Naledi-His love By Dadu Busani-Dube, Chapter 1

―This ridiculous, there has to be something you can do,‖

What does he mean? He knows I‘ve tried everything. He, of all people, knows how hard I‘ve tried.

“He says he made me, that without him I‘d still be waiting tables at Wimpy,‖ I say.

A part of me believes that, but I was always ambitious, I was never going to end up waiting tables in Mafikeng, I always knew what I wanted.

“No, that‘s not true, it was your brains and hard work that got you here,‖ he says.

He doesn‘t understand. He‘s never had to go through what I‘ve been going through for the past year.

I have that appointment with the Captain today. To be honest, I don‘t think he‘s done anything or is doing anything to help me. All he‘s done is tell me to call him the next time the fool shows up at my doorstep.

3
I need him to prevent him from showing up, not make him go away when he‘s already shown up because anything can happen in the 15 minutes it takes driving from the police station to my house.

“Do you want me to come with you?‖ he asks.

“No my friend, it won‘t take long, just signing for a restraining order and that‘s it,‖ I say.

I feel exhausted and angry as I leave the hospital. I‘ve done this trip over and over again but it never helps.

It‘s good that we are meeting at a restaurant today because I‘m tired of the stares I get every time I enter that police station.

The downside, getting parking at Kim Park during lunchtime, it‘s a nightmare!

Oh lucky me! That guy is walking to his car. I‘ll just wait here for him to drive out so I can park, and it‘s just outside Nando‘s where I‘m meeting the captain.

I have two missed-calls? I forgot to turn my phone volume on when I left work…

What?? No!! You‘ve got to be kidding me! What the heck??

“Excuse me! What are you doing?‖

He looks at me briefly and keeps walking.

“I was waiting to park, surely you saw me there,‖ I shout after him.

He turns around briefly.

“The parking space was empty so I parked,‖ he says and continues walking.

What the heck? This guy doesn‘t know me! He thinks because he‘s driving a big car he can just bully me? And he has the nerve to just walk away when I‘m talking to him? Rude arsehole!

Let‘s see how this is going to work out for him!

I lock my car and walk away.

4
Why are these people looking at me like that? They saw what he did!
“Dr Montsho,‖ he says

I knew I‘d find him already waiting. I don‘t know if punctuality is a cop thing or just his thing.

“Captain, how are you? I‘m sorry to keep you waiting…‖ I say sitting down.

He has a pile of papers in front of him.

“I‘ve already ordered, spicy-rice with strips and quarter chicken,‖ he says.

That by the way means I must stand up and go to the counter to pay. Apparently SAPS doesn‘t have a budget for dining complainants, that‘s what he always tells me. Sometimes I think he requests meetings with me just so he can get free lunch.

I do what I‘m supposed to do.

I order myself a salad. I have this thing of not being comfortable eating in public because I feel like people are watching and judging me, especially when it‘s something like Nando‘s or KFC. It has everything to do with my weight. My father says I was born big-boned, like his sisters and all my sisters. He always says even if I tried to lose weight I will never really be slim, some people are made big, others are made tiny and besides, ―you‘re beautiful in and out‖ he always says.

He lays out the pile of papers on the table and shows me where I have to sign. I‘m not sure what I‘m signing for but I trust him, he‘s the only person I know that‘s taking my plight seriously.

“I‘m going to take these to court for a stamp and have them delivered to him, actually no, I‘ll take them to him myself,‖ he says.

That‘s going to be a bit of a hassle considering that the man‘s official address is Rustenburg. But, I am for whatever helps.

My lunch hour is over. I have two patients left to see before I knock-off.

It‘s raining outside, strange, the sun was out when I walked in here an hour ago.

5
And then???

Oh, by the way.

Let me go back inside the mall and buy a few things before going back to work. This guy hasn‘t suffered enough. I think I must let him stand under that umbrella next to my car a little longer.

“Ngwana I‘m going to delay a little, please cover for me,‖ I say

“It‘s okay ngwana, the schizo has been sleeping all day, I don‘t think there‘s anything you can do to him anyway. You might as well go home, I‘ll see the other one,‖ he says.

My life saver!

This means I can stay here longer and keep that bully idiot waiting even longer.

Here is a beauty salon. Let me do my nails.

“Oh you‘re back? How long did the old ones last you?‖ she asks.

It‘s the same lady that did my nails two months ago. I‘m surprised she recognises me.

“About three weeks,‖ I say.

This place is normally full but there‘s just three of us doing nails and hair today. It makes sense, it‘s Tuesday afternoon.

“What was he doing here? I mean he‘s the last person I‘d expect to see at Kim Park, I mean, seriously?‖ the hairdresser lady says.

They all laugh.

I‘ve been ignoring this conversation but it‘s getting interesting, who on earth are they talking about?

“And all you hoes stood here with your mouths open when he walked past, you have no morals whatsoever,‖ one says.

The all laugh again.

6
I‘m confused.

“What colour?‖

“Nude please,‖ I say.

My hands are too thick, that is why I always do a manicure, just to give them that stylish glow.

From here I‘m going to buy myself perfume, expensive perfume.

That‘s what I do, I spoil myself with all the money I make. I‘m not into cars, I have a limited choice when it comes to clothes, and I‘m the youngest at home so technically I have no expenses other than maintaining myself.

But, Tsietsi says I wasn‘t always like this. I wasn‘t always a shopper. He says it began when my ex started making my life hell.

I used to love him, I really did but years of physical, emotional and psychological abuse killed the love bit by bit.

When I came back from Cuba, after studying medicine there for five years I was ready for commitment. We were going to make the relationship work. We had after-all been together for eight years, including the five I spent in Cuba and saw him only four times during the period.

But he had changed. He accused me of having changed but I think he was the one with a problem.

