove all the way from KZN last night and I thought maybe the
place will be available instead of booking a hotel room…I am
sorry,” he sweetly says.
“It’s okay…I uhm…I am just not prepared and I never got to
clean the apartment before you arrived. I am only moving out
today.”
“You don’t have to worry yourself…I will clean up and stuff,” he
responds.
I like his dimples. They not deep but I can trace them with each
smile. His hair is dark and he didn’t tream his bead but still look
sexy.
“Do you…” I am struck by a Braxton Hick but this one is tighter
than them all.
“Are you okay?” he asks and I nod. I can literally hear my Mum
screaming at me for being stuborn. I should have moved back
home a month ago but I needed my space to deal with
everything.
“Ouch!” I say silently. No, this is no more an exercise. It feels
more worse than what I have been getting weeks ago. My
stomach is frozen…followed by a sharp minor pain.
“Grab a seat,” he says while standing. I can see panic in his
eyes.
What was he thinking, showing up at people’s places before
eight?
“Ouch!” I say with another sharp pain shooting straight into my
stomach. Okay, I think I should activate that plan I had always
prepared for.
“What should I do?” he asks.
“Uhm…first I need to call Mum…then she will…she will call the
hospital to…to be ready for me…and while she drives
here…we need to call Khathu,” I say while trying to do the
breathing exercise.
“Why don’t we just go to the hospital? I can take you there,” he
says.
“Fine, fine,” I say while standing from the couch. Get
my…hospital bag from my closet, it is pink in colour…also pick
my handbag on the pedestal,” I say and he rushes to the
direction of my room, “Don’t mind the mess…I didn’t make the
bed.”
He comes back pulling the bag prepared for hospital. I know it
is a huge luggage bag but it is better to be over prepared than
less. He has my bag hung on his shoulder.
Shouldn’t this be Khathu? How I wish.
He leads the way of the apartment and I follow behind. I know
the possibility of being returned from the hospital because ‘false
alarm’ but I was told to rush there whenever I don’t understand
anything.
The pain is bearable, honestly speaking, but the hicks has
turned into serious contractions.
“My name is Matt by the way…Matthews,” he says while
reversing out of the complex.
“Tshepo,” I say and he smiles.
“I know.”
He had to meet on the day of all these happenings. I know I
don’t look sexy with all the pain overpowering me every few
minutes.
I pull my phone to call Mum and Khathu, but it dies while I was
unlocking it.
“Just perfect,” I hiss before I am attacked by a mini contraction.
“Uhm…Tshepo I had always wanted to ask you on a date. See
I first saw you at Charlotte’s engagement party last year…” he
says while focusing on the road.
Who on earth asks for a date when someone is about to give
birth?
“Can you go on a date with me?” he asks and I shake my
head.
What does he want me to say? Yes, I am about to give birth
right now but when I am done we can go on a date? Come
ooonnnn! I have serious things to take care of, right now.
When we get to the hospital, he helps me to the maternity
ward.
Where is Khathu Neng….. where is Khathu when I need him?
The struggle with his surname though!!!
This stranger guy helps me, shame. He helps me sign the
papers and roll the bag for me to my delivery room. I settle on
the bed there.
“Please call Charlotte to call my parents,” I say and he nods
while punching his phone and then put it on his ear.
Isn’t he just an angel? It is only clicking now that I might have
been in a dilemma if I woke up thirty minutes later than I did
and alone in the house, with a low battery phone.
“I will go on a date with you,” I say.
He smiles at me.
“Oh Charlotte, she is about to give birth…” he says on the
phone while walking out of the room.
God-sent? Maybe…maybe Not?
My smile is interrupted by a longer contraction!

THE ONE

INSERT 53

KHATHUTSHELO

“We need a holiday…don’t we?” I ask Lufuno who is cooking. I

am seated on a corner couch in the living room, watching her
do her thing, looking so damn fine while at it.
“How about Maldives?” she asks while taking off the baking
gloves. She sashays to me and sit on top of me. “I have always
always wanted to go to Maldives…I had always been waiting
for the right one to go with. How about we go there next week?”
“Next week?” I ask. Next week could make sense to drive down
to Durban or fly to Cape Town.
“Yes…can you get some time off?” she asks and then pouts.
How can I say 'no' to such beauty?
“Babe, for Maldives...I should look at my finances you know?” I
say and she smiles. The last time I looked at Maldives travels,
the quote ended at over fifty grand for just one person. I cannot
just rock up there with the baby on the way.
“Look, I have a token with a free stay in The Finolhu Villas for a
week…I have been saving on this travel account so we can just
add few more days and stay longer…or stay just a week.”
“Are you serious?” I ask and she nods. In that case, I can take
care of the rest of the trip.
I am glad we chose to do us. I have been happy and she has
been happier. Even though there are some cases we choose
not to dwell on, we are doing just fine.
My daughter doesn’t visit when Lufuno is around though. Julia
makes so much noise, I decided to let her be. Julia is hurting
that baby and one day she will turn to be so rebellious against
both me and her mother. I don’t mean to spoil her but I give her
an opportunity to express herself. She should tell me what she
wants and what she thinks is best for her little life and if it
possible, I give it to her. I hustle for her as much as I hustle for
her sister or brother on the way. I have already set up a trust
fund for the baby and I know it will be so expensive raising him
or her. Maake will make sure to compete with me so I have to
be armed for my responsibilities. Anyway, I wish for all my kids
to have the best life that I didn’t have.
“So I am going to call Pentravel tomorrow to unlock the token
and book the flights,” she says happily.
She deserves a holiday. This year might be the worst for her.
With people stealing from her and her health going south, she
deserve a little holiday just to unwind. I need it too.
Her ex and his friend are still on the run. I should commend
them, they are too smart for our justice system but they won’t
run forever. The police raided Zodwa’s house in Olievan but
Muzi was gone. Like ghosts, they disappeared into thin air. I
just pray they don’t do anything stupid to Lufuno or anyone
close to me.
They should not dare me.
Mr Mkhize haven’t made me partner but things are looking
good.
All things are going great for me except…the issue with
Tshepo. She still hasn’t unblocked my phone. I tried to respect
her wishes but it hasn’t been great without knowing how she is
doing. What I do now is stalk her on her social media. She
posts now and then and she still looks as beautiful. She hasn’t
posted recently but her friends tag her in pictures when they go
out and that’s how I get to see how she is doing.
My mother still doesn’t want to send my uncles to her family.
She claims it is them who should bring the matter to the family.
That’s what I also know but the last time Mr Maake was in my
office, he wanted it to be my family that approaches him. I wish
for them to bend these culture differences, I need to be part of
my child’s life. I don’t want her or him to ever blame me for
never being there.
“Babe…are you okay?” Lufuno asks, snapping me out of my
thoughts.
“What? Yeah…” I say and she moves back to the couch.
“What’s on your mind?” she asks. I can either lie and say I am
planning the vacation in my head or tell the truth. I have learnt
the hard way with Tshepo so I settle to tell the truth, no matter
how much it will hurt the next person.
“I am thinking about Tshepo and the baby,” I say and she folds
her arms.
“What about her?”
“Nothing…just how she is doing with the baby…she should be
giving birth in the next two weeks.”
“Another reason we should go to this holiday...after two week
everything is going to change,” she says and I pull her to me.
“Come on babe…I told you not to work yourself up about this. I
am going to make this work for all of us...me, you and the
baby.”
“I am just worried that things might change you know? What if
you choose them over me? I have no one and these past
months have been the best.”
“I will not intentionally hurt you…I promise,” I say before
planting a kiss on her lips. “So, what were you saying?”
“I wanted to ask if you are joining me for the vacation shopping
this week?” she asks.
“Shopping with you? Neeevvverr… the last time I did, we spent
the whole day.”
“Oh please…it wasn’t that bad.”
“It was…so go shop for us. I am not going anywhere.”
“Fine,” she says standing up. “I will buy you ugly shorts and
those brown sandals.”
“And ruin your instagram pics? I bet not.”

Our vacation is set for Monday morning. Lufuno is over the

moon about it and I sure am looking forward. Her Instagram
posts are a count-down to the big day. I took a week and a half
off so I over worked myself this past week. Two major accounts
sealed...more pressure on Mr Mkhize to make me partner.
It is Sunday afternoon and Lufuno is doing her nails while I
watch from this salon’s couches. We were in the mall for lunch
but then she remembered the precious nails. I am checking the
Maldive’s pictures on Instagram. This will be one of the best
vacations ever. It should have been my honeymoon vacation
but I don’t think I am to get married the soonest.
My phone rings and I ignore the call. I hate unknown numbers
because you end up talking to people looking for the wrong
people or selling policies of some sort.
“Tshepo has a boy,” a text message says and I jump from the
couch while dialing the number that texted me.
“Charlotte…hello…” she says as she answers the phone.
“Yes..where is Tshepo?”
“Mediclinic Midstream…I will text you the ward number,” she
says.
“Thanks, I will be there in few minutes,” I say while walking to
Lufuno.
“Hey babe…you good?” she asks.
“Yah…Tshepo has a baby. We have to leave now.”
“Uhm, do you want me to come with?” she asks.
Ofcourse! It starts now.
Luckily she was done, just shining the nails, whatever they call
it. She picks her bag and we rush to the hospital. I open the text
message sent by Tshepo’s friend and rush to the ward. There
are chairs and couches next to her private ward.
“Babe…I am not coming in,” she says. She sits on a couch next
to the coloured guy who is seated with headsets on. He should
be here with Tshepo’s family but I don’t know him. I walk in to
Tshepo and her family seated happily in the room.
Oh God, I have a son. All the balloon in the room are blue.
“Uhm…can I please come in?” I say. Mr Maake gaze at me with
so much anger but I dont care. Tshepo has the baby in her
chest.
“We are going to get coffee…right my love,” Mrs Maake says to
her husband. He hesitate to walk out but he finally follows his
wife without saying a word to me.
“I am also going outside…Matt and I will go grab lunch. He
hasn’t eaten anything,” Charlotte says.
“Tell him to go home. He has been here since morning,”
Tshepo says.
“As if he will listen to me,” she says while grabbing her bag
from the floor. “Do you need anything?”
“Chocolates,” Tshepo says. Can this damn friend leave
already?
“Not good for the baby…I’ll get you apples,” she says and
disappear.
I walk closer to the bed so that I can carry my son for the first
time. I missed his birth.
“He is so beautiful,” she says while preparing the blanket to
pass him to me.
I have a son.
“He looks just like me,” I say with a smile. I thought it was
another girl and I was ready for one. I did a great job with
Michelle. I knew deep down in my heart I wished for a son but
didn’t want to get disappointed if it turns out to be a girl.
“The doctor is coming with the results,” she says. I can see
worry in her eyes but I don’t want to jump into conclusions. I
haven’t seen Tshepo in months and it feels good to be around
her and our son.
“Is everything okay?” My heart is throbbing now. Why would the
doctor be coming with tests?
“After birth the baby was under some few tests but the doctor
wanted to confirm something regarding jaundice.”
“Is it bad?” I ask while glaring at my son.
“I pray not.”
The doctor walks in minutes later.
“Good day…how are we doing?”
“I am still super exhausted,” Tshepo says.
“You should be…you did a great job earlier.”
“Uhm…so the results?” I ask. I need to know that all is well with
my boy. I can see Tshepo is fine.
“Well, yes the baby has jaundice but you shouldn’t worry…”
“We shouldn’t worry? Why not?” I jump in.
“Jaundice is a common, temporary and usually harmless
condition in newborn infants hence I say do not worry as yet. I
will monitor the baby for these few days that you are in
hospital…if breastfeeding doesn't reduce the bilirubin then we
will use the phototheraphy. We will put the baby under the light
to eliminate bilirubin in the blood. Your baby's skin and blood
absorb these light wave and he should be fine.”
“How long can it take?” I ask.
“It should disappear in a week or two…if not, then we will
explore severe treatment…but you shouldn’t worry.”
Two weeks.
“Okay…I will try breastfeeding,” Tshepo says.
“If it doesn’t disappear before you leave…then I will have to
allocate phototheraphy and a nurse to monitor the baby from
home.”
I stay with Tshepo for a little while until the parents are back.
“I will see you tonight, okay?” I say while handing the baby back
to the mother.
Lufuno is not seated at the couches outside so I head to the
car. She is here playing with her phone.
“Hey, babe…sorry I kept you waiting,” I say as I get into the
driver’s seat.
“How is she?” she asks. I can’t read her face.
“It’s a boy.”
“That’s nice. Congrats!”
This is awkward! I never pictured the first time I would be telling
her the news and how her reaction will be.
I start the car and drive us out of the hospital. I just need to take
her home so that I can go back there later with some few stuff
for the baby and Tshepo.
“Do you want to go baby shopping with me? I need to buy
some few clothes and stuff to use,” I say and she doesn’t
respond. “Okay, let me go alone today and we will do proper
shopping together.”
“Alright.”
I get to my place and lead the way to the house with all the
shopping bags. She did more shopping earlier before the nail
appointment.
Eish, I still have to tell her the news.
“Babe, I think we need to postpone the vacation,” I say.
“Are you serious?” she asks with a sad face.
“Yes…babe it will be unfair for me to travel now and leave
Tshepo to stress about the baby alone. The baby has jaundice
and the doctor has to monitor it for days before starting the
phototheraphy… it will take two weeks for it to finally
disappear.”
“Wow,” she says and swallows hard.
“I am sorry babe…I want to do what is right,” I say. “Lufuno, are
you okay?”
“Yeah…I saw this one coming…it’s just so painful that it is
happening now. Again, you are the one to ruin my
vacation…but I understand.”
“We can postpone.”
“The time you book with the token, it is done. I will just have to
lose it or go there alone,” she says. She stands from the couch
and walks to the bedroom. I understand, she was super excited
about this vacation.
I follow to the bedroom and find her packing the luggage.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I am going.”
“No, how can you go to Maldives alone?”
“I don’t want to come between you and your family…so I am
going.”
“Really?”
“What do you want me to do? This is the first of the hundred
situations we are going to be in. We have to both sacrifise for
us to work, are we not?”
“Yeah…but I thought you understand.”
“This is me understanding.”
“How?”
“What do you want me to do? Stay here and watch you go
spend the week with them until the baby is better? I am giving
you that room while I go on this vacation. I need it. I think I
should just go...worse it is worth more than hundred grand.”
Well, I don’t know!
She continues to pack all the things she bought the previous
week, including the lingerie and bikinis she bought for me.
“Are you testing me?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Lufuno…I don’t want you to go.”
“What do you want me to do here? I already took a week off. I
scheduled my week off and I am never going to have another
week off until the next five months. I need this vacation Khathu,
you know that well,” she says.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“Would it be fair for me to say I don’t want you going to see
your family? No…you will call me selfish…and here I am, telling
you I am going to this vacation that we planned together…you
will be selfish to stop me.”
“Lufuno, if you go to this vacation…then I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? I don’t know too.”
She continues packing.
“You need to learn to sacrifise…really.”
“So should you. Why can’t you let me go? I am so used to
doing things alone, this won’t even hurt me. I am trying to be so
understanding Khathu…but if your definition of understanding,
is me staying here to watch you running between work and
hospital then you are unfair. Just let me go,” she says.
How do I let her go to a vacation like that all alone? Why can’t
she just understand that we can’t go right now. We can always
call and make arrangement.
“Okay, I have to go by the stores before they close…then I will
drop off a few things to Tshepo.”
“I will Uber home so that I drive to the airport without a hustle
tomorrow morning,” she says without looking at me.
I shrug and walk out.
I guess we will just have to see...we will just have to see.

THE ONE

INSERT 55

TSHEPO

Oh, okaaayyyy!!
I am all smiles.
Brother man walks into my ward with take-away box from
Wimpy and a cup of tea. Damn the boy looks nothing like
yesterday. He is wearing a brown tan suit and a light blue shirt,
tucked into an unbelted pants...I had to be specific. He slightly
bends when putting the food on the table and I see the silver
side adjusters on his pants. Those pants fit perfectly and I
swear I can trace the six pack underneath the shirt. He has
trimmed his beard and has his hair styled, nothing like
yesterday.
I am sitting here, all wet, staring at my tenant and wishing to
shout, “Haalleeluyah!”.
Why do I have to be in this hospital? In pyjama sets all day?
“They didn’t have freshly baked muffins, I got you a slice of
cake instead,” he says with a smile. I swear this guy has
invisible dimples.
“Thank you…that is even perfect,” I say.
“How did you guys sleep?” he asks while sitting at the corner of
the room.
“We slept well, thank you. How did you find the apartment,” I
ask.
“Very…artistic and cosy. I can tell you are a best interior
designer,” he says.
Oh he knows that I am an interior designer?
What more does he know about me? I bet Charlotte told him
almost everything. I will just await for our date when I am out of
this pyjamas. When I am slaying in a perfect dress or jumpsuit,
I just can’t wait to be myself again.
“So…do you always dress like that for work?” I ask and beat
myself up in my head. That was a very stupid and
embarrassing question.
Why did I even ask?
“Most days…if I have meetings and need not to be in a
workshop. Why? Is it too basic?” he asks.
“Too basic? No, its…dope,” I say.
Who calls what he is wearing basic? Basic is a checked shirt
and brown chinos paired with brown shoes. This right here is
what I like the most, perfection.
“Dope? I can accept that,” he says with a charming smile.
“So, ain’t you running late for work? It is already after seven?”
“You are right,” he says after checking his watch. It’s like he
snapped out of a dream. He promised to come back in the
evening but I kindly stopped him. My father asked once who he
was and I told him a friend who brought me here. I don’t want
my parents to find him here again or else I will never hear the
end of it.
He agrees, provided that i will still go on a date with him once I
am out and ready to do so.

Khosi and I are discharged on a Wednesday morning. My boy

is doing just fine and the breastfeeding is helping with jaundice.
I was assured that he is fine and all I need to do is to sit with
him in the sun sometimes so that he gets the sun rays to his
skin.
My mother prepared a guest room for us. She arranged the
baby furniture in it and my bed. Atleast it has a balcony and it is
where Khosi and I will spend most of our days.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Mom asks from the door. Khosi
is sleeping and I am coming from a shower. It feels good to be
home, without a big belly. All I need to do is to wear this
uncomfortable belt to shrink the belly back to normal.
“Ma, more tea? No please,” I say. I pee every thirty minutes
because of this tea I drink every minute.
“Okay, please take seat,” she says while getting comfortable on
the bed.
I am not ready for this talks about Khathu and the cultural
things he has to do. Can we just by pass all of that? I honestly
do not have a problem with skipping rituals.
“Ma, I am not ready to talk about Khathu and what he needs to
do with his family, I am fine…very fine without those things
done,” I say while sitting next to her.
“Your father and I were talking…and I said I will speak with
you,” she says, “We know that you are young and I am worried
about you Tshepo. I want to take care of the baby so that you
can go on with your life. I have nothing to do here other than
the restaurant and you need to live a little, you know?”
“Maa,” I whisper.
“Your father and I don’t want you to stress about anything. We
need our baby girl back. I saw how you were broken about the
pregnancy and being alone…so you can consider this once the
baby stops breastfeeding,” she says.
My parents want to give me my freedom back, how nice?
“Maa…thank you and daddy…but I have got this. I want to be a
mother to my son and I am ready to do this alone, with your
help ofcourse.”
“Tshepo, I just want you to be happy, do you understand?”
“I understand and I don’t think anything can make me happier
than being the best mother to my son,” I say. I am content and I
swear this is what I want t do. “Okay, I will bring him for some
weekends when I have to gallivant and go on vacation.”
“Alright…come here,” she says while opening her arms wide for
a hug. “I am proud of you.”
“Thank you Ma.”
“So, who is he?”
“Who?”
“The guy who was lingering around your ward the whole day on
Sunday? The one who drove you to the hospital and how did
he get to your house to drive you there? I thought Bakang was
ready to do that?”
I knew it was coming. You would swear Matt is the father of my
baby, hence the nurses pulled him to the delivery room.
“He is my tenant…he arrived on Sunday morning instead of
Monday,” I say.
“And he was there earlier than all of us and also left after
everyone else?”
“Ma, I don’t want to jump the gun. He is just a guy, okay? I am
never ever going to get myself fall in love too quick…that thing
called love is wicked. The chest pains you get when you are
hurt…I cant deal.”
“That is not how you should leave your life. You had a bad
experience with Khathu but that doesn’t mean the end of the
world and you shouldn’t punish yourself for any of that.”
“Ma…I am never getting myself hurt ever again…first it was
Tokello, then Khathu? Come on Ma…I should just change how
I do things.”
“Oh please.”
“What? I don’t want to be hurt ever again…so I have got to
guard my heart.”
“Fine, I understand…so then do not get into any relationship,”
she says, “because now you are never going to open your
heart for the next man in your life and that is unfair. It is fine you
were hurt twice but that is now how things will be for the rest of
you life.”
I shake my head.
“So what do you want to do? Tell me?”
“I won’t give all of my heart because when it gets pierced, it is
too painful.”
“That is unfair. Why bother get into a relationship if that’s the
case?” she says and I shrug. I wouldn’t mind a Matt in my life
but I am scared of the unknown.
Is it wrong to guard your heart and expect the worst?
We debated about relationships until she gives up and leave
me sitting alone, just wondering. She made sense in most of
her statements. Maybe I don’t need a Matt in my life until I am
ready to give my all. It is either all of my heart or nothing, right?
That is unfair.

