KHANYISILE
I'm using my home gym today. I really don't feel like seeing Qhawe and Bandile especially Qhawe. The weekend was great. I ended staying at my brother's house. Lina left Sunday afternoon. She wants to come back again this weekend but we'll see. It's close to exam time, I don't want her travelling too much. I can't remember the last time we had such a good time. I must remember to send my brother and his wife a bottle of wine just to say thank you. The way life happens, it has taught to appreciate those who are good to me and I must be good to them as well. Forget about those who speak negative things because people we'll always have something to say be it it's positive or negative. You have just got to stand your ground, stand up for what you believe in.
Maybe everyone is right. I should just let this Qhawe situation play itself out i'm a bit scared I don't want to lie, I would love to go on a proper date with him, he seems like a fun guy. Oh my goodness, I forgot to send Jason to fetch my car from Qhawe's place. I'll send him later.
After I'm done with my session, I bath and get myself ready for work. I should wear my navy pant suit with the powder blue shirt and my navy heels and my coat. I'm done, I grab my things go to the kitchen to start on breakfast but Mam' Mavis has beat me to it. So I grab a sit at the dining table as the kids walk in and ready for school. Their brother walks in to, he slept here last night. Which reminds me, I'm sure Eddie has found Barbie by now but then the weekend was hectic. We have breakfast talking about schedules for the day. Mondays are always busy for me. When we are done we leave and Khaya is taking the kids to school for me.
When I get to the office Ibanathi is ready for me.
Ibanathi: Morning, here's your water. As you know you have meetings with the various departments here. Vuyo is back so your first meeting is with him, you need to update him, since he wasn't here the whole of last. Here are the files for the meeting week. And then you have a meeting with Khaya and QM Architecture remember you gave them the project for the new building and here are the notes you prepared for the meeting and I'll just make sure the departments are ready you today. So tell me, how was your weekend?
Me: it was good, I really enjoyed it and I saw Mr gym at the VG, he was there with his friend and we ended up having fun together. How was yours, how was the date and who is this crush of yours?
Ibanathi: the weekend was great, the date was so much fun and he's name is Andile, Andile Mthethwa.
My jaw drops, that's my Andile, my personal body guard. I know he's gay but I never thought he wanted Nathi. Oh shit that was his car that I saw here the tiger day. Every time he came here, he never showed any emotions towards Nathi. Oh wow.
Me: that's my Andile (I say still obviously shocked.)
Ibanathi: I know. It's time to get to work. Vuyo is ready for you in boardroom one and then Khaya in the same boardroom immediately after the meeting with Vuyo. (I take all my files, I don't think I'll spend time in my office today. I update Vuyo with everything and what he needs to do. As soon as we are done Khaya walks in followed by Qhawe.
Khaya: Hey ma
Me: Hey baby ( I see shock is Qhawe's face and I'm sure he sees the same on my face.)
Khaya: mom please not infront of my associate. Qhawe meet my mom Khanyisile Sondlo, mom, this is Qhawelomzi Mtimkhulu, the genius behind my new building.
(Right now I'm frozen, I don't know what to say, no it can't be, I'm dreaming)
Khaya: mom are you ok, you look like you've seen a ghost. Wait a minute, you are the same Qhawe, she met on Friday? (Qhawe looks at him and he just nods. Right now Qhawe can see that he has an effect on me, I just confirmed it with my behaviour right now.)
Qhawe: nice to finally meet you. I really didn't know you were the Miss Sondlo I was suppose to meet and we never told each other our last names. Khaya talks about you all the time.
Me: Please excuse me, I need the bathroom (I walked out, how am I suppose to work with him almost everyday. Oh shit, shit. Hold it together Khanyi. You know how to be you professional just treat him as would any client. I wash my face and go back to the boardroom.)
Me: Sorry about that. Can we get started.
Khaya: yes we may. At least now that you guys have met and it looks like you are both into each,it saves me the trouble of hooking up the two of you. (We look at him like "WHAT") yes I was planning on hooking you guys up.
Me: Mr Mtimkhulu please talk to me about the budget for the first phase if the building, I saw in your proposal that you want us to pay when you complete a phase.
Qhawe: yes that's how I would like it to happen but then again am not restricting you to pay in full should you wish to do so and i plan to start next week Monday.
Me: So soon?
Qhawe: there's nothing delaying us, we have everything we need to start working.
Me: alright then. But I think I want to pay in full, we can discuss that later.
