The Unloving Mate

Amanda's Love

Dumsani's Return

The wedding couldn’t have come at a better time for Dumisani. He had an excuse to run away from his heartbreak without any questions from his family. Still overwhelmed by the family's panic and over appreciation, he offered to go fetch Amanda from work. Amanda. She was sixteen when he left for college and often, he didn’t see her. Not that he ever noticed her, but he assured his mother that he would be able to notice her when he saw her. That was a lie as he stopped his car next to her and pulled down his window. As he was starting to ask for information, he was love-struck by the beauty of the dark lady standing behind the two girls.

“H…hi. Sorry. Sanibonani.” Being away from his homeland for so long, his accent betrayed his charm.

“We can also speak English.” Zethu, one of the ladies said jokingly.

“Awesome. Not that I thought that you couldn’t, I just don’t think I would best express the beauty I am seeing now in a language I took as an additional language.” The three ladies were taken aback by his interest, but there was the issue of competition. Who was this mysterious man mostly interested in?

“Well I don’t think you need much charm, the car does half the work for you.” Amanda spoke sub-textually, volunteering her friend who rich men found most appealing with her short shorts. Her friends were amazed at her words not getting the sub-text. She could be a fiery one at times, but she wasn’t one to engage in romantic wars, especially against her friends. “Sindi is a qualified mechanical engineer and, by the looks of it, she is charmed by your taste.” She added. Her friends rolled their eyes disappointed that she did not volunteer herself.

“Well, I am not an engineer but I think your car is hot.” Zethu added, trying to make herself a candidate, but what Dumisani was missing was the entry of the mesmerising lady standing at the far end of the road.

“What do you do, my lady?” He said, looking at Amanda with a big smile. She simply smiled, highly amused.

“I am just studying psychology. Well, I have applied for my Master’s degree, which without it, I cannot practice my profession.”

“Oh, so you just save lives.”

“Actually, I am the doctor in training here, not that it’s a competition,” Zethu added, running her hand on the edge of her afro with a wide smile.

“Its not a competition but I think we all know who won.” Sindi said, noticing Dumisani’s interest in Amanda.

“Please excuse the rudeness of my friends. We are not usually this…” Amanda looked up as if searching for the word that would make them look humble yet excited.

“Open?” Dumisani probed

“Forward.” She said bluntly.

“Speak for yourself.” Sindi added.

“Where are you headed?” Amanda asked, curious of Dumisani’s direction.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Who?”

“My neighbour’s daughter. She works…I will have to call my mother and ask.”

“Don’t you know her?”

“Last I saw her, she was a little girl. A little chubby, dark and a little nosy like her mom.”

“You don’t need to explain more. She left with her boyfriend.”

“Girls these days. Her mother is worried about her and she is out there with God knows who and…doesn’t matter, where can I find her?”

“Why would you want to find someone who doesn’t want to be found?”

“Our parents are best friends and sorrow for her mother would mean sorrow for my mother as well.”

“That’s so kind of you sir. I can’t tell you, but I can show you.” Amanda said.

“That would be of so much help, Miss…” He stated, obviously expecting her to fill in the missing part, but she simply got into the backseat after hugging her friend’s goodbye. Their mouths were wide open at the surprise of their friend’s profound confidence and forwardness. Dumisani wanted her to sit in the front but she couldn’t risk giving him a better look. She wanted to get to know what he thought of her.

“Please come and sit in the front seat.”

“I prefer the back one.” Noticing the annoyance in her voice, he did not push further. “Make a U-turn at the end of the road. So…give me a better description of this girl so that I can be sure that it’s the same person I am talking about.”

“Why don’t you describe the girl that you are talking about.’

“Well first, she is very gossipy. She is a little creepy…kind of stalkerish, at least to guys she likes.”

“I know exactly what you are talking about. She acts all innocent but, she is just creepy.”

“You are talking about MaMsomi’s last daughter, right?”

“Yes.”

“Uh. That girl is something else. Let me tell, her brother got distinctions and she only got one in Arts and Crafts. She was lucky enough to get into university, yet she is as lazy as a sloth.” Dumisani was so indulged in the trash talk that he did not realise that he was driving back home.

“You don’t say. Tell me more about yourself.”

“Well, can I know who I am opening myself up too?”

“Of course. My name is Dumisani. I…I just got divorced but I haven’t told my family. They didn’t even know that I was married, and I am contemplating ever mentioning this to them. So tell me what would a psychologist say at this point.”

“How does that make you feel?” They both laughed at the famous media psychologist's quote.

“What do you think though, should I tell them?”

