Prologue
Could Daniel be back? That’s because the door isn’t locked.
He’s back early, I am sure he’s so bored… Oh my poor baby.
I make my way inside the flat and find him kissing one of his girlfriends. You see this is the last thing I really needed after the day I had. At least he’s not bored, why did I even think that he is bored?
This is Daniel we are talking about, he is a fucking player.
I can’t believe he is about to have sex with his so called girlfriend in one of our couches.
Daniel: How about we take this party upstairs?
[ I roll my eyes annoyed and make my way further inside. I am so traumatized, I don’t want to see more of this. But there is no way I am going to let them fuck each other on that couch.
The last time I checked, Daniel had a couch in his room, what happened to it. ]
Monica: No… I want it here on this couch… just the way I like, or do you want me to go into detail?
[ She flirts with her hands all over Daniel.
Can someone give me a gun. I want to shoot this girl dead.
There is one thing I never understand about my jealousy towards Daniel.
I hate sharing his attention with other people, especially his endless girlfriends
Me: I also think you should take this so called party upstairs.
[ They both jump off from the couch and Monica gawks at me as if I am some… cuckoo in the nest. Only if looks could kill huh, I don’t know who would die because my stare is just as strong as hers. ]
Monica: What are you doing here?
[ Is she trying to be funny? Oh she should quit that and stick on journalism, because she doesn’t qualify to be a comedian, even her jokes are lame just like her. ]
Me: I think you forgot that I live here.
Monica: Babe, what is she doing here? [ Babe? I chortle, only if she knew that she is not the only “babe” to him. ]
Me: How would you feel if I asked you that question? Knowing very well that you have a so called boyfriend that lives in here.
Monica: Danny, I was talking to you, what is this cockroach doing here? I thought you said she doesn’t live with you anymore…
[ Did I hear her call him Danny?
Wait… So he lied to her using my name just to get sex from her? I can’t believe this. I look at him as he wears his t-shirt, not caring about the little drama that miss has caused.
You know what, I don’t even want to know how he managed to convince her back into his life, after he told her that he wants nothing to do with her anymore.
I make my way to my room.
I just came from home, and after that terrible fight with my dad, all I wanted was my heaven, a place where I find peace.
But… Seems like everywhere I go there’s just drama that gets to my last nerve…
The only thing that will work for me is a soothing bubble bath and seeing my man, that’s all. ]
Me: Exactly what I need. [ I take out a long heavy sigh along with my clothes. ]
•
•
•
There’s something I love about bubble bath, and that is the best feeling I get after taking one, I fall into a deep slumber and feel very refreshed after that.
I yawn as I wear my clothes.
I look at the time on my phone. Okay… Not even a missed call from the so called boyfriend? I won’t even call him to let him that I am coming, he might as well consider my visit a surprise.
Me: Oh come on… Really? [ I am sure he ate them with his girlfriend. ] Daniel… Nkazimulo Maphumulo! [ He hurries out of his room. ]
Daniel: What have I done now? [ I throw the empty plastic of cookies at him. ] Couldn’t you find something else to feed your girlfriend? [ He scratches the back of his head. ]
Daniel: Oh… Sweet face I am sorry.
[ Of course you are.
Only if you knew how much I am craving for them, you wouldn’t use that name. I sigh as I soften up. ]
Me: I want them here when I come back tomorrow.
Daniel: Sure Sweet face, you don’t have to repeat it… Wait, where are you going? [ He stops on his tracks as he was about to go back to his room. ]
Me: To Samkelo.
Daniel: Looking this beautiful?
[ He raises his eyebrows. I know right, I knew that I would look beautiful in this outfit. My smile turns into a frown within seconds when I realise what he said. ]
Me: What do you mean by that? Shouldn’t I look beautiful when I go to my boyfriend?
Daniel: No. That’s not what I meant… It’s just… You are looking really beautiful. And I actually had plans for us but since you are leaving then I will have to cancel them. [ Daniel and his surprise plans. ]
Me: What plans?
Daniel: Don’t worry yourself about it, we will do it some other day.
Me: Come on tell me, I will cancel my plans, you know I always do…
Daniel: Yes I know, but don’t this time… just go and enjoy yourself, I am sure that he is waiting for you. [ Actually he is not. ]
Me: Okay then… See you tomorrow… And please I beg you, no sex on the couch. [ He chuckles. ]
Daniel: Okay mom… heard that very loud and clear.
[ I peck his cheek.
Many call it friendship… But what Daniel and I share is more than that. We come a long way together. Some even think that we are dating or sleeping together but none of that is true… There were times back in high school when I got involved into fight with his girlfriends because he was always with me instead of spending time with them.
And my dad is one of those who are against our friendship. But I guess he softened up as time went by because here we are now, there is no chance of breaking us apart, we are even staying together, although it did take a lifetime to convince dad about it.