And then I found out he had almost married some woman when I was away, and had two kids with her.

I tried to break things off but he assured me it was all a mistake, and now that I was back he was sure he wanted me.

So, I stuck around, he was still a police officer, I was a doctor now, he pointed that out every chance he got. At first I thought it was going to pass once he realised that this was not an issue with me, but it got worse. He started telling me he made me, that was it not for his money which I used to go to interviews for the Cuba government programme, I would not be where I am.

A part of me believed that I owed him.

7
“Done,‖ she says packing the nail polish away.

My hands look perfect as always.

It‘s still raining outside, better than it looked earlier but it‘s still dripping.

My car is still where I left it, but he‘s not there anymore……..

“All of this for a parking space? You have issues lady…..‖ he says from behind
me.

He‘s still rude I see.

I keep quiet and walk past him.

He‘s following me with that small umbrella.

I get in my car.

He‘s standing next to my window, he looks angry.

I roll the window down.

“Next time you feel like bullying a woman, choose your victim carefully,‖ I say.

I roll up the window and start my car, but……it doesn‘t move. It‘s showing me
a tyre sign. Do I have a puncture? Did this fool…..? Oh hell no!

I get out of the car. He‘s still standing looking at me with big eyes!

I walk around the car. The left back tyre is clamped!

“Did you do this??‖ I shout

He frowns.

“Remove this thing, I want to leave!‖ I shout.

He‘s just staring. I‘m fuming!

“It happens when you park behind people‘s cars on space that‘s meant for people to walk on,‖ he says.

8
The fool doesn‘t even raise his voice. His eyes say he‘s annoyed but his face is calm.

“Please sort this out with security, I have to leave, I‘ve been waiting for two hours,‖ he says.

I‘m angry but I‘m starting to feel bad. I don‘t know if it‘s because I‘m now going to have to pay to get my car un-clamped or if it‘s because I realise now that I should have scratched his car and walked away instead of parking him in, that would have worked better.

There‘s a security guard approaching.

This is starting to be embarrassing.

“R350 mam,‖ –the security guard.

What? To un-clamp a tyre?

And I don‘t even have enough money, I have just one bank card with me and I‘ve used almost all the money in it.

“I can‘t remove the clamp mam unless you pay R350,‖ the security guard.

They‘re both looking at me. Stupid idiots!

“I don‘t have money on me, I‘ll call my friend,‖ I say dialling.

Tsietsi doesn‘t answer his phone. When I dial for the fourth time they‘re already looking at me like I‘m bullshitting them.

How did I get myself into this?

“I don‘t have money on me,‖ I say in a low voice.

Oh! How the mighty have fallen!

I‘m so embarrassed I want to die and be cremated and have my ashes scattered all over…….

“Here,‖ he says handing the money to the security guard.

Really dude?

9
“No, I don‘t want favours from you. I‘ll wait for my friend to….‖

“But I want to leave. I‘ve already missed my flight back home. How am I supposed to leave when you‘re still parked behind me?‖ he asks.

He has a point, but he started it!

“I don‘t know, you can push my car and drive out and…….‖

I stop talking when I notice the look on his face. It says ―how stupid are you…?‖

The security guard takes the money. He removes the clamp. The guy gets in his car. I get in mine and we drive off.

But I notice when I stop on the second robot on Chappel Street that he is driving behind me.

Is he following me?

I drive faster, but he‘s still behind me. I‘m beginning to feel uneasy. I don‘t even know this guy. What if he‘s some psychopathic stalker?

And he didn‘t seem like a nice person at all.

Okay, I wasn‘t exactly nice myself but he is a man, their animal side is dominant.

I turn right on the sign that reads Hillcrest, but he drives straight. He‘s on the phone. It doesn‘t look like he sees me at all. I think I was imagining things, he wasn‘t following me.

Whew! It‘s been one heck of a day…….I need a smoke.

I love Tuesdays particularly because my helper comes by. I love coming home to a clean and fresh house. In fact I can‘t live in an untidy place, the sight of dishes in the sink, even if it‘s one plate makes me cringe.

I clean after myself, my laundry basket never gets full, and, even my car is always spotless.

People in my life say it‘s annoying but they like having me in their houses because I end up sweeping and mopping.

10
Pizza, a double dose of Law&Order: Special Victims Unit and off to bed I‘ll go.
————-
“Dr Montsho, they‘re looking for you at reception,‖ the nurse peeps in and says.

I look at Tsietsi, he‘s thinking what I‘m thinking.

Not my ex again!

He probably knows about the restraining order and now he‘s here to harass me, again.

He should be admitted to this hospital, I know people in here who are more sane than he is.

“No, it‘s not the usual problem, there‘s a delivery for you,‖ Tsietsi says after calling reception.

It‘s probably from the usual problem.

He walks downstairs with me. Lord knows I‘m going to need him to deal with whatever it is this time.

“Dr Montsho?‖ the delivery guy asks.

I nod.

“Great, please sign here,‖ he says.

I sign, but I don‘t see a package anywhere.

“Here,‖ he says handing me a small white envelope.

He smiles, and leaves.

I look at it.

“Open it,‖ Tsietsi says.

I‘m scared. What if it‘s a bomb? In a small white envelope…?

11
It‘s a note….

Dear Dr Montsho

I want my R350 back.

You can deposit it at Shoprite.

Thank you.

Q.Z

Really? How sleazy can this guy be?

“And then?‖ Tsietsi

“It‘s the guy from yesterday‘s drama, he says he wants his money back. I don‘t even know how he found me,‖

He snatches the paper from me and reads it.

“He wants his money back? What a cheapskate! Send it to him so he can leave you alone,‖ he says

He looks upset.

The guy didn‘t even write his name, just Q.Z, whatever that means.

“Who am I going to deposit it to? There‘s no name here,‖ I say.

