THEBACHELOR

PROLOGUE

Sabelo,awellt
allbui
lthandsomemani sseen
taki
ngawal kfr
om hishomet oastream notf
ar
from hi
shome.Thepeopl eandani malsaround
herearedependingont hi
srivert
olive.

Heisswinginghissti
ckar oundIntheai
rwhistl
inga
songknownbyhi m untilhereachesatr
eewher ea
beaut
if
ulladyisstandi
ngunder .Hesmilesbroadl
y
asheapproachesher .

Sabel
o:t
hembal
amat
hembaami
St
handwasenhl
izi
yoyami
Mj
abul
isiwemi
zwayami
Ngi
losiyamaphuphoami
Kunj
anibaby?(Howar
eyoumyl
ove)

Theladyi
sredfrom allt
heblushing,shebrushes
herarmstr
yingsohar dnott
obl ushbutshecan't
hel
pitasSabeloisstari
ngstr
aightintohereyes.

Minenhl
e:ngiyaphi
laNyambosekunj
ani
?(Iam
goodhowar eyou?)

Herrefer
ri
ngtohi
m byhiscl
annamesget shi
m so
exci
tedthathemovesf
orwardtoherforahugbut
Minniemovesbackwar
ds.Sabel
ofrowns.

Sabelo:Thembal
ami
,kwenzenj
ani
?(Myl
ove,
what
i
swr ong?)

Minenhl
e:l
utho.Kuzomel
esi
khulumeSabel
o.
(Nothi
ng,wehavetotal
kSabel
o)
Sabel
o:uyangi
thusakemanj
ekodwakul
ungi
le.
(Youarescari
ngmenowbutit'
sfi
ne)
.

Hesayssi tti
ngdownont hebi
gstoneandMi nenhle
continuestandi
ngwi thherbackagainstthet ree
playingwithherfingers.Sabel
oquietl
ylooksather .
Thel oveofhislove.Theyhavebeent ogetherf r
om
highschool.Peopl eassumedt heyweregoingt o
breakupwhenSabel owentt oUKZNt ofurtherhi s
studiesbutdroppedoutont hethi
rdyearafterhis
fatherpassedaway.

Eversi
nceMrMt hethwapassedaway,Sabel
owas
for
cedtodropoutofvarsi
tyanddooddjobsjustto
keephisfamil
yali
veandgoing.Mi
nenhleisdoing
herBed,secondyearandheissopr
oudofher .She
i
ssmar t,
bothofthem act
ual
ly.

Hei
spr
ayi
ngsohar
dtogetadecentj
obandmar
ry
her
.Hecanimagineherswingi
ngandswayi
ngher
hi
psathi
sfather
'shouseservi
nghi
smother
.

Minenhle:l
entoengizoyi
shokuweayilul
akodwa
kumelengiyishongobaisikhat
hisi
yahamba.(What
Iam goingtosaytoyoui snoteasybutIhaveto
sayitbecausetimeismovi ngfast
)

Herwordsbri
ngshi
m backt
oli
fe.Hegi
veshert
he"
goonlook"
.

Minenhle:sekuyi
sikhathisi
thandananaweSabel
o,
i
mi nyakaemi hl
anuakuwonaumdl al
o.(Wehave
beent oget
herforfartoolongnowSabelo,5year
s
i
snotachi ld'
splay)

Sabelo:kunjal
oThembal ami,seyi
yindeindl
ela
esi
yihambilefuthisisayaki
ds(that
'struemylove,
wehavebeent ogetherforalongti
meandwear e
sti
llgoi
ngf ar)
Minenhle:ngi
cel
aukubuzaukut
hiuzi
misel
eni
ngathi
?Ngami ?(
Pleaset
ellmeyouri
ntent
ions
aboutusandme? )

Sabelo:
(smi
li
ng)ukukuthathangi
kufake
emagcekeniakwaMt hethwasandiseisi
bongosi
ka
baba.(Tomar r
yyouandhaveki ds)

Mi
nenhl
e:ni
niSabel
o?(
WhenSabel
o?)

Sabel
o:umanjengi
thol
aumsebenzi
o..(assoonas
Igetajobt
hat
..
.)

Minenhl
e:(
cutt
inghimr ol
li
nghereyes)kuni
wawuculalel
oculoSabelo?Ont angayamibasemzi
ni
yabomanjeandt heyhaven'tbeenwi t
hthei
r
part
nerssolonglikeus!
Sabelot r
ieshislevelbestt
oremaincal
m butthe
factthatMinnieiscompar i
ngthei
rli
vestoothers
doesn'tsettl
ewel lwit
hhim.Sheknowshissituat
ion
betterthaneveryoneelse.Sheishi
sbestfr
iendfor
Christsake!

Sabelo:(
sighs)st
handwaSam, uyaziangit
hiukuthi
ngiyazama?(Myl ove,youdoknowt hatIam tr
ying
ri
ght?)

Minenhle:
wel
lyouar
enott
ryi
ngenoughSabel
oand
I
'mtired.

Sabel
o:(
calmly)angizwangakahleekugcineni
,ut
hi
kwenzenj
ani?(Ididn'theart
helastpar
t,yousaid
youarewhat?)

Minenhl
e:i
ngobamhlambengi shongesingi
si,
Sabelongi
khathel
eminaukubekezel
elananawe,
ngi
lokungethembaukut
hiisi
mosakhosi zoshi
ntsha
kodwal utho.Bhekaumf owenuuBonga, wenza
ezi
bukwayoegol ikodwamncanekunawe!(I t
's
becauseIsai ditinEngli
sh,Sabel
oIam tiredof
bei
ngpat ientforyou,busyhopingthatyour
si
tuati
oni sgoingt ogetbet
terbutnope.Lookat
yourbrotherBonga, heisdoingwondersin
Johannesbur gbuthe'syoungerthanyou!)

Thatcomparisonagain.Heget st hatalotfr
om
peopleandhealwaysmovesi tbackt ohismind
becausepeopledon'tknowt hesacr i
ficeshemade
sothathisbr
othercanf i
nishhi sstudiesandnotbe
l
ikehim.Byluck,Bongagotaj obbef orehecould
evengraduat
e.Hearinghisgi r
lfri
endsayt hi
sbroke
him.

Sabel
o:(
lowvoi
ce)uzamaukuthiki
mi Minenhle?
(Whatareyout
ryi
ngt osayt
omeMi nenhle?
)

Minenhl
e:wellI'
m notcompar
ingyoutoBongaor
anyt
hingbutallI
'm sayi
ngi
sthatdosomethi
ng,
fol
lowhimt oJoburgmaybehecangetyou
somethingthatsit
ti
ngathomethewhol
edaynot
doinganythi
ng.Honestl
ySabel
oift
hisi
showyou
aregoingIwillgi
veup.

Ial
sowantthesof
tli
fe,
Iwantyoutobuymeni
ce
thi
ngs,
takemetovacat
ionsandbehappy.
.

Sabelo:
(hol
dingherhands)okaybaby,
Ihearyou.
Bongai sbr
ingi
nghisdaughtert
hisweekendsoI
wil
lleavewithhi
m Mondaymor ni
ng.

Minenhle:
(smi
li
ng)nowt
hat
'swhatIam t
alki
ng
about.

Sabel
o:Iwil
lmakeyouhappybabyIpromise.Just
don'
tleavemepl
ease.Il
oveyouMinenhl
e.

Mi
nenhl
e:Il
oveyout
ooand.
..
Herphoneri
ngsdist
urbi
ngher
,"Daddy"fl
asheson
t
hescreen.Sheswall
owsanddropthecal
l.Sabel
o
l
ooksather.

Minenhl
e:Ineedt
ogohome.Fat
heri
scal
li
ngIam
surehei
swonderingwher
eIam.

Sabel
o:ngi
zokubonaangit
hingaphambikokut
hi
ngi
hambe(Iwillseeyoubef
oreIleave?
)

Mi
nenhl
e:ur
hm yeahsur
e.

Sabel
o:okayst
handwaSam,
uzi
phat
hekahl
e.

Hesaysgett
ingupandhugsher
.Minenhl
esmiles
weakl
yandwal ksof
fwavi
ngathi
m.Hest ar
esat
herwal
kingawayandsit
sdownonthestone.
Herwordscomebacktohisears.Heshakehi
s
headst
oppingt
hetearst
hatarethreat
eni
ngto
comeandgetsupgoingbacktohishome.

Hemeetshismotheroutsi
dether
ondavelMaking
fi
reont
heground.Hesmi l
es,
heknowst hatwhen
hi
smothercooksoutsi
desheisaboutt
omakea
meansteam br
ead.

Sabel
o:avengi
kuthandawenasalukazi
Sami,i
thi
ngi
kuqoqel
eizi
nkuni(
thewayIloveyoumother
,let
mebringmorefi
rewoodforyou)

MaCel
e:wabuyasobhocobel
enj
ekwenzenj
ani
?
(Whydoyoulooksodown? )

Sabelo:akul
uthonj
emamaengingekengi
khone
ukubhekananalo(i
t'
snot
hingIwon'
tbeabl
eto
handle)
MaCeleshakeherheadandcont
inuewi
thwhat
she'
sdoing.

Sabelo:ngicabangaukuj
ikanoBongakengiyozama
i
zinhl
anhl azomsebenziegoli
.(Iam t
hinki
ngof
ret
urningwi thBongabacktoJohannesburgandtr
y
j
obhunt i
ngt her
e)

MaCel
e:ewusengi
zosal
angedwa.
.(Iwi
llbel
eft
al
one)

Sabelo:awumama, omakhel wanebakhonaf ut

hike
nendodakazikaBongaizohlalalakhayaunomphelo
uzothuma(butmom, t
henei ghborsar eher
e,pl
us
Bonga'sdaughteri
sgoi
ngt ost ayherepermanentl
y
soyouwi l
lhavesomeonet osendar ound)

MaCele:ngi
yazi
ndodanaukut
hinj
ebesengij
wayel
e
ukuhl
alanomuntu,
ukubakhonakwakhol
akhaya
bekuwunikaisi
thunzil
omuzi(Iknowsonjustt
hatI
am usedtohavingyouar oundandhavi
ngyouhere
bri
ngsrespecttothishouse)

Sabel
o:ngi
zobuyanjal
ongenyangamama,
ngi
yakut
hembisa(Iwil
lcomebackhomeever
y
monthMom, Ipr
omise)

MaCel e:kul
ungilemf anawami,ngi
yakukhulul
afut
hi
ngikuphanezibusi so(i
t'
sokaymyson, Iam
rel
easingandgi vingyoublessi
ngs)

Sabel
o:(
huggi
ngher
)ngi
yabongaNdosi
.

Tobecont
inued.
TheBachel
or

I
nser
t1
MI
NENHLE

Iwalkedstrai
ghtandcheckedmybackf orthel ast
ti
mebef orecl
imbingint
othecar.Joeisrestedon
hisdri
ver'
sseatchairwit
hhishandsonhi shead.
ThemomentIset tleonychairheget
supl ookingat
hisgoldrosewatchnotpleasedatal
l.

Me:Iknow,
Iam sor
ryIam l
ate.

Joe:youknowIhat
ewai
ti
ng.Whatt
ookyousol
ong?

Me:Iwaswi
thSabel
o..
..

Joe:
didyoubr
eakupwi
thhi
m asagr
eed?

Me:I
tIsnotaseasyasi
tseems.Ineedt
ime.
Joe:
(chuckl
ing)Mi
nni
eIam r
unni
ngoutof
pati
ence.
..

Me:(holdi
nghishands)babyplease,Ial
readyhi
nted
theideatohim al
lthatIneedtodoisbreakthe
newst ohim.Heissof tNdfr
agil
esoIneedt obreak
hisheartgent
ly.

Joe:(l
ooki
ngatmesternl
y)f
ine.Don'tt
aketoolong
becauseyouknowIam acat ch,l
otsofgir
lsar
e
envyingtobeyour
ightnowandyouar everyl
uckyI
pickedyou.

Me:IknowbabyandIam gr
atef
ul.Tr
uly.

Hesmil
es,
andmoveshishandt
omyt
ighsunt
ili
t
r
eachesmyunder
wear
.
Joe:Ihopet
hishoboofyour
sdi
dn'
ttouchmy
goodies.

Me:
(shaki
ngmyhead)
nohedi
dn'
t,
Ipr
omi
se.

Joe:good,Ihavebookedahot
elnear
by.Let
'sgo
catchup,Ihavemissedyou.

Me:
(smi
li
ng)okay.

Hestart
shiscardri
vingawayandIexhalelooki
ng
outsi
dethewindowast hecardr
ivepastSabel
o's
house.

SABELO

Itakeof
fmyheadphonesandIhearahootandmy
dogbarki
ngl
ikecr
azy.Iqui
ckl
ysit
supputti
ngon
myshoes.

Macele:
(shout
ingfrom herbedroom)Sabelo
awubhekeyiniekwati
sainjakangaka!(Sabel
o
pl
easecheckwhatt hedogsees)

Me:yeboma!(
Yesmot
her
)

Ianswergoi
ngout si
dewithmyt or
chlightandthe
l
oudmusi ccomingfrom thecargr
eetsmeassoon
asIstepoutsi
dethehouse.It'
sBonga,thefl
ashy
regi
str
ati
onofhiscardetail
sit
.

Bonga:(dr
unk)Bafo,wasi
zawaphumaci she
yangiqedalenj
abesengizoyidubul
a!(Br
other
,
thankGodf orcomingout.Inearl
yshott
hisdog)

Me:ubungekeucal
e!Kunganiut
handaukuhamba
ebusukusonengane?Worseudaki
we!(You
woul
dn'
tdot
hat!Whydoyouli
kedr
ivi
ngatni
ght
wi
thaki
d?Ontopofthatdr
unk!
)

Bonga:angi
kadakwangi
thenj
ekancane.Sbonga,
bi
ngelelababomkhul
uwathot
hobal
anje!(Iam not
dr
unk, Ij
usttookf
ewtot
s.Sbonga,
greet
syour
Uncl
e)

Sbongamovest ome,shei
sgrowingsofastyeer
r!
Atleastshewi
llkeepmymothercompany.

Me:
sawubonandodakazi
,ni
hambekahl
e?
(Gr
eet
ingsdaught
er,
didyouhaveasaf
etri
p?)

Sbonga:
yebobaba.

Me:asi
ngeneniendl
inisi
ngaqedii
zindaba
emnyango(l
etusgoi nsi
de,wecan'
tf i
nisht
he
whol
econversati
onoutsi
de)
Wewal kbackinsidethehouse,mom isalr
eadyup
andhaslitupthecandles.Ourhouseisbeauti
ful
andbigbutthedisappointmentofnothavi
ngan
el
ectr
ici
tyarounddoesn'thelpit
.Shedi
shesupf or
hersonandgr anddaughterwhil
eIbri
ngthebags
i
nsidethehouse.

Aftereat
ing,Sbongaandmom di sappeartoher
bedroom.Babygi rli
ssti
llscaredtosleepaloneI
guessshewi l
lgetusedt
oi t.Soonshewi l
lbea
teenagersinceshe'snow11.

JustasIprepar
eformysleepBongaknocksonmy
door.I
tismoreli
keatap.Ishakemyheadandget
s
up.Helooksmoredrunknow.

Me:awul
alikant
i?(
Areyounotsl
eepi
ng?
)

Bonga:ear
lyso?Ij
ustwantust
ocat
chup.Howi
sit
?
Hesaystr
yingtosi
tonmybedwit
hhi
sbot
tl
e
near
lyspi
ll
inghi
sdri
nkonmybed.

Me:ngi
yaphi
lanj
eokungat
henimf
o.(Iam al
ive)

Inarr
atet
ohim whatMinenhl
esaid,
hel
ist
ens
att
enti
vel
ytaki
ngasiponhisbott
le.