He Is more than a friend, he is the person I always turn to when I need help. He is the one that I share my dreams with. He never judges me and he knows exactly how to make me happy when I am feeling sad.
When I first saw him I thought that he might be those rich snobs who always think that the world revolves around them because they have money and wealth… But no, he is not like that… He doesn’t seem to care about his dad’s money or the wealth that the Maphumulo family comes with. We both have many things in common and one of them is to create an identity for ourselves.
We are both doing our last year in varsity and only God knows how life is going to humble us after we are done with our studies… Though I would love to say that I just cannot wait until I wear that gown and receive my degree. ]
Me: Samkelo…
[ I knock. I think he is home because the door is unlocked.
What’s this? Who’s clothes are these and why are they on the floor.
I frown as I follow the trail of clothes that are lying on the floor… and they lead me to something that I am not ready for.
Maybe I should have stayed at home, I wouldn’t have seen this at least… What’s going on today? Everywhere I go today all I do is to bump into people having sex on the couch. ]
Samkelo: Oh shit… Love… When did you get here?
[ So because I said we cannot have sex yet, he thought he should get it somewhere else…
I take steps back as he tries to hold my hands. ]
Me: Don’t even think about it.
Samkelo: Love… It’s not how it looks like… I.. [ Am I crazy then? That I would believe what I am not seeing with my own eyes? ]
Me: What? If this doesn’t look like sex then what does it look like? Really? The nerve to cheat on me and lie about it after I caught you red handed… Are you serious right now? [ Lord please help me… Get me out of this house before I kill someone. ]
Samkelo: Can I please explain…
[ Explain what? Lies?
I look around and my eyes land on the kettle. I know that he always has hot water on his kettle and now the water is going to be very useful. ]
Samkelo: Babe, what are you doing?
[ I pour the hot water at him and he yelps. I look at the girl behind him and I throw the empty kettle at her and she ducks it. Samkelo grabs my arm. ]
Girl: Hey… Are you mad?
Samkelo: Rhandzu! Are you fucking insane? Yini se uyahlanya? ( Are you now crazy? ]
Me: Leave my hands…
Girl: Samkelo who is this? [ Did she just ask him who I am? I am his girlfriend! BITCH… ]
Me: Come here and I will show you who I am.
Samkelo: Rhandzu please stop this… Do you know what you just did? [ I look at him. Of course I know what I did… but does he know what he did? ]
Me: You called me crazy… Now I am going to show you what’s crazy… [ I get away from his grip. ]
Samkelo: Rhandzu please stop all this…
[ I stop on my tracks.
What am I doing? I could be arrested for this… For a man… A man who never loved me, it’s been four months ever since we started dating and every time I find him cheating on me… ]
Me: You know what… I am sorry… I am so sorry I interrupted and poured hot water at you.
Girl: What? After what you just did you think your apology will just make things right?
Me: And if I were you I would appreciate it… You and I don’t know each other, I don’t know for how long you have been doing this… [ I look at Samkelo. ] I don’t know which one is your girlfriend between the two of us… What I know is that I am not going to be part of your shit anymore… [ I don’t even know when he wore those shorts. ] I am done with your sorry ass.
Samkelo: Babe… I don’t even know her.
Girl: What? Excuse me… [ There it goes. Does he think I will fall for it? Not anymore. ]
Me: I don’t care whether you know her or not, I am done… if you really loved me you wouldn’t have done this in the first place.
Samkelo: Babe… [ I walk past him. ] And don’t come after me.
[ I should have ended things with him the first time he did this.
I get inside my car as fast as I can after getting out of his flat. I drive back to my flat. I am done with him and I am not going to cry for him… They are right when they say you should never ignore the red flags, and after all the first impression lasts longer. He has been doing this for as long as I have known him… But I am done now.
And to think that I was about to do something more drastic all because of a man who never thinks twice when he wants to cheat on me… And that’s because he doesn’t love me. ]
Daniel: Sweetlips … [ I quickly run to my room. ] What did that jerk do this time, sweet lips.
Me: Oh please… [ I whisper. This is not the time to call me that. I slide down to the floor. ] Please leave me alone… [ I cover my mouth as I feel like breaking down. ]
Daniel: No… You open this door right now… And tell me what he did to you.
Me: Not now please.
Daniel: You are crying… Please open the door. Or else I will break this door down.
[ I get up from the floor. He is crazy, and he won’t hesitate before breaking down this door. ]
Daniel: Sweetlips. [ He attacks me with a hug the moment I open the door. ] I am so sorry… I am sorry… Stop crying for him, he doesn’t deserve it…
Me: I am not crying… [ I close my eyes as I try to hold my tears. ] I just wanted to be alone.
Daniel: What did he do? [ If I tell him only God knows what he might do to him. ] Or do you want me to go to his place and find out by myself.