We follow each other up the stairs and out to the balcony.

―Can I use your lighter?‖ I ask Tsietsi

―We‘re probably the only doctors in the world who smoke,‖ he says.

We laugh.

I taught him to smoke, and now he‘s in too deep. It started at our first job in Tembisa Hospital.

We were both straight out of medical school, before he decided to do psychiatry on top of his GP qualification.

12
Things were so bad in that hospital that you were lucky if you recorded less than five deaths a day,

Everything from gunshots to stabbing to suicide to old age………..

Going out for a smoke was our only escape.

And now, here, we are dealing with mental illness, I don‘t know what‘s worse!

And to tell you the truth I don‘t have that R350, pay-day is two days away. The money I‘m left with is for petrol and dinner for the next two nights. He‘s just going to have to wait, and I did tell him I didn‘t want his money but he insisted.

And…what kind of a man is this? Driving a big Jeep and demanding R350 from a woman? He‘s probably one of those fake high fliers who live on overdraft and Capitec loans.

He can go to hell for all I care.

I haven‘t received a call from the captain and that means he hasn‘t delivered the restraining order.

I don‘t even know why I‘m thinking about it because I know problems are going to start as soon as that policeman knocks on his door. I don‘t know what he‘s going to do this time. He‘s already smashed my car, broke my house windows, attacked me at work, harassed me on social networks………

I just hope he will get the message this time.

“How are we doing today Mr Schalwyk?‖

He raises his eyes, but he doesn‘t say anything.

It‘s a bad day.

I press the red button.

Two security guards and two male nurses come running in.

He‘s still sitting on the bed, his eyes on me.

13
“I have to check his BP. I need a few blood samples too but I doubt it‘s going to be possible today, not when he‘s like this,‖ I say

I know he can‘t hear a word I‘m saying. He‘s in another world, a different world that none of us have seen. The problem is, that world can be very dangerous.

Tsietsi should be here, he‘s the psychiatrist.

His body is burning hot, I think he‘s coming down with a fever, but then again, you never know in his case.

He used to be a state pathologist, one of the best in the country. And then one afternoon he arrived home, took an axe and butchered his whole family, including the domestic worker.

On his ―okay‖ days he tells the story. He says he walked in his house and saw snakes all over the place, so he started killing them. The next thing he saw was blood all over and his wife and kids‘ hacked bodies all over the house.

Schizophrenia, that‘s what he was diagnosed with. So, instead of jail, he came here.

I diagnosed him with diabetes last week.

When he‘s fine he‘s really fine, but when he‘s not, like today, we all fear for our lives.

They sedate him just as I walk out the door. I always ask them to wait until I‘m out of the room before they do these things, especially when they have to do the chaining.

I‘m done for the day.

We could go and have dinner, me and Tsietsi, but we are broke. People don‘t understand how that is possible because you know, we are doctors for crying out loud, but we are also spenders.

And Tsietsi, I‘ve been saying that his girlfriend is dodgy. She‘s with him for money I just know it. She doesn‘t like me, I don‘t care.

14
She, and a whole lot of people find it hard to believe that Tsietsi and I are just friends, but we are, we have been for years and nothing has ever happened between us.

I‘ve already phoned my father.

TV is boring and no I don‘t read books, I have a high IQ, that‘s how I got through medical school, I don‘t need other people‘s imaginations to stimulate my mind.

I‘m going to throw meat in the oven and have an early night tonight.
An SMS?

“Shoprite is about to close, I still haven’t received an SMS with the withdrawal details for my money,”

What the fucking hell?

I don‘t know this number but I just know it‘s that big-eyed fool!

All of this for R350? Really?

I ignore him.

Half-an-hour later, my phone beeps again.

“I guess then I’m going to have to send a debt collector”

Oh my God!!

I think about ignoring him again but he won‘t stop! I just know! What a bloody broke ass man!!

“I will send it to you first thing tomorrow morning,” I respond.

I hope he‘ll leave me alone now.

“I doubt that. But I’ll let the R350 go if you agree to do lunch with me tomorrow,”

You have got to be kidding me!!!

15
The bloody fake BEE is hitting on me now? How sleazy!!

I ignore him.

“I’ll be outside the hospital at 1pm”

Rubbish man!!

I cringe just thinking about him close to me.

“No. Seeing as you’ve been pestering me for R350, I doubt you can afford me. I won’t go to lunch with you. I don’t want to and I never will. I will eWallet you your money tomorrow morning, after that, please leave me alone,”

Can it get worse than this? Really?

He‘s replying?

“What’s eWallet?”

Ghrahhhh!!!

I switch my phone off and go to bed!

———————

Tomorrow is Friday, that means party night!

Party night on Kimberley standards means hanging out with all the people who are not from Kimberley but live in Kimberley and think they are bigger than Kimberley but live and work here because where they come from they would never earn the salaries they earn in Kimberley.

So, in short, it‘s folk with a lot of money but nowhere to spend it, in Kimberley.

Sometimes I wonder how I end up being broke. Oh wait, I fly to Joburg once every month to shop and do my hair. Yes, I do that.

“I saw Schalwyk this morning and all I can tell you is, stay away,‖ Chelsea says.

She‘s the gossiper of the hospital. She knows everyone‘s business and tells everyone about it. She even knows about my stalker ex because this one time

16
we were talking about it in the kitchen thinking she couldn‘t hear anything because we were speaking Tswana. The next thing we hear is ―Wuuuu bashimane!!!‖

I almost fainted.

She speaks fluent Sotho.

There‘s also a debate about whether she‘s coloured or white. You never really know in the Northern Cape.

“Dr Montsho, reception is calling you, there‘s a delivery for you,‖ it‘s the same nurse from yesterday.

I hope it‘s not that fool again.