Bonga:angisi
thandilesi
shashasent ombazana
kodwaiqini
sil
e.SekuyisikhathiBafo,wozaegoli
minangizokuset t
er.(Idon'tli
kethatgir
lbutshe'
s
ri
ght.Comet ojoziIwil
lsetyouup)

Weendupshar ingthebedwithhim because

getti
ngupi ssastr
uggle.Iam t
hefir
sttogetupin
themor ni
ngt opeeandIgetapr operchanceto
l
ookathi scarproperl
y.Iti
saconverti
bleBMW.I t
screamsmoney.I mpelaegolikukwanyama
kayiphel
i.
*
*
*

Bongasuggest
edthatwel eavetoday,onaSunday
becauseMondaysarethebusiestforhim.Wejust
l
oadednotsomanycl othesofmi nethatf
it
tedonl
y
ononebag.Ihavebeent r
yingMinenhleonher
phonebuti
thasbeenof f.

Herfat
hersayshel astsawherwhenshesai dshe
wascomi ngt
oseeme.Iam wor ri
edandnotset t
led
aboutt
his.Whatifsomet hi
ngbadhappenedtoher ?
Iti
snotli
kehertojustdisappear
,especi
all
ysince
sheknowsIam leavingthisweekend.

Webi dgoodbyetoourmot
herandSbongaandhit
theroad.Li
ttl
ebr
otheri
sonshades,
sunroofof
fand
playi
nghisloudmusic.
Bonga:canyouchi
nup?Wear
eont
heN3nowcan
younoti
ce?

Me:aiwhat
evermar
n.

Bonga:stopsul
kingovert
hathoe.There'
spl
entyof
fi
negirl
swherewear egoi
ngto.Igiveyouaday,
uzokhohlwangaye.

Me:
ift
hat
'st
hecaset
henwhyar
eyounotmar
ri
ed?

Bonga:Iam abachel
orbychoi
ceBaf
o.Thesehoes
ai
n'twort
hitanyway.

Ishakemyheadandr
estmypal
m ont
hewi
ndow.

Tobecont
inued.
(Wear
ebackbazalwane,
it'
saNewyear .Beact
ive,
comment
,shar
e,l
iketheposts!Letmenoti
cey'
all
!!
)
[
01/
24,
17:
49] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t2

SABELO

Istr
etchmyarmsyawningaft
erBongapokedmy
arm.Ilookar
oundandseehugebuil
dingsand
real
it
yhitsmewhenwedrivepastabusyroad.
Readingthesi
gns,
wearesomewhereinmidrand.

Me:wher
ear
ewe?

Bonga:wear
egoingt
oMi
drandboy,
Wat
erf
all
.
That
swhereIli
ve.
Me:ohokay,
eii
t'
sbeenal
ongj
our
neymar
n.

Bonga:Idi
dn'
tevenf
eell
iket
hathey.

Wechatabi twi
thmel ookingatthesef
ancy
buil
dingswearepassingbyunt ilheparksi
nfront
ofabeautif
ulwhi
teandgr eyhouse.Iam sur
emy
j
awi sabouttodr
opf rom thegaspingbecausewow,
thi
shouseiseveryt
hing.

Me:
(l
ooki
ngar
ound)soyoust
ayher
eal
lal
one?

Bonga:(
taki
ngourbagsoutoft hecar)yep,usedto
bemeandSbongabutnowi t'
sgoingtobeus, oh
andthebabygirl
sthatarevisi
ti
ngf r
om ti
met o
ti
me.ipromiset
heywillbeinvi
sibl
e.

Hesai
dthel
astl
inewi
thasmi
rkandIshakemy
headf
oll
owinghimi nsi
de.Yeahneh,t
hisi
sheaven
onear
th.Hedropsthebagsont hecouchand
movestohi
smi nibar.

Bonga:
(handi
ngmeagl
ass)wel
comet
oGaut
eng
br
other
.

Me:
(t
oast
ingt
ohi
s)t
hankyou.

Itakeasi
pandspititoutimmediat
ely.Shiti
shot
andtast
ehorr
ibl
e.Hel aughsgoi
ngtosi tonhis
whitel
eat
hercouches.

Bonga:youwi
llgetusedtoi
tbhoza.Sohaveyou
deci
dedwhatyouar egoi
ngtodo?

Me:withmyunfi
nishedqual
ifi
cati
on,Iam notsure
much.Iam j
ustgoingtobedoinganythi
ngand
ever
ythi
ngyouknow.Iam preparedt
ostartfrom
t
hebot
tom unt
ilIgett
her
e.

Bonga:okay,Ihearyou.Youseebaf othi
sis
Gauteng,thi
ngsaref astandhappeninghere.Al
l
youhavet odoisjustsayt hewordandit'
salldone,
justl
ikethat
.

Hesayssnappi
nghi
sfi
nger
s.

Me:
whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?

Bonga:t
akealookar
oundyou,
thecar
s,f
urni
tur
e
andthi
shouse.Howdoyouthi
nkIam managi
ngal
l
oft
his?

Me:uyasebenzamoesBonga.
.(youar
ewor
king
Bonga)
Bonga:
(chuckl
ing)adi
plomainHumanr esour
ce
managementisnotenoughtogetmeallofthi
s
brot
her
.Tellyouwhat,
youdon'thavet
ost r
uggle
andgothroughallt
heembarr
assment.

Me:
Iam l
ist
eni
ng.

Hemovesclosertomeandlower
shisvoiceashe
expl
ainst
omehi s"qui
ckwaytoweal
th"andIj
ump
up.

Bonga:
(l
ear
ningbackonhi
schai
r)r
elax.

Me:Bonga,
andther
eIwasboast
ingt
hatyouar
e
worki
ngsohar
dand..

Bonga:ofcauseIam worki
nghard,
whatar
eyou
i
nsinuat
ing?Thisi
sjustaboost
.
Me:not hankyou.Iwillf
indajob.Aj obthatwil
l
grantmepeacefulsleepatnight.Idon'tneedyour
boost.

Bonga:
sui
tyoursel
f.Yourbedr
oom i
sthet
hir
ddoor
onthel
eft
.I'
m out.

Me:
whatar
eweeat
ing?I
'
m hungr
y.

Bonga:
(t
aki
ngoutfewnotesfrom hi
swal l
etand
handsi
ttome)ontopofthefridgether
e'samenu
andnumbers.Or
deryour
selfwhateveryouwantto
eat
.Ourhel
perwil
lbecomingt omorrowmorning.

Withthatheleavest
hehouse.Iwalkt
othekit
chen
andlooksaround.Iopent
hef r
idgeandther
e'sl
ot
toeathere,
there'
snoneedtobuynewf ood.

Ipackt
hemoneyonmypocketandt
akeoutt
he
l
eft
oversandst
artseating.Ideci
det
ocal
lour
motherj
usttoi
nform herthatwehadabeaut
if
ul
t
ri
p.

Aft
erthatIdi
alMi
nni
e'
snumber
.Itgoest
hrough
t
histi
me.

Mi
nni
e:hel
lo?

Me:baby,
thankGod,youhavenoi
deahowrel
ieved
Iam hear
ingyourvoi
ce.Iwaswor
ri
edsi
cknot
reachi
ngyouonthephone.

Minnie:
Iam sor
ry,
fat
hert
oldmet hatyoucame
l
ookingforme.Iwenttomystudybuddy'spl
ace
andmyphoner anoutofbat
teryandwear enot
usi
ngsamephones.

Me:
okayst
handwaSam.Weendedupl
eavi
ngt
oday
andnowI
'
m athi
shouse.

Minni
e:wowokayt
hat
'sawesome.Howar
ethi
ngs
t
here?

Me:baby,youshouldseethishousehey.I
tisso
beauti
ful
.Mydr eam house.Bi
gandfancy.

Mi
nni
e:t
akepi
ctur
esf
ormel
etmesee.

Me:
butbabyIdon'
thavedat
a..
.

Mi
nni
e:Iwi
llt
ransf
ersomef
oryoul
ove.

Me:okayl
etmesnapf
ewt
hings.

Ihungupandt
akeloadsofpi
ctur
esandsendt
hem
toheronWhat
sApp.Shecal
lsmebackaft
era
mi
nut
e.

Mi
nni
e:ar
eyousur
esur
ethathousei
sBonga'
s?

Me:hahahayeahwher
ewoul
dIbeget
ti
ngt
hese
pi
cturesfr
om?

Minnie:wowthathousei
severythi
ng.Babywhen
am Ivisi
ti
ng?Phelamyfr
iendscandropanddieif
theycanseethesnapsofthathouseonthegram.I
needtodecorat
emypr of
il
e.

Me:(
laughi
ng)
hahahamyloveyouwil
lcomeas
soonasIhaveset
tl
edinandfoundajob.

Mi
nni
e:okaybabyIcan'
twai
t.I
'
m pr
oudofyouhey.

Myhear
twar
msuphear
inghersayi
ngt
hat
.
Me:andIl
oveyouMasi
biya.
.

Icanfeelherbl
ushi
ngontheotherside.Wechata
bitandIhungup.Ideci
det
otakeat ouroft
his
house.Someotherroomsar
elockedandsomear e
open.

Thetourl
eadsmet ohisgar
ages,t
hegemini
machinespar
kedhere.Iwonderi
fheboughtor
rent
edthem.Ishakemyheadandgobacki nsi
de
thehousetot
heroom hegavemeandt hr
owmyself
onthebigcomfybed.

Imusthavedozzedof
fbecauseIj
umpwhenthe
l
ight
sfl
ickson,
Isighr
ubbi
ngmyeyesandstar
esat
him.

Me:doyoudr
inkever
yday?
Isayget
ti
ngupput
ti
ngmyshoeson.

Bonga:youcansayt
hat
.Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Me:t
othebat
hroom,
I'
m pr
essed.

Bonga:what
'st
hatdoorf
or?

Hesayspointi
ngadoorint
hisver
ysamer oom.I
wal
ktoitandopenit
,Iam metbyabeauti
fulbi
g
bat
hroom wit
hbothshowerandabat
htub.

Me:thanks.Minni
ewentcr
azywhenshesaw
pi
cturesofthehouse.

Isayt
akingapi
ss.Icomeouttohimfiddl
ingwit
ha
remot
elooki
ngforamusicchannelonthebigTV
scr
eenagai
nstt
hewal
l.

Bonga:ofcauseshewoul
d.

Me:it
'
sapityIr
anoutofdata.Shewantedtovi
deo
cal
landpr
ovetohert
hatI'
m actual
lyhere.

Bonga:ther
e'sunl
imi
tedWiFihere.Remindmeto
gi
veyouapasswor dbutnotforyoutotakepi
ctur
es
andvideosofmyhouseforyourhoe.

Me:don'
tcal
lhert
hatBongaorwewi
llhavea
pr
oblem.

Bonga:Ineedt
ot akeyousomewher e
bayokuhl
anzi
salentoeyakudl
isayona
l
entombazanaangekephela.
Me:(
smili
ng)shedi
dn'
tfeedmeanyt
hing,
it'
sjust
pur
etruelove.

Bonga:
yeahri
ght.AnywayIhavefewplaceswhere
byyoucandropyourCVattomor r
ow.Sinceyouare
notf
amili
arwiththepl
aceIwil
laskoneofmyguys
todr
iveyouaround.

Me:usi
yisi
gwi
liNyambose?(
Youar
ear
ichman
nowbrot
her?)

Bonga:
(smir
king)wel
comet
oGaut
engbhoza.I
'
m
of
ftosleep.

Hesayswal
kingoutl
eavi
ngmeshaki
ngmyhead.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
49] :TheBachel
or
I
nser
t3

BONGA

IhateMondayssomuchandwor seofitallIhate
thatIam worki
ngsodamnhar dwhileIcanact ual
ly
getsomeonet odothi
sforme.Ihavemoneyand
ri
chbutt henonthebr
ightsi
de,Ienj
oybeinghands
on.Itkeepsmymi ndbusyandoccupied.

Ther ecept
ioncall
sandinfor
m methatMrS
Mt hethwaisheretoseeme.Ismil
eandinf
orm
them toorganizeusdri
nkswhil
eIwalkt
othedoor
tomeetupwi t
hhim.

Me:Nyambose.

Isayshaki
nghi
shandandl
eadi
nghi
mtot
hechai
r.
Sabel
o:uphi
lal
empil
oyasemamovi
nibaf
o(youar
e
l
ivi
ngthemovieli
femybrot
her
)

Me:(
chuckl
ingsi
tt
ingdown)ukuzamanj
emf
owet
hu.
Kuhambenjani
?(Itr
y,howdi
ditgo?)

Sabelo:hect
ic,bebevi
ti
zai
singi
sil
abant
uyey
ngiphethweikhanda(t
heywerespeaki
ngEngl
ishI
haveaheadache)

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)Idr
amakodwaNyambose,
Iam sur
e
i
twasnott
hatbad.

Sabelo:
awazil
uthowena.Andil
oku
okungamantombazana,
kuncanengishokunawe.
(Youhavenoidea,andmostl
yitwasgirl
syounger
thanyou)
Me:Ist
il
linsi
stt
hatyourdaywasbett
erthanmine
t
hough.Lookatmeandt hi
shugefi
lesIhavet
ogo
t
hroughandsignbefor
eknockofft
ime.

Sabel
o:yeahneh.AnywayImetsomeonewho
promi
sedmeaj ob.

Me:
okay,
nowt
hat
'ssomet
hing.Whoi
sit
?

Sabelo:uzi
bizengoMaci
ngwaneandIwi
llbe
dri
vinghistaxi
.

Me:uyadl
alaangi
thiNyambose?(Youar
eki
ddi
ng
r
ight?)

Sabel
o:what
?

Me:Sabel
o,aiangekendoda!Iknowyouar
e
desperateforaj
obbutukuyobaumageza?(
bei
nga
taxidr
iver?
)

Sabel
o:kunanikant
i?(Whati
swr
ongwi
thi
t)

Me:itwon'
tlookgoodonmyi mage.Whatare
peoplegoi
ngtosay?Iam r
ichandmyel derbr
other
i
sdrivingt
axisonabusysweatyenvi
ronment?

Iwoul
drat
heror
gani
zesomet
hingf
oryouar
ound
her
e..

Sabel
o:(chuckl
ingbi
tt
erl
y)that
'sallyoucareabout
?
Yourst
upi dimageandshinysuits?Ngamanengidl
e
udakakunokwamukelalemaliyakhoyegazi!(I
wouldrathersuff
ert
hanacceptingyourblood
money!)

Me:ohnowi
tisgoi
ngt
obel
iket
hat
?Thesame
houseand.
..

Sabel
o:(
get
ti
ngup)don'
twor
ryIwi
llmoveout
.

Me:Sabel
ost
opbei
ngdr
amat
icandl
ist
en!

Sabel
o:NoBongumusa!WhatIwillnotall
owis
bei
ngdict
atedbyyoubecauseyouhavemoney!I
am ol
dert
hanyou!Awungil
aminokungilamaso
showsomer espect
!

Hegavemeal ookthattol
dmest rai
ghtupthat
shoul
dIdaresayanotherstupi
dwordhei sgoi
ngt
o
punchme.Isi
ghsitt
ingdownf i
xingmyt i
e.

Me:Iam sorry.Iover
acted.I
t'
sbecauseIcare
aboutyoumybr ot
her.I
t'
sjustdoesn'
tsoundright
thatyoutr
avell
edallthewayt obeataxidri
verwit
h
rudepassengers.
Sabelo:Iunderst
andandt r
ulyappr eci
ateitbut
pleaserespectmychoice.Iwillkeeponsear ching
foranotherjobwhil
edoingthis.It'
sbetterthan
nothing.I
twon'tbeapermanentt hi
ng,Ijustdon't
l
ikehandout s.

That
'st
het
hingaboutmybr
other
,hei
saver
ypr
oud
man.

Me:okayIunderst
and.Ar
ewegoodnow?You
won'
tmoveout ?

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)st
ayoutofmybusi
nesswewi
llbe
good.

Me:
(rai
singmyhands)Ipr
omi
set
omi
ndmyown
f
rom nowon.
Sabel
o:Ineedt
ogobackandl
etyouf
ini
shup.

Me:
okayI
'l
lUberf
oryoubecauseIt
hinkt
heguy
t
hatdr
oppedyoui
sfarnow.

Sabel
o:okay.

Iwal
khi
m outwhi
ler
equest
ingf
orhi
m.