Maternity leave is awesome but it is not as luxurious as

Instagram makes it look. I haven’t even logged on Facebook in
ages and I don’t remember when last I scrolled my timeline on
Instagram. How does everyone look so perfect with best pics of
them and the baby? I am literally on my toes every two hours
and I haven’t even started with my exercises to kill the baby
fats. My mother helps me during the night so that I sleep and
she retires in the morning. Isn't she the best?
Today is a Monday and Charlotte is sleeping over tonight. Her
husband is travelling for a conference for two nights.
“You are quite good at this baby thing,” I say to Charlotte who is
rocking the baby from the chair. We are seated by the balcony,
drinking tea. It is funny how I never missed a drop of wine.
Khosi comes first.
“Babies are just so adorable,” she says and smiles at Khosi
who is almost falling asleep.
“Are you also trying for one?” I ask and she nods. She has sex
all the time…that explains it.
“Isn’t it funny how some people who need a baby never fall
pregnant easily?” she asks.
“Come on, your time will come.”
“I have tried everything….everything Tshepo. I am even afraid
to see the doctor. What if he picks a problem?” she sadly says.
“And I get worried…what if I will never give my husband a
baby? Will he stay with me?”
“What? You know he loves you for you…come on Charlotte,” I
say. I hate it when she is like this.
“Oh…well…”
“Have you tried that ladies app? I forgot the name but I used to
use it with Tokello so that I don’t fall pregnant coz we used
protection for just eight months and after that it was…raw,” I
say and she smiles. She is coming back.
“What app is that?”
“I will get the name for you…but it used to accurately calculate
my period days and ovulation period…so I used to stay away
from Tokello on the danger days so you will use it to track when
are you most fertile.”
“That sound like a scheduled sex,” she says.
“You probably sex up the days that you are least fertile and by
the time you are fertile you are tired and not craving any
sex…try it and tell me how it goes,” I say and sneak a wink.
“Listen to you, all educated about sex and all,” she says and I
laugh.
What do I know? I use to love crazy and spontaneous sex and
you can never win while using a condom. I was crazy back
then. We used to make love in the beach at night. The cinema
rooms were my favourite. Having to bite my lips hard to avoid
making noise turned me on and gave me joy. I was funky like
that.
“So, tell me about brother man,” I say. “Why is he single?”
“Uhm…do you want the truth truth…or the diluted truth?” she
asks. “Let me go put the baby down.”
She walks inside to put Khosi in bed. I am here sitting,
wondering if I want to hear unfiltered truth or the opposite.
“I want the truth,” I say while Charlotte takes a seat.
“He is a very nice guy…but apparently…he doesn’t do the bed
and all.”
“What is that?”
“He is a Pastor’s youngest son so he does things
differently...he doesnt do the ding-ding.”
WTF!
“So he is one of those Christian brothers? No wonder he is
caring and all things wonderful,” I ask and she nods. “So is he a
virgin?”
“I don’t know…I don’t think so…but a guy like that can never be
a virgin,” she says and laugh.
“How do you know Charlotte?”
“He was engaged and he was too touchy with his past
partner…but since then he has been struggling to get a
woman…I think it is because he doesn’t get sexual with them
and they lose interest.”
“No, that can never be a reason Charlotte…what about those
church girls? He can get a perfect church girl to wed,” I say and
she shrugs.
“He wants you now,” she responds and laugh.
“Dude, I am a freak in bed…I don’t lie on a bed every day…I
want sex in a parking lot and all those fun places…what is he
going to do with me? Plus…I have been craving for some ding
ding and if I end up with him then I will cheat on him.
“Sies Tshepo,” she says and I laugh.
“I am kidding…I can own a dildo and help myself in the
bathroom after our evening prayer…I am just worried about the
reason why ladies don’t stick around. That guy is fiinneee.”
“You Tshepo can own a dildo…some can’t so if he is not
servicing then they can’t keep him.”
“Maybe he does sleep with them but is a flop or it is too small,” I
say and we blast into a laughter. That will be a waste of his
sexiness.
“You are crazy Tshepo Maake,” she says while wiping her
laughing tears.
“Look…I am kidding with you. I can teach him a thing or two so
that is not a big deal…he looks like a nice guy.”
“He is a wonderful guy. I know you will be happy with him.”
“So if I ever end up with him…are his parents going to accept
me with a new born?”
“That should be the least of your worries.”
“Pastor’s son…” I chuckle, “Do you know that those are the
worst players?”
“Oh please…”
“Ohhh I am telling you. Maybe he plays them…I don’t think he
deprive them sex or is a flop…what if he is the one breaking
hearts and playing the victim? I don’t trust people anymore.”
“Not every man will do to you what Tokello and Khathu did to
you.”
“I know…I am just saying.”
“So when are you going on a date?”
“We chat almost every day but I will meet him when I am back
to my slaying days. I am not in a hurry. He has seen me in my
worst days so he has to see who I really am.”
“So you are going to give him a chance?”
“Who knows?” I shrug.
Imagine if he is a virgin? Lord! I am too educated for him.

THE ONE

INSERT 56
LUFUNO

I am woken by wet kisses on my bare back. The kisses are soft

and perky; and I am turned on instantly.
Phew! I have been having so much sex to last me a lifetime, so
I hope this is not a call for a morning glory.
“Wakey, wakey…” he says while turning me around. He plants
a kiss on my lips and move my hair out of my face.
“Good morning,” I murmur without opening my eyes.
“The sunrise is magical,” he says and I carefully open my eyes
to get the glimpse of the sunrise. We overslept the past days
and missed it. He passes me the gown and I put it on.
“Should I open the curtains?” he asks and I nod. He knows me
too well. He opens the curtains and the light fills the room. It is
magical to see the sun prudently rising above the blue waters
from afar. I love witnessing things like these. I enjoy watching
the sun and sip tea while doing so.
I slid my feet into the slippers and walk outside to admire the
beauty that God created. It is just after six so I will have to jump
back to bed a little later.
We picked the overwater villa, which gives us access to the
ocean. The air is refreshing and everything around here is
peaceful. If it was possible, I could stay here. It is far away from
all my problems.
“Imagine getting married around here…exchanging the vows
while floating on the water, wouldn’t that be beautiful?” I ask
and he smiles. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he avoids
anything that has to do with marriages and weddings.
“It would be beautiful,” he says, atleast he agrees. We can
make it possible. We just need to get our closest family
members to come witness the union.
We sit by the pool couch. I am sitting in between his legs, with
my back rested on his chest.
This is life!
I am glad we came here. I was ready to come here all by
myself but he showed up while I was finishing packing and told
me he wants to come with me. I was glad that he chose to
come along. He left his phones so that he could focus on us
this week. If there is any emergency, the reception will pass the
messages to us. He also makes the phone calls at the
reception. I was grateful because I know things might be
slightly hectic when we return back.
After the sunset watch, I take a bath. I should have this in my
new house, an open air bathroom. It is too beautiful.
I slid in the tub and rest my head on a bath pillow. This vacation
has allowed me to run away from reality. All things are perfect
here and I was able to escape from what awaits me when we
return back home. I don’t want to talk about it because it
saddens me. I am glad the baby is fine but I am scared. I am
scared if I will be able to help Khathu accordingly. I know he
loves me but the thought of him spending time with Tshepo is
not so pleasing.
What did I get myself into?
I am able to smile and hide away the pain and fears I have
about our relationships because I want to be with Khathu.
I just have to make this work.
I remember well the words Michelle told me months ago.
Mukhethwa is in my heart and that should be enough for me to
move on with my life and stop blaming myself for her death.
My baby is in my heart and she is watching over me. This is the
chapter I am finally closing this minute and open room for
Mulalo in my heart.
“Babe, are you okay?” Khathu asks from behind, “Why are you
crying?”
I quickly wipe them off. I didn’t even feel the tears fall down my
cheeks.
“I am fine,” I say.
“We need to talk, don’t we?” he asks.
“Should we? I didn’t want to spoil our vacation. It is about us,
right?”
“But we can’t run away from the truth Lufuno. I want to know
what is bothering you,” he says. A lot is bothering me. I just
can’t put it in words but my heart knows exactly.
“Fine, lemme finish up then we will talk over breakfast.”
“I love you okay?” he says and kisses me on the forehead.
“I love you.”
I get into shorts, white sandals and a tank top. I touch up my
make-up and tie my hair. Khathu is already waiting for me so
we could go down to the restaurant. He takes my hand and
leads the way there. Most people prefer room service, but I am
kinda tired of eating in bed. I want fine dining and options for
more foods.
“I think I should cut down on these croissants or else I will have
to sleep in gym for a week,” I say while shoving it in my mouth.
“You will still look just fine after gaining a kilo.”
“Says a man who said he loves my booty just like this,” I say
and he giggles.
“I will love you even in your worst days…do you know that?” he
asks and I laugh. “I asked for you from God, do you know that?
And he gave you to me…so I can’t not appreciate you for the
rest of your life.”
Ncooo! How sweet Khathu.
The waiter brings the oats and honey with fruits and lastly
pancakes with chocolate syrup. I think I am stress eating right
now.
“Babe, do you want to be married to me some day…one day?”
Khathu asks out of the blue.
“Uhm…but what if I won’t make a good mother to your kids?
What if no one accepts me?”
“I will be marrying you for me, not my mother or my kids…they
have their own mothers. I will just need a little help in raising
them but I am not expecting you to change your life because of
them.”
“And the baby? What if I need a baby soon?” I ask and he raise
his brow. I am worried about that one too because he won’t
easily want to have a third born so soon.
“Do you want a baby so soon?” he asks.
I don’t know but what if a baby bug hits me?
“Not too soon.”
“If we are both in a good position to have a baby…then why
not?”
“And how are you going to raise your kids when we are
married?”
“We can always visit them together…we will both have access
to them...and they will visit when they can.”
These conversations are not always pleasing because
somethings are true good to be true. Julia still hates me for
dressing Michelle with a pair of leggings. She will definitely kill
me for worse mistakes.”
We spend the rest of the day in the spa. We did scuba diving
on Tuesday and did the capital city yesterday.

Tonight we are spending the evening in the pool, talking about

the future and what comes with it, we have a private pool. I am
sitting with my feet in the pool and sipping my champagne
when Khathu swims over to me. He pulls me inside and starts
kissing me. I receive his tongue in mine and allow him to caress
me. He moves his hand to my back and undo the bikini top. He
wins with the knot, so he pulls the bikini top and drops it in the
pool, leaving my bare chest. He pulls down my underwear
under the water.
He caresses my breasts while pinning my back to the wall of
the pool. The water is not too deep so we can both stand
perfectly. He grabs my leg and opens it wide for him to enter
me. I rest it on his waist while he strongly enters me. This is
home for him but we have done this a hundred times since we
got here. I made sure I get the IUD inserted to prevent any
chance of getting knocked up. No babies for now.
He strokes me a few times but I stopped him. This pool thing is
not working. I can’t stand on one foot as I keep floating with
each stroke.
“Lets go inside,” I whisper and we hurry inside to finish up.
We are wet and cannot do the bed so he pins me to the wall
and continue what he started. He pulls my thigh and start
stroking me slowly. He is not saying anything like he always
does. He looks stressed and worried. He pumps on me for so
long and fast I came first before him. My thigh, the one he
carried through out for so long is now hot and painful. He
doesn’t take time to pull out of me and groan on my face with
his cum warming my thighs.
He picks the towel from the floor and cleans me up before I
throw myself on the bed. This standing position is not for me.
Phew!
“Do you want more champage?” he asks while walking towards
the bathroom.
“Champagne? I need to breath first babe,” I say and he winks
while walking away.
Without brushing my teeth and my hair, I fell asleep. I am
woken by him kissing my lips. It is just after six o'clock in the
morning as the watch on the wall says.
“Wakey, wakey…” he says.
“Let’s sleep baby,” I say. I have no plans for this day but to just
sleep. We will order food in and sleep again.
“Lets watch the sunrise,” he says.
“Babe, not today…”
Why didn’t we choose the Sunset Villa? This waking up for
sunrise worked yesterday. I want to sleep.
“Please, babe…for the last time,” he says while pulling me to
sit. I sit up and sway my eyes around the room. It was messy
with clothes and towels on the floor when I slept, but now it
looks different. Khathu got flowers for the room, but when?
“Babe, where did you get the flowers?” I ask.
“Room service,” I say.
“Room service at six?” I ask while pulling the gown from the
chair next to me. He shrugs and waits for me to get dressed.
“Okay, close your eyes,” he says while pulling me to the sliding
door.
“Why am I closing my eyes,” I ask.
“The light…I am about to open the curtains,” he says and I
close my eyes. He is so thoughtful.
I hear the curtain open and I carefully open my eyes so that I
don’t get blinded. I am welcomed by a table set full of breakfast
and champagne. The flower petals are all over the floor and the
swimming pool. I am smitten right now.
“Babe?” I ask while looking around. He got me more flowers.
“I thought I should just make your morning,” he says while
pulling a chair for me.
If our relationship wasn’t new, I’d think he wants to propose. His
set-up is beautiful, topped with a perfect sunrise.
“Can I brush my teeth first?” I ask. I didn’t brush them last night
too. He nods and I hurry inside to the bathroom. He also placed
flowers in the bathroom too.
Imagine? Isn’t he sweet? He should know the love I have for
flowers. They bring me this kinda joy I can’t explain.
“Babe, thank you for doing this,” I say while sitting on the chair.
He stands from his chair and kneels beside me.
What?
What is he doing?
He opens a small ring box and shows it to me with a smile.
What? But how?
“Lufuno, you are my dream woman and I want to spend my life
with you. You are a strong, beautiful and intelligent woman with
a beautiful soul and that is what I need to complete me. I knew
the day I laid my eyes on you that I want to be with you. I
dreamt of spending my life with you and I want to make that a
reality. I prayed to God so many times for you and I am
honoured to have you as my woman. It still feels like a dream to
have you, believe me,” he says and swallows hard, “Please
babe, complete me…be my wife.”
I never thought he wants to marry me. He dodged this question
so many times until yesterday morning. This is a shock to me
honestly.
“Please babe…I will make sure that I take care of you. I will
fight your battles with you and believe me, I will do my best to
keep you happy. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I
know for sure.”
“Babe,” I whisper.
“Lufuno Mudau, may you please marry me my love?”
THE ONE

INSERT 57
KHATHUTSHELO

Oh Fk!
I am kneeling in this cold floor, waiting for her to snap back to
reality and give me her respond. Why is she taking time to jump
out of her chair and scream YES????
What if she says no? should I be angry at her for honestly
refusing to marry me?
What was I thinking? Maybe it is too soon for her to agree to be
with my arse. There is a lot happening in my life right now and
she might not want to be part of it.
But why not now? I know I love her and I want to spend my life
with her. I am a man and I had to hunt her. She is the only
woman I ever prayed for and I am sure about her. Who
wouldn’t want a strong woman like her? A woman who has
been through it all but still holds her head high even when the
world forces her to bend? She knows exactly what she wants
and she does not bush around the bush about it. My daughter
adores her and they already have a beautiful relationship
together. I love her and I wish she could just say YES and
make me the happiest man.
“Yesss…yess..yes!!!” she says while dancing with her feet. I
see tears in her eyes as I happily slide the ring into her finger.
She glares at it and gives me a warmest smile before pulling
me for a hug and a longest kiss.
“Thank you,” I sigh. She almost gave me a heart attack.
“I didn’t know you were capable of loving me this much,” she
says to my ear, “Thank you babe.”
“I am going to make you the happiest woman,” I say and she
smiles at me.
“Thank you.”
This means a lot to me. I have got to man up and prioritise her
happiness. She is all I ever wanted in my life, honestly.
We have breakfast before going back to sleep. I had to propose
during sunrise, just to symbolize that this is the beginning of
great things for us, I will make sure of that.
We both fall asleep until mid-noon. I wake up before her. she is
softly snoring and I am here watching her sleep.
Lufuno is beautifl. Infact, my fiancé is beautiful…inside and out.
She is the calmest woman I know and that makes me love her
even worse.
I am glad I left my phone and everything but I am dying to know
how Mulalo is doing. I should just trust that all is well, they
would have called if there was anything. Anyway, I need to trust
Tshepo to be the mother to my son. I cannot control everything
but I just need to be present in my baby’s life just like I am for
Michelle. I need to take Lufuno with me to the next visit since
she has confirmed that she wants to be with me til the end of
time. I want her to be part of every aspect of my life.
She only wakes up in the afternoon and I was already waiting
for her to join me for a walk down to the beach. we didn’t plan
anything for the day but I am tired of sleeping the whole day.
I wait for her to take a shower. I have learned to be patient with
her. All that beauty needs all the time in the world to get ready.
I know she needs to salt her bath and oil her body,
everyday…but I can never complain, can I? Her skin would
never be as smooth as it is if not nurtured and she wouldn’t
have her romantic scent if she didn’t bath in perfumes.
She walks to where I am sitting in a white shortest summer
dress. She is showing off her creamy thighs and I am turned on
as it is. She has nude sandals I bought her last week and hair
is not tied like most days.
“You are so beautiful,” I say and she smiles at me while
hanging her sling bag over her shoulder. It is obvious that she
looks beautiful but I prefer reminding her everyday.
I lead the way to the reception area so we could walk by the
beach. we will be leaving for South Africa soon and I want us to
have a chat before we do so. We get the picnic basket from the
reception and proceeded to the beach for our light lunch.
The wind is lightly blowing and her hair is all over her face. I
watch as she move the hair and tuck it behind her ears,
showing off her beautiful round face. The ring on her finger
bling just perfectly and I am proud that it is from me. I got her
an infinity ring and with that I wish for us to live together until
the end of time.
“What are your fears?” I ask while pouring a champagne into a
flute. She drinks champagne like water but I understand.
“Huh?” she asks while getting a glass from me.
“What are your fear about my relationship with you?” I want us
to talk about everything. These place allows and I want to turn
a new leaf when I go back to South Africa. This vacation has
been everything from a retreat to a healing session. I don’t want
to be dealing with any doubts when we are back home.
“Honestly…I am worried about your Mom and your baby
Mamas,” she says, “Your mother looks like someone who
doesn’t like me…and the encouture with Julia…also how I
ruined your relationship with Tshepo. I am scared of those
three people.”
“You didn’t ruin my relationship with Tshepo. We both agreed to
separate and I came to you because I loved you. Okay, she
could see that my love was enough for you and she walked
out…and I am glad she did,” I say.
Tshepo is a wonderful woman and I am glad I got to be part of
her life. She is the sweestest thing that the world could offer but
the heart wants what it wants. I commend her for walking out,
as broken as she was, I commend her. she gave both of us
opportunities to be happy. I knew the first time I laid my eyes on
Lufuno that I want to wife her. She walked into a room and
commanded that respect you know? She boldly did her job and
I was in a corner admiring her that day. God knows my heart
was stolen from that second. A year later, we are here and this
still feels like a dream but it is not.
“Khathu, the last relationship I had was with the father of my
baby...was good but not the best. He loved me most days but
all that crushed down when I lost the baby. He walked away
from me and blamed me for her death. I once wanted to close
that void you know? And Muzi came along. I swear…Khathu I
swear I thought he was all I needed, only to find out he used
me. Everything was a lie. I thought all was fate but he was
using me…and from that, I never thought any man can love me
genuinely for me. Only you are capable of making me feel this
way…I am scared about what the future brings me but I am
ready for anything.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“No, thank you. I am happy with you,” she says while glaring at
her ring.