It‘s flowers, a large bunch of white roses.

There‘s a note.

“While I wait for the eWallet……”

This is getting creepy…….

I rush upstairs. I don‘t even sign for the bloody delivery!

My office window is facing the parking lot.

I look at the flowers once and toss them out the window.

Can pay-day come already so I can pay this man and get him off my back?

“Dr Montsho, reception again,‖

Urghhh what now?

I drag myself down there. Chelsea is behind me, I don‘t know who called her.

It‘s another bunch of roses, a bigger bunch, red this time. I don‘t even like flowers.

“Hope you like these better, enough to find space for them in your office,” the note reads.

17
I‘m being stalked, again. I have to call the captain. Why does this always happen to me? What did I do wrong?

I hand the flowers to Chelsea and walk back to my office. Now I‘m scared.

This guy is doing all of this for R350? Stalking me like this?

Was he serious when he said he wanted us to do lunch?

I don‘t even know his name.

This is where I have to swallow my pride I guess. This guy will never back off, seeing me flinch seems to make him happy.

“Hi, I’m sorry if I was rude or mean to you that other day at the mall. But even if I was, what you are doing is unnecessary, I’ve had to deal with this before and trust me, it’s painful. I will send you your money tomorrow. Please stop doing this”.

My phone rings immediately.

Why is he calling me?

“Naledi,‖ that‘s the first thing he says.

How does he know my name?

“What do you mean you‘ve had to deal with this before? Is someone bothering you?‖ he asks.

This guy though…..

“What do you want from me?‖ I snap.

“I want to get to know you,‖ he says, politely.

Really? By stalking me?

“You‘re scaring me, I can‘t go through this again, please……..‖ I say

I‘m getting emotional.

“Can I come see you? Now,‖ he asks.

18
I can‘t speak, I‘m trying to suppress my voice, I‘m crying.

“Naledi! Nalediiiiiiii…..‖

I hang up!

Damn! I can‘t believe I just did that! I just cried to a stranger. This guy probably thinks I‘m some psychotic woman who can‘t stand up for herself.

And how does he know my name? How did he know I work here? How did he know my surname?

I ignore the calls, but he calls and calls until I decide to switch my phone
off. It‘s time to knock off. I want to be alone tonight. ——-

“Naledi, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I was just trying to get your attention,”

Why did I switch my phone on?

It‘s clear this guy is never going to leave me alone.

“Ngwana, what’s wrong with you? I thought you were cooking tonight, now I have no choice but to eat at Chantel’s house, pray for me,”

It‘s an SMS from Tsiesi. He must have thought I was ignoring him, I‘ll explain in the morning.

It‘s 2am, my salary is in.

I‘m going to do an eWallet now, I don‘t care if the SMS wakes him and his wife if he has one. Actually, let me add an extra R50.

“Here is your money. There’s an extra R50, go buy yourself a life with it” I SMS just after the money goes through.

My phone rings!

Oh bloody hell!

19
―What do you want??‖I shout.

―Why aren‘t you sleeping?‖

Really? How is that any of his business?

―Why are you calling me?‖

―I‘m worried about you,‖ he says

―Why? I don‘t even know your name,‖

―I‘m Qhawe,‖ he says

I‘m shouting! Why is he so smooth and polite?? At 2am nogal!!

―I‘m fine,‖

―Okay, do lunch with me tomorrow, I‘ll pay,‖ he says.

Motherfucker!!!

I hang up.

I need a smoke!

I keep thinking he‘s going to call but he doesn‘t.

Qhawe, I‘ve never heard of that name before.

And why is he being so nice to me now?

—————–

There‘s no missed call or SMS from him when I wake up in the morning.

Why am I even noticing? I‘ve given him his money, that‘s all he wanted from me. He‘s gone now, it‘s over, my life will go back to normal and besides, I‘m going to have a great weekend shopping and pampering myself with my sister.

It‘s payday weekend, my flight to Joburg leaves at 7pm. I also have a baby shower to attend on Saturday. I‘m going to have fun and forget all about the abuse I suffered this week.

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―Counting hours?‖ Tsietsi

That‘s what I‘ve been doing all day.

I nod.

―I‘m going to Kakamaas, to meet the parents,‖ he says.

What?

He raises one hand just as I open my mouth.

―I know what you‘re going to say. I‘m a grown man, I know what I‘m doing,‖ he says.

I think this is a mistake, he‘s making a mistake. And where the heck is Kakamaas? How‘s he gonna come all the way from Limpopo and meet parents of some girl he‘s been with for four months in Kakamaas?

―Dr Montsho,‖ the nurse peeps in.

I look at her. She smiles.

―Reception again?‖-Tsietsi

She nods.

It‘s probably my stalker ex this time, or maybe the captain.

―Parking,‖ the receptionist says when I appear.

Parking?

―Yes, parking,‖ Chelsea says.

I don‘t understand, but I go outside anyway.

Why is everybody looking at me like that?

Why are people looking at me through the windows?

Noooooooo!

21
What is wrong with this guy?

I stop before I reach him, is this real?

He‘s just sitting there, and how on earth did he get a table set at a government hospital parking?

How did security guards allow this?

I walk to him, slowly. I feel all eyes on me.

It‘s embarrassing.

―I decided, since you don‘t want to go to lunch with me, I‘ll bring lunch to you,‖ he says, stands up and pulls a chair for me.

Does he really think I‘m going to sit?

―What are you doing? Are you trying to get me fired?‖ I ask.

He looks up and at the building.

―Well, I think you could do without the lunatics looking at us through windows but, if you‘re happy here, no I won‘t get you fired,‖ he says.

What the heck did he just say? Arrogant bastard!

―You could sit down with me and have mussels in creamy white wine sauce, your favourite, or you could cause a scene and draw more attention to us than there already is,‖ he says.

