Nokukhanya (Chapter 9)

Chapter 9

●Nokukhanya Ngwenya

So I got the job and I have been working here for almost three weeks now as an Accountant assistant and my pay isn’t that bad for a beginner and I always thought that people working at a supermarkets don’t earn much but oh boy oh boy was I wrong this supermarket makes a lot of money even the cleaners gets paid more than what I was earning at Jones. So tomorrow is my graduation day to say I’m stressed out wouldn’t even be the word to describe how I’m actually feeling. I’m graduating tomorrow because I was able to pay off my fees with the package I got plus my salary. One thing that I am very worried about is my Nana. I don’t know how I am going to take my grandmother to my house after the ceremony since my old one is on sale. I still haven’t told her that her other daughter is selling my parents’ house without my consent and that the wicked witch is nowhere to be found. I have been going there every day after work just to catch her on the act but with no luck I think she found out that I’m looking for her. Desmond and his wife moved out last week shem they have been very helpful with helping me gather more information about that witch they would call me every time she sent her skivvies to come and threaten them since they had to move out immediately but still no luck from me in meeting her.

“Nokukhanya please come in here please.” Shit what have I done now? I always get worried sick when I’m called in by my supervisor, Mzwadile Nazo he is one very funny man to everyone but I find him very scary and intimidating. On my first day here he gave me a pile of files to go through and his exact words were “Whatever is wrong fix it” and my clever self-did exactly that and found something that wasn’t meant for my eyes. When I showed him my findings he was LIVID. I have never seen someone as angry as he was that day I almost peed my pants. His manager was stealing the money… well he still is stealing it that is why Mzwandile  is currently being investigated because they thought it was him who was stealing the money.

“You called for me?”

“Yes. Close the door and sit down.” Okay.

I watch him watch me before he leans back on his chair then looks at me like he is undressing my soul. He is looking at me like he sees beneath this clothes I’m wearing. I clear my throat.

“Is something wrong.” I ask.

“Who are you.” He asks and I frown.

“Excuse me.”

“Actually I mean who sent you here. Are you working for the big boss? Are you spying on us. On me?” I laugh. I laugh really hard.

What is this. “Alias" ? Am I Sydney Bristow? Was I sent to carry out missions and solve cases in this store? This is ridiculous and very funny. My life is mess and I’m trying to sort it out before I tell my Nana everything spying on people is the last thing on my mind. My laugh seizes when I see how serious he is.

“The big boss? I don’t know who that is. Why would I be spying on you. For what?” I ask and my eyes follows him as he stands up and starts pacing around the office. He is good looking no lie about that. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.

“I don’t know you tell me Nokukhanya. You came here for a job and I gave you one because… I don’t know… that day I was in a good mood but right now I’m not sure anymore. Why would the big boss write your recommendation letter to your school without even knowing you.” Say what!

“He did what.” I stand up and face him and he stops moving.

“He wrote you your letter for the school for tomorrow. You know the internship you lied about last week.” Argh!

Why did he have to bring that up again. So I lied then what because I’m still here. I mean I didn’t mean to send an email to my school and telling them I was I was on a internship here. I did very good with my exams and I was automatically granted entrance for my CTA. As I speak with this man who is looking at me funny. I am a qualified Chartered Accountant. Why is he looking at me like that. I mean he does know that sometimes you have to lie a little to get ahead but just make sure your lies don’t bring harm or hurt anyone. So I did not hurt anyone my little lie was justified who about that.

“I don’t know who the big boss is. I mean I put your name as my reference on my letter. We spoke about this Mzwandile and I did apologize for lying and saying my job was an internship. I just wanted to get my degree ksasa. I know I’m still on probation here.”

“You are graduating with Cum Laude tomorrow. You did very good kid. I’m proud of you however it still doesn’t make sense. Why would the he write the letter for you when he doesn’t know you.”  He says scratching his head. What did he just say???

Did I get Distinctions?

Unbelievable!

Holy cow!

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After work I head straight to my grandmother. I just want to make sure that everything is set for tomorrow I don’t want her to miss out on anything. I get there and find them playing bingo.

“Nokukhanya unjani.” Where the hell did she come from manje. Since she was transferred here she’s been a pain in my ass rubbing her relationship with Victor in my face. I’ve been trying so hard to ignore her and her boyfriend but she’s like a fly buzzing her mouth everywhere I turn there’s motherfucken Carol.

What did I do to deserve this.

But I’m in a good mood today and nothing is going to bring me down not even this fly that’s standing in front of me. I passed with Distinctions so I smile at her.

“I’m good Carol and how are you doing. Are you well? Is Victor treating you well?” She looks irritated. Good.

“Victor and I are good. In fact we are expecting our first baby. I’m pregnant and happy. I have never see Victor so excited when I told him about my pregnancy.” She says.

“Well congratulations Carol. Do pass my gratitude to your boyfriend.” I say and walk away.

I don’t need this.

Dammit!

Did she have to tell me that today mara. I know Vic and I were not an item but hearing her say that hurts like a bitch. I always thought he was going to be my first.

“You look miles away. You don’t look like someone who is getting a degree tomorrow. What’s wrong.” I look at this woman who has hold on for me… far too long I must say. My Nana is old yet so strong for someone her age. I’m very grateful that I still have her.

“I’m just thinking about mom and dad. Would they be proud of me like you are right now.” I tremble as I say this and lay on her bed facing the ceiling just to avoid tearing up.

“They are very much proud of you and they will always look after you. Even when I’m not here I will look after you my Sunshine.” She says and lays next to me. My dad used to call me that. Sunshine. I came and brighten up their lives after they’ve been trying for baby for such a long time I was their sunshine. This talk is depressing me.