The meeting goes on, Khaya is hardly participating, he's just sitting there watching us work. He is just amused by this situation. After we discuss everything they leave. I go on with my other meetings, keeping myself really busy I'm avoiding thinking about this whole thing. When I'm done with everyone it's 16:30, I go to my office just finalise a bit of paper work, my office phone rings
Ibanathi: Lady K, there's someone who would like to see you, can I let him through
Me: yes you can. (Few minutes later there's a knock on my door)
Me: come in, (The door opens, mind I haven't looked at the door, I'm standing in front of filing cabinet putting some documents. That smell, I'd know that smell anywhere and right now the only thing going through my mind is me wanting the earth to swallow me whole. I force myself to turn around, as I do and look at the door. No, no, no, it can't be, what is he doing here, God why have you forsaken me. What is he doing?
Me: Zwelibanzi (and it comes out as a whisper.)
QHAWELOMZI
Wow, so she's the lady that was suppose to see my presentation but she was not available. Wow. I was so shocked to learn that she is Khaya's mom. Trust me Khaya talks about his mom a lot, he really loves that woman. I admire their relationship, it's the kind of relationship I wish my boys could have with their mom. Enough about that. Yes the woman really knows how to be professional. At first she was shocked just as I was and we recovered and the job was done. I still can't believe Khaya wanted to hook me up with his mom but then it just happened.
I tried calling her earlier but she didn't answer maybe I should drive pass her office on my way home, maybe we can do lunch tomorrow. She really gave herself away today. That intimidating Khanyi wasn't there for moment but when she came back from the bathroom, she was back to her intimidating, very professional self. You know what let me go see her, I just have this need to see her. I pack up my things and walk out and drive off to her office. When I get there , people are getting ready to go home. It's knock off time. When I get to her office, her assistant is not at the desk, the door to her office is not completely closed. I hear her telling someone to leave, she is calm a bit you can tell she is angry by the tone of her voice. I hear the guy refusing to leave and she is just begging him to leave trying not lose control. I can't take this, I just walk in. I see she is shocked at the same time happy to see me.
KHANYISILE
Right now I feel numb, I feel angry, I'm angry at him, I'm angry at God. God why have you forsaken? What is this man doing here, 4 years without seeing him, without talking to him, why now, what does he want. He snaps me out my of thoughts
Zwelibanzi: Mrs Tom (I look at him and I know right now he can only see a blank face, he can't read my emotions.)
Me: I think you have the wrong office, there is no Mrs Tom here.
Zwelibanzi: You will always be Mrs Tom, Khanyi.
Me: Zwelibanzi what do you want, what are you doing here?
Zwellibanzi: Still calling me by my full name, you never call me Zweli or Banzi just like other people and I always liked that about you, I still do.
Me: I asked you, what you want, what you are doing here?
Zwelibanzi: I see, straight to the point, I want my kids.
Me: I'm sorry, you want your what? I don't think I heard you correctly (and I know he didn't miss the sarcasm and the anger in my question)
Zwelibanzi: I want my kids and you
Me: Heeee, I thought I heard you incorrectly. Which kids exactly? The ones you haven't seen in 4 years, the ones you last spoke to 4 years ago, all of a sudden you have kids. Where were you when they got sick, where were you when they had games to play, who watched them play, where were you when they needed help with their homework, or when they needed help studying for a test or their exams, where were you when they were crying wanting you to be there for them. Where were you Zwelibanzi, and now you have the balls, even the liver to come here and demand them. Do you even know what they eat, you don't even know their favourite foods, their favourite books, their favourite, movies, tv show, music. You never cared for them Zwelibanzi, even when we were married, you never gave them the attention they needed from a father. Zwelibanzi we were in a relationship for 17 years out of that 17 years we were traditionally married for 6 years, 6 years that became hell on earth for me and my babies. Now tell me, what makes you think we want you
Zwelibanzi: Everything that you just said doesn't matter anymore, I'm here now. I want to change things for you and the kids.
Me: you know whatever you and Nkosikhona are smoking, please share it with me, it's giving delusions that are out of this world or NIQHUNYWE NINGATSHAYANGA (YOU ARE HIGH WITHOUT SMOKING) Zwelibanzi, get this through your thick skull, you will never have those kids, you will never have me.
Zwelibanzi: Khanyisile, watch your tone, you can't speak to me like that, I am still the man around here.
Me: I can talk to you any way I want, you mean nothing to me Zwelibanzi, you can go and be a man somewhere else not here, here you are not needed. Just leave, go back to the hole you crawled out of, just leave Zwelibanzi.
Zwelibanzi: No I'm not leaving until we talk about this, or else I'll take you court.
Me: I said leave now. (at this moment i am boiling with anger but still in control, I'm trying very hard not lose control, trying very hard not to cry in front him, I refuse to let him see my tears.) Leave Zwelibanzi.