This guy is an idiot, naturally.

The food looks great.

He brought wine, I‘m at work, and he brought wine and set a small round table with a cream table cloth and two chairs and take-aways at a mental hospital parking lot. That‘s what he did. Someone please pray for me.

―You have beautiful eyes, big beautiful eyes,‖ he says.

―Bigger than whose?‖ I snap.

22
He widens his eyes and smiles.

This is the first time I see him smile. Well, I‘m only seeing him for the second time.

He has a beautiful smile, but there seems to be something hidden behind it, I don‘t know what.

―So, I‘ve given you your R350, what do you want from me now?‖
He‘s staring, and it‘s making me uncomfortable.
―How about a date? Dinner, just for that it took you four days to pay me back,‖ he says.

I shake my head, but I can‘t help smiling. I‘ve met many men in my life but this one is a different breed altogether.

―Tonight? Tiffany‘s?‖

I shake my head.

―I‘m going to Joburg tonight to visit my
sister,‖ He raises his eyebrows.
―Oh really? How are you getting
there?‖ ―My flight is at 7pm,‖ He looks
at his watch.
―I‘m also going to Joburg tonight, we could travel together,‖ he says.
What are we now? Twins?
―My flight is already booked, thanks for the offer,‖ I say.

This food is really great. He‘s annoying but I‘m hungry so I might as well feast.

―It‘s fine, we‘re on the same flight,‖ he says.

It gets worse.

23
―So how do you know all this stuff about me? Including my favourite meal?‖
He looks at me and smiles.
―It‘s not every day that I meet a woman who blocks my car, makes me stand in the rain for two hours and gives me R50 to buy myself a life. So yes, I did my research, in case she‘s planning to murder me for some reason I don‘t know,‖ he says.

He has this smile stuck on his face, and he never takes his eyes off me. There‘s something shady about him too, I just can‘t figure out what it is.

―My lunch hour is over. I have to go back to work. Thanks for the food and no, I don‘t want to do dinner with you, not today, not ever,‖ I say, stand up and leave.

I turn around, I don‘t know why. I tried to fight it but I couldn‘t. He‘s still sitting there with his hands on his cheeks, smiling.

I feel all eyes on me as I walk in at reception and go up the stairs.

I hope I don‘t see him in the flight.

“You’re beautiful“-an SMS comes in just as I settle on my office chair.

Why do I always attract psychos?

Why?

———-

I make it to the airport just in time for check-in. The queue is still long. There seems to be chaos and mayhem. People are talking loud, some are cursing.

―The flight has been cancelled, something about the weather,‖ I overhear one woman talking on the phone.

Noooooo! This is the last flight! The next one is on Monday! This can‘t be happening! I can‘t be stuck in Kimberley on pay-day weekend!

―I‘m stranded, can I sleep at your house?‖ he says from behind
me. Crap!

24
I turn around, look at him and just…….I have no energy, not tonight.

―I have no flight home, no car and no place to sleep,‖ he says.

―And where exactly is home?‖ I ask.

―Joburg, Alberton,‖ he says.

He‘s not carrying any luggage.

―So why are you in Kimberley?‖

―I came here to have lunch, at a lunatic hospital with a very mean woman,‖ he says.

I don‘t get insulted or offended anymore. I gave up this afternoon.

―Well, I‘m not staying in Kimberley all weekend, I‘m driving to Joburg,‖ I say pulling my suitcase.

He follows me.

I stop and turn around. He stops too. I start walking again, he follows me all the way to my car.

I open the boot and throw my suitcase inside. He stands next to the passenger door.

―And then?‖ I ask.

―You can‘t leave me here. You‘re the only person I know in Kimberley. And besides, we‘re both going to Joburg so it would be nice of you to give me a lift,‖ he says.

He‘s never going to leave me alone is he?

This is a risk. I don‘t just take risks. But at least if something happened to me the cameras here will show that he was the last person seen with me.

He makes himself comfortable on the front-seat, but first he looks around the car and appears to be uncomfortable.

He pushes the chair back when his knees touch the dashboard. He‘s very tall.

25
―It‘s not a Jeep I know but it gets me where I want to be, like, say Joburg when flights are cancelled,‖ I say.

He looks at me, and around the car again.

―It‘s not bad,‖ he says.

What‘s that supposed to mean? People are always commenting about how nice my car is. It‘s a BMW 1-series, that‘s a nice car. I can afford a better and bigger car but I like this one.

―You just reverse without looking at the side-mirrors?‖ he asks.

We haven‘t even left the airport parking and he‘s already inspiring me to leave him here.

I keep quiet and drive.

His phone rings. He looks at it and hesitates. It‘s probably his wife I assume.

He answers it finally.

―Hi…….No…….I‘m fine…….no I don‘t need it anymore……..I don‘t know sleep over and fly back in the morning…….don‘t worry about me I‘m sorted,‖ he says
and hangs up.

What was that all about?

―The speed limit is 100,‖ he says.

He looks nervous, like he‘s uncomfortable with my driving. He is.

I press the accelerator harder. He looks at me briefly, the speedometer and at me again.

Those big eyes look like they are about to pop out.

―Please don‘t kill me, I have nine children,‖ he says.

What???

I look at him and frown.

26
I did say he was a fake BEE, look at him, a flight gets cancelled and he doesn‘t even have a plan. I bet he has nine crazy baby mamas too.

I‘m going to dump his ghetto black ass at the last toll-gate, he can walk to Joburg from there.

―Do you want me to drive? You seem tired,‖ he says.

He‘s got to be kidding me!

I don‘t trust no black man with nine kids.

He shrugs and sits back.

How I wish he could be this quiet throughout this trip.

―So tell me about the….you said you‘d been through that before? Is someone
bothering you?‖

But then again, I never really get what I want now do I?