A MONTHLATER

MI
NENHLE

Meandt hegir
lswer
echil
li
ngatthecafeter
iaeat
ing.
Actual
lytheywer
eeati
ngIwasjusthavingthe
Cappyjui
ceandLayssnacks.

Me:
(showi
nghert
hescr
een)t
hat
'smyman.Thati
s
hi
shouse.

Londy:youmeanl omahlal
elawakho,
umajikanel
angasekanendluenj
e?(Youmeanyour
brokeunemployedboyfri
endisnowhavi
ngsucha
fancyhugehouse? )

Zama:yoohLondyyouar
esomeandude!Di
dyou
real
lyhavet
osaythat
?

Me:ngi zomfathuzangempamal onangoba

ungijwayelakabi!I
ndodayamiisebenzanzi
ma
kabi((Iam goingtoslaphersobadlybecauseshe
i
sf ullofshit
.Mymani sworkingveryhard)

Londy:
(r
oll
shereyes)sor
ry,i
t'
sjustsur
pri
singhow
canamanmovesf r
om zerotoheroinamont hnj
e.

Nt
obe:maybehehasr
it
ual
s,r
emembert
hatguy'
s
stor
ywhodi ed?Theonewhowasr
ichchomme
andlivedi
nMi dr
and?

Londy:ohohIrememberthatman,ahshame,
thi
ngspeopledoformoney!AreyousureSabel
o
hasn'
tjoi
nedthatcr
ew?Phelathatest
atei
sin
Waterf
all
..

Rightthenmyphoner i
ngsandIsmi l
ewhenhis
namepopsupont hescr een.Don'
taskmeabout
Joe,hehaspul l
edhi
sdi sappeari
ngcardonmeand
I'
mt i
redoftryi
ngtocal
lhi m.ThankGodIdidn'
t
messt hingswit
hSabelo.Wear everymuchinl
ove
andhesendsmemoneyever yFri
day.

Me:baby?

Sabel
o:ar
eyouatt
hecampus?
Me:ur
hm yeah.Why?

Sabel
o:Iam dr
ivi
ngpasti
t,l
etmeseeyouf
oraf
ew
minut
es.

Iscr
eam exci
tedl
yget
ti
ngup.

Me:
I'
m comi
ngbaby.

Zama:andt
hen?

Me:mymani
sher
e!

Londy:wher
e?

Ntobe:ngi
funaukumbonami
nal
omyman.
Asambenichomme!
Theyallf
oll
owmeout sidet
hegate.Ilookaround
forhi
m asther
e'snocarhereexceptawhite
quant
um withtheGautengr
egistr
ati
onplate
number.

Ical
lhi
m.

Me:baby,
I'
m out
sidewher
ear
eyou?

Sabelo:doyouseet
het
axi
?OhIcanseeyou,
I
'm
coming.

Whatt hehell?Il
ookatmyfri
endswhohavethei
r
phonesr eadyonthei
rhandstosnapvi
deosand
pi
cturesf orus.

Tobecont
inued.
(Myposti
ngscheduleistwoi
nsert
sperdayunless
yousponsorabonus.Hitmyinboxifyouwantt
o
sponsorabonus.Thanks)
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t4

SABELO

Minenhl
el ooksatmeasi fshe'
sseeingaghost.
Theothergirl
sarelaughi
ngsol oudlyandIdon'
t
seethejoke.Iwalkuptohersmi l
ing.Shewasn'
t.

Me:
sawubonast
handwaSam.

Minenhl
e:Sabel
o,whatki
ndofajokei
sthi
s?I
sthi
s
aprank?Wherearet
hecameras?
Me:huh?Whatar
eyouonabout
?BabyIcamet
o
seeyou.
.

Mi
nenhle:howcouldyoudomeli
ket
hat
?Sabel
oI
wi
llneverf
orgi
veyoufort
his.

Me:
I'
mlostnow.WhathaveIdone?

Mi
nenhl
e:whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
tht
axi
sanyway?

Me:whatdoyoumeanwhatam Idoi
ngwi
tht
axi
s?I
workwi
thit
,Idr
ivei
t.
.

Mi
nenhl
e:ohmsi
ndi
siwami
!

Me:It
houghtIment
ionedt
hist
oyou?
Mi
nenhl
e:noyoudi
dn'
t!

Shehalfshoutedandherf
ri
endsl
eavesusal
one,
sheexhales.

Me:It
houghtyouweregoingtobehappyt oseeme.
It
houghtt
henewsoft aki
ngyout oJohannesburg
ar
egoingtoexci
teyoubutclear
lyIthoughtwrong.

Mi
nenhl
e:wear
egoi
ngt
oJohannesbur
g?

Me:t
hatwast
hei
nit
ialpl
anbutsi
nceyouar
e..

Minenhl
e:(
smili
ng)f
orgetaboutwhathappened
babe.Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtodigestthenews.Iam
happytoseeyou.

Shesaysmovi
ngf
orwar
dandhugsme.
Me:Ihavemi
ssedyousosomuch.

Minenhl
e:Imissedyoumor
e.Let
'sgetgoi
ng,
Joburgi
sfar.

Me:arewenotgoi
ngt
opassbyyourf
ather
'shouse
andinfor
m hi
m?

Minenhl
e:i
t'
snotr
eal
lynecessar
y,Icant
exthi
m
and.
..

Me:noMi nenhl
e,asyourfut
urehusbandIneedt
o
dothingsr
ight
.Let'
sgoandinfor
m yourdadand
getyoupackyourweekendbag.

Minenhl
e:It
houghtyouweregoingt
osaywe'
l
l
shoponthewaybutit'
sfi
nelet
'sgo.
Iopenthefr
ontdoorf
orherandgot
omysi
det
hen
droveaway.
.

*
*
*
MI
NENHLE

Iopenmyeyesandt urnar oundfr

eeingmysel ffr
om
Sabelo'
stightgr
ip.Igetupandgot othehugegl ass
windowandl ookoutside.Wow, Midrand.Iti
sso
beauti
fulandrai
ningsof t
lybutIdon'tfeelanythi
ng.

IlookatSabel owhoissl
eepingpeacef
ull
yandsigh.
Hesai dtodayishisdayoffsowearegoingtogoto
Mal lofAfr
icaandgetmef ewthi
ngs.Thatismusic
tomyear s.Iperkhisgor
geouspoutedli
psandput
onhi st-
shirt
.
Aft
erbrushi
ngmyteethIgot othekit
chenwithmy
phonemakingali
veinstagr
am video.Ineedt
o
showthesewit
chesthatIam actual
lyli
vingt
heel
if
e.

Yester
dayt hehoesbashedmecal l
ingmeal lsor
ts
ofnameswel ltodaybazoswaba.Ifoundthemaidin
thekit
chenmaki ngascrumptiousbreakf
ast,
i
mmedi at
elymyst omachgrowlsmakingthose
annoyingsounds.

Thecomment sonthevideoarelit
,peopl
eare
askingmewher eam I,cantheycome.Ikeep
movi ngaroundunti
lIf
indmysel fi
nthebararea.I
pickoneexpensivechampagneandshowi tonthe
screenbeforepoppi
ngi t
.It
akeani cesiponsome"
si
ppi ngchampagneasabr eakfasthunny"pose.

Someonecl
ear
shisthroatbehi
ndmeIjumpnear
ly
droppi
ngmyphone.Ipausemyvideoandl
ookat
Bongawhol
ooksatmesoannoyed.Hewal
ksupto
meandsnat
chthebot
tl
efr
om myhandroughl
yso.

Me:goodmor
ningBonga,
sleptwel
l
?

Bonga:wi
thyouinthehouse?Ihadnight
mares.
Whogaveyoutherightt
otakevideosofmyhouse
anddri
nkmyalcohol?

Me:Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twasgoi
ngt
obeani
ssue.

Bonga:t
hat
'
sthepr
obl
em wi
thyou,
youdon'
tthi
nk!

Me:Bonga,
whatisyourpr
obl
em wi
thmebecause
cl
ear
lybhut
iunezi
ndaba?

Bonga:(l
aughi
ngsar
cast
ical
l
y)at
ti
tudei
nmyhouse
real
ly?
Heput
sthebot
tl
eont
het
abl
eandl
ooksatme.

Bonga:i
nki
ngayakhousi l
ewenaMinnieandIhat
e
gir
lsli
keyou.Mybr ot
herdeser
vewaysomuch
bett
erbutit
'sokay.Soonhewil
lseeyouforwho
youare.

Me:youdon'
tevenknowmet
osaysuchaboutme.

Bonga:iti
syouwhodoesn' tknowmebabygi r
land
Ithi
nkit
'sthebestitremainsliket
hat.Stopmilki
ng
mybr ot
her,heworkssodamnhar dt hel
eastyou
candoisappr eci
atehiseffor
t.There'
sfewmenl ike
him,wenol ongerlovethewayhedoes.I t
's
unfor
tunateheisinlovewi t
hahoe.

Me:(
blinki
ngmyeyel ashes)
doyouf
indpl
easur
ein
i
nsult
inginnocentpeople?
Bonga:ngi
yakusukel
a?(Ar
eyoui
nnocent
?)

Me: yesIam!Andit'
shurt
smesomuchbecauseI
haven'tdoneanyt
hingt
odeser
vet
hist
reat
ment
fr
om you!

Bonga:awubar
biedol
lgotf
eel
ings?Sor
ry.

Me:f
orthesakeofpeaceIwon'
ttel
lSabel
oabout
t
hisconver
sati
on.
.

Bonga:eveni fyoutel
lhi
mi twon'
tmakeany
dif
ference.HeknowsIdon'tli
keyouanywaysoyou
tel
li
nghi m wil
lact
uall
ygivemeachancetotel
lhi
m
whyIdon' tli
keyou.

Me:whydon'
tyoul
ikemevel
e?It
hinkIdeser
vet
o
know.
Bonga:yousur
eyoudon'
tknow?

Me:
Iwoul
dn'
taski
fIknew!

Bonga:okay,
doyouper
hapsknowssomeoneby
thenameofJoseph?

IswearIchockedonmyownsali
va.Hesmir
ksand
grabshi
schampagneanddr
inksfrom i
t.

Bonga:I
tsagoodt hingyour emember ,Iwantyou
outofmyhouseandbr other
'sli
fe.Leavehim si
nce
youdon'
tlovehim beforeyoumakehi m si
ck,t
hat'
s
i
fyouhaven'tal
ready.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :TheBachel
or
I
nser
t5

MI
NENHLE

IswearBongawant smedeat h.Whatt

hef uckdid
hej ustsay?HowdoesheknowJoe?Orcoul ditbe
thathei sspeculati
ngnje?Imeanhedi dn'tsay
muchf urt
herthanthat.ThankGodIdidn'tadmitto
anyt hi
ng.I.Checkmyphoneandsi gh,
atleastt
he
videowascancel l
edduringthewholeconversati
on.

Imeanhei sbl
uff
ing,i
fhedi dknowmydi rt
ylikehe
clai
mst o,hewouldhavet oldSabelo,Bongatalks
toomucht okeept hi
stohi mself.Speaki
ngabout
Joe,Iwonderwher eheis.Iam st ar
ti
ngtowor ry
abouthim becausehejustdi sappearedwhil
e
everyt
hingwasgoi ngwellbet weenus.

Icomposemysel
fandwal
ktot
heki
tchenwher
e
Bongaiseati
nghisbreakfast.It
akeacupand
pourssomecoffeethendrinkstari
ngathi
m
st
andingnexttothesink.Heishot.YesImean
Bonga.Sabel
oishandsomet oobutBonga.
.oh
gosh.

Her ai
seshisheadandfi
ndmestari
ngathim.He
cli
ckshistongueandget
supput
tinghi
splateon
thesink.

Me:Bonga.
.

Bonga:eiaveunesi
cef
ekodwawena!Yi
ni?(
Youar
e
soannoying,whati
sit
?)

Me:aboutwhatyousai
d,Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
e
t
alki
ngabout.
.

Bonga:okay.
Withthathewalksbacktohisroom.Hei sso
di
ffi
cult
,rudeandarrogant
.Bajolanj
aninayevel
e?
Ngimanengiyashonje,JoeisthesamebutIam
handl
inghim verywell
.There'
ssomethingabout
badboysmar n.

Sabel
owal
ksi
nal
ldr
essedandshower
ed.

Sabel
o:mor
ningbaby.

Hesayski
ssi
ngmesmel
li
ngsogr
eat
.

Me:goodmor
ning.Sl
eptwel
l?

Sabel
o:wit
hyounexttomyar
ms?Ihadt
he
sweet
estdreamsever
.Howar
eyou?
Me:
arghjustokay,
Ihadar
unwi
thyourbr
otherf
ew
mi
nutesago.

Isaytaki
ngaplatedishi
ngupforhi
m, heraiseshi
s
eyebrowinquest
ion.Isi
ghandputtheplateinfr
ont
ofhim.

Me:yourbr ot
herhatesmeSabel oandIdon'tknow
whatIhavedonet ohi m.Imeant heonlysi
nIsee
hereisbeingbeauti
fulandbeingwi t
hyousonow
hegoesar oundmaki ngallt
hisbaseless
accusati
ons..

Sabelo:Iam sor
rybaby,Iwil
ltal
ktohi
m.Iknowi
t'
s
hishousebutyouaremyguest ,
mywoman.He
can'
tmakeyouuncomf ort
able.

Me:i
t'
sokaybabyIdon'twantyoutofi
ghtwit
hyour
brot
her.Iwil
lhandl
eit
.Imeanit'
snor
malforinl
aws
tohatethei
rdaught
erinl
awfornoreason.
Sabel
o:noti
nthi
sdayandage.
.

Hisphoneri
ngs.Het
akesi
toutofhi
spocketand
answers.

Sabel
o:BabuMaci
ngwane,
ngi
yaphi
la,
manj
e?OhI
wil
lbeonmyway.

Hehungupandl
ookatme.

Sabel
o:babymybossi
srequest
ingt
oseemeand
i
t'
squit
eurgent
.

Me:whataboutt
heshoppi
ngyoupr
omi
sedme?

Sabel
o:we'
l
lseewhenIcomeback.
Me:wheni
sthatgoi
ngt
obe?

Sabel
o:angaziMi
nni
e.St
ayoutofBonga'
swayIwi
ll
beback.

Hegoesbacktothebedr
oom andcomesbackwit
h
keys.Heki
ssesmesmili
ngandleavest
hehouse.

Iputtheplatesonthesi
nkandgoesuptothe
bedroom.Ifindthebedmadealr
eadysoIgotot
he
bathroom andputonwateront
hebatht
uband
appli
edthef acewashcr
eam onmyface.

Myphonevi br
atesont hebed.Amessagef rom Joe
popsupont hescreen."I'
m backfr
om t
hel ongest
businesstri
pevermyl ove.Iam sor
ryt
oj usttake
offwithoutinf
ormingyou.I twasamat
terofan
emer gency.Imissyout hough,
whenam Iseeing
you?
Pl
easecheckyourbal
anceideposi
tedsomemoney
i
nyouraccount
."

Iqui
ckl
ywentt
omybanki
ngappandchi
nneke!

SABELO

Iarri
vedatMacingwane'shouseinCenturi
onand
parkedoutsi
de.Hishouse,yeses.Hi
sbulldogsar
e
readytoeatmealiveatthi
spointbuthecall
sthem
i
ntoor derwhi
lel
eadingmet ohisoff
ice.

Igr
eethi
swi
feandf
oll
owhi
mtot
heof
fi
ce.