Me: If I tell you then you have to promise me that you won’t do anything to him.
Daniel: I can’t promise you that… it’s either you tell me or I go to him.
[ If I didn’t know him then I would have thought that he is bluffing, but I know that he is not… I am afraid he might hurt him and admit him to the hospital all by himself. ]
Daniel: Let me guess then… He cheated… again. [ I look down. ] Oh… Please don’t do this to yourself, don’t cry over him, he doesn’t deserve it, In fact all those motherfuckers don’t deserve you because all they keep on doing is breaking your heart.
[ I sigh. He always does this and I always forgive him for it, but not anymore, Danny is right, he doesn’t deserve a single tear from me. ]
Me: You are right. He is not worth it.
Daniel: Exactly… Now I want to see that beautiful smile of yours.
Me: So were you really going to hurt him?
Daniel: Do I ever bluff when it comes to you? You do know that you come first in my life, no matter how many girlfriends I have.
Me: And what about your family? Don’t they come first?
Daniel: You are part of my family.
Me: And what about your girlfriend?
Daniel: Which one?
Me: What… Really Daniel? [ We laugh. ] You ain’t different.
Daniel: Come here Sweetlips. [ He opens his arms for a hug and I throw myself on him. ] I am being serious though, you are getting old, time for games is over…
Daniel: Me, old? [ We laugh again. ] Come on sweet lips, you know I don’t do relationships, I am just waiting for that special somebody, who will love me in return.
Me: And how would that person love you in return when you don’t want to give love a try.
Daniel: A try you say… I don’t want to scare her off, what if I push her away? [ Oh… ]
Me: So there’s someone?
Daniel: Yes… And she is very close to me.
Me: What? Do I know her?
[ I break the hug and look at him, keen to hear more of this. I have never heard him speak like this, he is in love… ]
Daniel: Maybe you do.
Me: Come on, aren’t you going to tell me her name? I will help you out to make her your girlfriend because wow… I can see that this is very serious… You… Daniel Nkazimulo Maphumulo, you are in love. [ I hit him on his chest. ]
Daniel: I can’t tell you yet, but soon you will know about her. [ Who could she be? Monica? ]
Me: Wow… And here I thought that I am the only girl in your life.
Daniel: Well. Now you know that you are not the only one.
Me: Do your girlfriends know about this?
Daniel: Why should they know? It doesn’t concern them.
Me: Wow… And what about Monica?
Daniel: What about her? [ I fold my arms as I give him the look that he should come out with it. ] She’s the last person I could ever love.
Me: Does she know that?
Daniel: I don’t know and I really don’t care…
[ Wow… Poor her.
But one thing is for sure, men are all the same, what Samkelo is doing to me is the same thing that Daniel is doing to his girlfriends especially Monica who is head over hills in love with Daniel. ]
Daniel: Let’s celebrate.
Me: Celebrate what?
Daniel: Your breakup with that fool. You did break up with him, right?
Me: Yeah, but what’s there to celebrate because he hurt me?
Daniel: That he won’t hurt you anymore. And I hate that he shares the same name with my brother.
Me: And your brother is a gentleman.
Daniel: Just like me, right? [ Yeah, but I won’t dare say that to you, otherwise I won’t hear the end of it. He pulls my arm to the kitchen. ] Some tequila and music will do.
Me: Come on Danny… All I want to do is to eat then go to sleep.
Daniel: That’s not going to happen when I am right here. Ukhome mina. [ I laugh. ] That’s how you say it in Xitsonga, right?
Me: Yeah, that’s how you say it… You are getting there, little by little. [ He lines up the glasses of tequila. ] And I see that you want to take advantage of this moment and challenge me on this.
Daniel: And you better be up for it and roll up your sleeves because I am not going to let you win this one.
Me: Bring it on then.
[ I take the bottle of tequila and lead the way to the couch.
I just hope after today I will feel much better and I will forget about what I saw.
I know that I can never go wrong with Daniel by my side, he just knows how to make me feel better when I just feel down.
I sometimes wonder if there’s a man who will be so patient and loving towards me, the same way that Daniel does. The way he pampers me when I get period pains, he’s always there for me and he attends to all my mood swings, even though he sometimes get annoyed when I get angry at him for no reason… Daniel is more than a friend to me and really I thank God for having this person in my life. I just pray that we stay like this forever… even after we get married to our partners, we should never drift away from each other. I used to fight with my ex boyfriends because I used to cancel plans Just to be with Daniel… they would feel jealous and some of them even assumed that there must be something going on between the two of us, I don’t blame them though… Daniel and I do everything together, and we are so comfortable around each other… and there’s no way in the world I am going to lose a friend I’ve known for years over a boyfriend that wouldn’t even last months with me. I choose Daniel all the way.