The rest of the vacation was just magical. We returned home

today on a Monday late and I do not even want to open my
laptop. I don’t want to see all the emails awaiting my attention. I
wish I could take the whole week off just to relax and get some
rest from the travelling. I drop Lufuno to her apartment and
drive home to get myself ready for tomorrow. I wish I don’t have
any meeting so I could knock off early.
I get home and switch my phone on, only to be welcomed by a
thousand texts. The phone kept beeping texts after texts, most
are “Please Call Me” messages from my mother. I hesitate to
call her because I know I have a lot to explain. Instead, I switch
the phones off after trying to call Tshepo without success and
then jump to bed instantly.
I got to work late the next day. The secretary throws the files on
my table the second I got to my office. It looks like I have more
than six accounts to tackle or delegate. I think the best
company to work with from all these file is NBE. Their file looks
presentable and inviting; and the rest are too basic and boring.
“Hey, hey…where have you been man?” James says from the
door. He opened it without knocking.
This guy is just disrespectful, really.
“Annual leave,” I say.
“Your mother has been calling you all week…one would swear
that you were kidnapped or something.”
“Are you serious?”
“Dude, she called all week but on Friday we got that venda guy
to speak to her to explain that you took leave but we didn’t
know where you were.”
“Sure, thanks…I will call her.”
He walks in and grabs a chair infront of me. He sits there and
fold his arms. He looks like someone who need to tell me
something but is failing to. I know he wants to snoop into my
business so I ask him to leave so I could work.
“Are you still dating that events mogul?” he asks and I raise my
brows.
He sounds like a woman right now.
“How is that your business?”
“Well…the guys wanted to contribute something for your new
baby but we were not sure if it is your baby you know because
you are dating that other girl and…”
“Get the fck out of my office,” I say.
He sounds like a sissy.
Why do people want to stick their nose into my business.
“So, should we contribute for a gift….orr?” he asks and leaves
when I don’t respond.
I pick the phone and call back my mother who has been calling
the office the whole week, apparently.
“Hallooo,” she responds.
“Ma, vho vuwa hani?” I greet her before she starts yelling on
the phone about my where abouts. Okay, I didn’t tell her about
the vacation because I do not report to her and I didn’t think it
was necessary. Come on, I am a father of two.
“So, when is the birth of your child?” she asks after what seems
like forever of yelling. Now I have to tell her that her grandson is
a week old.
“He was born last Monday…sorry I…”
“What? You have a son and never bothered to call me?” she
asks. How do I tell her that it slipped my mind?
“He was born last week and I didn’t have my phone with me the
whole week.”
“Where were you all this time?”
“I went to Maldives…it is overseas.”
“What was so important than your son huh? What about the
ceremonies we have to perform for me.”
What ceremonies? We never did any ceremonies for
Michelle…maybe because Julia yelled at everyone who tried
placing a razor on her daughter’s head. We are not doing any
ceremonies for Mulalo too.
“Well…Mma, I need to ask for your assistance. I need you to go
marry for me.”
“What? You want us to go marry Tshepo and the baby? I am
very proud of you…very very proud,” she says happily and
starts ululating on the phone.
Ssshhhhttt!!!
“No, but I want you to pay tshelede ya mamalo ha Lufuno,” I
say, “I engaged her and we want to do a wedding in a few
months’ time.”
“Haaa, na da na ntshonisa inwi Khathu…you have
embarrassed me,” she says. She is pissed, her voice says it all.
“Mulandu?”
“You know too well that you were supposed to marry Tshepo
na nwana. Athi you decided to make her pregnant?”
But how? Tshepo and I are not in love, how am I supposed to
marry her now? She understands and wants nothing to do with
me anyways.
“We spoke about this…I want to marry Lufuno and the uncles
need to go to her family, that’s all.”
“No…why do you want to embarrass us? Now we have to deal
na Vhasotho vha ha Tshepo na family ya ha Lufuno, at the
same time? You must be kidding me. That is not happening.”
“Okay fine…you can deal with Tshepo’s family first so that we
can have access to my son and after a few weeks, you can
attend to Lufuno’s family.
“What do you see in that girl, huh?”
Hee vhanna!
“She is the woman I want to marry…that’s all.”
“Why? I saw her once and I could tell that she is not right for
you. She doesn’t look like someone who can take care of a
family.”
“Please Ma, we don’t have to argue about this…please tell me
if you will help me or not.”
“You don’t need my help Khathutshelo Nengwenda…you don’t
need my help. First your child is born but you disappeared into
thin air…now you are back and want us to run around getting
other women to marry you?”
“I was wrong not to tell you about the baby…I tried your phone
on Sunday evening when I left the hospital and it didn’t go
through…after that I flew out of the country. I am sorry…I
apologise but now I need your help.”
“Count me out on your foolishness. How do you marry another
woman while the other woman is a new mother? Such an
embarrassment?”
“Please…”
“No!,” she says, “Please give me cellphone number dza ha
Tshepo. We need to do the rightful thing.”
“Lufuno has…”
“Keep me out of that…keep me out of it,” she yells and hangs
up.
Look like I am on my own.
“I love you my wife to be,” I text Lufuno just so I calm myself.
“I love you too. What did your Mom say? Did you call her?”
“She doesn’t want anything to do with you my love…she wants
nothing to do with you,” I whisper to myself while I text her that I
am still to call my mother in the evening.
I don’t want to hurt her.
I don’t want to tell her that we are on our own on this one!
“I hope she takes the news well,” she responds with a lot of
smiley faces.
“She will love you,” I text and throw the phone on the table. I
will have to keep trying getting through to my mother because I
am not going to allow anyone to hurt my fiancé
But…if you should know the truth Lufuno, we are on our own,
babe! We are on our own!

THE ONE

INSERT 58

MANDIWANA
Haaaa, does Mrs Nengwenda know how long it takes me to get
to Khathu’s house from Mamelodi?
Haaii no!
I have to catch three taxis to this place and it takes a bit of a
walking distance from where the taxi drops me. Even worse,
the skirt I am wearing is not doing justice to me.
Why is Khathu not answering people’s phone? I shouldn’t have
said that I have Khathu’s spare key to his house. He is never
home so i use it when for the two weekends that I help with the
laundry and cleaning every month. I miss Michelle though. I
haven’t seen her since the day her mother wanted me to
change her out of the leggings that Lufuno dressed her. I am
not going to allow anyone to put me in the middle of their mess,
not even a pair of leggings. You would swear those leggings
were meant to eat up Michelle’s flash or something
worse…haisukha! It was not even that cold to overeact the way
she did but they say she is just like that always.
So since the leggings day, I haven’t seen Michelle and I miss
my baby girl dearly. She doesn’t visit Khathu much or maybe
she comes by on weekends that I am not here.
I am staying with my mother’s friend who works in Marabastad.
I help her sell the blankets in this huge Chinese shop there.
Atleast she allowed me to stay with her while I help her.
Khathu’s salary does help a lot with my hustle. I have applied in
Unisa and I will correspond from either here or Venda. They
credited me most of my courses so I should be done with
degree in no time.
“Khathu, I am getting off from Forest Hill, I will be going to your
house to get your mother’s bag that I need to give Vhugala. I
still have the key though so if you are not home, I will use the
spare key,” I text Khathu before jumping out from taxi to the
next one.
He doesn’t respond. He hasn’t responded any of my texts since
two hours ago and Vhugala will be leaving for Venda in few
hours.
The local taxi drops me by the gate and I hurry to Khathu’s
house. There is no car in the drive way so I guess he is still at
work.
I knock a few times before unlocking the door with my set of
keys. My phone beeps a text message so I focus on fishing
it from my bag while opening the door.
“Evhooo weee,” I say and cover my mouth; and she turns to me
fast.
“What the hell?” she yells while covering her boobs with her
hands.
Haaaa! Clap one!
Oh, she is engaged? She has a ring shining on her finger and I
cant help but to stare at it, so I am literally staring at her one
boob.
Wow, the thing is nice…I mean the ring is nice.
Lufuno is standing infront of me in her skimpy underwear and
no bra. I can never see myself in this kind of panties? What is
wrong with bum shorts, hai?
Mara ha shoni vhoo? Isnt she ashamed to be wearing such???
I swear that thing she is wearing is not even comfortable. It is
this white long thong that goes up up up her waist, just beneath
the breasts. It is literally covering only her private part and even
so, there is a whole on it. I had to see all her buttocks out in the
air. Her boobs are now covered by the long weave. Now my
razor cut feels out of place.
Tjo!
Is she not going to run to her room to put some clothes on? Or
should I be the one to leave?
“What are you doing here?” she asks. Ohhh she wants to make
a conversation, looking like that?
LOL!
But I understand, she has a killer body hee. You would swear
she tans her body everyday. She looks everything like those
women on magazines.
“Uhmm…are you going to get dressed?” I ask. I mean how am I
supposed to not look at the hole on her underwear. She clears
her throat and I realise I am the one who is supposed to look
sideways for her to tip toe to the bedroom. I turn around and
she rushes to the bedroom. I see she was working coz the
table is filled with decorating pictures and a laptop is open.
Ohhh… she is planning her own wedding. The vision board on
the table has ‘My Wedding’ written on it and the pictures on it
are very…nice nice.
I move to the couch so that she doesn’t find me snooping in her
things. She comes back in a white gown. I have washed this
gown before. I can tell by a flower emblem on the back.
“Sorry you had to see that…”
“Ehh see what? I didn’t see anything my sister…I didn’t see
anything.”
“Right!”
“Oh…Vho Nengwenda asked me to come pick a parcel to drop
to someone who is leaving for Venda today.”
“What parcel?”
“She says an overnight bag with jackets inside. She left them
when she was here for a visit,” she says.
“I have never seen an overnight bag before,” she says.
Oh she stays here now.
“She says she left it by the blankets.”
“Why didn’t she ask Khathu to drop it to this person? Did you
have to catch a taxi to get it?”
“Eish, she asked me to come through and get it as it was
urgent. I will just call her while I am in the bedroom,” I say.
I better find that bag.
“Fine, you can go ahead.”
“Would you like a cup of tea? I want to make some for myself.”
“I will have a Tropika,” I say while walking to the guestroom. I
know they have Tropika coz there was always enough for
Michelle.
Oh, there are flowers in this guest room. They are fresh and the
whole room smell so nice.
I open the closet to search for the bag. I unpack the blankets
and there is no sign of a bag. I swear I am going to be so
pissed at Mrs Nengwenda if I don’t find this bag? Now I am
going to look like a liar. Plus, I had to walk for so long to get
taxi’s to town and to Forest Hill and to here.
“Mrs Nengwenda, I cannot see your bag here…I have been
searching everywhere in this house,” I say once she answered
her phone.
“Oh, you are in Khathu’s house?” She sounds happy.
“I am…you told me Vhugala is leaving at five. Where is this
bag?”
“You can’t find it?”
“Was it ever here? Was it ever here Mrs Nengwenda?”
“Look…I wanted to get you to Khathu’s house… I am worried
about my son Mandiwana. He needs someone to talk to and
you are there…please just talk to him and keep him company.”
What? Is she serious?
“So there is no bag you want me to pick for you?”
“I wanted you to help me with Khathu. He needs you.”
I can’t believe this. I hang up and sit on the bed. If I don’t walk
out of this room with a bag, Lufuno will think I was here for her
man. This dress I am wearing will even confirm the news. See,
I bought this pencil dress from our shop in Marabastad and I
only wore it today. When I left the house, it was below my
knees but now as I walk it goes up my thighs. She will think I
was here to seduce her man. I hate Mrs Nengwenda right now.
I hate her, really.
She calls my phone for the third time.
“Mulandu?”
“Mulandu? I had to skip work for nothing Mrs Nengwenda…I
am not happy about this.”
“I will talk to Khathu to give you money,” she says. I don’t want
Khathu’s money. I want my dignity.
“Khathu is alone…”
Alone? Does she know he has a model woman who waits for
him naked as he comes back from work? She can’t tell me
nothing about loneliness. This man is well taken care
of…haisukha.
“Mara why mara Vho Nengwenda…why did you bring me here?
Do you know that I found his girlfriend here and now I look like I
am running after your son. Why didn’t you tell me they are
engaged?”
“I do not consider their engagement. My son is just confused so
Khathu is not enganged according to me.”
Hei! Vho Nengwenda is tiring…really. I am done with this old
woman.
“But you know Khathu chose what he wanted…plus I can never
be with him when he has a fiancée. I once thought it was
possible but you heard him a thousand times that he loves
Lufuno…what do you want to happen? Last time you wanted
Tshepo…now again this? No please leave me out of this.”
“Look…”
“No, I am never coming here ever again…please stop making
me look like a fool.”
“Fine! Fine then Mandiwana.”
“Thank you,” I hang up and put my phone in my bag. I stand
from the bed and look myself in the mirror. The more I pull this
dress down the more it goes up with each step I take. I swear it
was below my knees when I bought it and when I wore it this
morning.
I fix my razor cut wig. Why did I even bother buying this wig? I
keep fixing it every ten minutes because I think it might fly off
with the wind.
Hai! I am pissed at Mrs Nengwenda right now.
I walk back to the living room and find Lufuno sipping tea. Her
hair looks very very nice shame. It shines and the length is just
too long.
“Did you find the bag?” she asks.
“No…I couldn’t.”
She looks at me but I can see her eyes swaying to my thighs.
She lets a smile and I know what she is thinking.
“Mandiwana can we talk?” she asks and I want to say ‘NO’ but
she will think I am running away if I don’t stay and chat with her.
I know we are going to talk about Khathu and my reasons being
here.
I take a seat and quickly put a cushion on top of my thighs. She
walks to the couch next to me and jump on it. She pulls her
legs up and curl them on the couch. My mother would shout at
you for that but I am used to it here. Michelle also does it on
white couches.
“So you grew up with Khathu?” she asks and I nod, “How was
he when he was young? Like was he naughty and stuff?”
“Eish…I don’t remember…we were not too close.”
“But what kind of a guy was he?”
“He was just a nice guy.” What does she want to know? That
Khathu and I got married when we were young and Mrs
Nengwenda has an album full of those pictures? Does she
want me to tell her that most girls in our street had a crush on
him and he was my first kiss? Evho!
“Okay…I know you guys come a long way from home…so I
was thinking that you can be one of my bridesmaids.”
“Heeee?”
“Please…I don’t have many friends you see? And you know
Khathu from childhood and Michelle is also fond of you.”
“Eish...”
“Please, Khathu will have three of his friends and I will have
three of my friends but I don’t really have any…please? You
can think about it.”
“You know what Lufuno? Mrs Nengwenda brought me here to
be with Khathu because she doesn’t want you. Infact she HATE
every bit of you. She won’t be pleased to have me dance for
you on your wedding day, making it look very beautiful…No, so
because of that and the other reasons including the fact that I
want to stay away from Khathutshelo Nengwenda and all the
drama that follows him, I will not be able to be your
bridesmaid...Never,” I wanted to say all of that to her but her
smile intimidated me, so I didn’t say any of it. Instead, I nod my
head at her.
“Thank you…atleast, I will pray for your help,” she says.
Khathu knocks on the door and walks in. I haven’t seen him
since the day he dropped me at Mamelodi. On weekends when
I come here, he is hardly home.
“Hey Mandi…you are here,” Khathu says while putting the
brown paper bags on the table. He walks to Lufuno and kiss
her on the lips.
“Why are you in a gown?”
“I will show you later,” she says and they giggle.
Heeee, you should see what she is wearing underneath. Or
maybe he likes a long thong like that?
“Babe, I was just asking Mandi if she could be my bridesmaid.”
“Oh, that’s nice…yeah, why not?”
“Yeah and you don’t have to pay anything…I’ll take care of our
bachelorette's trip…our make-over and dresses.”
Hey, these people are putting me in an awkward position. I
want to stay faaaarrrr away from them as possible but who
wouldn’t want a make-over and a trip? Maybe by doing this Mrs
Nengwenda will leave me alone and she’ll see I don’t want her
son and I wish him well in his relationship.
Lufuno’s phone rings from the dining table and she jumps to
pick it up.
“Oscar will be there…he will be my groomsman.”
Ahhh, wait, these people are seriously doing a wedding? What
about Tshepo and the baby? So they are just moving on just
like that? And why is he telling me about Oscar as if that would
change my mind? Arrgg
Okay, maybe I would like to see Oscar again. We spoke a few
times but I started ignoring him when my boyfriend was
complaining that he things I am cheating. I am not cheating, I
am just making new friends...plus we should break up already.
“When is the wedding?”
“We don’t know yet…but it will take a few months to get
everything ready and the families together. Lufuno wants a
dream wedding so it will take her forever to arrange.”
“Okay…I think I’ll do this,” I say. From today until that forever, I
will be practicing to walk on heels. I saw this other long pair I
liked at the shop...I’ll just buy it and get ready.
I stand from the couch and quickly pull my dress down with
Khathu not watching. He might think I am here showing off my
things.
“Are you not staying for dinner?” he asks. “Lufuno and I will
drop you off later.”
“Oh, no…she has something to show you…I don’t want to
disturb.”
“What’s that she wants to show me?” he asks and I shrug.
Where do I even begin to say his girlfriend is wearing a tall
thong with a hole infront? He will see it for himself and we will
see if he will giggle like earlier.
“Oh, you are leaving already?” Lufuno asks while putting the
phone in the pocket.
“Yes, I need to get somewhere before dark,” I say while walking
towards the door.
“I’m glad you came by…and thank you for agreeing to be part
of my wedding,” she says with a sweet smile. She sounds really
happy about me helping, so I think I should not write them off!
Mrs Nengwenda will see from this that I am not for Khathu even
if she kills for it. Khathu loves his model girl.
Phew! Atleast she didn’t think I was here to seduce her man
like she is doing, dressed in a thong with a hole infront?
I close the door behind me and I hear a giggle behind the door.
Clap once!
Haaa things people do!

THE ONE

INSERT 59

MATT

Damn! I can literally smell her all over this house. She has a
sweetest scent and this apartment makes me feel so damn
closer to her. I sound like a pyscho but the girl drives me crazy.
It feels like yesterday when I was seated alone at a table during
Char and JJ’s engagement party. I was dateless and I was
watching videos on Youtube when I heard her laughing. First I
heard a sweet laugh from afar. I swear I smiled to myself before
turning my eyes to her direction. I saw her pink high heel
sandals first and traced my eyes up her hips and then lastly her
perfect cute face. She had a glass of wine in her hand and I
could tell how tipsy she was from the way she was talking to
her friends.
"I like her," I remember thinking that to myself.
How come I didn’t notice her all day? It didn’t make sense at all
because she was a catch. She wore a pencil dress that hugged
her hips so damn perfectly and I couldn’t move my eyes away
from her. I couldn’t shut my ears from listening to that sweet
voice. I swear I was drooling on her.
Wrong for a Christian, right? I have been judged all my life. I
have lived my life following in my siblings’ shadows and I am
considered a rebel. I am taught not to show affection because it
is a sin. I had to balance the both, running away from showing
my true self and pleasing the society to fit as a Pastor’s kid.
I kinda dont give a damn about what people think about me but
at the same time, I find myself trying to fit into my father's
perfect family.
"Is she a christian? What does she do in church?" I can already
hear my father asking about her when I tell him about her. I
dont mean to judge but Tshepo doesn't look like the type that
goes to an all night prayer. She looks wild and fun; and I like
that more.
I slosh half glass of whiskey in my throat.
“Shhhhhiii!” That was hot.
Who wouldn’t need a glass after an eventful day?
It was a long day, wasn’t it? Playing the hero of the day and
running around the hospital corridors like a savior, huh? Having
Tshepo squeeze her life into my hand, pushing her baby out of
her?? Before I could even recover from that, the nurse dumped
her cutest baby into my arms like it was mine.
I need a few shots! Who wouldn't?
If there is one thing I know well is God’s timing. I might have
lived my life not paying attention in Sunday school and all bible
studies, but I know there is such thing as a God’s timing.
I missed church today. I am glad I did. Now I have something to
look forward to: A date with a sweet loving sotho coloured girl.
I can’t wait for that date night, even though it is in months to
come. I have a lot of things to ask her. I wanna know how she
did it. How did she manage to melt my heart? I really want to
know how she did it. My ex broke my heart to a point of no
return. She fucked me up and I was ready to break little hearts
that came past me. I should confess, I have broken a few
hearts. Lemme say, before seeing Tshepo, I was a kind of a
mess. Those girls offered themselves and I was on a mission
unfortunately. Only now when I look back, it was unfair. Tshepo
kinda changed all of that. She has a welcoming smile. She has
that happy voice that hide all the pain that she might be going
through. She dances a lot and she is fun. She is just fun, I
cannot explain it. She sings along to stupid songs and I need
someone as simple as her. I used to watch her on Instagram
videos. I would jump at a notification that she was live on
Instagram. I would close my office door and watch her sing to
crazy complicated songs with foreign lyrics. They call what I do
weird, but God knows it is a man in love.