Enough now. Why are you sulking when you are getting a degree and will be honoured for being on the top 10 list for best students! My subconscious scold me and I ignore the bitch. She’s too much right now and I don’t need her judgement.

Well after Mzwandile  mentioned that I will be getting Distinctions I had to emotionally blackmail him for more information that’s why I found out that I’m on the top ten.

“Nokukhanya. Your mind is running around. What’s wrong. Talk to me sunshine.”

“Nothing is wrong. I just wished that they were here you know…but it’s okay I have you and Cindy.” I tell her and get up to start packing up her things after the ceremony she’s coming home with me. Eish! That neh. I still haven’t told her about my situation.

“And Victor. Where is he by the way. You haven’t brought him here in such a long time.”

That Bastard! It’s been a month since our fall out and already he has impregnated that fly.

“He’s around and he will be a father soon. Where are your medicine’s?”

“What! I knew it! I told Mavis that you were expecting. This explains your weight gain and the sudden light complexion… are you pregnant my Sunshine?” What the hell!

“Nana! I’m not pregnant!”

Deep breath.

*****

●Langa Gumede

I have been feeling like shit for the past two weeks. Going in and out of hospital and Doctors finding nothing wrong with me. I vomit a lot and lose my cool within a second. And all the female species are driving me crazy…including my mother who has decided to move in with us.

“Uyaphi?” Can’t she see I’m going to work? I’m wearing a suit aren’t I?

“I’m going to work Ma. I can’t stay inside this house any longer.”

“But your brother is there making sure that all your businesses are running smoothly. Sit down and have breakfast with me.” I don’t think I will stomach anything right now after the episode I just had in my bathroom.

“I’m fine Ma. I will grab something at work.” I say making my way out.

“Langelihle Gumede hlala phansi.” She shouts.

“MaGumede I’m running late. I have a meeting to get too.”

“That meeting was cancelled last week already. And were you seriously going to work dressed like that?” My annoying brother says the minute he walks in. And how come I wasn’t told about the meeting being cancelled and what the fuck is wrong with what I’m wearing.

I walk in and look at myself…dammit!

The shoes.

“Of course not. I have a spare pair of shoes in my car I was going to change this sleepers when I get to work.” I sound like a woman don’t I? That’s why these two are looking at me like that.

“Mma you sure the Doctor said there was nothing wrong with him because between me and you…your son is losing his mind.”

I walk away not even wanting to hear my mother’s response. I get to my bedroom and throw myself on top of my bed. What the hell is wrong with me. I need to get my shit together before tomorrow.

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When I opened my eyes much later on my room was dark so it was probably the evening already. There’s a knock on my door. I must have doze off however I’m still dead tired.

The knock again.

“What!”

“Sir your mother is calling you downstairs.” Patricia says on the other side of the door and instantly I feel bad for shouting at her like that.

“I’ll be right there in a minute.”

I get in the shower and wear my sweatpants and a vest when I’m done. I need to change my deodorant because the smell of it is messing with me. Like right now I feel like I need to throw up again that’s what I’ve been doing lately and its driving me crazy because at first I thought inyongo but I cant suffering from that for whole two weeks…impossible.

Great she’s here again.

Fikile has been a pain in my ass for a month now. She has decided that she is going to take care of me. She’s been coming to my house every day to cook and check up on me.

Today she has a long dress on. And her hair is tied up so I can see her face. Not to bad on the eyesight if she would remove all that make up and the long lashes she would be breathing taking right now she’s just okay. She can try to warm herself in my life and befriend my mother all she wants but she isn’t her…she can never be her… she doesn’t make my blood boil. She doesn’t make my heart skip a beat and definitely doesn’t drive me crazy to a point where I want to tear up everything she has on and have my way with her.

“You up? Did you have a good nap.” My mother brings me back from daydreaming about Nokukhanya.

I haven’t seen her since that day she was here. She was offered the job at my company but she declined it so I snooped around and found out that she was now working for the supermarket I just bought.

“What’s for dinner today? I’m starving.” I say ignoring my mother.

“Lucky for you I made your favourite. Pap and stew. Unjani?” She says putting the plate that looks delicious in front of me. Then it starts.

Can’t I have a break though.

One whiff of the beef smell and all my insides wanted to come out. I ran quickly to the bathroom and threw up absolutely nothing. This is frustrating seriously. I knelt there gasping for something…anything to come out but nix…nothing …nada came out.

“Did you sleep with someone?” My mother asked behind me. What’s that in connection with how I’m feeling. I guessed she saw the confusion in my face.

“I’m not sure if you remember I doubt though because you were really young when it happened but your father went through this process when I was pregnant with your brother. So who is she because I can put my money on it that you made someone pregnant and it’s not Fikile.”

Can she be? Nah! I don’t think so. Even though I had my way with her and we did not use any protection. She’s a clever girl I’m sure she would have taken the emergency pill.

“No one is pregnant Ma. Ngine nyongo nje kphela.” I tell her while getting up and rinsing my mouth.

“Mhmmm if you say so. And by the way I would be ecstatic if I become a grandmother again regardless of how the baby was conceived.” She walks out leaving me with my thoughts again.

She can’t be pregnant. Just like that few rounds nyana and I knocked her up…impossible and knowing Nokukhanya she wont even tell me should she be. I can’t wait for tomorrow to confront her with this. I will be at her graduation ceremony tomorrow as well.

I hope she isn’t though that would be betrayal to my wife.

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