Maci
ngwane:uxol
ondodanangokuvel
engi
kuzume
nj
ekodwakuyaphuthuma(sor
ryt
oambushyoubut
i
t'
surgent
)
Me:chakul
ungil
ebaba.Sengi
khona.(I
t'
sokay
f
ather
,Iam her
e)

Maci ngwane:ngizovelengi hlaleodabeni .Sabel o

uyi
ndodaeqot honesebenzangokuzi khandl a.Loko
ngakubonangi qalanj eukukubona.I ndl elaozi thobe
ngayo, nomhloniphangayoomunyeumunt u
i
yamangazaandakuvami sangakubant uabaf unde
bafikakulezi
ngal akho.Ngikuboni lenabagi beli,
ngakubonanozakwenuoshayel anaboamat ekisi
,
ngabonai ndlel
aobaqoqangayo.(Iwi llgetst r
aight
tothepoi nt
.Sabel oyouareanhonestwor kinghar d
man.Ihaveseent hatthefirstti
meIsawyou.The
wayyouar esohumbl eandr especttheot her
personi samazingandr ar
et oeducatedpeopl e.I
sawyouwi thpassenger s,sawyouwi thyour
col
leaguesandt hediscipl
ineyoui nstalledont hem)

Me:ngi
yabongababa(t
hankyouf
ather
)

Maci
ngwane:enyei
ntouf
undangokushesha.
Umunt uakayiphindiint
okabil
ikuwe.Ut hembakel
e
kantifut
hiuhlakaniphil
e.(Anotherthi
ng,youarea
fastlear
ner.Idon'thavetorepeatsamet hi
ngtwice
toyou.Youar ehonestandsmar t)

Ikeepqui
ett
ryi
ngt
oseewher
ethi
sconver
sat
ioni
s
goingt
o.

Maci ngwane:
( sighs)angi
senawoamalanga
amanengikul omhl abaNyambose,kungekudal
anje
ngizowufulat
hel a.(Idon'
thavemuchdayst ol
ivei
n
thi
swor ldson, soonIwi l
ldi
e)

Me:kodwauphil
il
enjebaba,uzobul
awayini?(You
ar
estrongandhealt
hy,what
'sgoingtoki
llyou?
)

Macingwane:sekuyisikhathindodana,minangiyazi
.
Sabelobekuyisif
isoSamiukut hiuma
ngiwufulat
helalomhlabangi shi
yelebhi
zini
si
ezandlenizakho.Ngiyaziwenauzol i
phakamisa
l
iqhakaze.
..(I
t'
sti
meson, Iknow.Sabel
oiti
smy
wishthatwhenIdieIl
eavet hi
sbusi
nessonyour
hands.Iknowwithyouit
'sgoingtogrowandbe
big.
.)

Me:baba, uxoloukukungenaeml onyeni.

Ngiyabongaamazwiakhayokodwaangi boni
kungifanelel oko.Unezingane,amadodanaangeke
ayij
abul el
elent o.Namiangi bonikukuhl eukuthi
ngingaxebul aef enil
omunt uengingahl obenenhlobo
njenayezi bezi khonaizinganezakhe.(Fat her,
sorry
todisturbyou.Thankyouf oryourki ndwor dsbutI
don'tthinkIdeser vewhatyouj ustsaid.Youhave
kids,sonst hatwon' tbehappyaboutt his.Ialso
don'tseei tfairformetoi nheri
tanyt hi
ngf rom you
whilewear enotevenbl oodrel
atedwhi l
eyourki ds
areher e)

Macingwane:ngi
yezwaf ut
hibengi
kul
indel
eloko.
Okumeleukwaziukuthinginezi
zat
huezingenza
ngenzeloku.Ngi
zokutshel
angobangiyakwethemba.
Okucal a,abalazilebhizinisifuthiabanandabanal o.
Bazoqhubekababhekeamanyeamabhi zinisi.
Okwesi bil
iitekisiimpil
oyami .Onkel amabhi zini
si
enginawoazal wayi l
ol etekisi.Ngakhol i
bal uleke
kakhuluki mi.Okwesi thathu, akuzonai zinganezami
zegazi.(IhearyouandIexpect edthatf rom you.
Whatyouneedt oknowi sthatIhaver easonswhyI
am doingt his.Fi r
stl
y,mychi ldrendon'tlovet hi
s
business, theywi l
lcont i
nuet or untheot her
businesses.Secondl y,at axiismyl ife,allthese
otherbusi nesseswer egener atedbyi t.Itthesour ce
ofalltheser ichessoi t'
sver yi mportantt ome.
Thirdl
y, t
heyar enotmybl oodchi ldr
en)

Me:uchazaukut
hiniumaut
hiakuzonaizi
ngane
zakho?(Whatdoyoumeant heyarenotyour
chil
dren?
)

Macingwane:akesit
hinj
eanginayoinzal
o.Umkami
wakutholalokowangi
fi
hlel
akhona.Ngazi
eminyakeniemihl
anuendlul
ekodwa
akushint
shangal utho.Ngiyabathandanomkami
nayengiyamt handa.(Let'sjustsayIam i
nfert
il
e.
Mywi fefoundoutandkepti tawayf r
om me.I
discover
edt hetrut
hf iveyearsagoandnothing
changed.Ilovemyki dsandmywi fe)

Me:yoohust
rongbaba.

Maci
ngwane:ngi ngenzani,angekengixoshe
umkamisesibadalakangaka.Kwangi khubazakona
emoyenikodwangi yaqondawakwenzel ani
.
Wavi
kelaisi
thunziSaminj engendodawangi ni
ka
umndeni(whatcanIdo, Iwouldn'
tki
ckmywi f
eold
asweare.YesitdisturbedmysoulbutIsawt he
bi
ggerpict
ure.Shepr otect
edmydi gnityandgave
meaf amil
y)

Me:ewuchababaunenyei nhl
izi
yo.Minaangi
boni
njengi
ngakhonaukuqhubekanomunt ungazikut
hi
ulal
enenyeindoda.(Awyouhaveast rongheart
.I
can'
tfor
givethatbet
rayalandknowingsomeone
sl
eptwi
thanot
herman)

Macingwane:heheheuzokhulamfanawami .Manje
kesoyazi,
ungathukiumaut hol
aucingooluvela
kubamelimangingasekho.Asambesiyokudla.(You
wil
lgrowupson, nowt hatyouknow,don'
tbe
shockedwhenyour ecei
veacallf
rom l
awyerswhen
I'
m nolongerhere.Let'
sgoeat)

Hesaysst
andi
ngupandIf
oll
owhi
m.

BONGA

JustasIcomeoutf
rom t
hebedr
oom,
IseeSabel
o
walki
ngup.

Sabel
o:uyavul
wakant
ilowomnyango?(Youdo
openthatdoor?
)
Me:
(chuckl
ing)whatdoyoumean?

Sabel
o:lutho,
ukuthiuhl
eziukhi
yiwenj
e.(Not
hing,
j
ustthatiti
salwayslocked)

Me:uvel
aphi
?Unopopiwakhouhambil
e..(wher
e
ar
eyoufrom?Yourbarbi
edolll
eft)

Sabelo:ungi
tshel
il
ewathiangazikunanieskol
weni
kantikewenaawumf uniLana(shetoldme,
somet hi
ngaboutschoolandthatyoudon'twanther
here)

Me: veleangimfunilokoangekengi kufi

hle.Kodwa
ngobaawuf uniukungilal
elangizokuyeka.
Ngi yathembauyazivikelamawul al
a
nalent ombazane?(Idon' twantherehereIwon' t
hi
det hat.Butsi
nceyoudon' twantt oli
stentome, I
willleaveyoul i
kethat.Ihopeyouar eusing
prot ecti
onwithher)
Sabel
o:ofcauseIam.Iam notr
eadyt
obr
ing
chi
ldr
eninthissi
tuat
ion.

Me:good.Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom l
ooki
ngal
l
depr
essed?

Sabel
o:Macingwanedr
oppedabombonme.Come
l
etmef i
llyouup.

Wesit
sont hechai
rsonthebal
conyandIl
ist
en
at
tent
ivel
ytowhatheissayi
ng.

Me:sowhatist
heprobl
em?Thisi
smanaf r
om
heaven,
ananswert
oyourpr
ayerr
equest
.

Sabel
o:whatdoyouknowaboutpr ayerwena?Ij
ust
don'
tfeelgoodaboutt
his.Andal
so,howdoeshe
knowhei saboutt
odie?
Me:becauseamanl
ikehi
m wit
hhisr
ichest
hey
knowwhenyourt
imeofdeat
hisnear
.Idotoo.

Sabelo:whatdoyoumean?I
sn'
tonl
yGodwhohas
thatpri
vil
eges?

Me:It hinkit'
shi ghti
meIt ellyoual
lthetrut
habout
thi
s.Si nceyouar egoingtotakeover,youwi l
lbe
requir
edt of ol
lowhi ssteps.Thetaxibusi
nessi snot
forthesof tandweakhear ted.Youneedtot oughen
up,prepareyour sel
fforwarbecauset hebrothers
won'ttaket hislyingdownIpr omi
seyou.

Sabel
o:whati
sitt
hatIneedt
oknow?

Me:(get
ti
ngup)f
oll
owme.Iwantt
oshowyou
somethi
ng.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :THEBACHELOR

I
nser
t6

WEEKSLATER

SABELO

Myphoner i
ngsunderthebeddist
urbi
ngmefrom
mysleep.Ianswerwi
thoutevenchecki
ngwhois
cal
li
ng.

Me:hel
lo?

Ihearsni
ff
sandsof tcri
es.Iqui
ckl
ysi
tsupand
checkthecal
lerID.Idon'
tknowthi
snumberandi
t'
s
3am inthemor ni
ng.
Me:hel
lo?Who'
sthi
s?

Voi
ce:I
'm sorryt
owakeyouupbutmyhusbandi
s
nomore.Ijustwokeupt
ohim deat
h

Me:huh?

Voi
ce:i
t'
sBusiMchunu.
..

Snap!Maci
ngwane'
swi
fe.If
eelacol
dsweatonmy
back.

Me:whathappened?

Busi:
Idon'tknow.Wewer en'
ttobedhewasf i
ne
andwhenIcamebackf r
om thebathr
oom few
minutesagoIreal
izedhewasn'tmovingsoI
checkedhi
m and.
.

Shewai l
spai
nfulandIr
ubmyeyesandf or
ehead.
Themomentoft rut
hisher
e.Thequest
ioni
sam I
ready?

Me:Iam sosor
ry.Ir
eal
lyIam.

Busi:
hei
nst
ruct
edmet hatIshoul
dcallyouf
ir
st
shoul
dsuchhappenandyouwi l
lknowwhattodo.

Yes,BongaandMaci ngwanebri
efedmeaboutthe
rul
esoft hei
rcultt
hatbot
hofthem ar
eintoandI
havebeensl eepi
ngonthedeci
sion.I
tisnot
somethingthatyoucanwakeupt oandjumpint
oit
.

Me:Iwil
lbeonmyway,
Iam goi
ngt
owakemy
br
otherup.
Ihungupandputonmyclothes.ThemomentI
openmydoorIfi
ndhi
m outsidejustaboutt
oknock.

Bonga:goodyouar
eup.Let
'sgo.

Me:howdi
dyouknow?

Bonga:
allt
hebrother
hoodknowsandar
eont
hei
r
way.Let
'sgobeforehiski
dsar
ri
ves.

Thisisforei
gntomeandthewayheissocool
aboutitscaresme.Wegeti
ntohi
scaranddri
ves
str
aighttohishouse.

MI
NENHLE

Iopenupmyeyesandstareatthehugedi
amond
ri
ngonmyfi
nger.Today'
smyl obol
anegot
iat
ion.
Myfat
herdi
dn'
tli
ket
hisatal
lthather
efusedt
obe
par
tofi
t.
Ihadtogethisbrot
herswhower
esohappyt
o
recei
vef
ewt housandsfr
om met
ohol
dthem.

Ican'
tletmyf at
hermesst hi
supforme.WhenJoe
askedmet omar ryhim Isaidyesi
mmedi at
ely.I
t'
sa
goodthingthatSabeloisbusywi t
hhisboss's
funer
althat'
sholdingupt odayhewon'tbearound
torui
nthingsforme.

Iam sur
ebytheti
meher eadsthemessagesand
l
ist
enstothevoi
cenotesIsenttohi
m al
lwil
lbe
done.Babyi
srel
ocati
ngtoSingapor
eandthereis
nowayIam missingt
hatoneoutbecauseoflove.

Iam doi
ngthi
s,it
'shasal
waysbeenmydream to
marryari
chaffor
dingmanthatcanbeabl
etotake
car
eofmyneeds.
BONGA

SabeloandIfoll
oweachot hertothehouse.We
havebeenqui t
eeversincewel ef
tthe
Macingwane's.Ican'
tbeli
evethathiskidscall
edup
alawyertoreadawi l
limmediatel
yaf t
erthefuner
al.
Greedymotherfucker
s.

Sabel
otakesmywhi
skeyanddr
inksi
t.

Me:sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?Bheki
sisawasnot
happy.

Sabel
o:Idon'
tcar
eabouthim.Idi
dn'
taskfort
his,
theyr
eadandsawt hevi
deoherecor
ded.

Me:yeahbutyouneedtobecar
efulndoda.I
t'
s
goi
ngtogetreal
lyt
ough.
Sabel
o:i
t'
sbeenaverybusyweek.Ineedf
ewhour
s
ofsl
eepthenIwi
llpr
ocessal
loft
hismess.

Me:I
'
m her
eifyouneedme.

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ngweakl
y)danki
eZal
o

Isitdownandscr olldowni nst

agr
am andJoe's
postscapturesmyat tenti
on.Heisposi
ngproudly
withMINENHLEandt heyareweari
ngmatching
tr
aditi
onaloutfi
ts.

Me:
issamovi
e!

Sabel
o:yi
ni?(Whati
sit
)

Heasksl
ooki
ngatme.Il
ookathi
m.
Me:me,zibonel
e.Angit
hibongangikhol
wa.(Here,
seeforyoursel
f.Youdi
dn'tbel
ievemeal lal
ong)

Het
akesonel
ookandst
andup.

Sabel
o:what?Yi
ntoeyenzekeni
nil
ena?(Whendi
d
thi
shappen?
)

Me:ear
li
ert
odaybyt
hel
ookoft
hings.

Sabel
o:howcanMinni
edothist
ome?Ngi
yamazi
nj
elomji
ta!
(Iknowt
hisguy!
)

Me:yesyouknowhi
m,weoncewentt
ohiscl
ub
r
ememberwhenyouaccompani
edme..

Sabel
o:(t
hrowi
ngmyphonebackatmeandt
aki
ng
outhi
s)yeahyeahIr
emember
.
Hetriestocal
lMi
nniebuti
t'
sringsanswer
ed.He
thengoestoWhatsAppanddiscover
stheshockof
hisli
fe.

Me:Iwi
shIcoul
dsayItoldyousobutIhat
eseei
ng
youhur
t.I
'
m sor
rybutIsayit
'sf
ort
hebest.

Sabel
o:Ineedt
oseeher
.Ther
emustbean
expl
anat
ionoft
his.
.

Me:
aiSabel
omf
ethuyekal
omunt
u.

Sabel
o:no,
Ican'
t.Youdon'tunderst
and.
ilovethi
s
gi
rl
.Howcanhisfatheral
lowthis?Heknowst he
pl
ansIhadforhi
sdaughter.

Hesayswi
thgl
asseyesandmyheartbr
eaksfor
hi
m.YouseewhyIdon'
tdothi
srel
ati
onshi
ps
nonsense?

Me:whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoandhowcanIhel
p?

Sabelo:
Iwi
llhandl
ethi
smywayt
hankyou.Iam
l
eaving.

Me:canIatl
eastdr
iveyou?

Sabel
o:canyoust
opbabysi
tt
ingme?Ngi
mdal
a
kunaweBongumusa!

Me:Iknow,
shootmef
orcar
ingandl
ooki
ngoutf
or
you.

Sabel
o:Iknowandappreci
ateever
ythi
ngbutf
or
now,l
eavemealone,
please.
Hesaysgrabbi
ngmycarkeysandwal koutleavi
ng
mecall
ingaft
erhi
m.Isi ghandrestonthecouch.
Mjol
oissapandemic.Ipref
erentangl
ements.

THEMCHUNUBROTHER'
S

Bhekisi
sa:
(pacingupanddown)howcanfat
herdo
thi
stous?Gi vi
nghim 80%oft
hebusi
ness?I
t'
snot
fai
r!

Themba:hedi
dsomet hi
ngtofat
her,
andthefact
thathewast
hefi
rstpersont
oarri
veaft
erhi
sdeath
doesn'
tsi
twel
lwi
thme.