See a woman in no make-up and judge her beauty from that. I

have seen Tshepo in her worst moments but boy do I keep
falling in love with her? She is as beautiful outside as her heart
is. I passed by hospital earlier to drop some breakfast. Even in
her PJs, the girl looks flawless for a new mom.
New mom, huh? I don’t even know what I am doing with a new
mother. I am doing what my heart wants and I pray all works for
me.
All things work together for the good to those who believe,
right?
It is crazy how one heart works, am I wrong? First I wanted
nothing to do with any woman and the next thing my heart
longs for a woman…a pregnant one nogal. She was pregnant
when I saw her at the wedding. Again, I was minding my
business, working on my very first drone design when she
passed the reception of the hotel in a white gown and fluffy
sandals. She was rushing to the dressing room because she
was grumbling at Char’s sister for bossing her around. I knew
she was coming to the wedding but I wasn’t ready to feel what I
felt. Her little bump was visible under her gown but for some
reason it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter at all.
“I know I have to get ready for the wedding, but do we have to
do it now? The wedding is in the noon anyway and some of us
still needs to take a nap,” she cried at Char’s sister. I remember
her words very well because it was already almost noon but
she was sulking about sleeping some more. I followed her
around until she walked down the aisle doing a little crazy funny
dance. I bet whoever was sitting next to me thought I was
crazy. I was giggling at her dance and I swear my face was red
from blushing.
Enough about Tshepo, I have a project meeting to rush to. I
have a deadly deadline and I didn’t even work on anything the
whole of yesterday.
Sthe knocks on my office door before I could even grab a seat.
The door is open so he walks in and stand by the door.
There is a problem with something. I know because he wouldn’t
just freeze in front of me.
“What did you do?” I ask while switching my laptop on. “Sthe,
what is the problem.”
“The designs are not printed.”
“Excuse me?”
“We took them to the printers on Friday but we forgot to sign
them off for the team to start printing them and have them
delivered to our office.”
“We have a meeting in less than an hour.”
“We…eish…unfortunately.”
“I need the designs in the boardroom fifteen minutes before the
meeting…that gives you about fourty five minutes.” That is what
my watch says.
“Sir, it is impossible to…”
“I have a meeting in an hour and I need those designs…” I
say.
He looks at his watch and glare at me. I need the D.A.M.N
designs for my meeting. Standing here won’t help him a single
bit.
“Matt, come on…” he says and I stare at him. He thinks I am
joking, right? Oh, well…I am not joking. He looks at his watch
and rush out of the office.
I respond to a few emails and put up the slides for the
presentation. Just before ten o’clock, I am in the boardroom
with Purity, a junior engineer, together with our secretary. The
owners of New Looks Mall are coming in for their presentation.
Purity receive them and serve them tea while I converse with
Mr Scott, the bigger fish of them all. Sthe comes rushing in with
a bulk of papers in his arms. He throws everything on the table
and take a huge sigh before placing each design in front of the
chairs.
This is the last time this is happening.
It takes us an hour to present the design of a drone that will be
placed all over the mall for security purposes. I am working on
the censor to make it work without anyone controlling it. What it
does is to send the daily report to the office before midnight. I
designed the drone to differentiate between a normal and
abnormal motion of a human being and other objects. If an
abnormal movement is detected, then the drone will follow that
motion and report to the office for back-up. The owners
approved it and that calls for celebration. There is still a lot to
work on but we can celebrate already.
“I am never, ever, ever drinking with you on a Friday when
there is a meeting on a Monday,” Sthe says while putting a
beer on the table. He loves the drafts from this restaurant and I
prefer my whiskey.
“What are you talking about?” I know exactly what he is talking
about. We are friends but I am the boss at the office.
“Do you know how much I bribed those printer guys to print
those designs in thirty minutes? Dude, come on…that was not
on.”
“You had to do what you had to do,” I say and he shakes his
head.
“Never ever will I drink with you…today we are celebrating.”
Yeah right. He will join me as long as I buy for him all the booze
he wants. He is my friend anyway, together with JJ.
“She gave birth yesterday.”
“Whaattttt?” he gulps on the beer and give me an eye.
“I still want her man.”
"You do?"
“Yep…a baby boy. He looks nothing like her,” I gulp on the
whiskey and call the waiter to pour me some. Just two glasses
are enough for the day.
“So…do you still want to be with her?” he asks, not believing
what I already told him.
What kind of a question is that? I want to be with her. That’s
what my heart says.
“Are you sure?” he asks and I shake my head.
Honestly speaking, I don’t know. Love has hurt me before and I
am not ready for some more pain. But I can never let my past
blind me from great things ahead of me.
“So where is the father?”
“Saw him last night, he was coming to see them when I was
leaving the hospital?”
“You went to the hospital?”
“Dude, I just told you the baby doesn’t look anything like her,
how would I know if I didn’t see them in hospital?”
“I don’t know what is wrong with you…why would you want a
woman with a new born?”
“The heart wants what it wants.”
“So you are going to play a happy family with her and the baby
daddy?”
“I don’t think so…he came with a woman who looks like a
girlfriend…”
“Yoooh…I thought you were smart but this whole situation is
proving me otherwise. I want to understand why a man, with a
hundred of church girls waiting to wed him would go for a new
mother. Those girls in your church are too hot my man…”
“So wena Sthe you go to church to envy on girls? Sies, man…”
Purity says as she tries she climb onto the bar stool. She was
in the bathroom, powdering her nose, so she says.
“Those women were just too beautiful not to notice…and all of
them came to greet Pastor Bae here after the service. I was
just standing there, admiring…and now he wants to marry a
new mother? I thought it was just a crush.”
“What is wrong with a new mother…you just have too much
baby mama drama in your life Sthe,” Purity says.
“I am talking from experience…single mothers are just
bitter…too bitter for my liking.”
“Mxm…I say go for her boss. She has life experience
and…more experience in that field...if you know what I mean.”
These are my people. The only people who give me room to be
myself outside of the office. The only ones who don’t kiss my
behind for being the pastor’s son. They call a spade a spade,
and I appreciate that.
“I say stay away from a baby mama…I warn you.”
“I say go for her.”
Ofcourse! I am going for her.

I couldn’t get Tshepo out of my mind for the whole week. I tried
bringing work home but I cannot get her out of my mind.
Waiting for months to see her is going to be so hard on me. I
just want to see her and talk to her. I want to know if I have a
room in her life. I want to know if she can open up her broken
heart to let me in and help her mend it. I cant wait to smell her
sweet scent. I can’t wait to hear her laugh and listen to her blub
about her life. Just that! I need just that.
“Char…when is Tshepo getting out of the house?” I ask over
the phone. I don’t think I can wait for three months to see her
again. It has only been a week and it feels like decades. I want
to put a stamp in her heart so that she doesn’t even think of
going back to her ex.
I am here now.
“I think she has to go to the doctor for the baby’s check-up in
the coming week or so.”
“I need your favour.”
“What?”
“Can you baby sit for just an hour?”
“Baby sit?”
“I want to dine her. please.”
“What?”
“Look…I am going to book a hotel so that I see Tshepo.”
“What the hell Matt?” she yells on the phone.
“No, relax…I want to book a hotel room for you to babysit for
just two hours so that I take Tshepo for a full body massage
and to dine her? I can’t wait for three months.”
“Ncoooo…ain't you just a romantic?”
“So, can you get her to the hotel I will book...I will book the
restaurant and spa in the same hotel? I just want to have a chat
with her. Two hours will be enough.”
"Alright, two hours is acceptable."
“Don’t tell her, it’s a surprise. Get me the date, okay?”
“Ofcourse.”
“What kind of flowers does she love?”
“I don’t know…she just loves flowers…does it matter which
ones?”
“It matters. I have to get the first date right.”
“Oh, sweet.”
“Get me her dress size… I know she will come here in leggings
so I want to get her this sexy dust pink dress I saw from this
other boutique. I also saw a perfect pair of shoes for her. Get
me the right sizes...I want everything to be just perfect.”
I am in love! Damn right I am in love.
“Matt, is this a date or you want to propose?”
“I might aswell buy a ring, right?” I ask and laugh before
hanging up. I won’t but I wouldn’t mind. Should I get her a
promise ring or something? Okay that would be weird. Should
I...?
Okay, maybe not...
Damn!!!! I think this sotho woman drives me crazy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEXT INSERT - TONIGHT!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don’t forget to Order a copy of The Royal Mistress

Book is available in the following places:

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Durban – Adams Booksellers West Street (Coming soon)

THE ONE

INSERT 60

TSHEPO

“I am not going to a party Charlotte…I am going to the doctor’s

office,” I yell at her for the fifth time. She is picking dresses from
the closet and I don’t feel like dressing up. A perfect pair of
leggings, sneakers and a tank top will do. Where am I taking a
pencil dress to? With all these baby fats.
“Are you not tired of being stuck in the house? It has been four
weeks, come on…you need to get out a bit…live a little.”
“I don’t need to. All I need to do is sleep when the baby sleeps.
Kgosi is going to wake up after that checkup, I tell you.”
“Come on…”
“No Charlotte, I am not wearing heels to the doctor’s visit…all I
need to do is to take my baby for vaccine. I don’t even know
how he is going to react to his first visit so I have to come back
as soon as possible.”
“Won’t you want to go to a spa or something?”
“I would looovveee to go to a spa Charlotte…just not today,” I
say and she nods before taking a phone and texted something.
“Who are you talking to?”
“No, one…I was just cancelling our appointment.”
“Don’t cancel it…just move it to next week…my mom will
babysit and I can spare two hours,” I say and she lights up.
I get into the back with the baby and she drives us to the
medical centre.
“So, have you spoken to Khathu?” she asks and glare at me
from the rear view mirror. I know where she is taking this
conversation. I have seen the pictures on Instagram and
Lufuno is famous anyway. Her Instagram posts are turned into
news.
“We do chat when he wants to ask about Kgosi.”
“Did he tell you about the engagement?”
“He tried but I told him I already know.”
“How do you feel?” she asks and I stare at my son who is
sleeping peacefully.
“Why do you sound like a shrink now? I am fine…plus I knew
they will end up together.”
“Matt is there…” she says and I smile.
I don’t think so. I don’t think I am ready for a relationship with
anyone. I really, really don’t think I am ready for one. “Matt will
have to wait.”
“I understand,” she says with a smile.
Why would I want to bring Matt in my life? Knowing that he
won’t even stay? Come on, No.
“I am thinking of moving back to Cape Town…to start afresh
you know? Just me and Kgosi.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah, Dad doesn’t want to approve my work transfer so I need
to look for another job so that I can leave in peace.”
“Why would you want to raise Kgosi away from everyone?
Come on Tshepo…we still want to be part of your life. I need
you…more than ever.”
“What’s up?”
“You know taking care of your son brings joy into my life…the
thought that I might not be able to have a baby is kinda…scary
but he gives me hope, you know? You can’t leave now…” she
says.
“Fine Charlotte,” I say. I feel bad but I really wanted to up and
leave just to start over. I would always visit when they want to
see the baby.
Oh Gosh! First appointments are the worst. We started with
mine and I spent almost an hour in that doctor’s office. He gave
me a go ahead for the deed as if I have someone to deed with.
I had been seating in those bath salts ever since the first day so
I am all good. I called Khathu to join me for Kgosi’s
appointment. Shame, he is pleased to see his son. I am here
just watching him speak to him like he can hear everything he
is saying. He took a few picture to show Michelle and his
fiancée.
“So, when is your family coming to mine?” he asks while
helping put Kgosi into his car seat.
“I think it should be vice versa,” I say with my arms folded to my
chest. Do we have to do this family thing? I don’t see any sense
in all of these.
“Okay, my uncles will definitely come through…they are big
headed about these because of culture, you know? They say
our family has to be approached but I will push for them to
come through.”
Ofcourse! You have to do this before you marry, we know.

I kinda feel a bit down the whole week following the doctor’s
appointment. I think it is seeing Khathu going on with his life
like there isn’t this. I am happy for him, for getting the woman
he had always wanted but I feel I am the only stuck in this thing
called life. Mom says it is normal to feel like this hence she
wanted to take care of Kgosi while I do me just for a bit. I need
a life, just a little. I need a little laugh over lunch or something.
“Let’s do a late lunch,” I text Charlotte while pumping the milk
into the bottles. I need a glass of wine and for the first time,
Kgosi will sleep in my mother’s room. I need just half a day off
or else I will end up hating on people.
I check my phone for a text back and there is none. Charlotte
text back all the time. I bet she even texts while having sex with
her husband but she went AWOL on me today.
“Menlyn Boutique Hotel, spa from 16:00 to 18:00,” A text from
her after an hour. I was almost giving up.
“Two hours of spa and late lunch?” I text back.
“Everything on me…I have got a visa until 22:00, tonight.”
“Cool, see you at four,” I text and throw the phone on the bed
and finish pumping milk for my son.
Mom is ready to babysit so I get ready to leave. Thank God I
don’t need to put on make-up or brush my hair for a spa. I get
into jeggings and a tank top and head to Menlyn Boutique
hotel.
I love it here.
“I am meeting my friend here for a massage...appointment at
16:00…Tshepo Maake,” I say to the lady welcoming me into
the spa area. I wonder why they are working late. I am literally
the only one walking in here and the place seems closed.
“Oh, right…please follow me. Your friend is running late so she
asked that we start with you so long.”
They start with my full body massage. I swear on another day I
would be so angry at her, but it seems like she knew I would
appreciate this loneliness. I am enjoying being alone in this
outdoor spa bed with someone playing their hands on my
tensed shoulders and all. I wouldn’t feel as peaceful if she was
here telling me her latest gossip or asking me about Khathu. I
finished the whole two hours session without her.
Is she coming for early supper or not?
“I will be half an hour late,” her text made me almost choke on
my champagne. Another an hour late?
“Charlotte, I am going home…really? You missed our
spa…okay thank God you missed it but you can’t expect me to
wait for an hour just for food. My mother is a chef, you know?” I
say.
“No…no…listen, I am hosting some stupid event for my
husband. Look, I asked someone to drop a dress and shoes for
you in my room and I will text you when I am downstairs in the
restaurant. It will take you an hour to get ready.”
“An hour to get ready…are we dressing up for a banquet or
what?”
“Come on…I miss my girl. I miss us when we were young you
know? Let’s just look elegant, dine and have fun. Tell the spa
people to come up to your room for make-up and hair. I am
sending the room info on your whatsapp now.”
“Fine!” I mumble before leaving a note to the lady to follow me
for hair and make-up. I take a quickest shower to run down the
oils all over my body. They were setting up for make-up and
hair when I was getting ready to get dressed.
Ncooo! My friend loves me, doesn’t she?
She bought me a dust pink long-ish formal t-shirt dress and
matching stilettos. She knows me too well, doesn’t she? The
stilettos are not too high. Just enough inches to keep me up the
whole night.
“Good choice, Charlotte,” I whisper. I look perfect. She knows
how much I am not ready to wear tight things because “baby
fats”. It not really baby fats only. I eat a lottt! There is nothing
much to do when Kgosi is sleeping so I always take a bite of
food I didn’t eat when I was pregnant.
“Thank you,” I say giving the salon lady some money for a tip.
She did an awesome job.
I sit on the bed and browse through the television. I am starting
to miss my son now, I even feel like canceling on her but I sat
for an hour just to get ready for dinner. I have posted a
thousand selfies and people are going crazy over my make-up
and dress.
They should just wait until I sit on that dining table. Charlotte
loves Instagram pics like me, so she is definitely going to flood
her wall and I will do the same.
“I am seated at the restaurant,” Charlotte texted. I pick my
clutch and hurry to the elevator. The elevator opens and I step
out of to the restaurant happily.
Hmmmm, I like the song playing!
“Uhm…Miss Tshepo?” a butler asks. I am looking around for
Charlotte.
“Yes. I am looking for Ms Charlotte’s table.”
Eish, this song!
“Come this way,” he says and leads the way outside. There are
flower petals all over the place.
I could just tell it is Matt standing, waiting for me next to a
perfectly set table.
I chuckle while walking towards him. He wore a perfect smile
and he is dressed to kill. Again, unbelted pants.
“Charlotte is not here, am I right?” I ask just when I reach the
chair he is pulling for me.
I am FLATTERED!
“No, she is not,” he says while I sit.
Why didn’t I pick it up? We always meet home and use one car
but today she insisted I drive alone.
The butler pours champagne for me and walks away.
You have got to be kidding me!
“I am glad you could make it,” he says.
“Oh..yeah,” I say. I might have not come if I knew who was
inviting me. I am glad they kept it a secret because now I feel
so damn special. “How did you pull this one?”
“I just had to ask Char to communicate with you.”
“I salute you. I didn’t suspect that you had anything to do with
this.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he says. His dimples make him too
handsome, “Do you like the dress?”
“You bought this for me?”
“I wasn’t sure if it was your style but I liked it.”
“It is perfect…thank you.” You are very thoughtful Mr Matthews.
“I am glad.”
Okay, I am happy. He is kinda shy hey. He steals glances of
me and looks cute while at it.
“This song is on repeat,” I say while listening carefully to the
song playing repeatedly on the background. I think I like it.
“It is.”
“You…you…?” I ask and he nods.
Okay! I used to think that Tokello is the most romantic, but
naaahhh! This dude here got a whole restaurant playing his
favourite song for me. First he booked the whole spa for me
and have things set up for me for just a date?
The starters comes and we start digging in. I want to take a pic
but not today.
“Are you a virgin?” I ask.
What the hell Tshepo? Why did I think that out loud? I am just
curious.
“A virgin?” he asks.
“You know…I heard you are a pastor’s son.”
“I am not a virgin,” he says with a grin as if he wants to show
me what he got.
“Then what is wrong with you?” I ask. If he is not a virgin, then
why can’t he stay in a relationship.
“I think there is nothing wrong with me.”
“Then what are you doing here, with me?”
“I am here to ask you to give me a chance to be in your life. I
won’t bush around…I like you. I fell in love with you the two
times I have seen you. I stalk you on your Instagram and I am a
biggest fan of your work.”
“Why are you single?”
“Because I was waiting for someone to make me feel the way
you did…well…I know it might be lame, but I am honest.”
“You can’t handle me,” I say and he laughs out loud.
“Try me.”
Whaaatttt? A pastor’s kid, huh?
“I don’t think I am ready for a relationship…to be honest.”
“I will wait for you. I just want you to know that I am out here
waiting for you…when you are fine…I want to love you the right
way. I want you Tshepo.”
“How do you know?”
I have been with Tokello. I have been with Khathu. Come
onnn…
“Please don’t pushing me for what your EXs did to you?” he
says as if he could read my mind and I clear my throat, “I am
not them. I am me and I am ready to love you the best way I
know. See, I have been disappointment…I know how difficult it
is to move on from it but for me, you kinda changed the way I
used to think. I never stayed with a woman for a month after I
ended my engagement. I kinda got into a few relationships with
bad intentions and…you changed that. That is why I am willing
to wait for you…no matter how long it takes.”
“I am thinking of moving back to Cape Town.”
“I can always ask my company to move me to that side,” he
says without hesitation.
“Wow.”
“Seems like you don’t believe me.”
“No…not really…”
“You think this is too perfect to be true…correct? This date?” he
asks without moving his eyes away from mine. “I did this
intentionally.”
“What?”
“This date. I wanted it to be special…so that you get an
opportunity to feel as good as you can. I wanted you not to
worry about how you look. I wanted you feel special, you
know?”
And I do feel special, I really do.
“So what do you say? Are you going to give me a chance to
make you happy? You already make me happy by being you.”
He sounds like a man I deserve.
“Can I mend your heart?” he asks.
“What?”
“You are heart broken. Can I please mend your heart?”
Where are all these tears coming from? I thought the tears
were gone for good with the pregnancy. I widened my eyes to
stop the tears that might want to embarrass me. I laugh and he
doesn’t laugh. He keeps his eyes on me.
“Please? May I please mend your heart? You mended mine
already and I want to do the same for you.”
I sigh.
“Please?”
Who asks to mend broken hearts, huh?
“Allow me,” he begs and I stare into his eyes. That spark is
there!
“Please Tshepo?”

THE ONE

INSERT 61

KHATHU

“Guess what babe?”

Lufuno is sleeping next to me. She opens one eye and frown at
me for waking her up. She looks too pretty even when tries to
pick a silly face. She yawns and pull herself to sit.
I am excited to share the good news with her.
“What do you have on the tray?”
“Eggs and bacon sandwich; and juice.”
“Why are you up so early?”
“My mother woke me up with a call,” I say. I am glad she woke
me up. “She told me the uncles are going to Tshepo’s house for
the damages. So that means that they can meet your family
soon.”
“That is great news,” she says while rubbing her eyes.
“Are you going to see an Optometrist for your eyes? You can’t
always struggle with them every morning.”
“I am used to it.”
She literally doesn’t like the light in the mornings and I never
get used to this. I am kinda worried about her but she isn’t. We
had to change my curtains because they were kinda too thin
and she could not deal in the mornings.
“Let’s invite a few friends to celebrate next weekend.”
I am super proud that I am marrying a woman of my dreams.
The woman I always loved dearly.
“Tea party?” she asks. She likes everything that has to do with
flowers but not this time. We are having a simple braai with our
friends on a Saturday afternoon, that’s all.
“No tea…or tables…or décor or anything related. We are
having a braai. Make some salads and I will braai the meat with
the guys.”
“Cool…I will get down with it during the week.”
That is more like it.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah…you know I am not a morning person.”
“I wanted to ask you…when are you calling Lucy?”
“I called her last week but she told me she was going into a
meeting and couldn’t chat with me.”
“Invite her…you never know.”
“Oscar?”
“Maybe they will mend things…maybe not. Plus, I have noticed
him eyeing Mandi.”
“Ohh…then I wouldn’t want to make them feel awkward seeing
each other in this circle. Don’t invite Oscar.”
“He is going to show up anyway…come on…he knows almost
everyone I know, and when he finds out about the braai, he is
going to show up anyway.”
“Oh…I see.”
“Whats up? Does he make you uncomfortable? You haven’t
forgiven him?” I ask. “I am being inconsiderate tagging him in
my life, ain’t I?”
“No…no…please…you can’t stop being friends because of
me.”
“But I want you to be comfortable around all my friends.”
“Yeah…I am.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am sure,” she says and I kiss her lips before jumping into a
shower. I am seeing Michelle today so I am taking her out for
breakfast after dropping Lufuno home. I have to respect Julia’s
wishes so I promised not to get Michelle attached to Lufuno
until we are married. These are some of the sacrifices I have to
make until I get my things in order. Thank God Lufuno
understands.

