When life gives you a lemon

chapter 5

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMON.

Chapter five.

Couldn't even sit down for that second, i stood up and paced up and down wondering what Nkanyiso is up to. I hope he's okay, okay I'm stressed, I'm not well....

“Sindi,you need to calm down” she says

“How can I calm down? What if he hurts him?” I question worriedly

“He wouldn't hurt his own blood. He can't be that cruel Sindi” she says

I sigh stressfully, looking at her. I shook my head in disapproval

“If he was able to kill his mother then I don't see a reason why he wouldn't try to-” I dramatically sigh dropping my shoulders

“Sindi, don't go there. That's too serious and you just overthinking” she says

“I swear Swazi, if anything happens to him I'll never forgive my mother and myself for letting Manzi take him” I say

Bloody tears coming out already. Ugh, Swazi comes to hug me and she kiss my forehead assuring me...

“Aibo, what are those marks on your neck? Did he try to.... Sindi” she gasp

I wasn't trying hide them either. I nod

“He strangled me and slapped me” I say

She steps back

“And you didn't fight? Tell me you did” she drops her shoulder looking disappointed

I shook my head

“I couldn't, he just made me feel weak Nomaswazi. He made me vulnerable and desperate for some reason, he reminded me that I'm still a weak b***h!” tears form in my eyes again

No words could explain this level of pain here.

“Sindisiwe! You can't keep letting this man do you like that. Send him back to prison” she says

“It won't help. I mean look at him now, he was supposed to spend 10 years in jail but no. He's out before his final year” I say

“But Sindi” she sounds hurt

“He even wants us to get back together” I say

“And you want that?” she questions

“Of course not!. I can't go back there and I just hate the fact my mother defends him a lot” I say

“This isn't about her. This isn't right for you and for your son” she says

I wipe the tear that has fallen, great. Just another broken me..

-days later

I'm getting ready for work, I'm back in my house which I have missed so much. It looks ten times better than the last time, Nqaba switched it up around and it looks extremely nicer now. I love it.

Nkanyiso is fast asleep, he hasn't been feeling well I think flu is catching him. I've called mom to look after him while I go to work.. Anita calls my phone as I leave the house I answer the call getting in the car.

Me: I'm on the way...

Anita: 5 min left before the meeting begins

Me: of course...

-she drops the call

I tuck the phone in my side bag on the passenger seat then drive away.

Got in my work place Anita meets me half way and takes my laptop bag and side bag she takes them to the office.

“someone looks ready for the meeting” Andile says

I roll my eyes, he's just being silly. He laughs

“I'm being a friendly friend here” he says

I laugh softly and walk to my office.

“I didn't think you were going to show up” Anita says

“I work, I can't afford to lose this job” I say

She chuckles

“But you've been acting really different since that day” she says

“Let's not talk about it.” I say faking a smile

She nods taking the coffee cup from the table and gives it to me I thank her, then she walks out. I took a deep breath.

“Miss Nxumalo, your seat is ready” Anita says

I take my laptop bag and walk out, to the boardroom I settle in my seat.. All the board members have arrived.

“Good morning, it's Miss Bankole, I'd like to welcome everyone since everyone is here we can get it started. It's 10:00 on a Monday I know we all hate Mondays right..”

They laugh I just keep my lips sealed, I mean we precisely do hate Mondays. Just didn't feel like laughing it off.

Miss Bankole continues, I'm not sure why this miss Bankole sound Nigerian. She sure look like one..

“We will be discussing this company's performance. There are no complaints so far which tells us that we're doing well, I know we all came across hardships trying to keep this company back on its style. The last we had a meeting, it was not quite good, we were unsure on what to do but then our life savior Miss Nxumalo did the impossible” she says and all eyes landed on me

I look at Anita who's standing by the entrance door, she nods smilingly. They start clapping their hands applauding.

“Thank you” I say as nervously I feel but I managed to smile

“We need more people like Miss Nxumalo, she's a good example to how to manage a company” she says

They continued applauding, Miss Bankole gives me a chance to say a few words. I didn't plan for this.

“Oh, I didn't expect this to happen but hey I'm happy thsnk you so much. I mean we all knew we needed someone to pull us out of the mud and guess what?! I did” I say

They smile and nod along

“But thank you, I really don't have much to say” I say then sit back

They clapped their hands once again.

“Well what I want to know, what does the company hope to achieve?” Andile questions

“.. Client and customer satisfaction, financial gain and growth and obviously employee development...” Miss Bankole responds looking into Andile's eyes

Andile nods impressed... Im really glad that everything is going accordingly. Maxwell a white man stands up infront to present to us show us how the company is doing...

After the meeting Anita came to take my laptop bag and files then we went back to my office. I sigh tiredly, it's been a long day.. I check my phone I have missed calls from my mother I wonder what she want because I had left the flu remedies ready for Nkanyiso.

KWENZO

I've just left work, now I'm driving to Sphethelo's apartment. He's throwing a celebration party with his wife, yes all my friends are married. I'm the one that's left well I was married but then it didn't go well.

I park my car and step out and made my way in. Sphethelo meets me halfway and we hand shake, he chuckles.

“Never knew you were going to make it” he says

“Come on” I say

He chuckles and invites me in. I greeted everyone then I, settled in

“No gifts for my wife?” Sphethelo asks brushing Bianca's belly she's pregnant

“I didn't get the time to go shopping. I worked til late” I say

“Don't mind him. It's okay as long as you're here” Bianca says

“Thank you, See your wife appreciates me” I say teasingly

He laughs

“Don't get too comfortable” he says

I chuckle, Khanya serves me a drink. We chilled outside having a braai while Bianca and Sphethelo prepared for their speeches. Nonhle and Khanya cuddled up we're seated in the patio while we wait, I kept checking the time.

“Guys get a room please” I say to them

“We are not the ones that said divorce Buhle” Nonhle says

“Didn't have a choice” I say

“Your loss” she says

“I don't get it why are you defending her so much” I ask looking at her

“Kwenzo leave umuntu wami alone” Khanya says

I look forward and drink my beer. Mnqobi & his girl came in, Luyanda and his wife came in, more of our friends came with their partners. I'm not regretting anything, wish they told me that they were bringing partners.

They greeted before sitting and joining us, I took over the braai...

..

SINDISIWE.

I got home and found my son asleep again, I hope he's feeling better than yesterday. I took a cold shower and slipped in my night dress then I went to the kitchen to make a smoothie, once I turn to the living room. My breathing became loud instantly, how did he get in? I almost dropped my smoothie for God's sake.

“Manzini” I muttered his name in disbelief

He is leaning on the wall with one hand in his pocket and he's chewing a matchstick looking right at me.

“Ngikukhumbule sthandwa sami (I have missed you my love)” he says standing properly and begins to walk to me

I step back

“Why can't you leave me alone? Why?!” I question

He chuckles

“We made a vow Sindisiwe. A vow that says 'til death do us apart' don't you remember?” he takes the matchstick and place it on the counter

He smiles

“that was when we were still married” I say

He shows me his ring finger he still has our wedding ring on. He's insane

“When we were or we are?” he looks into my eyes

“I divorced you” I yell

He chuckles