Zenzo:minangit
hiakaf
e,aml
andel
enj
emasi
nya.(
I
saylet
'ski
llhi
m)

Bafana:awhkahl
eningehaba.Kuyoyonkelento
ubabaayishi
loni
nendabanefanje?Akuni
thint
i
ukuthiubababekasithandanjengezi
nganezakhe
evenafterhediscoveredwear enothisbi
ologi
cal
?
Hewasver ygeneroustoevenleaveustherestof
thebusinesses.LetSabelorunthisoneguys.

Bhekisisa:youspeaknonsensej ustli
kealastborn
vele.Thet axibusi
nessi stherootandwallofall
thesebusi nesses.Wecan' tl
etast r
angert
akeit
awayf rom us.Iagr eewithZenzo.Heneedst odie,
ngokusheshanj efuthi
.

Tobecont
inued.
*
Noedi
ts*
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t7

MI
NENHLE
Today'sbeent hehappi estdayofmyl i
fe.Everyt
hing
wentwel landIam sohappyt hatIam now
somebody' swife.Mondaywear eleavi
ng,there'
sno
ti
met orestasIam packi ngmyt hings.Joetoldme
totaketheimpor tantonesandnotwor ryaboutt he
restasIwi l
lshopmor ewher ewear egoingt o.

Aknockcomesthr
ought
hedoorandmyyounger
cousi
nwalksi
n.

Her
:si
s,bhut
iSabel
oisaski
ngf
oryou.

What?Atthi
stimeoftheni ght.Iputonmyshoes
andwalkoutsi
demyf ather'shouse.Hecamewi t
h
Bonga'
scartoday.Iopent hedoorandgetsi
nside.
Heturnontheli
ghtandl ooksatme.

Ihavetobebr
aveandnotshowanysi
gnsofbei
ng
scared.
Me:sawubona.

Sabel
o:soi
t'
str
ue?

Hesayshi
seyeswander
ingar
oundmyr
ing.

Me:yes.
.

Sabel
o:(
lowvoice)why?IthoughtwewereI
nlove
Minni
e.Ithoughtwelovedeachother
.It
houghtyou
l
ovedme.

Me:Sabel
oIdi
dloveyou.It
rul
ydo,
andst
il
ldo.

Sabel
o:sowhati
sal
loft
his?

Me:Sabel
othi
sismesecuri
ngmyfut
ure.Yesyou
ar
eanamazingguy,
handsomewit
hgoodsexbut
youlackambit
ion.Sabel
oyouwerecomf
ort
able
withbei
ngbrokeandmi nacoul
dn'
tst
ayf
orallof
that.

Sabel
o:(chuckl
ing)wow!

Me:Iam sor
rySabel
obutl
oveal
onei
snotenough.

Sabel
o:Minenhl
edon'
tdothi
s.Ourl
ivesaregoing
tobebet
ter.Maci
ngwanel
eftmehisbusinessand..

Me:it'
sal i
tt
lebitl
atef
ort
hat.Spoi
lthenextgi
rlyou
fal
linlovewith.Youar
egoingtobehappy,I
promiseyou.

Ipl
acedmyhandonhi
scheekandIf
oundi
tsowet
.

Me:
I'
m sor
ry.Thi
sisgoodbye.Pl
easedon'
tcont
act
meanymor
e.Iam somebody'
swi
fenow.

Iperkhi
slipsandgetoutofthecar.Iwalkstr
aight
tothehousewi t
houtt
urningbackandshutthedoor
themomentIgett omyr oom.Myheartisbeati
ng
sodamnf ast.Iqui
ckl
ywi pet
hetearsthatf
low
downonmycheeks.

BONGA

It
'sbeenawhol eweeksi nceSabelolefttoconf r
ont
Mi nnieandheisnotyetbackyet .Mom t oldmehe
i
snoti nagoodspace, hedoesn'
teatnort alkto
anyone.Ngi cel
amakuyoshi swaamant ombazana
ningivusenango12ebusuku.Ican' tbeli
evet he
ner veofthi
sbitch.Likeshereall
yleft,
li
vingitlarge
andpost ingnonest opinSingapore.

Someshuff
li
ngsounddistur
bmeIputmylapt
opon
thecof
feet
ableandgetupfoll
owi
ngt
hesound.I
am shockedt
osee"Baba"outsi
dehisroom.Hei s
hi
ssingandcli
mbi
ngthewal l
.Iqui
cklykneeldown
andbowmyhead.

Iam st
il
ltr
yingtofi
gureoutthereasonforhimt obe
outofhi
sroom thi
st i
me.Hemakeshi ssoundsthat
tel
lsmeonet hi
ng.Dangerislooming!He'soutto
warnme.Fuck!Iquicklyr
untomyr oom andtake
outmygunpl uggi
ngitonmywai st
.BythetimeI
ret
urnhe'
sgone.

Igoout si
dechecki
ngeverycor
nerbef
ore
proceedingtot
hegate.Iopeni
tandseesSabel
o
abouttodr i
vei
n.Ismil
eandstandasi
de.

SABELO

Theynor
mall
ysayamani sn'tsupposedtocry,he
j
ustswal
lowshissorrowsandpul labravef
ace.Its
beenhar
d.Iwon'tl
ie.Idon'tknowhowmanyt i
mesI
call
edMinni
e,howmanyt i
mesIwentt oherhouse.
Thelastt
imeshethreatenedtohavemear r
ested,
evenherfat
herfai
ledtotalksensei
ntoher.

She'
sgone,5year sofcommitment ,
timeandl ove
downthedrain.Justli
ket
hat.Icursebeingbroke,I
cur
sethedayf atherdi
edandleftmet otakeover.I
wouldhavelongbeensetli
keot herkidstoo.

TodayIwokeupanddeci dedtogobackt o
Johannesburg.Togivemynewj ourneyful
l
att
entionandstartover.Drivi
nginIseeBonga
openingthegate.Ikil
ltheengineandgetoutoft
he
car.

Me:di
dn'
tknowyouar
eagat
eman.

Bonga:(smil
ing)
Iwasj
ustchecki
ngoutsomet
hing.
I
'm happytoseeyouback.
Hesaysat
tacki
ngmewi
thahug.

Me:happytobebacktoo.Manj
euhl
omenoma
usendl
ini
?(Youarear
medevenwhenathome?
)

Bonga:nomarn,babasentoutawar
ningsoIcame
tocheck.Howwashome?Howi smom andmy
daughter
?

Me:homewasokayexceptthecir
cumst
ances.
Theyar
egoodandsendstheirl
oveandgreet
ings.

Bonga:Imisst
hem toobutsoonIwi
llbehome.
Howar eyouhandl
ingthenews?

Wesi
tint
hebonnetoft
hecar
.

Me:whatcanIsay?Ican'
tfor
cehert
obewi
thme.
Bonga:That'
sthespi
ri
t.Iam happyyouareback.I
wasstart
ingtothi
nkyouarenotgoingtocome
back.

Me:never
,Ihaveabusi
nesst
orunr
emember
?

Bonga:
(smi
li
ng)
ofcause.Uzobat
hinioBheki
sisa?

Me:Iwi
llgi
vet
hem whatt
heywant
.

Bonga:(
clappingexci
tedly)now'sthattheSabel oI
wanttosee.St r
ong,boldandcour ageous.Ifthey
wanttsunamiwear egoi ngtobringittothem.Futhi
nj
eamavezandl ebe,theyshouldgol ookfortheir
bi
ologi
calfather.

Il
aughatthatandri
ghtt
hen,
inabl
inkofasecond,
awhit
etazzpassesby.
Bonga:Shi
t!Getdown!

Hesayspushi ngmebehindhim andquicklydr

aws
hisgun.Gunshotsgoesoffandthescratchi
ngoff
tyers.Il
ookaroundandseeBongalyinginapoolof
blood.Idragmyweakkneest ohim andturnhi
m
aroundtomyar ms.

Neighborsarenowcomingtot
hescenessome
cal
lingcops.Hecoughsbl
oodandit
'sspl
ashesal
l
overmyf ace.
.

Bonga:l
ookaf
terMamaandmydaught
er.It
rust
youandwitht
hem.

Me:BongaMf anakit
hidon'
ttal
kli
kethat
.An
ambulancei
soni tswaypleasehol
don.Lookatme
Bonga,don'
tcloseyoureyespl
ease.
.
Bonga:
it
'st
ime.Yougott
his,
goshowt
hem.

Wit
hthathecl
oseshi
seyesandIfeelhi
m bei
ng
weakerashet
akeshi
slastbr
eat
h.

Me:(
cryi
ng)Bongadon'
tdothi
stomeMfanaki
thi
.
Pl
easedon'tl
eaveme.Ngi
zothi
nikuMamanaku
Sbonga?Bonga?Bongumusa?

Hewasgone, hedidn'
treplybutcl
osedhiseyes
peacef
ul.Iki
ssedhisforeheadwit
htear
sf al
li
ng
downlikerai
nfal
l.
.

Me:
hambakahl
eNyambose.Hambakahl
e
Di
ngi
swayo.Magagaonsi
bansi
ba
Mf
oloziomnyamai
nket
habawel
i
Nabawel
ayobayayi
qokel
ela
Hambakahl
eqhawel
ami

Tobecont
inued.

*
Bonuswassponsor
ed*
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t8

Thecopsdr oveawaywi thhisbodyafteraskingme

endlessquestions.Myheadwassodamndi zzy.
Whenal lt
hechaoswasover ,meandSf iso,Bonga'
s
fr
iendfrom "thebrother
hood"wentinsidethe
house.

Isatdownont hecouchwithmyhandsonmyf ace.

Isti
llf
eelli
kethisisadream,i
tissodamnhar dto
beli
eveBongai sdeadandnomor e.Partofmef eel
s
l
ikehei sgoingtoshowupanytimefrom thi
s
st
air
caseandsmi
le.

Hewassuchacar
efr
eeper
son.

Sf
iso:hel
ivedhi
slif
e,heknewthisdaywascomi
ng.
Pl
easeacceptourcondol
ences.

Me:i
tissohar
dbr
o.Ineedt
ogohomeandi
nfor
m
ourmother
.

Sfi
so:beforeyouleaveSabeloweneedt otal
k
abouthisfuneral
.Bongawasal oyalobedi
ent
memberofThebr ot
herhood.Hedideveryt
hingby
book,hedeservesthebestfuner
al.

Me:youwantt
otel
lmeyouar
egoi
ngt
odowhat
youdidwi
thMaci
ngwane?
Sfi
so:yes.Hedi
edasaher
ohedeser
vest
obe
buri
edli
keone

Me:ei xIam notsureaboutthat

.Wear efrom anol
d
vil
lage.Peoplewil
lbeshockedtoseey' al
ldr
essed
l
iket hatandperf
ormingthosethings.

Sfiso:t
heywi
llbestr
ong,wear
enotdoi
ngt
hisf
or
them butf
orourbrot
her.

Me:hesai
dBabawarnedhim aboutt
hedanger
.I
wonderwhohassuchaudaci
tytocomeandshoot
hi
m.

Sfi
sogetsupandt akeagl assf
il
li
ngitwi t
hwater.
Hecomesbackandpl acesitonthetablepouri
ng
someliqui
dsinthewat ershaki
ngthem.Ri ghtt
hen
i
nsidethewaterawarehouseappear s.Isee
Bheki
sisaandhisbrotherZenzotal
king.
Bheki
sisa:youshott
hewr
ongbr
other
!Youar
eso
st
upid!

Zenzo:hegoti
nthewayandIhadt
oshootf
ast
befor
ehim!

Bhekisi
sa:youknowwhatthi
smeans?War!Thi
s
foolwil
lcomeafterussi
ncehenowknowsweare
afterhi
m

Zenzo:howishegoingtoknowitwasus?Imean
Bongaisri
chprobablyhadenemies.

Bheki
sisa:t
hisi
snotarocketsci
ence.DamnI
shoul
dhavedonethisal
lalone

Igr
abbedt
hegl
assandsmashi
tagai
nstt
hewal
l.
Me:fuckit
!Iknewi t
!Iknewit!Bl
oodyi
diot
s!They
ar
esogoingt opayforthi
s.Onebyone!Bonga
di
dn'
tdeservetodie,especi
allyf
orme!

Sfiso:
cal
m downndoda.Wewil
ldefi
nit
elydealwit
h
them.Fornowlet
'spl
anhisf
uneralandtakeitf
rom
there.

Rightt
henthesnake,
addr
essedas"
Baba"hi
ssed
fr
om thewall
,Sf
isobowsdown.

Me:whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odowi
tht
hat
?

Sfi
so:Iwi
llt
akehim unt
ilyouknowwhattodo.He
i
sneedyhecan'tst
ayalonef orsol
ong.His
pr
esencebri
ngscharm,moneyandpower .Hence
Bonga'
sstat
us.

Me:
no,
don'
ttakehi
m.
Sf
iso:what
?

Me:I
sitpossi
blef
orhi
mtol
ivei
nsi
deme?

Sfi
so:ur
hm Idon'
tknow.ButIthi
nkso.Usual l
yhim
andMamagi vesustaskstodoaspar tofthe
sacri
fi
ce,hi
mlivi
nginsomeonei shugeandIam
suretheper
sonwhoi sbraveenoughf ort
hatinher
it
bigdarkpowersandbecomesunt ouchabl
e.

Me:(
smili
ng)l
et'
saskhi
m what
'sgoi
ngt
otakef
or
hi
mt ol
iveinme.

Sf
iso:
areyousur
e?

Me:100%.
Sfi
so:t
henweneedtogotothemainhouse.Not
her
eandweshallbet
oldal
lthest
eps.

Me:t
henl
et'
sgot
her
enow.

Hegrabshi
skeysandtell
smetoputonaj acket.I
l
ookatthewall
,i
t'
sgone.Wedrivet
oanother
beaut
if
ulbi
ghouseinPret
ori
a.I
tisheavi
lyguarded.
Weareescort
edtoanot
herroom.

Ifi
ndabout20mendr essedinblackandr ed.Bl
ack
robesandr edclothsont hei
rheads,holdi
ngblack
burningcandlesintheirhands.Aft
erchangingto
theattir
eIkneelinfrontofthi
swomanwhoi sso
damnpr et
ty.Iwastoldshe'samer maid,t
heone
thatgivesoutpower .

Her
:Sabel
o,wel
come
Herwor
dsr
epeat
sthr
eet
imesbef
oret
heyact
ual
ly
di
esout
.

Her:wearesorryaboutt
hedeat
hofyourbr
other
,
hewasadedi catedmember
.Iam t
oldyouwant
Babatoli
veinyou?

Me:yes.

Her:(st
arr
ingatherglassyshinemirr
or)itwon'
tbe
easy.Youshallnotgetmarri
ed,youwillbe
untouchableandrut
hless.Babawil
lneedhuman
bloodeverymonthandnoyouwon' tki
lltohavei
t,
wellnotdir
ectl
y.

Me:pl
easeel
abor
ate.

Her
:everywomanyouaregoi
ngt
osl
eepwit
hwill
i
nheri
tthedar
kpowers,
thement
heysl
eepwit
h
aft
eryouwil
ldi
eandthatwayyougai
nmor
e
powersandri
ches.

Ismil
ed,
veleIhat
ewomenf
rom nowonsot
hisi
sa
cher
ryontop.

Her:asyourbr
otherl
iesi
nacoffi
n,wehavetobury
youwi t
huBabainthatcoff
inf
or24hours.Youwil
l
getout,gobur
yhim andcomebacktofi
nishthe
process.

Me:kul
ungi
le.

Her
:gent
lemen,
prepar
ehi
m.

Sfi
so:
(whisperi
ng)whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
th
Bonga'
sthings?
Me:hehasadaught
er,
iwi
llsavet
hem f
orher
.

Sf
iso:good.

Tobecont
inued.