I pick Michelle after dropping Lufuno at her apartment. We have

a list of things to do today and I am glad I do not have to go to
the salon with her. I don’t mind but hey, women gossip in
salons. It is either they talk about men and how they treat them
and it is always awkward to listen to such conversations. We
did a little shopping in Centurion Mall and have lunch at
Wimpy.
“Daddy, when am I meeting my little brother?” Michelle asks
after licking her ice cream. She always brings him up since I
showed her the photos and promised to take her to see him.
“Very soon.”
“Is he really small?”
“He is very small.”
“I bought him a gift. Papa helped me to wrap it.”
“What did you buy him?”
“A shirt and shoes.”
“He is going to love it.”
“When am I going to see Aunty Mandi and Aunty Lufuno?”
“Very soon my baby.”
“Mommy doesn’t want me to see them?”
“No baby…Aunty Mandy is busy and Aunty Lufuno is
working…” The lies I have to tell. Julia should just stop being
too hard on my baby. I have my own life and she has to make
peace with it. I understand though, that I need to marry Lufuno
first…so I won’t bring up a fight on this one until then.
I spend the rest of the weekend and the following week with
Michelle. That meant I could only see Lufuno during my lunch
hour break at work. Thank God her working hours are flexible
enough for us to see each other for long.
I drop Michelle home on Friday after school. She cannot be
here when the house is full of my alcoholic friends and
colleagues. Most of my friends haven’t seen my house, so this
is a house warming and engagement party altogether.
I am glad I chose to do this because almost everyone I know is
here and is happy for Lufuno and I. My babe only has Gean as
her friend but she will be blown away when she notices her
sister and Masindi in the crowd later on.
I tried to keep Oscar away from the braai, but just as I thought,
he showed up with my other friends. I already told him not
make things awkward for Lufuno and her sister when she
comes through. I know he is eyeing Mandiwana, but he can
rather keep it to himself so that he doesn’t mess the day up for
everyone.
Lufuno prepared a lot of salads for the braai and the rest of the
work is in my shoulders. We started the fire late so I am the one
delaying the lunch. My friends are not helping but complaining.
“Babe, is the meat getting ready?” Lufuno asks from the porch
with a glass of wine in hand.
I am marrying a beautiful woman, hey. Her ring blings perfectly
with the sun. She is blending well with my friends’ women and I
am happy that everything is going on well just perfect.
“We are almost there, babe,” I lie. We are not even close to
done.
“Don’t you have some more fire lighters? This fire is not
catching,” Mike says while trying to blow on the braai stand.
“Come on man…this fire will catch.”
“I am telling you not,” Mike added.
I know we have a lot of fire lighters in the house but I am lazy to
search high and low for it. I want to call Lufuno to do it for me
but she is in a middle of a discussion and all those women
seem to be having fun.
I tread to the kitchen to look for the lighters. My phone vibrates
and I get it from my back pocket.
Pictures of Kgosi. Ncooo…this melts my heart. I asked Tshepo
to send me more pictures. I scroll on the ten pic she sent me
and I ended up landing on her Instagram. She loves to post a
tease of him and damn the pictures she puts up are always
dope.
Ohhh…dinner date. Nice! So she has a new man, huh? I
chuckle just a bit in misbelief. I am happy for her though. She
does deserve some loving.
Hmmmm, I should give a bit of respect to the dude. The
romantic table-set I see on this pic here is dope.
“He got the outfit right. A thousand tick for that!!” one caption on
her Instagram post with her wearing a dress and matching
shoes. Nice.
“Good for you my dear,” I whisper while putting back my phone
and walking to the pantry to search for these damn lighters.
The door slightly closes behind me. Eish, I still need to fix this
door or else it will close on Michelle when I am not around.
So where do I start searching. I haven’t been in this room since
Mandiwana started helping with cleaning. Lufuno took over and
re-arranged everything.
I hear someone walk into the kitchen. One of the guests,
maybe. I stand in the middle of the room, looking around for a
sign of braai materials or detergents or some container that
doesn’t look like food. I don’t know who moved my things from
the garage between Lufuno and Mandiwana.
“Damn you Oscar….you scared me,” I hear Lufuno say from
the kitchen.
“What? Why?”
“I told you to stay away from me Oscar,” she whispers and I
narrow my brows.
“Where is Khathu?”
“I don’t know… you need to get away from me,” she says. I
wanted to walk back to the kitchen but something is not sitting
well on me at this very second.
“So you are going to pretend for the rest of your life? Even
getting married.”
“Please…”
“I am asking.”
“Just stay away from me Oscar.”
“I have been trying…I tried…I am failing…what should I do?
Tell me? What am I supposed to do?”
“You promised me we will die with this…please I have already
lost Lucy, I can’t lose Khathu.”
“So, I am nothing to you…huh? You care about the rest and I
am nothing to you, huh?” he asks and laughs.
What the hell?
“Look…Oscar me and you were a mistake that evening; and
Lucy can never find out. We made a mistake and you promised
me you will die with the secret. Why are you bringing this up
now?”
“You know why? Because evvveerryyone thinks I am a jerk for
loving you and you are here moving on with your life as if I
never had a moment with you. I know we were drunk but I told
you how I felt that day and you allowed me to fall for you so
deep to just let me go like some piece of rubbish.”
“Oscar…we are in my fiancé’s house…please…
“We have to talk about this at some point. I am the jerk here
and you get to move on with your life like we never happened?
No Lufuno…I am trying to move on for your sake but still I am
failing to do so because you are here…and I get to see you
everytime.”
“That’s why I told you to stay away from me and Khathu.”
“Hooowwww? When I am in love with you. Don’t pretend like
you don’t know how I feel about you? You know I gave up on
Lucy because what I feel for you is too deep, I was just going to
continue to hurt her everytime.”
“Please Oscar. I am happy with Khathu, I am and I don’t
understand why you want to ruin my life right now…can I be
happy?”
“So you want me to keep pretending to him that I only forced a
kiss on you? That nothing ever happened years ago?”
“What is the point? We were young. I was a mess…you were
there…and you promised that we were both going to wipe it out
of our minds…what changed now? I am engaged Oscar and
please allow me to be happy. God has punished me for my
sins…please.”
“Fine…fine…”
“I asked you not to come…why did you even show up.”
“I wanted to see you.”
“Stop Oscar…please…”
Fck!
F**k!
F***k!
“Do you know where the lighters are?” I ask from behind them.
Lufuno startles and drops a glass of wine.
“Hey….”
“Get the hell out of my house,” I say to Oscar. Dude better get
his stuff and walk out of my house.
“Sure…sure…” he says and walks out. He knows me too well
to mess with me at this minute.
“You can follow him,” I say to Luufno while opening the drawers
for the fucken damn lighters that got me here. I should have
just drove to the mall to buy them.
“Khathu…”
“Follow him Lufuno…Follow him,” I say pointing at the door. I
don’t know how I am feeling right now. I think I am fucken numb
right now.
“Please…”
“Get out of my house Lufuno…” I raise my voice. She is testing
me, isn’t she?
“Please…”
“I can explain.”
“Explain what? Explain how you and Oscar has a secret you
chose to keep to yourself. Why did you even bring me into this
fucken mess, huh? Why? So Oscar and you have been
together at some point in life? Do you know how much I
defended you the day you fought with Lucy? Why didn’t you
come clean then?”
“No..it is..”
“It is what? So you and Oscar live to make all of us fools huh?
You are messed up in your head Lufuno…you see me go
around with that man knowing very well that you and Oscar
have a secret that you swore to die with?”
“What secret?” Lucy asks while walking into the kitchen. She
has a casserole dish in her hands.
Lufuno is standing numb in the middle of the kitchen. Lucy
stares at the wine glass on the floor and then back at me.
“Khathu, what is wrong? What is going on?” Lucy asks.
“Your sister will tell you,” I say and pick the car keys on the
table.
“What secret are you keeping with Oscar?” I hear Lucy ask
before I slam the door shut.
Fuc**n damn lighters!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 62

MANDIWANA

Haibo!
Why is Khathu ignoring his friend shouting for the fire lighters?
What kind of men are these, anyway? They don’t even know
how to make a perfect fire. Haaayyy man, they should be
ashamed of themselves.
“Dude, are bringing the fire lighter or what?” Khathu’s friend
shouts at him but he ignores him. He gets in the car and drives
out of the yard.
“I will get the fire lighter for you,” I say standing from my chair. It
is those white things that starts the fire? Then I know where I
put them the last time I was cleaning the house.
“What is wrong with Khathu guys?” the same man asks. I am
asking myself the same question. Why would he drive away like
a maniac?
“No…no…you are lying Lufuno. Khathu, wouldn’t say what he
said if you were innocent,” I hear someone say in the kitchen. It
is that girl that looks a little like Lufuno. She came here driving
a beautiful car.
“Please Lucy…”
“Please what? Please what?”
“Can we talk about this…some other time?” Lufuno begs with
tears falling down her cheeks. She turns to me and I could see
her beg me with her eyes.
Not this time. I am not going to be part of this.
“Uhm…I came to get the fire starters,” I say while rushing to the
pantry.
“You know what? We are not going anywhere until you tell me
the truth,” Lucy says and I hear her put the dish on the marble
table. I then hear the door close and the key turning.
Haibo! Why is she locking the door when I am still inside?
Evhooo…I am not going to be part of this!
“Eeehh sesi, I need to get out,” I say and she throws the keys
into her jacket.
Heee, she must be crazy.
“You are not going anywhere. No one is rescuing this one
today,” she says while pointing at Lufuno. Kanti, are they not
sisters? Why are they fighting like enemies now?
“See, people are waiting for the fire lighters,” I say.
“Do you think I care about the stupid fire lighters? Do you think I
care?” she asks so calmly it creeps me up.
Lufuno is now bawling, not even caring about my presence.
With an ugly cry, she still looks so angelic, hey?
“I am not scared of your tears, you can never fool me again
Lufuno,” Lucy says and Lufuno cleans her face with the sleeves
of a cardigan.
I quietly stand in a corner of the room, with my hands on my
chest. There is loud music playing outside, it would be a waste
time to attempt to scream.
“What secret do you and Oscar have?”
“The other…the other day…I was drunk. I swear I wasn’t
thinking straight…”
“What happened the other day when you were drunk?” Lucy
asks while clapping her hands with each word.
Yoh!
Now I get it…she is Oscar’s EX. He told me a bit about her but
he never mentioned how angry she can be.
“What happened the other day when you were drunk?” she
screams and Lufuno startles with her eyes closed. Now I want
to know also. What happened the day she was drunk?
These wines of hers! Yah! She drinks it like water. It got her in
trouble.
“I swear we were drunk…I never meant to hurt you Lucy…I
swear,” Lufuno says.
Tjo! Clap once! I think it is obvious what this is all about. So,
Lufuno had a thing with Oscar who was her sister’s boyfriend?
And the same man is best friends with her fiancé now? Haaaa
sies!!!!
“What are you saying?”
“We made out…it was once…” Lufuno says and closes her
eyes. Haaa shem! She is embarrassed by what she did but
unfortunately it is unforgivable. Now it makes sense why
Khathu stormed out.
“You are pathetic,” Lucy yells. “You are so so pathetic Lufuno.”
“Please calm down Lucy…”
Big mistake Lufuno! You do not tell an angry woman to calm
down. Don’t you know that?
“Do you hear yourself right now? Are you crazy?” Lucy yells.
Tjo! This woman is angry.
“I am sorry.”
“Do you know how bad you made me look? People thought I
made up all the things I told them about you and Oscar. You
betrayed me Lufuno. You stabbed me on the back and carried
on as if I was the one who was wrong….I hate you…I hate you
so much.”
“Look…”
“Shut up!” Lucy says and walks around the kitchen, not caring
about the broken glasses on the floor.
Where are all these people when you need them the most?
Why is the fire guy not following me to get the fire lighters?
“You are pathetic Lufuno,” Lucy says and I felt it for Lufuno.
Lucy is disgusted, shame.
“I am sorry…”
“Sorry is not going to change anything…nothing is going to
change from your meaningless sorry. For how long were you
going to keep this from me? Making me look like a fool
wherever I go? Making Khathu look like a fool too, huh? You
should be ashamed of yourself. First you took Rendani from
Masala…then you slept with my husband…then you took
Khathu from Tshepo…sies man.”
Eish!
“You know what? You deserve all things that are coming to
you. I am glad you lost your baby…you know why? You are a
whore Lufuno…you are a whore and maybe she was going to
turn out to be like you,” Lucy says and Lufuno breaks into a
cry.
Eish! Mara this is getting out of hand. I heard Lufuno lost her
baby some years ago and she is still dealing with the situation. I
feel bad for her now, serious.
“I am not scared of your tears…I am not moved by them so
stop wasting your time.”
“You can swear to me as much as you want Lucy but keep my
child out of this…keep her out of this…”
“Isn’t she lucky to be dead? What was she going to learn from a
pathetic person like you?”
Hai…no sister, that is wrong for you to say.
“Take that back Lucy…take that back.”
“Take what back? The facts about you being a whore of a
woman. You don’t deserve a daughter.”
“How can you say all that when you know how I feel about
Mukhethwa?”
My heart is broken into pieces.
“Do you think I care? Do you think I care?”
“Take your words about my child back….take that back…”
Lufuno says while charging towards Lucy. I want to come in
between but I am very scared right now. Also, I don’t want to be
part of any of this. If only this Lucy girl can give me back the
keys.
“Don’t touch me…” Lucy shoves Lufuno’s hands away from her.
She pushes Lufuno back and the poor girl lost control and fell
on her back.
Yooowwwweeee!
I think I heard a bone crack!
What was Lufuno doing? Wearing heels at a braai.
“Fake it bitch….fake all of that,” Lucy says and folds her arms.
Haibo! Lufuno is not standing from the floor.
“Haaa Lucy…I don’t think she is fine.”
“Do you think I care?” she asks with her hands on her waist. I
can see her heart throbbing out of her chest. She is fuming.
But I am serious. I don’t think Lufuno is fine. I hurry to where
she is lying motionlessly and her sister doesn’t even lift a finger.
“I am serious Lucy…she is hurt…”
Yoh! Lufuno can’t die now. She owns me a make-over and that
hair she is wearing. Okay I am joking, I don’t want to be a
witness of a murder case.
“Leave her…she will be fine.”
“Are you crazy Lucy? Are you crazy?” I yell when I didn’t even
want to yell. Only now she takes me serious because she
hurries to check the pulse on her hands.
“Oh…my God…we need an ambulance,” she says while
searching for her phone in her handbag.
Is she that slow? We have so many men drinking outside…as
useless as they are with the braai fire, they can help on this
one.
“Unlock that door and call someone to help,” I say while getting
a cloth from the drawer. I know it might not be useful, but this
woman cannot die on me. I get it in cold water and put it on her
forehead. Shaking her is not helping her in anyway.
You know I should have just stayed in Venda and continue with
my boring life? You love things Mandiwana…you love things. I
knew it from the first day I got here that there is just drama.
Drama follows Khathu but I stayed. What is this? How am I
going to explain this to the police?
Lucy comes back running with two men behind her. These
women should stop wearing stilettos to a braai…who does
that? Now she looks like she will fall. Imagine having to deal
with two deaths?
“Call Khathu…I will take her to the hospital,” that useless man
who can’t make a fire says while carrying Lufuno from the
floor.
So Khathu doesn’t have a doctor friend? This is wrong. What if
she dies on the way?
They rush her out while I try to dial Khathu’s number. He
doesn’t respond and I am tempted to call Oscar.
Eish, that will be a bad idea.
Lucy follows the guys and I follow outside just to see, you
know? My prayer is that she lives. Shame, the poor girl cannot
be crucified from her sins. I know she betrayed her sister…she
doesn’t deserve all the hurtful things Lucy said about her baby.

The braai didn’t take place. The guy who was supposed to
make the fire didn’t come back. The mood was changed by the
whole incident. I asked them to leave. Imagine drinking to the
fact that Lufuno might die? That was just wrong. People served
themselves salads and left with Khathu still missing. He only
walks into the house when it is dark. He has a bottle of
Heineken in hand.
“Ohh, you are here?” he asks and throws himself on the couch.
“We were trying to call you.”
“What secrets do you have Mandiwana? Huh?”
“I don’t have secrets…me? No…I don’t have any.” Do I?
“That’s bullshhiii… you know there is a secret you are
keeping…but whatever it is…it can never be as fucked up as
Lufuno’s.”
“But you are too quick to judge, don’t you think?” I ask. I try not
to judge people because I don’t want to be judged.
“Do you know how much of a fool I feel right now? Oscar and
Lufuno have been making a fool of me all this time. Why didn’t
she tell me? I defended her all these time and she was
wrong…she was very wrong…honestly.”
“She is in hospital,” I say and he chuckles.
“She will be fine.”
“I am serious Khathu…she fell while fighting with Lucy…she
was not breathing.”
“What?” he widened his eyes.
“She is in hospital.”
“You are trying to make me soften my heart…it won’t work,” he
says and laughs.
“Are you crazy Khathu? Are you crazy? Do you know what you
people are putting me through? Do you know I am going to be
a witness if she dies? And you are busy laughing as if I am a
fool?” I yell at him.
Noooo man! These people are working me out. I am witness in
all of these and I don’t want to go to jail.
“Lufuno fell and hit the floor with her head…she was not
breathing when she left here. We were trying to call you a
hundred times but you were wandering around the world. What
did you think? Leaving a woman angry with your fiancé? Did
you even mean it when you said you love her? You left your
woman with her angry sister and you expect everything to be
fine? Look now…I am the one who get to witness that fight and
now I am going to spend the rest of my life explaining to people
what happened and it is all your fault Khathu.”
He gets a phone from his pocket and widened his eyes as he
went through it. He throws it on the couch and cover his face
with his hands.
Now I am starting to panic. He can’t start crying on me now. I
don’t even know what to do with a full grown man, crying.
“What did they say?” I ask and he doesn’t take his hands off his
face.
Now I feel bad for saying it is his fault.
“Khathu, what are they saying?” my voice is breaking now. I am
scared. Why is he covering his face? Does he feel guilty? Did
he get a bad text? Whatttt????
“Khathu, can you say something?” I yell. My heart is beating
from my throat.
He stands, pick the phone from the couch and hurries out like
don’t exist.
Just perfect Khathutshelo Nengwenda. Its fine! I don’t matter. I
will just sit here and sweat all you want because you don’t care
to tell me what is wrong.
Who am I fooling? I rush behind him, lock the door and run to
the car.
I am not going to sit alone the whole night, wondering if I should
start washing the curtains for the funeral or not.
I get in the car and he drives off without saying a word.
SIGH!!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 63