“I think nobody knows the answer better than you.”

“I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Its not my style to just share everything.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes. I am stalking you after all.” She chuckled, looking deep in his eyes through the rearview mirror. She got out of the car and soon he realised that he was parked in the yard of his mother’s neighbour. “Thanks for the lift. By the way, I am Amanda. Nice to meet you again Dumisani.” She walked away before he could utter another word. Not that he would after he was dumbstruck by the news.

Collin's Dillema

With every touch he felt the beast whine and die more within him, but it wasn’t the only thing dying. He felt a great part of himself die as well. However, of late there is a strange feeling that this beast will rise once again and cause more harm.

He can still taste his twin sister’s blood on his teeth. The pain in his bones as they broke and formed a new shape. His actions were highly justified, from taking advantage of his step-mother-to be, to disrespecting her entire family. He could hear all the whispers and murmurs behind closed doors. All part of the beastly curse. He needed a break from his mistress of the day. There was quite a ruckus downstairs and though he didn’t wish to mingle in a crowd, he wanted a snack. He was hungry. Pulling up his hoodie and jeans, he made his way downstairs. People were so busy that they didn’t notice his presence. He made his way to the kitchen where the biggest gossips were chopping up a storm.

“Hi.” He said.

“Hi son. I’m just cooking dinner for everyone. Do you need something?”

“No, I’ll just get something to eat myself.” He took some carrots from the pile and took a bite. He chewed for a few seconds before spitting it out into the bin. His head was in a bowing position and he did not see the disapproving look of MaDlamini. She quickly smiled at the sight of the girl who was coming into the kitchen.

However, her joy was unequally matched to the beast's as it growled 'mate' into his head. He felt it claw its way out and all he could do was hold still as he fought with all his conscious might. He didn't understand why the beast was so unrestless at that moment, but he knew it had something to do with the girl that just walked in. He had never seen her before, not that he had been there for a long time. The only thing that made sense to him was that the girl was one of the beasts and the animal within him was just recognizing game.

“Hi Ma.” Amanda said approaching MaDlamini.

“Oh, here is my favourite person in the whole world.” MaDlamini replied.

“Shhh,, my mom is right beside you.” She whispered to MaDlamini, joking.

“Oh please, I made peace with that a long time ago.” MaMsomi said, rolling her eyes.

“Hi Mom.” She turned with a kiss on the cheek to her mother.

“Don’t ‘Hi mom me’, where are you coming from?”

“Mom, after work I went out with my friends for some drinks.”

“Friends?”

“Zethu and Sindiswa.” Her daughter was an honest person, so she believed her and calmed down.

“How are they?” she continued with a settled voice now.

“They are good.”

“Mom, I swear I was with them. No, I don’t have a boyfriend yet and even if I did, I would choose only the best. One that my dearest mother would approve of.” She assured her mother of her insecurities, knowing that she only wanted what is best for her.

“Like who?” MaDlamini had to ask.

“I don’t know yet. Financially, physically and mentally healthy.”

MaDlamini wanted to start her subtle advocacy for her son when she spotted Collin starring at Amanda. She hated that lustful stare. Amanda was certainly not going to be one of his victims.“Son, go order some pizza or whatever you want and go to my wallet. Take out as much as you need.” MaDlamini said to the boy trying to chase him out.

“No… I… I…I’m not hungry. I will just be in my room.” Confused, he left the kitchen with the internal battle between his beast and himself intensifying.

“Okay son.” She said as he walked out of the room. His feet were full of hesitation.

“Ma…what’s wrong with him?” Amanda said with true and utmost concern.

“Inappropriate upbringing." MaDlamini simply said. "But now that he is out dear, tell me more about your dream man.”

“I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it much.”

“Does age matter?”

“I don’t think so, but it will also depend on what he looks like.”

“Oh millennials. Love is in your heart dear.”

“Of course. But there is nothing wrong with wanting a handsome face as well as a handsome heart as well as a handsome wallet.”

“Exactly, my girl.” MaMsomi intercepted with excitement.

“Well, that is not the case for everyone. My son is handsome, wealthy and healthy. Why he isn’t married yet is anyone’s guess.”

“Ma…I…I was here to check if everything was okay and I can see that you are missing nothing, so you will please have to excuse me. I have a long day tomorrow at work.” Amanda said, nearly blushing thinking about the son MaDlamini is talking about.

“How did we go from marriage to you sleeping?”

“As if she will sleep. She is probably going to watch that Bollywood channel.”

“Bye Ma, see you mom.” With that, she gave the two women kisses on their cheeks and left.