(
Tomorr
owIshallnotpost
,don'
texpectanot
her
i
nser
tunt
ilThur
sday)
[
01/
24,
17:
50] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t9

SABELO

Dur i
ngthepreparati
onIwasmadet odrinksome
oilythi
ckbl
ackishliqui
dthatt
astedhor r
ibl
e.Inear
ly
throwtheshitupbutIcouldn'
tbringsissyvibesi
n
frontofmenot hersyoungert
hanmeher e.
Thewomanmadecut sonmybody, ar
oundmy
waistandputonabl acksmal
lrobe,al
soonbot
h
mywr i
sts.Whenshewasdone,theysentmet
oa
bi
gbl ackpottosteam.

Thewateri
sboili
ng,IswearIf eltmyski
npeel ing
offi
nasecond,thebl anketontopofmei swayt oo
heavytomissit
.Byt hetimeIwasdone, Ifeelmy
wholebodytoohot,headpoundi ngsohard,vision
bl
urryandli
pscracking.

Thecoffi
nisnowopenandIam t oldtogetinsi
de.I
takealooki
nsideandsee"ubaba"layi
ngthere.Iam
star
ti
ngtohavedoubtsaboutthi
s, whati
fthisthi
ng
swall
owsmet hemomentt heyclosethecoffi
n?

Me:
howl
ongwi
llt
hist
ake?

Her
:10hour
s,youhaveaf
uner
alt
opr
epar
esot
he
r
estwi
llbecompl
etedaf
ter
.

Inodandgetinsidelayi
ngdown,thesnakest
art
s
movingwrappingit
selfaroundmybody.Icl
osemy
eyesasi
tlicksmywhol ebodyoff
.

HOURSLATER

Thecof fi
nopensupandIr i
seup,takealook
aroundt hesurr
ounding.I
tlooksl
ikeamor ni
ng,I
l
ooki nsidethecoff
in,onl
ymysweat sisther
e.Iam
feel
ingst r
ong,Icanconquerever
ythingand
anything.

Istepoutoft
hecof
fi
nandgoest
okneel
inf
rontof
thelady.

Her:yourf
ir
stinit
iat
ionwassuccessf
ul.Youarea
br
avemanf ordoi
ngt hi
sSabel
o.Youaregoingto
beveryri
ch,ki
ngdomsandnat
ionswi
llbowdown
toyou.Wit
hubabainsi
deyou,
nomanwi llhave
powertoarguewit
hyou.

Everyt
hingandanyt hi
ngyoudesi r
eshallbegrant
ed
asyourwi sh.Remember ,
youar enotsupposedto
fal
linl
ovewi t
hanyofyourvi cti
ms, someofthem
mayexper iencepr
oblemslikemi scarri
ages,
heavy
peri
odsandsomemayl ooset hoseclosetothem,
especi
allyromanti
call
yinvolved.

Me:Don' tworr
y,Idon'
tseemyselffal
li
nginlove
everagain.ThewomanIl ovedaft
ermymot her
brokemyhear ttothecor
e,it
'squi
teobviouswomen
don'tappreci
ategoodmenanymor e.

Her
:verywellt
hen.Iwi
llseeyouatt
hef
uner
al.One
morethi
ng,nevert
aket
hisout.

Shesaysput
inganeckl
aceonmebr
ushi
ngi
t.I
t
l
ookssobeaut
if
ulandshi
ny.

Her:thi
swil
lhelpyoutobeal
ert
.Wheneverdanger
Isarounditwil
lgl
owthanusual,
ital
soyourescape
from tr
oubl
e.Youtouchonit
,youwillf
indyour
sel
f
sayingthespel
lwordsandtr
ansformtoubaba.

Shef
ini
shesof
fthei
nst
ruct
ionsandr
eleasesme.

Idri
vebacktoBonga' shouse.Beingher ef
eelsso
weir
danddi ff
erent.Whent hefunerali
soverIwill
havetofi
ndanot herplacetostaybecauseIcan't
conti
nuestayinghere.Iwil
lhavet osel
leveryt
hing
andsaveitunderhi sdaughter
.

Itakeoutthebigbagandl oadhi
sclot
hes,personal
belongi
ngs.Myhear tsi
nkswhenIseet hepict
ureof
hi
m, meandSbongawhenshewasyoung.Iwonder
howshei sgoingtotakethenews,Imeanlosing
bothparentsatsuchanear l
yageisnoteasy.
WhenIam donewit
hpackingIhi
ttheroadgoing
backhome.Nomatterhowstr
ongIam rightnow,I
am notr
eadytof
acemymot herandtel
lherthe
news.

LATERTHATDAY

Drivi
ngi ntheMthethwa'shouseholdIseecard,
Immedi atel
yithitmethatsheknows.Iswallowa
hugelumponmyt hroatasIwalkinsidet
he
rondavelandf i
ndheront hemattresswit
hmy
aunt'
sfrom Dad'sside.

MaCele:
(crying)kodwaSabelo,
sengingazengizwe
ezi
ndabeniukut hiumntanamiakasekho
bongangazisingani?HawukodwangoBongawami !
(ButSabelo, howcanIhearsuchbi gnewsabout
Bonga'
spassi ngontheradi
owithoutyouinf
orming
me?)
Me:bengizokwazisamama, bengisaqoqaizint
o
zakhe.Ngiyaxol
isa.(Iwasgoingtoinfor
m you
mother,Iwaspacki nghist
hings.Iam sorrymother
)

MaCele:
(weeping)kwenzenj
anikodwa?Ngubani
l
obulal
aumnt anami?UBongabekungeyena
umuntuwomsi ndo(whathappenedthough?Who
ki
ll
edmyson?Bongadi dn'
tlovedr
ama? )

Me:amaphoyi
saasaphenyaMama(copsar
e
i
nvesti
gat
ing)

MaCele:t
holaabenzibalokuSabelo,abakwazi
ukuphi
laeyamiinganeingasekho.(Fi
ndt hese
peopl
eSabelo,t
heycan'tlivewit
hmychi l
ddead)

Aunty:aisi
syehl
isaumoya,
ungakhul
umi
kanj
alo(cal
m downsis,
don'
ttal
kli
kethat
)
Iexcusemysel
fandgot
othehousewher
emy
cousinshugsme.

Me:wher
eisSbonga?

Thul
e:inherbedr
oom,she'
sbeeni
nther
eever
si
ncethenewsbroke.

Me:ar
eyouguyskeepi
nganeyeonhert
hough?

Thule:yes,
Auntyaskedust
oremoveanyt
hingand
everyt
hingthatcoul
dhel
pherhar
m her
sel
f.Sheis
dist
raught.

Iwalktoherr
oom andopenthedoor
.Ifindher
curdl
edupnextt
oherwar dr
obehummi ngasoft
songtoherbi
gteadybearBongaboughther.
Me:st
handwaSami
..

Sbonga:
baba.
.

Shethr
owsher
sel
fatmeandcr
ies,
Ibrushherback
andhai
rasbot
hofusweepi
nsil
ence.

Me:kulungil
eNyambose, ngi
khonaf orwena
uyezwa?Awusozewasel waluthoasl ongmi nano
gogosisaphila.Angifuniucabangeukut hi
uyi
ntandaneSbongangobaawuyona.Ubaba
wakhobekakut handaandngi zoqhubekal agcine
khona.(It
'sokaymydaught er,Iam her eforyoudo
youhearme?Youwi llneverl
ackanyt hi
ngasl ong
asmeandyourgr andmaar est i
llal
ive.Idon' twant
youtot hi
nkthatyouar eanor phanbecauseyouar e
not.YourfatherlovedyouandIwi l
lcontinuewher e
heleftoff
)
Sbonga:
(weepi
ng)kubuhl
ungubaba,
ngi
yamkhumbula.(I
t'
shurtsdad,
Imisshi
m)

Me:Iknow,
Imi
sshi
mtoo.

NARRATED

THEFUNERAL

Fami l
ymember s,fr
iends,coll
eaguesandthe
communi t
yatlargear egathereduptopaythei
rlast
respectt
oBongumusaMt hethwawhodi edatt
he
ageof29yearsl eavingbehindhis11yearold
daughter
.Sabeloisseatedwi thhismotherand
Sbongasidebyhi m.

Thepast
orr
eadshi
sver
seandsaysashor
tpr
ayer
.
Past or :njengobanasencwadi niengcwel e
kubhal iweukut hiuNkul unkuluuyaphaaphi nde
athat he, mndeniwakwaMt hethwa, duduzekani
ngobal okukuyi ntandokaNkul unkul u.Ngithi
i
zinhl iziyozenumazi ngadangal ingokubayena
uhlelingasokudl asakheembusweni kaJehovah.
Sithenj isiweukubasi yophindesi hlanganenabo
abat handi weyobet hungal engaphesheyakwet huna
umasenzekahl eezweni .(Ast heBi blestatesthat
Godgi vesandt akes, Mthethwaf ami l
y,condolences.
Pleasef i
nditinyourhear ttotakeeasybecauset hi
s
i
sGod' swi l
l.Mayyourhear t
sbeateasebecause
hei si nt hekingdom oft heLor d.Wear epromiseda
reunionwi t
hourl ovedonesi nheavent hat'
sifwe
l
eadahol ylif
eonear th.
)

Hef i
nisheshissermonandgi vest
hespeaker
sa
chancet osayspeeches.Fri
endsandcoll
eagues
taketurnsunti
lit
'sSabel
o's.

Sabel
o:(
sighs)
angazingi
zot
hini
.Kumi
nal
oku
kufananephupho.Ingat
hikukhonaozof
ikaat
hi
vukasiyadl
ala.Nj
engobawonkeumunt u
esemchazileuBongangokumazikwabonami
ngizokwengezaphezukwamazwi abo.

UBongumusauvel esengi
khulil
esengibonanje
i
mpela.Ngiyamkhumbulaumamaebuyanaye
esi
bhedl
ela,ngamthandangical
aukumbona.
Wayemuhlanoml omoomncane.Ekukhul eni
kwakheubethandaukungi
landelayonkeindawo.

UNyamboseubezi thanda,esi
thandasiwumndeni
wakheikakhul
ukaziindodakaziyakhe.Bekuma
yonkeint
ongenganeyakhe, uyit
holelengane
asasemncanenokhokodwaIr esponsibi
li
ty
ayi
that
hayangenzangazi qhenyangaye.

Ngizomkhumbulangokuzenzameal
skunami
nokungi
lawul
a(smil
ing)bengi
zengi
mthembi
se
i
ndukuumaasazenzauNyamboseomkhul u.
Mf owethuusishiyengokukhul
uukuzuma,kuni
ngi
ebisi
hleleukuthisi
zokwenzanawekodwa
akusenani.Ngizoqhubekalawugci
nekhonafut
hi
ngiyakuthembisaukuthiuSbongaakasozeaswel
a
uthandoLukababangi khona.

Hambakahl eNyambose, hambakahleDingi

swayo.
Sohlal
asikuthandaf ut
hisikukhumbul
a.(
Idon't
knowwhatt osay.Tomet hisfeel
sli
keabaddr eam,
i
t'
slikesomeonewi l
lcomeandsay"wear ekiddi
ng,
wakeup".Asever yonehasdescr i
beBonga
accordi
ngtohowt heyknowhi m,Iwil
lal
soadd
ontothat
.

Bongumusawasbor nwhenIwasabitolder
,I
remembert hedaymom camewithhi
mf rom the
hospit
al,If
elli
nlovewit
hhimimmedi
atelywithhis
smallmouthandhandsomeness.Hegrowup
fol
lowingmear oundandweweresoclose
Mybr ot
herl ovedhi
mself,l
ovedusashi sfamil
ybut
mostlyhisdaughter,Sbonga.Ever
ythi
ngcamei nt
o
astandsti
llwherehisdaughterconcerned.Hehad
herataver yyoungagebutIam pr oudathowhe
tooktheresponsibi
li
ty.

Iwil
lmi sshim byact
ingl i
keourfatheranddi
ctat
e
mear ound,weusedt ofightalotwhenhe
pret
endedt obemyf atherandt ol
dmewhatt odo.

Mybrotherlef
tussosoonandunexpect ed.There'
s
alotweplannedondoingtogetherbutal
lisgood,I
wil
lconti
nuewher eyoul
eftoffandIpromisethat
Sbongawillneverl
ackafather'
slovewhil
eIam sti
ll
al
ive.

Resteasymybr ot
her,
resteasyDi
ngi
swayo.Wewi
ll
al
waysl oveandmissyou)

Thepr
aiset
eam si
ngsasongandt
hepast
orsaysa
prayerandleadever
yoneoutt
othehear
se.Then
theunexpectedhappens.

About12meni nfancybl
acksuit
sandredti
es
arr
ives.Oneoft
hem goestothehear
sedri
verand
whisperssomet
hingtohi
m andhenodsmovi ngthe
caraway.Theycarr
yBonga'scof
fint
hemselves.

Sabel
orunshiseyesandseethemermai
d,she'
sin
ahumangorgeousfemalefor
m.Alsoonherlong
bl
ackdressandredheadwrap.

MaCele:
(whisper
ing)whoar
ethesemenandwhat
ar
etheydoing?

SheasksasThebrot
herhoodsi
ngswi
thBonga'
s
cof
fi
n,danci
ngwit
hit.

Me:i
t'
shi
sfr
iendsmama,
theyar
esayi
nggoodbye
i
nst
yle.

MaCel edoesn'tl
ookpl
easedatthisbutkeepsqui
te
unti
ltheyreachthecemeter
y.Theylowerhiscoff
in
aft
ereachoft hem t
ookofft
heirti
esandlaythem
onhiscoffin.

Mour
ner
sst
art
swhi
sper
ingar
ound.

Masikhakhane:mihlol
amuni kodwal
owenziwa
i
lamadoda? (Whatisthi
sthesemenaredoing?
)

MaNgozo:(whisperi
ng)ngi
yayengizwekuthiwa
l
omhlolaesi
wubonaLanawenzi waumangabe
umuntubekathwele(Inormal
lyhearthatsuch
pr
acti
cehappenswhenamanwaspar tofacult
)

Masi
khakhane:haiwena!Ushokuthibekat
hwele
nj
engobakubokusesil
ungwininj
e?(Youdon'tsay!
Youmeanhewasar
it
ual
istsi
ncet
hei
rhousei
s
beaut
if
ul?
)

Shesaidi
tloudenought
ogetadeadl
ystaref
rom
Sabel
oandshef el
tacol
dsweatonherbackand
l
ookeddown.

MaNgozo:
umemezel
ani
kodwanawe?Ai
!(Whyar
e
youshout
ing?Ai
)

Masikhakhane:
awut
hingi
thulebayozebat
hwal
e
ngami.(
letmekeepqui
etbeforet
heysacri
fi
ceme)

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t10
#NARRATED

Thefuner
alislongoverandpeoplearestart
ingto
l
eaveonebyone.Sabel oissort
ingt
hingsoutand
makingsurethatever
ythi
ngisbackoni t
'splace
bef
orehecoul dl
eaveforGauteng.

Thef uneralwentwellal
thoughther
e'swhisper'
s
aroundaboutt hemenbuthedoesn' tcar
eanymor e.
Henol ongercar ewhatthenextper
sonthinksor
say,aslongasi tmakeshim happythenhe'sgood.

Sfi
sowalksuptohi
m wipi
nghi
shands.He
remai
nedbehindt
ohelphi
m.

Sabel
o:t
hankyouhel
pingout
.it
rul
yappr
eci
atei
t.

Sfi
so:
don'tsweati
t,Bongawasmybrot
hert
oosoI
don'
tmind.Sowheret ofr
om her
e?
Sabel
o:Iwil
llayl
owforabitwhileIf
igur
eoutwhat
todonext
.MaybeafterfewdaysIshallr
etur
nto
Jobur
gandf i
nishof
ftheprocess.

Sf
iso:Ihear
dyouwantt
osel
lBonga'
sbusi
nesses?

Sabel
o:yeahit
'sact
uall
yagoodt
hingandkeept
he
moneyf orhi
sdaughtersaf
e.

Sfi
so:don'
tdothat
.Okaymaybeyoucansel lhi
s
houseandcarsbutnotthebusiness.Look,
ashis
l
awyerIsuggestyouholdontot hem,hewantedyou
torunthem whenheisnomor e.

Sabel
o:youar
ehi
slawyer
?