MANDIWANA

For the first time I wish to know how to drive. Khathu is passing
red lights like he is playing that TV game he plays his with his
daughter. I am here, holding on to my seat belt for my dear life.
“Inwi Khathu, can you even see where you are going?” I am
asking this because he is driving like he is crazy. He has two
kids already and I don’t even have any, so please…he has got
to chill.
“Will you ever shut up Mandiwana, will you ever?” he yells at
me after turning into a sharp curve.
Why is he angry at me now?
What did I do?
He takes a quick glance of me and I shrug. I just want to get out
of this car, alive.
“What did they say about Lufuno?” I ask because I still do not
know. I still do not know if we are going to collect a corpse or if
we are visiting her at a hospital ward.
“What did Lucy do to her?”
“What?” I ask.
He hasn’t responded me. Is Lufuno dead or alive? Why is it so
hard for him to give me an answer?
“Mandiwana, what happened after I left?”
See what I meant? Now I have to explain to everyone what
happened. He yells at me and I startle.
“They were just arguing and Lufuno got angry the moment Lucy
brought her baby into the picture.”
“What?” he asks. He seems shocked. “What exactly did Lucy
say to Lufuno?”
Why does it matter what Lucy said?
“I forgot the exact words,” I lie. I am not going to repeat those
piercing words to anyone, ever!
“Mandiwana, what did Lucy say?” He parks the car and stares
into my eyes. I am not good with reading eyes but I can easily
see worry in his eyes. He wants to cry but doesn’t know where
to begin. He is also handsome, while at it.
“She didn’t….”
“WHAT THE HELL DID LUCY SAY?” he roars again.
“Khathu…please…”
“Mandiwana...What did Lucy say to Lufuno?” he yells some
more.
“She said it is good that Lufuno’s daughter is dead because she
would have turn to be a whore like her mother,” I yell out too
and Khathu hits the stirring wheel a hundred times before
jumping out of the car. I am out here running after him with
people watching how crazy I look right now.
Mxm. I should have stayed at home. I should have stayed at
Mamelodi.
“Lufuno Mudau…she was admitted here in the afternoon…,”
Khathu says to the receptionist.
She searches on the computer and says, “Second floor, ward
2B-8 but it is no longer visiting hours.”
Without saying a word, Khathu storms to the stairs.
Haikhona! I know where he is going so I will wait for the
elevator.
Khathutshelo mara…so, all this time he knew she is admitted
here? I was here ready to mourn her death because he kept
this from me.
By the time I get to the second floor, Khathu is standing with
that friend of his who couldn’t make a fire. He has his hands in
the pocket and Khathu is walking around the corridor.
Khathu walks to the door of a ward but meets a nurse and a
doctor coming from inside.
“Excuse me sir, we cannot let you in right now…” the doctor
says.
“I need to see her…she is my fiancée.”
“We stabilized her and she needs to be out for few more
hours.”
“Can I just see her?” he begs.
“I said you cannot see her,” the doctor says.
“Are you crazy? Are you really crazy? I need to see her, right
now.”
“I am afraid we cannot let you in Sir…please…”
“Look man…I think you should let them do their job…you will
see her tomorrow,” Khathu’s friend says while pulling him away
from the doctor.
“Can you atleast tell us how she is doing?” Khathu asks calmly.
“She is fine. She will be fine. There was just a little damage in
her brain and we are still working on what happened when she
hit the floor. We did a scan and nothing is broken but I am not
getting a response I desire from her.”
“Do you think she lost her memory?” I ask. I am afraid of head
injuries.
“Too soon to tell but I don’t think so. Her skull was not broken.
You shouldn’t worry.”
“And, is she breathing?” I ask. That woman was not breathing
when they took her to hospital.
“Yes, she is. Let her rest and you will see her tomorrow.”
“Sir, can I please see her? please…I need to apologise for what
I did and I want her to know that I was here…please,” he begs
and the doctor allows him in. I follow behind him but the nurse
stops me.
I stand by the door and Khathu gets inside, leaving the door
open so that he doesn’t take time.
“I love you Lufuno…please forgive me for leaving you alone
with Lucy. Babe…I was just so angry and I didn’t want to do
anything that I would regret. Believe me babe, believe me…I
wish I had stayed and help you fight your battle with Lucy.
Please forgive me,” Khathu says. His voice is breaking and he
sounds sobered up. He mumbles some more words before
coming back.
“She will be fine,” the doctor says and he nods while sitting next
to his friend.
“Can we wait for her to wake up?”
“I would advise you to come back tomorrow morning. For now, I
need her to rest and we won’t be allowing anyone in until
them,” the doctor says and walks away.
Oh please, if we really wanted to go in, we would have just walk
in. Ohh, not really! The security guy comes and ask us to leave
since visitors are not allowed at this hour of the day, on this
floor.
“Mike, thanks for bringing her here man,” Khathu says to his
friend.
“Don’t mention it…you would have done the same for my
family,” Mike says.
“I shouldn’t have walked out of the house….I shouldn’t have.”
“I need a drink…I need a drink, man,” Mike says while lighting a
smoke. “Let’s have a few drinks at Levels…just to clear our
heads. It was a hectic day for me today.”
No, we have to go so that I can sleep.
“Eish…man…I need to wake up early to see Lufuno.”
“I just need company. I promise to have three bottles
only…only three.”
“Three! Fine. I could also need some drink.”
Noooooo.
“Cool, you will drive behind me,” Mike says while throwing the
smoke and getting into his car.
“Do you really need to go there Khathu?” I ask, wishing for him
to change his mind. I could need some sleep.
“I need a drink Mandiwana. Just a few bottles of Heineken will
make me sleep,” says a man who was drunk hours ago.

*****

Heeeee!
Do people ever sleep?
I thought I have seen it all!!!
Pretoria is not for me, angeke!
Clap once!
I am walking beside Khathu and all I see is women wearing t-
shirts and skirts that do not cover their butt. Instead, the
weaves are covering their butt. Ebo!
The music is playing loudly and everyone is standing on their
feet. If we are going to be standing until these guys are done
with their drinks, then I am glad I am wearing pumps. Not to
mention a dress that would be fit for church. These women are
wearing inches of stilettos and dancing wearing them?
“What are you drinking?” Mike shouts in my ear.
“Cream Soda,” I shout back and he frowns. What does he want
me to drink? I don’t like Coke. Mike leaves and Khathu stays
with me. He is sad and my heart is broken to see him like this.
“You don’t have to blame yourself, you know?” I say and stares
into his eyes. From his eyes I could see the innocent boy I used
to run around barefooted with. The same boy I got married to,
in his mother’s garden. I break a smile and he smiles too.
Good! He looks good when he smiles.
Mike comes back with an ice bucket full of drinks. What
happened to two Heineken each and what happened to my
Cream Soda?
“I got you this, Brutal fruit 8…very very nice,” he gives me an
empty glass.
“I don’t drink alcohol.”
“It is 5 percent cold drink…too little to be effective. Take a
sip…if you don’t like it then we will throw away,” he says while
gulping from his Heineken bottle.
A five percent cold drink?
He places the ice bucket and Khathu picks his drink. I am not
going to drink a five percent cold drink but I don’t want to bother
these guys.
I am so tired and sleepy right now. Luckily the ladies who were
behind us leave the chairs and we jump on them. Khathu is
taking sips after sips of the alcohol. I am here watching both
him and Mike look depressed. I think Lufuno’s incident shocked
everyone and we are all worked up about it. Khathu is scared to
lose her and Mike has seen it all. He played the hero of the day
and spent the whole day in hospital.
The girls sitting next to us are drinking the same cold drink, so
yes…it should be nice.
I pick one and take a few sips. It is not as bad as I thought! It
taste really really nice for a five percent cold drink. Better than
the Cream Soda I wanted.
Khathu is gulping the drinks without the care in the world. A
part of him is missing. I can see regret in his eyes. I really feel
for him. Mike is also just drinking from his bottle. We are all not
talking to each other. All three of us are in our own worlds.
I am here watching these party girls dance without a care in the
world.
Balance me here??? Are these girls married or ever going to be
married?
They are shaking their bodies like those girls on music videos.
What is that word they use? Twerking!!!! They are twerking
infront of people, wearing dresses as short as t-shirts! Haaii!
Clap once.
I turn to look at Khathu. He is not there. I thought he could be
enjoying the view infront of him but he is not there. He has his
eyes on the floor, just in his wonder world.
He should have just stayed in Venda. He wouldn’t be this
stressed and in a middle of a messed up life like this. Things
would have been different for him.
“Are you fine?” he asks while staring into my eyes. I didn’t
notice he was now looking at me. I was lost in my own thoughts
about us, back in Venda.
“Yes, I am fine.”
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Always been there,” he says and licks his lips. His eyes are a
bit closed and he looks too nice right now. I nod at him and
quickly look away. I pick the third bottle and pour it in my empty
glass.
“Do you want some more?” Mike asks while staring at the
bucket. There is only one left.
“Ahhhh…not really,” I say and he stands anyway. It seems like
he doesn’t want to go home and buying us these cold drinks is
keeping him company.
That song that Dj Tira sings on plays and people start
screaming, while others are standing from their chairs.
Heeeee! I have seen this vosho vosho dance on TV and people
are doing it right now and it is so nice. I am all smiles and I am
clapping my hands it feels so wrong with Lufuno in hospital but
haayyy this song is nice.
I thought I would finish the fifth cold drink but nooo man…I feel
so sleepy.
“Hey you…when you said five percent cold drink…what
did…you mean?” I ask. I feel like I am talking slowly.
“Alcohol.”
“What?”
“What did you think?” he frowns.
“I don’t know…maybe I thought like…fifty percent juice, you
know?” I shrug and he shakes his head.
“I think you should get going my man,” Mike says to Khathu,
who nods and stands from his chair.
I feel happy, you know? I feel happy and sleepy at the same
time. I feel like I can dance. I feel like…I am very very happy.
“Khathu…did you ever love me?” I ask. I feel brave too.
“What are you talking about?” he asks while driving us home. It
could have been our home if his life wasn’t as messed up.
“We once got married when we were young…do you ever think
what could have happened if you never left Venda?”
“I have…I have never thought about that,” he says and then
smile.
“We would be married for real.”
“Most probably,” he says and laugh.
“You are still as handsome as you were years ago.”
“You are drunk,” he says and I laugh. Drunk? I can walk mos.
I don’t remember much when got to the house but Khathu
wakes me when the car is already in the garage.
I get to the house and leave for the bedroom. I don’t even have
a night-dress as I came here for a braai. I get into one of
Khathu’s t-shirts that he kept in the other room. I will wash it
fast fast in the morning before he wakes up.
Yazi my head feels heavy? My throat is dry and I need
something extremely cold to drink.
Mike should have specified exactly what I was drinking. But that
what what 8 drink is too nice to be alcohol, struuu.
I leave for the kitchen to get some water. I notice Khathu
sleeping on the couch with his shoes on.
Who does that on a light coloured couch?
I get to the couch and untie the shoes. He jumps when I was
pulling the shoes off his feet.
“What the hell?”
“It’s me…Khathu…its me.”
“What are you doing?” he asks while seating on the couch. “I
was having a bad dream, sorry if I scare you.”
“You should go to bed,” I say.
“I am worried about Lufuno. I can’t stop blaming myself for what
happened. What if she looses her memory? What if she doesn’t
remember me?” he says and I get to sit next to him.
“Look…it wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you…really. You are a
good man Khathu and you should stop beating yourself up for
what happened. Believe me…you are a good man.”
“Do you mean that?” he asks and rest his hand on my thigh.
Oh God!
We both look at his hand on my thigh. I forgot I was not wearing
anything with the shirt. I don’t think Khathu saw that I was half
naked.
He doesn’t move his hand away…and I don’t move it away too.
It is so warm on my thigh and I am loving the tingling feeling
that is consuming me.
“Do you mean that?” he asks and I nod. He stares into my
eyes. It is dark but his eyes are sparkling. Seems like he was
crying or was about to.
“You are a good man,” I say. He truly is.
He looks down to the floor with his hand still on my thigh.
“I should get going…I need to get to bed,” I say but truth be
told, I don’t want to leave for bed. My head is kinda spinning
right now.
“Don’t leave me, please,” he says while tracing his hand to my
waist.
I am confused by all of this. This is a man I once liked a lot. My
crush all of my childhood. This is Khathutshelo Nengwenda.
Maybe I can just kiss him like I had always wished before? He
won’t remember when he wakes up.
“You will be fine,” I whisper to him and he clears his throat. He
moves his hand away and stands from the couch.
“Mandi…I am sorry,” he says while standing up.
I want to do this! Just one kiss that we will both forget.
I turn to him and plant a kiss on his lips. I want it, just this once
when I am brave enough to do so.
“Mand…”
“Ssshhhhh…”

THE ONE

INSERT 64

LUFUNO

I can hear a lot of voices playing in my head. People coming in

my room and crying by my bedside?
It feels like weeks and days.
I have a banging headache and my throat is extremely dry.
“Hey, babe…I brought you your favourite flowers and a cup of
vanilla Latte,” I hear Khathu says. I miss him so much and I am
afraid to open my eyes and let him know I am awake. “Michelle
asked me to tell you how much she misses you and how she
cannot wait for you guys to go to Bounce once again. She says
she is praying for you. We are all praying for you.”
I clear my throat and slowly open my eyes. I hope the curtains
are not wide open.
Oh…why is he standing in the dark? I can see his tall shadow.
“Heeeyyy…babe…you are awake…” Khathu says happily. I
can hear his steps towards the bed. But why is he in the dark.
“Hey,” I say and clear my throat. “Can you please switch on the
light and give me a glass of water.”
“What?”
“Please switch on the light,” I say. “Why are you in the dark.”
“Uhm…babe…look…have a sip of water and I will…”
“Khathu, why are you in the dark?”
“Here…drink up.” He places a glass of water in my lips and let
me take a sip.
“Khathu…”
“Babe… I will be back…” he says while his voice is fading
away.
This is Pretoria East hospital, isn’t it? Why won’t they have
electricity in this hospital wards.
“Hey my baby…you are awake,” Mom says while walking into
the room.
“This is good news,” Dad says. I can see my parents’ shadows
by my bedside.
“May you please switch on the light for me?” I ask.
Why is everyone walking around in the dark as if it is normal?
“What?” Mom asks.
“What is going on?” I am starting to panic.
“Good morning…” Khathu says and my parents greet back. I
can hear him whisper but I cannot hear anything.
“Khathu, what is going on?” my voice is starting to break.
“Babe…the doctor is on his way, okay?”
“For what? For what Khathu? Can’t you just switch the lights for
me? Oooh he told you not to switch them on because I don’t
like the light, right? Am I right?”
“Look…you will be fine.”
“I am fine…I just want you to switch on the lights,” I beg.
“Good morning, I am doctor Mlisa…” I hear the doctor’s voice.
“How are you Ms Mudau?”
“I am okay. Why are we talking in the dark?”
“Let me see what we have here…I am going to check
something in your eyes, alright?” he says and thereafter I feel
his fingers on my face.
What is going on here?
I can’t see?????
I can feel my tears falling down my cheeks as the doctor forces
to open my eyes.
Lord! Haven’t you punished me enough?
“Babe…please don’t cry,” Khathu says as if he would stay with
me with no vision. I wish to see his face right now. The last face
I have of him is when I angered him. I last saw him storming out
of the house. The last time I saw his smile was when we were
hosting the visitors earlier that day.
“My baby…everything will be fine,” Mom says and I can feel her
warm hands on my shoulder.
“What happened to me?” I ask the doctor.
“Traumatic brain injury…it happened when you fell...but you
should not worry yourself, we are going to fix this.”
I have no come back. All I can do right now is cry.
“Babe, please…don’t cry,” Khathu says. No words will give me
back my eyesight right now so they can just keep quiet.
“Can you all please leave right now? Please leave…”
“No…listen…”
“LEAVE!!!” I yell.
I need to be alone.
I need to take this in.
“Please leave me alone…please,” I beg.
“Miss Lufuno, listen…listen…”
“I want all of you to leave, right now,” I yell with tears filling my
face even more.
“Lufuno…relax…please babe…please listen to me,” Khathu
say.
His broken voice is even making me feel worse. No one
understands what I am going through right now. No one will
ever understand.
I hear a little buzz on the side of the bed and minutes later a
person storms in the room breathlessly.
“Get me a tranquilizer,” the doctor says.
“Why? Why? Why would you need a tranquilizer for?” I ask
while trying to face the direction of his voice.
“Miss Lufuno…I want you to calm down…don’t work yourself
out,” the doctor says. I feel hands all over me. Khathu has his
hand on mine. My mother still has her hand on my shoulder. I
can feel the other hand on my other shoulder and without a
warning, I get a needle on my shoulder.
“Shhh…I want you to…rest,” I hear the doctor’s voice from afar.

*****

I am afraid to open my eyes because of the nightmare I had

before. But what if it was real. What if I can’t see anymore? But
if it was really a nightmare and I can see?
What if?
I slowly open my eyes and I am welcomed by the darkness
once again.
I break into a cry and in a second, I can smell Khathu’s cologne
close to me. He pulls me into a hug and force it on me.
“It’s okay babe, it’s okay.”
“I can’t see Khathu…how is that okay?”
“The doctors are going to help you. You will see again.”
“Did they promise?”
“Yes…they will do some tests and get you into surgery…you
will see again.”
He lets go and held my hand.
“You left me with her,” I say. He shouldn’t have. He should
have stayed with me and shout at me as much as he wanted.
He should have protected me. He should have stood between
us when we were fighting. He should have just stayed a little
longer.
“Babe, I am sorry for leaving you with Lucy…I am so sorry,” he
says.
Do I blame him? I deserved all things coming to me, don’t I? I
am punished for all the mistakes I have ever made in my life
and there is no better curse than this.
I am hurt.
I feel empty.
“I hate her,” I say. “I will never forgive her for what she did to
me…all those hurtful words she told me about my baby? I will
never forgive her. I don’t care if she forgives me. She cursed
me. She wished for this to happen to me. She pushed me
Khathu…she pushed me.”
“Look…I don’t want you to hold a grudge on her...she is your
sister and you two need each other…please my love,” he says
and I shake my head.
“I don’t need her.”
“You do…”
“I don’t. She can hate me all she wants for a damn mistake that
happened years ago. I didn’t want to tell anyone because I was
ashamed. I was too ashamed and even when we were drunk…I
was ashamed and I vowed to die with the truth. I told you I
wanted out of the circle but you…came for me and I fell in love.
I wish I didn’t… I wish I lived my life far from all of you.”
“Don’t tell me you regret us? Babe…you cannot regret us.”
“Why not Khathu…why not?”
“Because you know I love you. I was just shocked. I honestly
felt like a fool being around you and Oscar when you kept the
truth from me. I am no angel...I had a share of fucked up things
I did in my life…I was just angry at how you two made a fool of
me and I regret ever driving out of that house.”
“I am sorry,” I say and tears falls down my cheeks.
I am cursed. I am truly cursed!
“No babe…you don’t have to be sorry.”
“Maybe if I say it a million times, God will forgive me and make
me see again.”
He squeezes my hand.
“I need a loo,” I say while trying to get up.
“Uhm…relax…I will call the nurses to remove that urinary
thing…” he says and let go of my hand.
The nurse comes and take out the catheter and help me use
the bathroom by myself. I am told I have been down for a few
days and I ask myself why I even woke up. Why didn’t I just let
go and be with my baby? Why do I deserve to be punished like
this?
The nurse helps me back to the bed and Khathu reaches for
my hand.
“Don’t you mind leaving me alone?” I ask.
“No, babe…I am staying. I took some days off from work.”
“Oscar and I made out in his flat and it was too bad…” I say.
Maybe I need to clear up the air and tell everyone what
happened that day.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened…”
“I have to.”
“Please…I don’t want to know.”
“I deserve all things coming to me, don’t I?”
“All good things coming your way. Our wedding is coming
soon…and you are going to plan it, remember? You should
look forward.”
“How?”
I am not ready for this. I am not ready to adjust my life like this.
“Babe…everything is going to be just fine.”
I sense guilt in his voice. He is here because he feels sorry for
me. There is no any other reason. Honestly!
“How is Michelle doing?” I ask. I remember her sweet face. I
haven’t seen her in a while.
“She says she can’t wait for you to take her to bounce,” he says
and squeezes my hand. He shouldn’t have said that.
“How is Mulalo?” I ask. I have only seen the boy on the
pictures.
“He is good. He doing good.”
“Please forgive me for all things I ever did to you.”
“You have never done anything to me.”
“I have hurt you. Forgive me. And tell Lucy I am sorry for ever
hurting her. I might not forgive her for the words she told me
about my baby. My own sister told me she is glad my baby is
dead. I might never forgive her as much as she might not
forgive me for what I did to her…but tell her I am sorry.”
“Whats up?”
“Tell Tshepo to forgive me if I ever wronged her. Tell her to
forgive me for taking you from her…and find Masala and ask
her to forgive me for taking Rendani from her…because that is
what she believes…please.”
“What is wrong Lufuno?”
“Nothing…I just want to start afresh. When I get out of here, I
am going far away from here to start over. I think I need a new
start.”
“I am going with you.”
“You have Michelle and Mulalo…and I only have
Mukhethwa…in my heart. I don’t want you to hurt them.”
“You promised to stay with me Lufuno…you promised me.”
“I think I have a headache and need to sleep.”
“You can take a nap. I will be right here when you wake up.”
I rest my head on the pillow and contemplate on how to make
this better.
I need to make things better for the rest of us.
I need to.
“I love you Lufuno,” Khathu says and I blink to let the tears fall
off from my eyes.
I am tired.
I really am exhausted!
I am drained and need out.
I need to tap out!!! I really need to.

THE ONE
INSERT 65

TSHEPO

“How is his sexing?” Charlotte asks and cracks into a laughter.

She stares at me, waiting for me to give her an answer.
“Ohh please Charlotte,” I say and continue to pick clothes from
my closet. Today is my last day at home and I am returning to
work the following, so I am looking for something perfect to
wear.
Times fly if I should tell you. Kgosi is five months already, even
though it feels like just a month ago when I had him.
“How is Matt’s sexing game? Why do I have to dig for the
news?”
“Because there is nothing to tell,” I say and shrug.
“Nothing to tell? You guys are always on date nights. He buys
you flowers every week and talks about your evevveerryy day!
He must be getting some of that booty.”
“No, he ain’t.”
“What is wrong with you? Since when do you keep secrets from
me?” she asks and glare at my phone which is ringing on the
couch. “See what I mean? He even calls you five times a day.”
“Hey Matt,” I say while balancing the phone with the top of my
shoulder.
“I had a busiest day today, sorry I couldn’t call earlier…how are
you guys?”
“We good.”
“My father is inviting you for a church service tonight. I tried
to…”
“What?”
“Look…apparently I talk about you too often and he asked me
to invite you for a prayer meeting tonight. It is just an hour,” he
says.
“Well...I am really getting ready for tomorrow. I am going back
to work and I still have a lot to do.”
“I understand,” he says and I feel guilty.
“Okay, okay…I think an hour is not that much. Fine…I will
come.”
“Thank you, thank you,” he says and I could sense a handsome
smile. “I will see you later then. I will send you the address.”
He hangs up and I throw my phone back on the couch.
“Another dinner date?” she asks and I shake my head.
“I am invited to a prayer meeting,” I say and Charlotte smiles.
Her smile turns into a laughter.
“What is so funny?” I ask. It ain’t like I don’t go to church. What
is funny?
“You look terrified…that’s what is funny.”
“His father invited me. Ofcourse, I am terrified. He shouldn’t
have spoken about me with him.”
“Don’t stress yourself…just look for a long black dress and you
will be fine,” she says and I continue digging in my closet for
tomorrow’s outfit and an outfit for church.
I will have to deal with Matt. I don’t want to be in any situation
where I feel obligated to be with him.
“So, how is his sexing game?” she asks once again.
“What is wrong with you Charlotte? Matt and I are just friends
and I don’t sex friends.”
“Friends you say…sexy friends, you say?”
Matt and I have been to countless dates but we are not yet an
item. He is too perfect and that scares the hell out of me. I don’t
know if I am bringing my EX-boyfriends into my equation…but I
am worried about how perfect he is.
Matt looks like a man who loves deeply and I don’t want to
jump into anything with him. He loves too deep and that scares
me, really.