―Maybe I can help,‖ he says when I don‘t answer him.

Maybe he can, nobody has helped me so far.

―Ex-boyfriend, he‘s been stalking me for the past year, before that he used to beat me, told me I was fat, that I was nothing before him and every other bad thing you can think of,‖ I say.

This sums it all up really.

I glance at him briefly and his face has changed, it‘s hard and cold.

―He beat you?‖ he asks.

There‘s something about the way he asks that question that sends shivers down my spine.

I nod.

―What‘s his name,‖ he asks.

I tell him, reluctantly.

27
―Where‘s he from?‖ he asks.

―Mafikeng, but he lives in Rustenburg now,‖ I say.

He nods.

He looks a bit scary right now.

He pulls out his phone and sends an SMS, and then sits back.

He‘s getting comfortable, let me start speeding again.

I need a smoke.

I roll down the window and light a cigarette.

He sits up.

He looks shocked. Has he never seen a woman smoke before?

―What are you doing?‖ he asks

Really?

―I‘m smoking,‖

He looks like he‘s lost for words.

―Why?‖ he asks.

Dumb question big-eyed man!

―I don‘t know, to relieve stress maybe?‖ I
say He shakes his head and sits back again.
I close the window when I‘m done. This is my car and I will smoke if I want to, if he has a problem he can jump off.

I yawn unexpectedly. I‘ve been driving for almost two hours now.

―Okay that‘s it, pull over. I‘m not going to let you kill me, not tonight,‖ he says.

He‘s right, I‘m tired. He seems shocked when I do as he says.

28
I feel my eyes getting drowsy soon after he starts driving. He definitely drives better than me.

―You can‘t sleep, you‘re going to make me sleepy,‖ he says.

This guy has no tender care at all.

I try to fight sleep but it‘s too strong. Just as I fall deep in it I feel a cold hand on my forehead.

―Wake up!‖ he says.

Urghhhhhh

―You tortured me with your smoking, and now you want to sleep while I drive?‖

What??

―I‘m sorry, do you have a car?‖

He shuts up.

I sit back and close my eyes.

———-

―Wake up, we‘re in Northriding,‖ he says.

Huh?

―We‘re here,‖ he says.

Yes, we‘re at my sister‘s complex gate. How did he know?

―It‘s on your GPS,‖ he says.

Yes but still, how did he know?

―My ride is here, what time is the baby-shower tomorrow?‖ he
asks. ―1pm,‖ I say

29
Oh wait, why am I telling him this?

―Okay, I‘ll see you there,‖ he says opening his door.

―It‘s a baby shower, you‘re not invited,‖ I say.

It doesn‘t look like he cares.

There‘s a black car behind us, a Range Rover I think.

―Naledi, drive in, I won‘t leave until you‘re inside the gate,‖ he says.

On my, I have a big-eyed daddy now.

He leaves only when I‘m inside like he said.

My sister looks worried. She didn‘t believe me when I told her I was driving to Joburg, at night, with a man I hardly know.

It‘s way after midnight and all I want to do is sleep.

I kind of miss him though, weird as he is, I kind of miss him a
little. ——–

I‘m woken by my phone ringing. I tried to ignore it but it just kept ringing.

“You‘re still sleeping?‖-

That‘s the first thing he says.

Ghra!!!

“Yes, it‘s 6am, of-course I‘m still sleeping. Why are you calling me
Chawe?‖ He laughs.

He tries to say something but he can‘t stop laughing.

“It‘s Qha-we, Qha not Cha,‖ he says.

Oh, he‘s making fun of me now? Because I can‘t pronounce Zulu cliques? How low.

30
“Whatever, what do you want?‖ I ask.

He‘s still laughing.

“It‘s fine, since you can‘t pronounce my name you can call me ‗love‘,‖ he says.

How is it that at 6am he is so………?

“I‘m going to hang up now,‖

“No no no I want us to go out for breakfast, I‘m coming to pick you up,‖ he says.

I‘ll pass.

“Sorry but I have plans with my sister, I‘m going to do my hair and then I‘ll go to the baby shower,‖

“What‘s wrong with your hair?‖ he
asks. How do I even answer this
question? “Okay, I‘ll see you later
then,‖ he says. Thank you. Bye.

What does he mean he‘ll see me later?

I‘m going to sleep for another two hours or so, seeing as I spent all night on the road with an idiot.

I give up, my sister is already singing in the kitchen, I might as well wake
up. ———
“And then? You‘ve been smiling to yourself all morning, is it about the R350 guy whose surname you don‘t even know?‖ she asks

She‘s so observant. She should have been a cop instead of a Public Relations manager.

“No,‖ I say defensively.

31
“I think I‘m just happy, my ex hasn‘t stalked me in a week, I think he got the message,‖ I say.

I‘m lying, I don‘t believe he‘ll ever get the message.

He‘s probably somewhere planning his next move.

“Sometimes I wish he‘d just get hit by a car or struck by lightning and die,‖ she says.

We both laugh. She‘s mean I tell you.

I bought two baby blankets, I think that‘s reasonable. I mean, she is my sister‘s friend not mine. I‘ve known her half my life but I‘m sure she doesn‘t expect me to rock up with a Ferrari baby stroller as a gift.

Besides, I just paid R4500 for a weave and almost R2000 for this dress I‘m wearing.

It‘s a long flowing floral dress with thin straps. It‘s beautiful. It caught my eye the moment I walked in that store.

“Hey gorgeous ladies….‖ she says when we walk in.

It‘s already packed here, women all over, some I know, others I don‘t.

I hug her reluctantly because her belly is so big it looks like it‘s going to push me to the floor.

“Naledi, you‘re so grown and so pretty,‖ she says squeezing my cheeks.