Sf
iso:Sabel
o,al
lthemember
sofbrot
herhoodhave
al
egalquali
fi
cat
iontol
eadaprof
essi
onaljob.We
j
ustdidn'
twakeupwithmoneyonouraccount
s,we
st
udied,
workedandaskedf
ormore.

Sabel
o:Isee.Wel
lIguessIwi
llhavet
odoasyou
saybutIwanttohavemyownt hi
nggoingont
he
si
de.

Sfi
so:that
'sgoodbutyouneedt
ohaveafoundat
ion
ofyourwealth.Whatar
eyouthi
nki
ngof
f?

Sabel o:
Ithasalwaysbeenmywisht
ofini
shmy
studiesandgr aduat
e.Iwantt
oweart
hatgownso
badly.

Sf
iso:andyoucansti
llachi
evei
t,t
here'
snot
hing
st
oppingyou.Whatst
udiesdidyoudo?

Sabelo:f
inanci
almanagementmaj
oredwi
th
accounti
ng.
Sf
iso:
(whi
stl
ing)moneyst
udi
es.
.

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)yep,
Iwantt
obeabanker
,havemy
ownBank.

Sf
iso:t
hat
'sbi
gandi
mpr
essi
vebaf
o.Gogeti
t.

Sabel
o:thatdayyousai
dit
'ssoeasytof
indt
he
"sl
ayqueens".Woul
dyouelabor
ate?

Sfiso:
(chuckl
ing)oht hat,
it'
swaytooeasy.When
youarebackt oj ozi
,wewi l
lgoout,Iwil
lchange
yourwar dr
obe,takeyougor geoussnapsforthe
gram andbelieveme, thesegirl
swil
lcomef l
ocking
yourpage.

Someareevensel
li
ngthemsel
vesf
orthef
ine
l
if
e,i
t'
snott
hatdi
ff
icul
ttofi
ndt
hem,youwil
lfi
nd
thei
remai
lsornumbersundert
hei
rinst
agr
am
bio,
bumsonthestor
yandyouaregoodtogo.

Butthoseonesareexpensi
ve,
theeasiestonesto
fi
ndar et
hosewhogot oSandtonclubswithzero
balanceonthei
rcar
ds.Youbuyt hem fewbottl
esof
moetandt heyar
ereadytoopenitforyou.

Sabel
o:(
smil
ing)andt
henextper
sonwhocomes
aft
ert
hat.

Sfiso:exact
ly.Soyoushoul dbewill
ingtospend.
Youspendmoneyt omakemoney.Butf i
rstthi
ngs
fi
rst,l
ookoutf oryourfamil
y,don'
tgof oryour
neighboursact ual
lypl
ayfarawayf r
om yourhome
gi
rls.Youdon' twantpeopletobur
nyourmot her'
s
housewhent heirki
dsstar
ttosufferordisappear.

Sabel
o:Ihearyou.Iwasthi
nkingabouti
nst
all
ing
theel
ect
rici
tyaroundher
esincemom doesn'
twant
t
omove.

Sfi
so:Bongawasi naprocessofdoi
ngthatbef
ore
hedied.Iwillpl
ugyouwiththeguywhowasgoing
todothat,he'spar
tofus.

Sabel
o:that
'sgreat
,Iwasstressi
ngaboutt
he
negot
iat
ionwiththecounci
lorandmunici
pal
it
y..

Sfi
so:(
laughing)youhaven'treal
izedthepoweryou
havehaven'tyou?Ri ghtnowyouar einaposit
ionto
gothereandt ellt
hem youwantt hisandthat,
bel
ieveme, t
heywi llgi
veitt
oyouwi t
houtany
hustl
e..
embr aceyourpower ,
allt
hesepeoplearound
herewillbowt oyou

Sabel
osmi l
edabi
tandt
heywal
kedi
nsi
det
he
housetoeat.
FEW DAYSLATER

BHEKI
SISA

Nowt hatthe10dayscl eansi

ngceremonyf ormy
fat
herhavebeendonewear egoodtogobackt o
business,thet
axibusinessactual
lyasal
lthecars
werepar kedunti
ltheceremony.

Ihavecal
ledallourdr
iver
sandourmarshal
lsto
i
nformthem aboutthenewchangest
hat'
sgoingto
happenaroundhere.

Iam wi
thBafana,heknowsabi
taboutt
his
busi
nessbecauseunli
keus,
heusestocomewi
th
dadtowork.

Me:si
bongemadodaukuphumelel
akwenu,kusho
kukhul
ulokoki
thikoMaci
ngwane.(Thankyou
gent
lemenf
orshowi
ngup,
thi
smeansal
ott
ous)

Me:ngaphandlekokucithaisi
khathingizovel
e
ngihl
aleodabeninginazi
sengezinhlel
o
zokusebenzalakhayanjengoba.
.(wi t
houtwasti
ng
anymor eti
meIwoul dli
ketoinf
orm youaboutthe
planstoworkaroundher e.
.)

Rightthenabl
ackshiny2doormer cedesbenzpul
ls
over.Twogentl
emenwalkoutoft hecarfixi
ngt
hei
r
suit
s.Oneofthem i
sSabelo,act
uallytheonewhois
dri
ving

Whati shedoi nghere?Rumoursai dhewashome

nursinghi sbrokenheart,It
ouchmywai stjustt
o
checkmygunashesl owlyappr oachesus.He
l
ooksdi fferentthanthelastti
me.Ican'teven
maint ai
na2mi nuteseyecont actwithhim wit
hout
feel
ingdi zzyandmyhear tbeati
ngf ast
.
Sabelo:madoda,uxol
oukuni
li
ndisa,bekukhona
bekumelengikwenzekodwamanj esengikhona
si
ngaqhubeka.(Gentl
emen,sorr
yt okeepyou
wait
ing,Ihadsomethi
ngtodobutnowI '
m backwe
cancontinue)

Me:eieiei
,weNyambose,lomhl
anganoubizwe
yi
milanasoawukwaziukuvel
eugaxekenje!
(Sabel
o,Ical
ledt
hismeeti
ngsoyoucan'tjust
hi
jacki
t)

Sabelo:uzokwenzani?Yinindabangat hi
uyakhohlwanjeukut hiuMaci ngwanewashiyel
a
minaleli
bhizi
nisi?Uzeubizeumhl anganonj
e
uwubizangaliphi?(Whatar eyougoi ngtodo?Why
doesitseem li
keyouar eforgettingthat
Macingwanel eftthi
sbusinessf orme?Youcalled
thi
smeet ingaswhat ?)

Me:(
whisper
ing)Sabel
o,angi
funiukukudubul
a
phambikwalabant
u,angekekubekuhlekodwa
ngi
ngakwenzaloko(Sabel
o,Idon'twanttoshoot
youinf
rontofthi
speople,
itwon'tlookgoodbutI
don'
tminddoingso)

Sabelo:(
steppi
ngcloserandst andsinfrontofme
wit
hhi shandsont hepockets)ngingajabula
ukukubonauzama.Dubul a,wenzei si
qiniseko
sokuthiawugejif
uthiawuphelelwaizinhlamvu(I
wouldlovet oseeyoutry,
shootme.Makesur eyou
don'
tmi ssorrunoutofbullets!)

Bafanaquickl
ygetsbetweenusandpushesmeto
thebackjustasIdrawmygun.Iwanttowipet
his
arr
ogantsmi r
konhisfaceonceandforal
l.

Baf
ana:
don'
tdoi
tBaf
o,It
oldyout
hiswasabad
i
dea.

Il
ookatSabel
owhol
ooksatmewithoutbl
inki
ng.
Whatki
ndofaper
sonist
his?Il
owermygunt omy
wai
st.

Me:t
hisisnotover..notbyanylongshot.Youare
notgoingt
ocomef rom anywhereandtakethe
famil
ybusiness.Iam goingtoconsentthatwi
ll
.

Sabelo:Bemyguest ,butifIwereyou,Iwasgoingto
l
istentoyouryoungerbr other
.Ididn'
taskfort
his.
MaybeI fyouwer ealit
tl
ehumaneIwoul dhave
ret
urnedi tbackbutno,youhavet okil
lmybrother
andf orthatIpromi
seyou, youaregoingtoatt
enda
funeraleveryweekendunt i
lyoufeelt
hepainyou
putmet hrough.

Don'
twor
ry,
ngi
zogci
nangawe.

Heshoot smeal ookandsomethinghappens,more

l
ikeal i
ghtni
nghitt
ingmebetweentheeyesfrom hi
s,
Iloosebalanceandtakeafewstepsback.Bafana
catchesmebef oreIfal
l.
.
Baf
ana:yougood?

Me:(
shaki
ngmyheadr ubbi
ngmyeyes)I
'
m good,
l
et'
sgetoutofher
e,I
'
m notfeel
ingt
oogood.

Tobecont
inued.

(Mypostingschedul
eismessedupbecausei
m
busy.Thisi
swhyIwant edt
ocomeont he25t
hbut
yousaiditwasfarsoyouaregoi
ngtobearwi
thme
unti
lI'
m backonmyf or
m.)
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t11

SABELO
Aft
erthatheatedconfr
ontati
onwithBhekisisa,he
l
eftandIaddressedthedriver
s.Theydidn'tgiveme
anyprobl
emsatal l,t
herewasnoneedf ormet o
usemypower sandchar msoverthem.They
cl
appedandwel comedmewi thwarm handsst at
ing
howhappyt heyaretohavemeast hei
rboss.

SfisoandIdr ovetothehouseIaskedhi mtohelp

meget .Ican'
tbel
ievehowf astthingsaremoving,
atBonga' scompany, Iwi
lllettheMDhandl ethi
ngs
fornowwhi l
eIfocusonthet axibusinessandmy
studies.Iwanttoexpandi ttoot herroutesand
provinces.

Thehousei ssit
uatedi nthenort
hburbsof
Centuri
on,it'
sbeautif
ul.Ismil
egetti
nginsi
de,i
t'
s
hasn'tbeenthatl
ongsi nceSfisoandIknowneach
otherbutitseemslikehei sr
eadingmet oowell
.

Me:
thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
.
Sf
iso:gl
adyoul
ikei
t.
.

Me:howdidyouknowandcomeoutwi
thal
loft
his?
Ibett
hisi
sallmyst
yle.
.

Sfiso:l
et'
sjustsayIam agoodj
udgeofcharact
er
alt
houghIaddedabi tofswagandglam her
eand
there.Ihopeyoudon'tmind.

Me:i
t'
sperf
ect
.Il
oveitt
hisway.Ir
eal
lyoweyouf
or
pushi
ngthi
sonesofast
.

Sfi
so:
moneyunl
ocksallcl
oseddoorsbrayami.Al
l
youneedtodoi
stotal
kwiththerealst
ateagent
andfi
nal
izet
hedeal
.

Me:okayI
'
lll
ookatt
hecont
ractyousentme.
Sfi
so:awesome,
nowcomet
omyf
avor
it
epar
tof
thehouse.

Hesaysl eadingmeont hestai

rcaseunti
lwewal k
i
nt othemast erwhit
ebedroom.Imovear ound
admiringt hebeautyinsi
deheregoingoverthe
window.Thevi ewofJoburg,midrand,
Pretori
aisso
beauti
f ulhere.

Heopenst
hecl
osetandf
inedesi
gnercl
othesst
and
i
nfr
ontofme.

Sf
iso:
viol
a!

Me:wow!Howmucham Iowi
ngyouf
ort
his
t
roubl
e?

Sf
iso:
urhm,
let
'sgetyourcar
sthenwe'
l
ltal
kabout
myf ee.Wearehit
ti
ngSandt
ont
odaytocel
ebr
ate
yourfir
stchequeandyouar
ewear
ingt
his.

Hesayspickingupani cesmar tcasualoutf

it
.When
hesaysfi
rstchequehei srefer
ringtoanother
companythatpr omisedmeaj obbutnowt heyare
sel
li
ngmeshar es.I
magine,owningawhol e5%ina
whit
edomi natedwor kpl
ace?Thi ngsaremoving
andIam happy.

Ineedtopushthepeopl
ewhoar
egoingt
owor
k
wit
helect
ri
cit
ybackhometohur
ry.

Me:It
hinkyoushoul
dchangecar
eer
s..

Isayl
ookingatmysel
font
hemi
rr
oraf
terput
ti
ngon
thecl
othes.
.

Sf
iso:not
hankyou.Ienj
oyt
hecour
troom sover
y
much.Sabz,
ther
e'ssomet
hingIwantt
orunbyyou
f
ast.

Me:
okay.
.

Sf
iso:
thei
ssueofMchunubr
other
s..

Me:ar
ghthoseones,I
'm st
il
lgoi
ngt
othi
nkofa
pr
operpunishmentf
orthem..

Sfiso:Ihearthatbutcanyour ef
rai
nfrom
threateningBhekisi
saever yti
meyouseehim?I
knowt heguyticksyouof fi
nthewr ongwaybut
avoidhi m,don'tl
ethim knowofyourmoves.
Especi al
lythr
eateni
nghi mi npubli
cwithwi
tnesses,
yesyoucangetyour selfoutoftroubl
ebutavoid
creati
ngunnecessar yonespl ease.

Me:Ihearyouandyouar
eri
ght
.Idon'
twantt
obe
i
mplicat
edwit
hdramacurrent
lyhenceIsayIwi
ll
t
hinkthr
oughandthor
oughlyofthei
rpuni
shment
.

Sfi
so:awesome.Nowshowerandl
et'
sgogett
he
babes.

Me:
(smi
li
ng)
plusi
t'
sbeenawhi
lesi
nceIgotl
aid.
.

Sfi
so:(
smir
king)todayyouaregoingt
obespoi
led
bychoi
ce.AhIalmostforgot
,let
'sgot
othesal
on
andfi
xourhairandbeards.

Me:
(br
ushi
ngi
t)ohyeahIl
ookl
ikeagoatnow.

Helaughsandwewalkbackdown,
aiSukaI
'm
obsessedwi
tht
hishouse,
myhouse.Fucki
t'
s
beauti
ful
.
Me:
ohyeahSf
iso,

Sf
iso:
sur
e?

Me:Iwil
lconti
nueusi
ngt
hehelperBongawas
usi
ng,she'
srel
iabl
eandt
rust
worthy.

Sfi
so:themanagementofthehousei
sallupt
oyou
brayaka.OnceIdel
i
veryourcarsmyjobandwit
h
youwillbedone.

MCHUNUBROTHERS

ZENZO:youmeant
hathegoatt
hreat
enedyou?Us?

Bafana:hedid,
butBheki
sisapr
ovokedhi
m.He
shouldn'
thavecal
ledt
hatmeeti
nginthefi
rstpl
ace.
Bheki
sisa:whosesi
dear
eyouon?

Bafana:thet
rut
h.Idon'
twantanyt
roubl
e.Iam
goi
ngbackt oCapeTownandyouguysshouldst
op
st
ressingmother.

ZENZO:youaresuchasissy.Bheki
sisa,tel
lme
moreaboutther
eacti
onyousayyouf el
taft
erhe
st
aredatyou?

Bheki
sisa:eimanIf
eltasi
fsomet
hingwasst
ri
king
mebetweenmyeyes. .

ZENZO:mhm, Iwonderwhatcoul
dthatmean.What
doyousuggestwedo?

Bhekisi
sa:wecan'tcomeathim wit
hgunsnow
becausehe'swaiti
ngforus.Let
'sgetThembaand
brai
nstorm ournextmove.
Baf
ana:countmeout
.

ZENZO:mxmm,
pussy!

SANDTONNI
GHTCLUB

Agr oupof6gi r
lsareshari
ngonebottleofMoet,
theyhavebeenati tsi
nce6pm andnowi t'
s9pm.
Thereot herbot
tl
esareclosedandi
nt act
.Ever
ylady
i
sbusywi thworkthei
rphoneschatt
ingtowhoever
andsl owlyshaki
ngtheirheadst
othemusi cpl
aying.

Thesel
adi
esaregorgeous,makeuponpoint
,
weavest
ouchi
ngtheirassesandout
fi
tsexyashel
l.

Lady1:wuuhguysl
ookatt
hat
!
Theyturntoherdirect
ionandseetwoneat
,
gorgeousandfinegentlemenwalki
ngt
otheVI
P
secti
onwiththeirwait
orbehi
ndthem.