When last did I wear stockings?

The dress that is decent for a church prayer needs stockings
and a pair of good shoes. I would love to take Kgosi with me
but I will get lecturing from my mother. I am still staying at home
and Matt should find another apartment soon so that I move
back to my cosy apartment.
“You are going to make a good pastor’s wife,” Charlotte says
after helping me to zip my dress. It is already six and the
service starts in thirty minutes. She refused to join me so I drop
her home before driving to Midrand.
There are just a few cars parked outside and I do not see a
sign of Matt. His phone is off and at this minute I want to stay in
the car until he shows up. I would really love to stay in the car
but I wouldn’t want to walk into a strange church while
everyone is seated. So I pull my bag from behind the seat and
hurry to join a group of ladies walking into the church hall. I
hurry in and seat behind the three ladies who were infront of
me.
Schucks!!! I am too early.
There is no one on the stage except a young guy playing a
piano softly. It is just a few people already seated and I wish I
had stayed in the car.
“Ohh…there he is. What a surprise,” one lady say and I turn my
head to the direction in which she pointed at.
Damn! Matthews is damn fine! Those unbelted pants of his will
be the death of me. They are navy blue with side adjustments.
If he wasn’t so manly, I would think he is gay. He dresses
perfectly every time I see him. He looks around the hall and I
keep my head down so he doesn’t notice me.
“It is the first time I see him on a Tuesday service,” another lady
says and they all agree.
He walks to the front and greet the people in the front seats, all
four of them and thereafter take a seat on the fifth row.
He is a woman magnet! All ladies’ eyes are on him and boy I
don’t blame any of them. I am outch here sinning just by
watching him. Lord forgive me! I am wet.
The worship team starts ascending to the stage. One of the
ladies infront of me stands to leave for the stage. She shoots
up with her eyes on Matt, put on her jacket and flip her hair.
With all that, Matt turns to our direction. He smiles before
grabbing his bible and walking to me.
“No…no…no…” I whisper to myself as he walks towards me.
More people turn to his direction.
“I am glad you could make it,” he whispers to my ear as he
seats.
“Yes,” I say and focus on the worshipper starting a song.
“When is he sexing me?” I thought to myself but shake my
head at my wild thoughts. I am in the holy house.
“Are you fine?” he asks and I nod. He shouldn’t talk to me; we
are in the temple of God.
After three songs, the Pastor ascends the stage and grab a mic
from the pulpit. Everybody closes their eyes just when he takes
the mic to his mouth. I turn to Matt and boy, oh boy, he has his
eyes closed and both his hands slightly raised for worship!
“Haaaaaaaaaa!!!!” that angelic tone rings in my head. This man
ain’t human.
Lord forgive me for the fourth time! I am wet all over again.
“Thank you Lord for this blessed day. Thank you Jesus for
allowing us to gather in your presence once again. Thank you
for your holy presence. Thank you for another opportunity to be
in your grace. Thank you for your divine touch. We seek your
guidance tonight. We seek your touch. Do as you please with
our hearts. Let your spirit fill us tonight…amen,” the Pastor
prayed and the church harmonise an Amen!
Everybody take their seat when he started paging his bible.
“You didn’t bring a bible?” he whispers.
“I use a phone,” I say.
“We will share mine,” he says.
Matt, neh? His cologne is suffocating us and the girls infront of
us are stealing glances of him. I hope none of his EXs is staring
at me right now.
The Pastor preaches for a good thirty minutes and the only
verse that captures my heart is the last that he opened.
Philippians 4 verse 7.
Matt is one of those who page a bible for a few seconds and it
scares me. The reason I use my phone is to easily search the
scriptures. Matt is not like that. He jumps to the mentioned
chapter and he whispers the quotes before they are even read
by the Pastor.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” The pastor
reads and then closes the bible.
“Amen!!” the church says.
I like that: the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
The Pastor leads us into a prayer and we pray for a good
twenty minutes. I prayed until I was speechless. I mean I
prayed to God to give me a man (tongue out), I prayed for him
to give me the peace that surpasses all understanding like what
the Pastor said, I prayed for Kgosi and my life. In ten minutes I
am speechless but I got time to reflect on my life.
Maybe I need a Matt in my life, some day. I need to learn to
love again. I need to allow him to love me. I mean, he is trying
to be a good guy for me. I am just not there. He promised to
guard and protect my heart but the world has messed me up.
After the service I met his parents, as a good friend. Luckily
they had many people waiting for their prayers so they never
asked much about me.
“Thank you for coming,” he says while opening my driver’s
door.
“I heard you don’t attend the prayer meeting,” I say and he
widened my eyes. “Apparently every girl like you in this church.”
“Unfortunately the one I like doesn’t like me back,” he says. If
only he knew! I am just protecting myself.
“Let me go, Kgosi is probably waiting for me.”
“You still don’t want me to take him to the park with you?” he
asks. This guy is trying too hard. “Don’t worry, I understand.”
“Have a good evening Matt,” I say jumping into the driver’s
seat.
“Coffee after work tomorrow?”
“You should be packing out of my apartment…I need it back.”
“Are you kidding me? I don’t have a place to stay,” he says.
“Why don’t you help me pack?”
“Why do I have a feeling you want me in a closed room?”
“Why not?” he says and I widened my eyes. This man was
praying to God earlier.

*****

Should I say I was never ready to come back to work?

My boobs are forever full and I have to lock my office to pump
some milk for Kgosi. No one warned me about such activities.
Atleast I am allowed to leave early for the first week, so that I
adjust to my new life.
Work sucks when you have a new baby waiting for you at
home.
I miss my son like nobody’s business.
Thank God it is now just after two o’clock and I am packing my
bags when I get a text from Khathu.
“I will never ask for a favour if it wasn’t important. Can Lufuno
meet Kgosi tonight? Please? It is important,” the SMS reads.
“Tshepo, please…you are my last hope, please,” another SMS
reads.
I continue to pack my bags and choose to ignore the text
messages. I did tell Khathu that Kgosi will meet Lufuno when I
am ready to do so.
My phone rings and I ignore it until the third ring.
“Hi Matt,” I say while locking my office.
“Was about to give up,” he says and chuckle. “How was your
first day back at work?”
“Very long.”
“Are you alright? What’s wrong?” he asks and I smile. I
remember wishing for a man who would pick my mood from
just a telephone conversation with me.
“Khathu wants me to introduce Kgosi to his girlfriend…and I
don’t think I am ready for that,” I easily say and he keeps quiet.
I am not ready to play happy family with them. Matt has not met
Kgosi since we got out of hospital. It is my choice to keep it that
way.
“Why don’t you tell him that you are not ready?”
“He says I am his last hope…I don’t understand.”
“Pray about it.”
“What?”
“Yeah…pray about it,” he says and he ain’t joking. “Ask God
what you should do. See, I have to go. I will call you before we
sleep.”
I push my laptop bag to the car. Before driving off, I make that
prayer…as funny as it sounds. I text my mother to have my son
ready for me to take him to Khathu and Lufuno. I am only doing
this because my heart is allowing me to do this.
I change into a pair of jeans and a tank top then drive to the
location sent to me by Khathu. I park outside and call Khathu to
come get us from outside. After the call, I get Kgosi out of his
car seat and pick my bags from the boot.
“Hey…thank you for doing this,” Khathu says while reaching for
Kgosi. I haven’t seen him in two months and he looks thinner
than he was before.
“Hi…” I am speechless.
“Uhm…thank you for coming.”
“What’s going on?” I ask. He looks unhappy and stressed. He
told me he is going through a lot when he couldn’t come to see
Kgosi in those few months.
“Lufuno blames herself for our separation…and I was asking if
you could…talk to her, you know?” he says and I wish to fold
my arms but the bags in my hands make it impossible. I want to
ask to be excused, but I am curious.
He leads the way to the apartment. I take it this is Lufuno’s
apartment.
“Babe…I have a surprise for you,” Khathu says when we enter
the house. The curtains are closed and only the kitchen light is
on.
I follow behind Khathu until we get to a couch. Lufuno lifts her
head and carefully sit from the couch.
“Kgosi is here with Tshepo,” Khathu says while sitting next to
her.
What? It seems like she can’t see properly?
Khathu carefully places Kgosi on Lufuno’s lap and put her
hands around him. She smiles and then started rocking the
baby softly.
“I can see him,” she says as she stares down on her lap.
“And he is smiling at you,” Khathu says. He still has that glow
he always had when he looked at her. I am watching, trying so
hard not to cry.
Lufuno caress Kgosi’s hair and I can see tears almost forming
in her eyes.
“How are you Lufuno?” I ask, to break the ice.
“I am okay…just recovering from the surgery…but it is so hard,”
she says. I never thought we could ever be in such a situation.
“Let me show Kgosi around,” Khathu says while picking the
baby from Lufuno’s lap. I get it, he wants us to have a chat.
“What are the doctors saying?” I ask. We have to make a
conversation unless I want us to be in an awkward situation.
“They say I am healing well and hopefully I will regain my
vision…”
I want to ask what happened, but that would be insensitive.
“That’s good.”
“Thank you for coming today…it means a lot to me…”
“Uhm…yah…”
“I had always wanted to apologise for taking Khathu from you,”
she says without a warning. “I feel I need to apologise…maybe
I have hurt you so much. Some days are easier to deal
with…and some days are harder. I just need to keep being
strong and sometimes it is tiring. I am tired. But it would be
selfish of me to give up without considering how other would
feel.”
Why does she speak like a person who wants to kill herself.
“I went to church last night and I learnt a new verse,” I say and
she doesn’t respond, “The peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your heart and mind.”
Sounding like Mrs Pastor, right? I thought it would be good to
share.
“Thank you,” she says.
“Look…your apology is not accepted. You never wronged
me…you didn’t steal Khathu from me...believe you me. He
loves you. He always did and even if I forced to stay with him, I
was just going to hurt myself and take away his happiness. He
chose you and you should trust him when he tells you he loves
you…he means it. He still has that spark that I always saw
when he spoke about you. He still looks at you the same way
he always did…and I left him because I couldn’t compete with
that. I never stood a chance and I don’t think anyone will ever
stand a chance as long as you are still around.”
She smiles weakly.
“He is going to die if you ever leave him. You bring him this joy,
you know? You do…and you should never doubt him,” I say.
She drops a tear.
“I am glad I let him go…because in doing that, I opened a room
for someone else,” I say with a smile. “He looks at me the same
way Khathu looks at you. He knows it when I am not fine. He
cheers me up when he sees fits.”
She is crying like a burden is shifted off her shoulders.
“You know what he told me today when I wasn’t sure about
something so simple?” I ask and she shakes her head.
“He said I should pray…and I did…and it worked,” I say and
she smile.
“Thank you,” she says.
I don’t know where all of that came from.
“Pray when you are not sure. Kgosi still needs Khathu…and
Khathu still needs you…so pray when you are not sure,” I say
and she nods.
“Thank you,” she says.
“Life is too short for you to…” I stop before I could finish the
sentence.
Life is too short, alright? I reach for my phone and dial the last
number that called me.
“Hey Tshepo…”
“Life is too short Matt…did you mean all the things you ever
said to me?”
“Everything.”
“Did you mean it when you said you want to mend my heart?
Did you mean it when you said you want to make me your wife
one day? Did you mean it when you said you are ready to love
me?” I ask, not minding my EX’s girlfriend in the room.
“I meant it.”
“I am ready for you to mend my heart Matt…I think I am ready,”
I say and hear him take a deep sigh!! A deep sigh of relief!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 66

MATT

I hate deadlines because they have to be met. I am a project

manager and I should see to it that the new flight engine is
approved and we start working on implementing the idea.
Engineering is what I enjoy and do best, except that it is
stressful half of the times. It needs extreme confidence on
one’s designs and people’s lives depends on your invasions.
“Sthe, we are not moving the presentation date…so please
make sure you have the designs printed by Monday
morning…no extension whatsoever,” I say from my seat. He
likes to procrastinate and there is no room for such in my team.
“Sir…don’t you think…”
“Sthe, Monday morning I want the first drafts of the engine. I
don’t need to explain myself, do I?” I ask and he shakes his
head. I think this is one project that is stressing the hell out of
me. I have the whole army of South Africa in my hands and it
gets scary sometimes. Sthe is the hardest to deal with in my
team. The rest of the members do not question my orders.
“Matthews…do you know how long it takes to draft an engine?”
“I am an engineer, I know. I can do it in less than a week, why
is it that it is so difficult for you?”
“But we have to work in teams and it is already Wednesday,
four o’clock…we cannot deliver by Monday,” Sthe says.
“It is a draft I need. Come put on some work on weekend
too…as long as we have something to present on Monday
afternoon,” I say and I am disturbed by my phone ringing on the
table.
This woman doesn’t know the effect she has on me. I smile
while grabbing my phone from the table.
“Excuse me,” I say to my team as I walk out of the boardroom.
“Hey Tshepo…”
“Life is too short Matt…did you mean all the things you ever
said to me?” she asks. No greetings, whatsoever.
“Everything.”
“Did you mean it when you said you want to mend my heart?
Did you mean it when you said you want to make me your wife
one day? Did you mean it when you said you are ready to love
me?” she asks breathlessly.
“I meant it.” I really do.
“I am ready for you to mend my heart Matt…I think I am ready,”
she says and I smile before taking a deepest sigh!!
My prayers are finally answered.
“I love you Tshepo.”
“Okay, thank you…we will chat tonight. I gat to go,” she says
and hangs up.
I am smitten!
I dismissed the meeting because it was already five and the
team had to knock off. I stay behind and work on some reports
for my new project. I only leave the office after eight, atleast
done with a lot of paper work to explain the new designed
engine and its functions.
The house is dark and empty, just the way I am so used to. I
bought a burger on my way from work so I take a few bites
while washing the dishes I left in the morning.
My phone beeps on the table so I wipe my hands and reach for
it.
“You should start packing and moving out of my apartment. I
have a boyfriend and I need my appartment to bring him over,”
Tshepo’s whatsapp text reads.
“I need help packing away my things in such a short notice.
When are you helping me before your boyfriend starts
demanding your attention?”
“I will see if I can make it tomorrow after work.”
“I will cook dinner…maybe I might need to win your heart from
your new man.”
“You don’t stand a chance.”
“Can I bet on it? I will definitely change your mind…all you need
to do is to taste my brisket in red wine.”
“Bring it on,” she says and disappear.
I am in love with her.
She is fun.
She is sexy and so playful, and I love it.

Thursday was such a drag, maybe because I was looking

forward to get home and dine with my woman. It is good to
finally say: my woman. Sthe was shocked to see me grab my
laptop by four o’clock. I was always the last to leave, so it was
so unlike me to leave before they chase us out. I passed by the
mall to get a few things for my cooking. I am home at five and I
start preparing for the smooth potato mash and that red wine
brisket I promised. I hear a knock just when I slid the tray into
the oven.
“I brought more wine,” Tshepo says just when I open the door.
She is wearing a short black leather dress that makes her look
sexy, too sexy.
“That was so thoughtful of you,” I say while making a way for
her to enter the house. She walks in and starts looking around.
I have changed her house a bit to fit me. It feels like a man
now.
She walks around, touching almost everything she comes
across. She walks down the passage…she is home!
“You didn’t change much…but it is not me anymore,” she
shouts from down the passage. I walk towards the voice and
find her in the main bedroom. I kept her room as it was. I only
change her duvets only once as I am using the guest room.
“I love what you did with the apartment, it is fresh and young,” I
say to her.
“It is my job,” she says while walking around the bedroom. I
take it she missed it that much.
I excuse myself to check on the meat. I cannot afford to mess
the perfect meal that I am preparing. I am turning the meat
when she offers to set the dining table.
She knows her way around her own house so she grabs two
under plates, serving plates and cutlery; and perfectly set the
table. she pours herself a glass of wine and sit on the kitchen
counter and wait for me to finish with the food.
We haven’t discussed our new boyfriend-girlfriend label but the
connection is there.
She is playing with her feet and I cannot fail to notice her
creamy thighs. I am trying not to focus on them but they are
inviting.
I turn the meat and shove the tray back into the oven.
Tshepo is too beautiful, it is messing with my head. I walk
towards her and stand between her widely spread legs.
We need to talk.
“Thank you for making me your man,” I say and she digs her
eyes on mine. I meant it, I mean all of all the things I tell her.
“As long as you promise to love me right,” she says and sips
her wine. I want to pull her hair and kiss her, but I have to take
things slowly. I don’t want her to change her mind.
“I promise,” I say and she lowers her head to kiss me. I lift my
head and kiss her.
“How long do we have to wait for the meat? I am hungry.”
“Fifteen minutes left,” I say and caress her thighs.
“Do not start what you won’t finish,” she says and I laugh. Why
does she like to sound like she is a freak? Her telling me not to
start what I won’t finish: is a joke. I can always finish what I
have started, if I want to. I have good intentions with her and I
don’t want to scare her.
The alarm from the oven rings and we were saved by the bell. I
hurry to get the tray out of the oven and Tshepo jumps off from
the counter.
She walks to the dining table like she is hungry. I serve the both
us.
“Can I play some music?” she asks while walking to the
entertainment system.
“Sure,” I say as I continue to dish for the two of us. I perfectly
place the steaks in our plates, including the smooth smash
potato.
She connects her phone on the Bluetooth speaker and walks
back to the dining table when the song starts playing.
Tshepo grabs her chair and I also take mine.
I glance at her and she smile as she takes her first bite!
The music is playing softly in the background and if there is
something I don’t fail to do is to listen to the lyrics.
“Who is this?” I ask.
“H.E.R,” she responds and I start listening attentively to the
lyrics playing softly.

Thoughts of you running through my head

As I lie awake in my bed
Know you want this, don't be afraid, babe
And now we're standing face to face
Baby, tell it to me now
Everything you dreamed about
Don't make sense to run around it ooh, it's now or never
Remember this night
Show me how you feel
Let me know it's real tonight, oh
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's no place I'd rather be

The song is still continuing but I have a question for her.

“Do you mean it?” I ask and she smiles and I take my attention
back to the lyrics. If I should mention, the voice is…sexy…and
very sexy.

Feel the energy in this room

So high, you take me to the moon, oh yeah
Oh, what we got is something else
So fire, I can't help myself
Wanna see some fireworks
Let our love explode
So I'll rerun every episode
I'm in overload
We'll remember this night
Show me how you feel
Let me know it's real tonight, oh
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's no place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you, you, you
There's no place I'd rather be

I smile at the end of the song before it starts repeating itself.