I hate it when people do that, it makes me feel like I‘m still that chubby little kid.

And what does she mean I‘m grown? I‘m turning 30 in a few months.

“You look good,‖ I say, forcing a smile.

I‘m lying, she looks scary.

Her house is nice though

32
I am directed to the back yard. I don‘t see my sister any more but I can hear her laughing somewhere.

I put my gift, which seems to be the smallest, on the table full of pink things. It must be a baby girl, I had no idea.

There‘s a stretch-tent, Wimbledon chairs and set tables, it looks more like a small wedding than a baby shower.

“Okay. We‘re ready to begin,‖ says this woman with six-inch heels.

It must be that I live in a small mining town, I thought this was a casual event.

The baby-mama is made to sit on a big chair and all of us around her.

There is champagne, at least. The rest of the stuff I see are little pieces of things I can push up my nostril, there‘s no meat. I really hope there‘s cooked food somewhere, I really do.

“So, I‘m going to give you a wrapped gift and you are going to guess what‘s inside okay? If you guess right, you get a Ferrero Rocher, and if you guess wrong, you get an olive, okay?‖ she says. I conclude she is the MC.

It doesn‘t help that my best friend is a man and I was raised by a man, I always feel lost during these things.

“It‘s a breast pump,‖ she says after shaking the box a few times.

There are cheers and giggles, she gets the little chocolate ball.

I‘m not looking forward to when she gets to my gift.

Oh no! She picks it!

She squeezes it a few times and says ―it‘s feather baby pillows,‖

Oh no! I hear those go for about R1000 a set.

They all look at me. I blink a few times and drink up my champagne.

“It‘s baby blankets,‖ I say.

I‘m soooo embarrassed.

33
They clap, after an awkward moment of silence followed by a ―ncoooohhhhhh‖.

I need a smoke.

“There‘s someone at the door,‖ one lady says looking at me.

So?

“He‘s looking for you Naledi,‖ she says.

The look on her face is of shock and………

Oh hell no!

“Good day makhosazana (ladies),‖ he says as he walks to stand behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders.

Is he crazy?

Nobody responds. They all stare at him, eyes popped, mouths wide open.

Is this the first time they‘re seeing a tall black man? Or is it that they are as confused as I am as to how he got through the gate and all the way in here?

“Hi,‖ one says finally.

I don‘t want to be rude but I mean……

“How did you find me this time?‖ I ask.

He looks down at me and smiles.

I hear gulps.

What the heck is wrong with these women?

The MC clears her throat.

“Would you like some food?‖ she asks.

He nods.

34
Really dude??

She disappears into the house.

The best thing for me now would be to walk this man out so that this babyshower can continue.

I stand up.

“Nice to meet you makhosazana,‖ he says.

“Nice to meet you,‖ they all say at once, including my sister, I frown at her.

He follows me.

We meet the MC in the kitchen with a plate of proper food, meat and all. There‘s food now?

“She hands him the plate.

“You can sit,‖ she says.

No he‘s not sitting!

He follows me outside with a plate and spoon in his hand.

I don‘t even know where I‘m going.

“How did you know I was here?‖ I ask.

I want to be angry at him but he‘s just….

“Not even a hello Qhawe?‖ he asks.

I fold my arms.

“You look beautiful. I like your new hair. I liked the old hair too,‖ he says and walks on to lean on a car parked next to mine.

That‘s the neighbour‘s parking space.

“You can‘t just lean on people‘s cars like that,‖ I say.

35
He‘s like a kid!

He moves to lean on mine.

He‘s busy eating his food like he‘s done nothing wrong.

I stand and watch him.

“This is nice, did you cook it?‖ he asks.

I don‘t respond.

He puts the plate on top of my car. Opens my passenger door and takes out a bottle of water, drinks it and puts the empty bottle next to the plate.

“I‘ve noticed you forget to lock your car sometimes,‖ he says, folds his arms across his chest and looks at me.

What am I going to do with this person?

“I came by to check on you,‖ he says with a smile.

“I‘m fine,‖ I say.

I hope he‘ll understand that he must leave now.

“Okay, so I guess that means we can go out to dinner tonight,‖

Sigh.

“No, I have plans, that‘s why I came to Joburg, to do my things,‖ I say.

He smiles.

“I promise it will be worth it,‖

This is it! I‘m done.

He grabs me by the waist just as I start walking.

I don‘t know how he did it so quick but his arms are around my waist and he‘s holding me tight. He‘s looking down at me.

36
I raise my eyes and they meet his. I give up and look down. I try to pull away but he pulls me closer.

He presses his forehead on mine.

“I‘m not letting you go until you say yes,‖ he says in a low voice.

I‘m trying. I‘m trying really hard to fight it but it‘s there and it‘s strong, the urge to hug him back.

He smells nice. He‘s wearing a light t-shirt I can feel his skin on mine.

“Say yes….please,‖ he says, softly.

I can‘t.

This is the first time I‘ve heard him say ―please‖.

I‘m getting weaker.

“Okay,‖ I say in almost a whisper.

“Huh? I didn‘t hear that,‖ he says.

I look up and there‘s a smile on his face.

“I said okay I‘ll go to the stupid dinner with
you,‖ He laughs.

I try to pull away but he presses his forehead on mine, harder, and pushes my face up with it.

No no no…….our lips touch.

What am I doing?

“I‘ll pick you up at 6pm, I promise I won‘t do anything you don‘t want me to do to you,‖ he whispers.

My knees get weak.

He lets me go.

37
Walks to the neighbour‘s car, opens it and gets in.

On Lord! It‘s his car!

It‘s a Maserati.

He rolls down the window.

“By the way, I threw your cigarettes out the window last night,‖ he says and immediately drives off.

Stupid fool.

I take the plate and empty water bottle and walk back to the house. I hope that girly party is over.