My office door opens, and I see a face I didn't expect to see, what is he doing here, I'm shocked and happy to see him but I'm more shocked.
Qhawe: I believe the lady asked you to leave
Zwelibanzi: and you are?
Qhawe: that's none of your business. Please do as the lady requests before things get out control.
(Qhawe walks closer to him and looks him in the eye and tells him again to leave)
Zwelibanzi: Khanyi this is not over, I told you I want my kids and you on top of that, you know I always get what I want.
Qhawe: Not this time around , I'm sure she has good reason for staying away from you.
Khanyi: Leave, I'll see you in court.
Qhawe moves aside making space for him and watches as he walks to the door, at this moment I just involuntarily throw myself on my chair and I just let the tears fall. I feel Qhawe's arms around me, he holds me so tight and he is busy shushing me.
I hear Andile's voice as he walks in but I can't look at him or talk to him right now but he talks to Qhawe.
Andile: I just saw Zwelibanzi leave, what happened, did he hurt her, I could never forgive myself if he did. (he is so worried and stressed)
Qhawe: He didn't hurt physically, she is not ok. Look don't worry about taking her home, I'll do it, but you guys really need to tighten security around here, I have a feeling he'll be back. Anyway who is he?
Andile: When she is ready to tell you, she will.
QHAWELOMZI
This is a very emotional moment, at least she has stopped crying, I get her to stand so that we can walk to the car. She stands gather her things, she doesn't say anything, so I just let her be, I sit and wait for her to finish gathering her things, I still can't get over her beauty, her sexiness. She really looks good in this suit. When she is done, we leave. The ride to her house is quiet because she fell asleep, I think she's tired from the crying. When we get to her house, Eddie lets me in. I don't want to wake her so I carry her into the house straight to her bedroom, this time Eddie doesn't come with me, he waits for me in the lounge. These guys really care about Khanyi, I wonder what's the story. I place her on her bed, take her jacket and shoes off and just cover her with the throw that's on the bed. As I walk out, I notice a remote control on the wall, and it's for the air conditioner, so I turn it on and adjust the temperature to be on heat. It's a bit chilly today and the throw is very light.
I have never seen a woman so broken, as I walk to the lounge, I bump into a little a girl, she looks like Khanyi a bit, she looks more like that Zwelibanzi guy. She must be his daughter.
Her: I'm sorry, I wasn't looking. Are you one of the new guys, mom always introduces us to any new member of the security team.
Me: No sweetie, I'm your mom's friend, I brought her home, she is not feeling well, headache and now she is sleeping.
Her: So you were just in her bedroom
Me: Yes, she fell asleep in the car, so I had to carry her in because I didn't want to wake.
Her: I see. Uncle Eddie allowed you to do that?
Me: Yes baby he did.
Her: I see. I have to go, I have homework. Bye. I'm Lwanele by the way.
Me: Bye Lwanele, I'm Qhawelomzi Mthimkhulu
She walks up the stairs. She is a smart kid.
EDDIE
I look at Qhawe as he has a conversation with Lwanele. She is way too smart for her age. I'm sure she's already figuring out what's going on. They know their mother doesn't just fall asleep out of the blue, unless she has been crying, and they know that she just doesn't cry unless she's really hurt or angry.
Me: Qhawe how are you man?
Qhawe: I'm ok man, just worried about Khanyi, I walked in on her in her office angry and someone called Zwelibanzi.
Me: He was at the office, how did he find her? this is not good. (I try not to let Qhawe see the panic on my face but I think I'm too late.)
Qhawe: Eddie what's going on, who is this guy.
Me: He is her ex-husband and he is bad news, the rest she will have to tell you, it is not my story to tell.
Qhawe: I understand. Look I need to go, I have to check on my kids and help with homework and cook dinner for them. (I can see that Eddie looks surprised at my statement.)
Me: You are a single dad?
Qhawe: Yes I am. Been doing it for 6 years now.
Me: I'll call you and let you know when she is awake
Qhawe: thanks, I'd really appreciate that.
I walk him out to his car and you really can't miss the worry on his face, he really cares about her, I hope she'll open up to him. I think she is going to need him now that Zwelibanzi is back. As Qhawe drives off, Andile drives in in Khanyi's car. He gets out and walks up to me.
Andile: He is back, after so long, what does he want?
Me: I don't know Andile, but we have to make sure they are safe. We have to tighten security again and the kids won't be happy about it.
Andile: They will understand. I swear Khanyi is going to kill him this time around.
Me: that's what I'm afraid of. Let's talk tomorrow, we also need to have a meeting tomorrow about the changes in security. I know, she won't like this but you'll have to be around her at all times.