There is nowhere she rather be than here with me, isn’t that a
just beautiful? I am not paying attention anymore because I
have listened to all of the lyrics. My focus is now on the most
beautiful woman seated infront of me. Her smile turns me on
and her laugh worsens the feeling.
“I want to make you happy Tshepo,” I find myself saying. I
mean all of it. I think I prayed enough for this woman and I am
sure about what I am talking about.
“I am a sex freak,” she says and frown.
I mean! What am I supposed to say?
“Excuse me?” I ask.
“I am a sex freak and I find it fit for you to know…I…I want to be
your pastor wife but … can I still be a freak if I want?” she asks
and I grin at her.
What more can I ask for? I appreciate the honesty and I am a
damn freak myself.
“I am a freak myself,” I say and she laughs as if she doesn’t
believe me.
Oh, I forgot! I am a pastor’s kid before everything else.
We still have H.E.R playing in the background and all we are
doing is to blush infront of each other until we finish our
supper.
She takes the plates when we are done eating and headed to
the kitchen. I follow behind with the serving dishes. I place them
on the table and walk towards Tshepo. She is washing the
dishes and I walk behind her and grab her waist. She gasps
and I slowly turn her to face me.
“I am in love with you Tshepo,” I say and she doesn’t blink.
Before she could answer me, I pull her closer to me and kiss
her passionately. She kisses me back but in a few minutes, we
are both roughly indulging on each other. I run my hand under
her dress and she lifts her one leg to my waist! She is a sex
freak alright!
She gasps for air when I plant kisses on her neck. I untie her
pony tail and have her hair fall down her shoulders. I pull her
and carry her to the counter. Her eyes are almost sleepy and I
want her, all of her.
“I want to love you,” she says breathlessly.
“Don’t be afraid…I am yours,” I say and continue to kiss her.
My hands are running on her thighs. She is warm and soft and I
looovveee it just like that. She spreads her legs and I get in
between them.
I want her.
I want all of her.
I rush my hands to her back until I reach her bra. The song is
still on repeat and calling for me to continue on my mission!
There is no place she rather be than here….so…let me not give
her room to regret.
I pull from the kiss and stare at her.
“I want to make you my wife, will you let me?” I ask.
“Can you handle me?”
“I can handle you alright,” I say and pull her head to
passionately kiss her. I unzip her dress and her red bra is
exposed.
My phone rings, only disturbing us!!!!!
“Switch it off,” she whispers as I pull it from my pocket. I glance
at the screen and it is a reminder for a family prayer.
“Babe…wait,” I say as she tries to kiss me some more.
“What?” she asks.
“Family prayer at eight,” I say and she frowns.
“What?”
“Uhm…we have a family prayer at eight, daily. I hardly pray but
at eight, I join my family in prayer…so…”
“So what?”
“Please join me,” I say and she frowns.
“Uhm…I don’t think I follow,” she says.
“Its eight and we have to pray…please join me,” I say, while
helping her down from the counter. I know she is confused, but
this is the hour in which the family has decided that everyone is
praying in one accord!
I zip her dress, and lead the way to the living room. I know I
shouldn’t have done what I was doing with her but she is just
too desirable.
I kneel infront of the table and she hesitantly kneels beside me.
“Tonight’s prayer: Thank God for what he has done in your life
this week,” I read out a message from my father. She looks
confused but she will get used to these eight o’clock prayer
meetings.
“Thank you Lord for finally bringing her into my life…” I start my
prayer while squeezing her hand…….

THE ONE

INSERT 67
TSHEPO

“In Jesus name, Amen!” Matt finishes the prayer and I keep my
eyes closed.
Really? An hour of prayer…really?
He shakes me and I shoot my eyes open. I am mad at
him…but not really mad you know? The things he said in that
prayer were the sweetest but I wasn’t told that I will spend an
hour on my knees. I stayed on my knees for maybe fifteen
minutes and I sat on my butt and listened to this man speak to
God. I even got lost in my own imagination. He was speaking in
tongues and I was here finishing our deeds in my head.
In my head I played out what we were supposed to do. He
should have finished rubbing my boobs and running his warm
hands all over me. He was supposed to pull my panties off and
let me spread my legs right there on the table. He should have
eaten me for dessert. I was ready to scream his name. I was
ready to play my fingers in his hair as he plays his tongue
inside me. He should have pulled me down, let me lock my legs
on his waist as he carries me to the couch. I would have been
ready after that head and I was going to pull a condom from my
pocket. I would have welcomed him in. All of him inside me. I
would have gasped for air with each thrash. He should have
whispered good things while riding what is now his.
BUT HE DIDN’T. Because PRAYER!!!!!
Lord forgive me for my sins.
I am shocked though.
The discipline?? Out of this world.
I stand from the floor and hurry to the bathroom. It would have
been rude to sneak out while in prayer but I need to pee and
clean up the mess that was caused by my horniness.
“I am sorry I forgot to mention about the prayer,” he says from
outside the bathroom.
“It’s fine Matt,” I yell back. It is not fine.
“I know it is not fine,” he says.
I flush the toilet, fix myself and get back to my prayerful
boyfriend.
“Its nine…I should be getting home,” I say. I would have loved
to continue and sleep over but I am not rushing things. Also, I
need to get ready for work tomorrow.
“I will drive behind you,” he says.
“Phhssss…please…I drive after midnight alone. I am a big girl,”
I say while walking to the living room. I put my shoes on and
pick my bag from the chair.
“Am I seeing you tomorrow?” he asks. I would love to but I
need to be with Kgosi.
“Saturday maybe?”
“Saturday it is,” he says and reach to kiss me. We kiss but not
enough to take us back there. I wouldn’t stand another
rejection.
I was so close…so close into getting some.
He walks me to the car and insisted he drives behind me until I
get to the estate.
Too sweet!
We didn’t even discuss about him moving out. I need to get my
apartment back and find a nanny for Kgosi.
I leave a message on Neat_it website to get a nanny. I just
need a middle age woman who can stay-in. I am tired of
sneaking in my father’s house. He still doesn’t want with his
spare key.
“I thought you said it was just dinner,” Mom says just when I
enter the living room.
“And prayer,” I say.
“Prayer?”
“Yeah prayer meeting,” I say. “Long story.”
“Who is he?” she asks. I don’t want to talk about him. It is too
soon.
“Who?”
“Oh please Tshepo,” she says while placing a tea cup on the
table. “Are you aware that you have been having lunch or
dinner once a week since Kgosi was one month. Are you
working things with Khathu?”
“Never. I am never getting back to Khathu.”
“So who is this guy you meet up with every week?” she asks.
She wouldn’t judge me if I tell her. Remember I said she is
more white than black? But I am not telling her about Matt.
“Ma, there is nothing to tell.”
“Alright. I am sleeping with Kgosi today so that you don’t wake
him. I already put him in my room since I was not sure if you
were coming back,” she says.
“Ma, I am fine. You should stop worrying about me. I am fine,” I
say and she nods. I think she thinks my breakup with Khathu
has left me heart broken. I am just disappointment but I have
Matt to get to know. We might have a slight problem but it is too
soon to tell.
I ask Mom to get Kgosi for me. I think I am too attached to my
son.

*****

Charlotte’s husband is working on an international project so

she has so much time in her hands. So she brought lunch for
me at work today.
“How is the baby making project?” I ask while sipping on the
Dry Lemon.
“I missed my periods but I don’t want to celebrate too soon,”
she says. I nod at her and continue to bite on my food. “We
need to go shopping when you knock off.”
“What are you shopping for?”
“Let’s get lingerie…I saw this red one that my husband would
love and you can get something sexy to show Matt.”
“No thanks…I’ll settle for a vibrator instead.”
“What?” she laughs.
“So I went to his house last night…my apartment, yeah…he
cooked supper and we had a moment…a steamy moment…he
was touching me, kissing me and I was dripping wet…and then
at eight o’clock his prayer reminder rang and he stopped. Just
like that. He stopped,” I say and Charlotte is shocked. Yah, I
was shocked myself.
“But come to think of it…if he ever comes by the house…he
usually leaves before eight.”
“But I think he has a problem…a serious problem.”
“What problem?”
“I didn’t get a chance to slide my hand inside his pants…what if
his thing doesn’t stand? Look…stop laughing. I am serious.
Charlotte, we were making out, his hands on my boobs and my
thighs and then he just stopped? No maannn…I think there is
something wrong.”
“So what are you going to do if…if it doesn’t stand?”
“Well…I will have to pass.”
She laughs. This is not a laughing matter.
“Okay look…Matt is a PK and you should know that he is too
disciplined. So, I don’t think he is disabled…I think he just had
to pray.”
“For a damn hour when I am there, ready to devour??”
My phone rings and it is him.
“Hey you…” I say while standing and walking to the window.
“Are we meeting later? Ice cream…movies…whatever you are
up to.”
“Movie and ice cream sounds cool.”
He cant get enough of me. I thought we were only meeting
tomorrow.
“Should I pick you up after work?”
“No, we will meet there.”
“Okay, I will text you the movie time later,” he says and hangs
up.
I walk back to my seat and throw myself there.
“What’s up with a pale face?”
“What if Matt is one of those? One of those men who spoil you
to compensate for the bad performance?”
Horror!
Two o'clock we leave the office to the mall. Charlotte buys two
sets of lingerie and I pick a black set. It might in hand the next
time. A vibrator is damn expensive YOH! I mean the one I was
eyeing is over three grand.
Matt chose a five o’clock movie. Probably so that he can make
it for PRAYER at eight. We were about to purchase tickets
when he said, “Tshepo we need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?”
Do we have to break up so soon?
Am I not the right woman for him perhaps? I didn’t pray for over
fifteen minutes last night, did he judge me?
“I feel like fish…lets go down to Ocean Basket...do you mind?”
he says and reach for my hand. Oh, by the way, he likes to
show affection in public. That is just a bonus. He leads the way
out and I follow behind him.
I am right here panicking. I hate the: we need to talk line.
We order drinks. No wine for me tonight, I am breastfeeding
later.
“I wanted us to talk about sex and us,” he says.
This is rare. It is not always that you bluntly discuss sex like
this.
“What about sex?”
“I like you damn much and I want to marry you,” he says and I
smirk. Not that I don’t believe him but this sound rehearsed.
“You know why I like to pray? Because God guides my steps,
right? I want God to guide me and you until we are married.”
Oh! Pastor’s kid.
“So?”
“So, I don’t want to spoil this…” he says and pauses when the
waiter was walking towards our table.
The waiters place the pans infront of us. I pick the fork and start
digging on the stir fried veggies.
“I don’t want to spoil this by jumping into things. I want to do
things right.”
“What is the right thing to do?”
“Wait to get married before we have sex?”
Oh Lord! I should save up for that vibrator.
“Are you kidding me?” I ask. How long are we going to take
before we get married?
“Look at it this way…according to Christianity, sex before
marriage is a sin right? I used to do it and it was
meaningless…very meaningless and I was once engaged, you
know…and I think it was our foundation that caused our
separation. Believe me, I know what I am talking about. And I
want to marry you so I want to do things right.”
I laugh.
He can’t be serious.
We can have meaningless sex, I am fine with that.
“So what do we do in our relationship if we
don’t…uhm…dance?”
“Build our careers, live our dreams, get to know each other well
and go through pre-marital counseling when we are ready to
get married…”
“Hold up.”
“Yeah…”
“You are not joking?” I ask and he shakes his head.
“Look I don’t want to change you so I won’t be expecting you to
pray with me for an hour and go to church every Sunday but I
would love it if we do it together…but I will never put pressure
on you. But I took a decision to hold up a bit with intercourse.”
“Matt are you gay?” I ask and he stares at me.
No! I need to know. Which man on earth doesn’t want sex?
Which handsome man doesn’t want to sex a woman like me.
He wears unbelted pants and is too neat.
“I am not gay.”
“Then why…” I shake my head. I can't even finish my sentence.
“Look…This will make us stronger…”
“And what if I can’t keep up?” I ask and shrug. He stares at me
for so long I am starting to feel bad for asking. It now sounds
like all I want in this relationship is sex. I would love some.
“I wouldn’t want to lose you,” he says.
Then sex me up! Okay, I don’t say it but what could be so
hard?
I grab my bag and search for the receipt of the lingerie I just
bought for him. I am not going to attempt to wear it for him
because I won’t stand the rejection.
Bingo! I found it. I am returning that thing and buy myself
something more useful.
“Are you alright?” he asks sweetly.
“Yeah…sure…”
“Look, just go and pray about it,” he says and I fake a smile.
“okay maybe not pray about it but please think about it.”
“Sure…”
“Tshepo please work with me. I want to be with you. I want to
marry you.”
Why is he so perfect and imperfect at the same time?
My life is going to be so boring.
“Matt…”
“Babe,” he says and I shake my head.
“Is it possible?”
“Yes, it is.”
It’s impossible.
No sex…until marriage?
“Can I quickly send a message home?” I ask while pulling my
phone from the bag.
“Oh yeah…go ahead.”
I lied.
I just need to make a quick order for myself.
“G-spot, Rabbit or egg vibrator?” I thought to myself as I
browse through to this website!!!

THE ONE

INSERT 68

MANDIWANA

I cannot even look Khathu in the eyes. Even when he doesn’t

bring the topic, I cannot look him in the eyes after what I did
that night. Even today, I regret ever drinking that 8 what what
drinks because I now look like a fool. I now look like a fool even
though I don’t know if Khathu forgot or not.
I should tell you, I hit a block. That’s what they say it is. I last
remember when I was standing infront of Khathu, forcing him to
kiss me because I was dying for a kiss. I remember the kiss
very well, but what follows after is blur. I don’t think I want to
remember. What I know is that we didn’t sleep together. My
underwear was intact when I woke up and I woke up from the
guest room.
Khathu doesn’t want to bring it up and I don’t want either. I
have been avoiding him but today I am forced to come through
to his house.
As much as I always want to stay away from Khathu and his
drama, I always find myself helping him and mending his
broken heart.
Didn’t this man bewitch me?
I should have been holding my skirts and running away from
him, but here I am, looking to save the day.
Did I tell you Lufuno doesn’t see now? Haaa shame! I saw her
once pittied her and I never saw her again. She is just so
beautfil but she stares at you as if she can see through you.
Khathu asked me to come spend a day with her.
I wanted to say, NO, but then I remembered I agreed to be a
bridesmaid and I am promised a make-over. I wonder if it is still
going to happen. Maybe I should just deliberately take one of
her long wigs and disappear.
Khathu is making a late breakfast when I arrived to his house.
He acts normal and I am shy around him.
“Thanks for coming,” he says upon my arrival.
Vheiwe! Didn’t this man bewitch me?
I mean where am I going to take a man with two children, a
fiancée and endless drama. I always find myself jumping at his
tune.
I think I am in love and this is something I am willing to die with.
“Yes, it is fine,” I say without looking at him.
“Are you alright?” he asks while stirring his coffee. There is
another mug on the tray, and that means Lufuno is here.
Mxm.
“I am fine, why?” my high-pitched voice embarrasses me.
I regret ever attempting to kiss Khathutshelo Nengwenda. Even
worsem I don’t remember if we did…uhm…you know? Or not?
“You look…disturbed and you are not yourself.”
“Did we have a sex?” My mouth rushes to ask. I think the
answer will set me free. What ever it is.
“What the hell Mandiwana? Never!!!” he says with a frown.
Wow!
I think I am hurt by the way he responded.
“Am I disgusting?” I ask.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Am I disgusting?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I asked you if we slept together and you frown as if I am some
sort of dirt…wouldn’t you have loved to make love to me?”
“Mandiwana? I think you are crossing the line, now.”
“What line? I am bothered by the look in your face when I
asked you if we slept together. Where you not supposed to just
say NO or YES? But the look in your face bothers me,” I say
and he is shocked.
No, I don’t care if whether I shocked him or not. I am disturbed
by the look in his face. Am I that unattractive? I have tried so
many times to keep with the Pretoria trends and hair, even
though mine is not expensive. But I am worried about that look
in his face.
“Listen, I don’t know what you are thinking about…but believe
me…I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I just wanted to know what happened that night. I kissed you
and you kissed back…I wanted to know what happened
afterwards.”
“We kissed and I stopped you.”
“Did we stop because you wanted to…or what?” I ask.
“Stop what?” Lufuno asks from behind.
She is walkings slowly with her hands reaching for the walls.
So vele vele…she is blind?
“Stop what? What are you guys talking about?”
“Uhm…stop keeping the ice creams containers,” I say. Very
stupid Mandiwana.
“Yeah, you should stop collecting those,” she says while
reaching for the chair. She carefully sits on the chair.
“Would you like some coffee?” Khathu asks and she says yes.
He picks the coffee and puts it infront of her. “It is hot.”
She slowly reaches for it.
“Oh, you can see now?”
“Some shades, yes…I can see the shadows of things” she
says.
“That’s good,” I say.
“Yes,” she says.
I am still angry at Khathu for giving me that face that he gave
me. I still have so many questions to ask but I will pack it for
later.
“Is there some ironing I can do?” I ask. What else am I here for
if not for laboring around?
I think I am ready for that bus ticket to Venda. I cannot do this
anymore.
“Oh, yes…” Khathu says. He walks away and leaves me with
Lufuno who is sipping coffee from the mug. She asked to be
friend but I might not be able to friends with her. I like her man
and I don’t want to betray her. so it would be safe to catch the
next bus to Limpopo.
“how is the weather outside?” she asks.
What does she want me to say? That it is hot and sunny and
beautiful? The next thing they will say I am inconsiderate.
“It is hot.”
“How is my flower garden?” she asks.
“Beautiful,” I say and she smiles.
Khathu comes back to the kitchen with a basket pf laundry
ready for iron.
“Babe, can you help me prepare for bath?” Lufuno asks and
Khathu helps her to the bathroom.
I pray to get over this man. There is nothing special about him.
Why cant I just forget about him and move on?
I set the ironing board in the middle of the kitchen and start
sorting his work shirts. I sorth the t-shirts aswell and then ended
with the pants.
Khathu comes back minutes later and grab a chair.
“She is taking a bath,” he says.
Did I ask you?
I wanted to ask that but I didn’t have the guts to mention.
I think, I am too sweet. Generally, I am too sweet and this has
to end.
“Why am I here?” I ask.
“I am trying to bring Lufuno back to life. She was giving up but I
want to bring things that makes her happy…so I wanted to ask
if you could finalise the wedding arrangement with her?” he
says like we never kissed.
Mxm.
“Okay,” I respond. I have nothing better to say.
“Her personal assistant is coming and I want you guys to just
brighten her day,” he says and I laugh sarcastically.
So I am being used, vele vele! I am being used to make
another woman happy? Haaaaa clap once!
I decide to iron in silence. Anyway, I get paid for my assistance
so I should just chin up and do my job. I finish ironing and
Lufuno joins me in the dining area. I have prepared a light lunch
meal.
“Babe, I am just going to the office to finish some
work…Mandiwana, please call me an hour before you and
Gean leave,” Khathu says. He is wearing track pants and a golf
shirt. He looks good.
“I will,” I manage to say.
Khathu leaves and the assistant arrives.
Well, how much do personal assistants earn? I opened for this
girl and she is driving a latest mini couper. She is dressed
perfectly and carrying a Loui Vittton bag. I hope I spelled it
right. She walks in with flowers and a gift bag.
“Hey sister boss…I got you some flowers,” she says while
settling down. She passes the flowers to Lufuno’s hands. I
watched as she feels the flowers. She smelled them and then
later smile.
“Thank you Gean.”
Gean! I never get used to this name, but let me just SHUT UP.
“Are you excited about the wedding,” Gean asks and Lufuno
gives out a fake smile.
Shame, this must be too hard for her.
“I am,” Lufuno says. I want to tell her to maybe change her
mind, but don’t have the guts.
“Then we should finish the arrangements,” Gean says.
“What arrangements?” I ask.
“The ones that sister boss had drafted. The wedding is in less
tham four months, so we should start running around,” Gean
says.
“Sure,” I say. What more can I say? Every word they mention
destroys the dreams I had with Khathu. That little hope that me
and him will move back to Venda and start afresh is stomped
on and there is nothing I can do.
“So…the wedding colour is red and theme…roses?” Geans
asks and Lufuno nods. She has a happy smile. Look like she is
looking forward for this wedding and I am not.
Entlek! I am not feeling this anymore. If truth be told, I am here
for the real hair. That long hair she promised. Other than that, I
don’t want to be part of this wedding.
You know why?
Because I believe Khathu and I has something special and we
should stop shying around for it. I think I don’t mind the two
kids. Good guys are hard to find anyway.
Please don’t ask me about my boyfriend back in Venda. I am
over him. I think we are over each other. I want Khathu for
myself, but this commitment with Lufuno seem more serious
than I thought.
“I want you guys in wine red long backless dresses,” Lufuno
says as if she will see us in those long dresses. Gean jots the
wish down and I fake a smile when she turns to me.
“What do you think?” Geans asks me and I nod. I don’t want to
mention or ask why we are wearing WINE dresses. Asking
what they mean about wine red dresses will be embarrassing
so I just shake my head to no questions.
“Basically, everything is red? Red roses, red dresses and red
cars. Red décor? I looovveeee it,” Geans asks.
I don’t have any comment. I am used to WHITE weddings. This
RED wedding seem unholy to me but I won’t mention it. I don’t
want anyone mentioning that I am nothing but jealous.
Gean’s phone rings and she mentions that it is the office
calling. She picks the phone and walks outside.
There is silence between me and Lufuno. I have nothing to say
and she probably has nothing to say to me too.
“Mandiwana, I once asked you this question once ago…do you
have a crush on Khathu?” she asks and I widen my eyes.
What?
I want to ask what she means but she might hear the panick or
defence in my voice. I also don’t want to keep this to myself
anymore. She might need to find out the truth soon.
“Do you?” do you have a crush on Khathu?” she asks.
“Yes. I have a crush on Khathu. I had always wished that me
and him can be together back at Venda but it is impossible with
you in the picture,” I thought to myself but not say it.
“Do you?” she asks.
“Yes,” I thought to say but I don’t.
“Mandiwana, are you there?”
“What?”
“Do you have a crush on Khathu?”
Thank God she cannot see my face right now. Khathu is
supposed to be mine. Infact, Khathu is mine. I might need to
play fair now, but I think I need Khathu for myself.
“Mandi?” she calls out.
“Yes?
“What is going on between you and Khathu?” she asks as if
she overheard our convo in the morning or she feels
something.
I think this is my opportunity to tell her the truth, the truth about
how I feel about Khathu.
“What is going on between you and Khathu?”