It is.

It looks like it never continued after I left.

They‘re all staring at me when I walk in.

I‘m confused.

Silence.

And then mayhem.

What are they all jumping around and screaming for?

“Where? How?‖-the pregnant one asks.

Where? How? What?

“Oh my God! I can‘t believe this! You‘re dating a Zulu brother?‖-another
one. I know he‘s Zulu, but whose brother is he? “You have to sit and tell us
all about it,‖

I‘m pushed to the baby mama‘s special chair.

They all sit around me and stare with looks of fascination on their faces.

38
“Is this the R350 guy?‖-my sister asks, she‘s been quiet.

I nod.

“R350?‖-the MC.

Eish…..I might as well.

“I met this guy…‖

“This guy?‖ one asks.

Okay.

“Last week in Kimberley. He stole my parking so I parked him in. When I came back my car had been clamped and I had to pay R350 to get it unclamped. I didn‘t have money on me so he paid for me. And then the next day he sends a note saying he wants his money back, saying I must deposit it at Shoprite,‖ I say rolling my eyes.

They all look at each other and laugh.

“That is so sweet,‖ one says.

How is that sweet?

“And then he pestered me all week for R350. I think he‘s one of those fake BEEs. Plus he has nine kids so really I have no time for him,‖ I say.

I regret that kiss, and it was forced really.

Most of them look confused.

“Okay, Naledi wait wait…what do you mean a fake BEE?‖-one asks.

“I‘m serious, I had to give him a lift yesterday because the flight was cancelled and he had no plan and no place to sleep, and now that I think about it, he didn‘t even pay for the toll-gates or petrol,‖ I say.

He‘s a loafer actually.

Silence.

39
I hear throat clearing.

“So you don‘t know who this guy is?‖-the MC.

Not really.

“He said his name is Chawe,‖ I say.

They look at each other.

“You don‘t know who Qhawe Zulu is?‖

Errrrrrrr

“I don‘t know his surname,‖ I say.

What is going on here?

“You‘ve never heard of the Zulu brothers? The Zulu family? I mean, you didn‘t even recognise him?‖-someone.

Not really. I‘m lost now.

“Oh my God!‖ they all scream and laugh.

What the heck is going on?

“So this was Qhawe, I can‘t tell him apart from Mqhele….‖-one

“Wuuuuuu Mqhele, I get weak on the knees just by looking at his picture,‖-another

“My one is Mqoqi, mmmmmmm,‖- another one

I look at my sister. She‘s quiet, looking at me and quiet. She doesn‘t look happy or fascinated.

“Here,‖ one says handing me an iPad.

It‘s a picture of I think eight men, yes eight. They all look exactly like him. There‘s one with grey hair and another….he‘s a twin??

There‘s an article below the picture.

40
MILLIONAIRE FAMILY…….

What?

“Is he famous?‖ I ask.

They all look at me like I‘m some alien.

“Errrrr yes, famous and very rich,‖-the MC.

I‘m not…

I read the whole article. There‘s another picture of them and wives I think, beautiful women, all four of them, different but all beautiful in different ways.

“Is he married?‖ I ask.

One of them must be his.

“No he‘s not, and no he doesn‘t have nine kids,‖- the baby mama.

I look at my sister again. She doesn‘t look impressed.

The more I read about him and his family the more I feel uneasy.

He‘s not what I thought he was.

And I mean, a famous Joburg millionaire?
“When are you seeing him again?‖-the MC

“I agreed to go to dinner with him tonight,‖ I say.

They‘re screaming again.

I‘m not sure if I should have.

My phone rings.

It‘s him.

I reject the call.

An SMS comes in.

41
“I can’t wait to see you again, four hours to go. I hope you’ll let me kiss you again,”

I don‘t know how to respond. I don‘t respond.

He calls again half-an-hour later but I don‘t answer.

I suddenly feel small, like I‘d be wasting my time if I continue entertaining him.

I might as well save myself now before I go in too deep and end up regretting everything. He probably has some perfect looking girl at home and I‘m just some girl he met in Kimberley…..

And why did he kiss me? Why has he been following me
around? I suddenly feel angry!
I‘m happy when my sister suggests we leave, she must have noticed that I don‘t want to be here anymore.

These girls, they‘re still talking about ―the Zulu brothers‖ like they are some heaven sent gifts to women.

I don‘t want to end up like them.

The drive to my sister‘s house is silent.

I think she‘s thinking what I‘m thinking, that this guy is playing with my feelings because he can. He can have any woman he wants so why is he all over me?

It‘s 4.30pm. He‘ll be here in and hour-and-a-half.

I don‘t want to see him. I don‘t want to continue with whatever it is that we‘re doing. I‘d rather be safe than sorry. I‘ve had too much heartbreak in my life.

I don‘t trust men. Period.

I don‘t trust him.

“I‘m leaving,‖ I say to my sister.

42
She‘s been too quiet.

“Why?‖ she asks.

“I just want to go back to my house,‖ I say

“So what must I tell your boyfriend when he gets here?‖ she asks.

I don‘t know.

“Don‘t open for him,‖ I say.

I know she won‘t. She‘s never really liked any of my boyfriends.

She doesn‘t like Tsietsi either.

My other sisters always accuse her of being jealous of all of us, but I think she‘s just overprotective.

And besides, she‘s the thinner and prettiest one in the family, so people say.

I‘m tired but I think I can drive four-hours to Kimberley.

He‘s started calling again.

I switch my phone off.

I can‘t do this. He‘s going to have to forgive me. That‘s if it‘s going to bother him at all that I left. I doubt it will. He‘ll probably just go on with his life which I doubt stopped because of me anyway.
I‘m sad. I don‘t know why, but I‘m just sad and I want to cry.
It‘s going to be one long and lonely drive.