Lady2:abani
kazibemal
isebaf
ikil
eguyswecan
nowpar t
y!(Ri
chguyshavearrivedwecannow
part
y!)

Shesaysopeningtheotherbot
tl
epoppingi
tloud
gett
ingthei
rat
tent
ionbuttheycont
inuewit
hthei
r
business.

Lady1:ar
eyoucrazy?Whywouldyouopent
hat
bott
leknowi
ngverywelli
t'
shi
redandwedon'
thave
money?

Lady2:r
elax,
theyar
egoi
ngt
opay.

Lady3:
(smi
li
ng)
Iloveyourconf
idence.
Lady4:butt
heyl
ookl
iket
hear
rogantr
udet
ype.

Lady2:we'l
ldeal
withthei
rpersonali
ti
eslaterbut
fornowtheyneedtocoverthi
sbill
.I'
m goingto
them.

Lady5:cheesagi
rl
,makesur
eyoubr
ingt
hem her
e.

Lady2fixherdr
essandweavet
aki
ngthegl
assof
herchampagneandcatwal
ktot
hem.

Lady2:Gent
lemen.

Theybot
htur
ntoherwi
tht
hei
rgl
assesi
nhands.

Sf
iso:hel
lot
her
e.
Lady2:
(smi
li
ngt
aki
ngherhandout
)I
'm Thobi
le,
and
youguys?

Sfiso:oht
henamei
sSf
isoandher
eismygood
fr
iendSabelo.

Thobil
e:(
fi
xinghereyesonSabel
o)looki
ngso
handsomeandr ich.Def
ini
tel
ymytype.

Sabel
o:(
smi
rki
ng)ser
ious?

Thobi
le:
(smi
li
ngpr oudl
y)yes,
Ilovemymanr
ich
andhandsome,l
ikeyouso.

Sabel
o:shi
sawenagi
rl
,ar
eyour
icht
hough?

Thobi
le:Ibegyourpar
don?
Sabel
o:angil
wi,
I'
mj ustwonder
inghowcomeyou
l
ovearichtypebutnotri
chyoursel
f?

Thobi
lel
ooksawayanddownherdr
inkf
ast
,Sf
iso
andSabel
owinksateachot
her
.

Sf
iso:
doyoumindi
fwej
oinyouguys?Youl
ookl
ike
gr
eatcompany.

Thobi
le:
byal
lmeans,
pleasecomewi
thme.

ShesaystakingSabelo'
shandandleadt
heway
backtothei
rtabe,shesti
ckshert
ongueoutt
oher
fr
iendsastheysitdown..

Tobecont
inued.

*
Sponsor
edbyJ.Nzi
ma *
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t12

THOBI
LE

Thepartyi
scomi ngprettywellandwehaveopened
upallt
hebot tl
esnow.Theseguysdon' tseem to
mindatall
.Sf i
soisfunnyandj okesar
ound, asfor
theoneIpicked,yuhhaihi ssarcasmsisont opof
theworl
d.Butt henthere'ssomet hi
ngi
ntri
gui ng
abouthi
m, it
'shiseyesf ormeandhowhel ickand
bit
ehisli
pswhenhet alks.

Inshortl
etmejustsayheishot.It
hinkheknowsi
t
becausewowuguyuyazi tshel
anotinsomany
wordsbutyoucantellnj
eukuthit
hisguy
uyazi
fonel
a.
Iam br
oughtt
olif
ebyhi
shandt
ouchi
ngmyt
ighs.I
smil
eandlookatme.

Sabel
o:ucabangani
?(Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
?)

Me:nothi
ngmuch,justwonderi
nghowcomea
handsomeguyli
keyoucomeher ealone.I
sn'
tyour
gi
rlf
ri
endafr
aidoft
hattheyaregoi
ngt osnat
chyou?

Sabel
o:(
gri
nni
ng)
ist
hisyourwayt
ofi
ndouti
fIhave
agir
lf
ri
end?

Me:wel
l.
..Youcoul
dbemar
ri
ed.

Sabel
o:noneoftheabovement
ioned.ButIdohave
achil
d,adaught
er.

Me:
ohwt
hat
'
samazi
ng.Wher
e'st
hemot
her
?
Sabel
o:passedaway.Andyou?Whatdoyoudo?

Me:Iam st
udentatwi
tsst
udyi
ngBcom account
ing.

Il
ie,
Igotki
ckedoutoftheuni
ver
sit
ytwoyear
sago
andneverwentback.

Sabel
o:ohser
ious?That
'samazi
ng.

Phewt hankGodhedoesn'
tcont
inuetalki
ngabout
thecourseandweswit
cht ogeneralt
opics.

Mymoneymybodynayourown
(
It
'sOBO,
baddest
)

Theladi
es,
meandmycr ewincl
udedscream when
thesongcomesout
.It
'sever
yslayqueen'
sfavori
te
songoutt
her
e.Ist
andupwi
thmygl
ass.

Me:
come,
dancewi
thme.

Sabel
o:(
laughi
ng)Ican'
tdancet
osavemyl
if
e.

Me:Iwi
lldancej
ustf
oll
owmyl
ead.

Sabel
o:okay.

Hestandbehi
ndmeandIst
artdanci
ngar
oundhi
m
swi
ngingmybodyandwai
st.

I
fIt
ellyousayIl
oveyouo
Mymoneymybodynayourownobaby
Thi
rt
ybi
ll
ionf
ort
heaccounto
Ver
saceandGuccif
oryourbodyobaby
Nodo,
nodo
Nodo,
gar
arar
aforme
Nodo,
nodo
Nodosenr
ereo
Nodo,
nodo
Nodo,
shakar
aowe
Nodo,
sodo
Nodo,
gar
arar
aformeo,
ehhh

Gi
rlyou’
rebeaut
if
ult
oo
Mynumberonet
unt
un
Si
ppi
ngbur
ukut
utu
Foryourl
ovet
utu
Igochookyouchukuchukuo
Bi
koobi
anuj
u
Sheyyoudomej
uju
'
CauseI
'
mfeel
ingt
hej
uju

Sabel
o:(whi
speri
ngonmyearhol
dingmywai
st)
seewhatyourdancei
sdoi
ngtome?

It
urnandlookathi
m withasmi
le,
avi
sibl
eboner
onhispant
ssell
shim out.

Me:wellmaybeweshoul
dgetoutofher
e,whatdo
yout
hink?

Isaybi
ti
ngmyl
ipscar
essi
nghi
schest
.

Sabel
o:your
eadmymi
nd.

Wegobackt oourseatandhetakesouthi
s
pl
ati
num car
dbuthisfri
endstopshim.
Sfi
so:don'
tworr
yIwil
lhandl
eit
.Wear
est
il
lhavi
ng
funwit
htheladi
es.

Sabel
o:al
ri
ghtwear
eleavi
ng.

Myf r
iendsgivemeoursi gnaturelookandInod
assuri
ngthem thatIwillbefine.It akemybagand
fol
lowhim outsi
detothepar ki
ngl ot.Heopensup
thedoorforme.Whatagent l
eman.Hest ar
tsthe
caranddrivesfastt
akingt her outeoutsi
de
Johannesburg.Ishar
emyl i
vel ocati
onwiththe
bit
ches.

Wedon' ttalkmuchinthecar,he'
sratherfocused
ont heroadandsteali
ngglancesonmenowand
then.Thesi l
encei
sratherweirdsoIturnont he
radioandl i
stent
omusi cunti
lthecarstopsinfront
ofabeaut if
ulhouse.

Sabel
o:wear
eher
e,l
et'
sgoi
nsi
de.
Het akeshiskeysandcellphonegett
ingoutofthe
car.Idon'twai
tforhimtoopent hedoorforme.I
j
umpoutandf oll
owhi m.Yeses,thi
sbeauti
ful
housef orhimtostayalone?Wow!

Me:wow,
yourpl
acei
sgor
geous.

Sabel
o:t
hankyou,
Irecent
lymovedi
nher
eact
ual
ly.

Me:youmeanI
'
mthef
ir
stl
adyt
ogr
acet
hishouse?

Sabelo:
(smi
li
ngwal
kinguptome)Imeanexact
ly
that
.Doyouwantsomethi
ngtodri
nkoreatmaybe?

Me:Iwantyou.

Sabel
o:saynomor
e.
Hegr absmet ohim andkissesmesodeepwhi l
e
tear
ingmydr essapart.Myhandswor kswit
hhis
j
eansf astunfast
eni
nghi sbeltandt
heviewthat
comesaf teri
sverypleasant.

REMOVED

SABELO

Myphoner ingssomewherei
nther oom.Iopenmy
eyesandseei tont
hedressi
ngtable.If
etchi
tand
fi
ndami ssedcallf
rom mymother.Ical
lher
i
mmedi atel
y.

MaCele:Sawubona,
ngi
kuvusi
le?
(goodmor
ning,
did
Iwakeyouup?)

Me:
Sawubonamama,
yebokodwakul
ungi
le.Ni
njani
?
(
Goodmorni
ngtoyout
oomom,
yesbuti
t'
sfi
ne.
Howar
eyou?)

MaCele:siyaphi
lakonaokungat
heninedi
ngi
khathazekilengenganekamfowenu(Iam good
butworriedaboutyourbrot
her'
schil
d?)

Me:kwenzenj
ani
?(Whati
shappeni
ng?
)

MaCele:angazikahl ekodwangi bonangathiindaba

yokundlul
akukayi seakakayamukel ikahl
e(Idon't
knowbutIf eell
ikehehasn' tacceptedtheissueof
hisfat
her'
spassi ng)

Me:eingiyezwamamaf uthingiyabonakut
hi
kungani.Ngizokwehlangizeekhayangizoni
bona
kungekudala(Ihearyoumot herandIseewhy.Iwil
l
comehomeshor t
lytoseeyouguys)
MaCele:
singaj
abul
andodana, wehl
enomakoti
wasegol
iokhulumaisingi
si(wewil
lbehappyson,
comewithmydaught erinlawwhospeaksEngli
sh)

Me:(
laughi
ng)usuqal
il
eke,abant
ubogesibat
hini
?
(Youhavestar
ted,whatar
etheelect
ri
cit
ypeople
sayi
ng?)

MaCele:sebacal
ali
lebayat
shubhel
a(t
heyhave
st
art
edconnect i
ngthewires)

Me:
kuhlekendosi ,
ithingi
lungi
selel
eukuya
emsebenzi
nisizokhuluma(that'
sgoodmother
,let
meprepareforworkwewi l
ltal
k)

MaCel
e:kul
ungi
leNyambose.(I
t'
sokayson)

Idropthecallandputthephoneasi
deonthe
bedsidet
able.Ilookar
oundandseestai
nsmixed
wi
thbloodont
hesheet
s.Isi
ghandgetup.Iwonder
wher
eisthi
sgi
rlat
.

Aft
erbrushi
ngmyt eethandwashingmyface,Iput
onmyboxer sandsleeper
s.Walki
ngdownt ot
he
ki
tchenabeauti
fularomagreetsme.Ther
esheis,
si
nginganddancingwithmyt -
shi
rton.

Me:goodmor
ning.
.

Thobi
le:
agoodmor
ningi
ndeed.Imadebr
eakf
ast
.

Me:(ki
ssinghercheeks)t
hisl
ooksl
ovel
ybutIdon'
t
eatbreakfast
.

Thobi
le:what
?Why?Af
teral
lthet
roubl
e.

Me:youshoul
dhaveasked.Packi
tforyourf
ri
ends
i
t'
scool
.

Shedoesn'
tlookpl
easedatal
lbutt
heni
tiswhati
t
i
s.

Thobi
le:Iam goi
ngt
otakeashower
,ar
eyouj
oini
ng
me?

Me:
NoIwi
llbechecki
ngmyemai
lsandmessages.

Thobi
le:Sabel
o,l
astni
ghtwasf
unr
ight
?

Me:t
hebest
.Thankyou.

Thobi
le:t
henwhyar
eyouact
ingt
hiscol
d?

Me:Iam not
,Idon'
teatbr
eakfast,andIdon'tbat
h
wi
thwomen.I t
'st
hatsi
mple.Pleasehurry,
oneof
t
hedr
iver
'swi
lldr
opyouof
f.

Il
eaveherthereandgotomyof fi
ceopeni
ngmy
l
aptop.Email
sfrom t
heUniversi
tycomesthr
ough
andIsmilewhenIreali
zeihavebeenaccept
ed.

IneedtogotoBonga'
scompanytodayjustto
checkhowthi
ngsaregoi
ng.Thesepeopleshoul
d
notrel
axanddoastheypl
ease.

Igobackt
othebedr
oom andf
indherdr
essi
ngup.

Me:yougood?

Thobi
le:myper
iodsj
ustst
art
edandi
t'
snoteven
mydat e.

Me:
ohhh?
Thobi
le:coul
dbet
heheavyexer
cisewehadl
ast
ni
ght.

Me:coul
dbe.Buysomepads.

Igi
vehert
hemoneyandwal
kpasthert
othebed.

Thobi
le:
Sabel
o,t
hisi
sal
ot.

Me:Iknow,
justasmal
lappr
eci
ati
onf
orl
astni
ght
.

Thobi
le:owhthankyou.Youar
ever
ygener
ous.Am
Igoi
ngt oseeyouagai
n?

Me:maybe.
Thobi
le:
butyoudon'
thavemynumber
..

Me:
don'
twor
ry,
whenIneedyouIwi
llgetyou.

Il
ookout
sidet
hewindowandseethecar
sSf
iso
sai
dhewasdroppi
ngofft
odayandmyphoneri
ngs.

Me:yourr
idei
sher
e.Let
'sgo.Hel
lo,
Sfi
so,
I'
m
coming.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t13

SABELO
Exceptmymot herandSbonga,Iam madlyinl
ove
wit
hcars.Notjustanybutbeauti
fulgor
geouscar
s
henceIvowedt oneverbuyanaverageordi
nar
ycar,
andnowt hatIcanaffor
dtogetanycarIwant,
kuzonyi
wasar n.

Thobi
legr
eet
sSf
isoandget
sinsi
det
heJaguar
.

Me:gi
vet
heguyyourdi
rect
ionhewi
llt
akeyou
home.

Thobi
le:
okay,
thanksf
ort
heawesomeni
ght
.

Me:
Ihadagr
eatt
imet
oo.
.

Imovebackassherol
lthewindowupandt
hecar
dr
ivesaway.It
urnt
oSfiso.
Me:boy,
thi
sis.
..
.

Sfi
so:
(chuckl
ing)amazi
ngIknow.Bhadal
andoda.
(Payman)

Me:
nameyourpr
ice.
.

Sfi
so:(
danci
ng)Ihaveal
readysentt
hei
nvoi
ce,
checkyouremail
s.

Me:l
et'
sgeti
nsi
det
hen.

Heopenstheplat
esandst
art
seat
ingt
hef
ood
Thobi
lepr
epared.

Sf
iso:
sohowwasyourni
ght
?

Me:
itwasgood,
she'
saf
reak.
Sfiso:unfort
unat
elyIcan'
ttakeyourgi
rlbutyoucan
takemi ne,sounf
air.

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)sor
ry.Ther
e'snoneedt
oshar
e
t
hough.

Sfi
so:youar
eri
ght
,ther
e'spl
entyofhoesforal
lof
us.Soyoumeanshedidthethi
ngsthat.
.

Me:
hai
,Iam notdi
scussi
ngmysexl
if
ewi
thyou.

Sfi
so:
uyabhhora,
minabengi
phakat
hikomhl
ane
nembeleko.Paymemymoney.

Iopenmymessagesandloadsofnot
if
icat
ions
fr
om inst
agr
am popsup.
Me:somanynot
if
icat
ionsi
nthi
sInst
agr
am of
yours.

Sfi
so:ohIt
aggedyouonapostsoI
'
m sur
ethe
babesaref
oll
owi
ngyou.
.

Me:yestheyare.ImeanIonlyhave5pict
uresbut
I
'm nowsitt
ingon5kf ol
lower
s.Ther
e'spl
entyof
DM'stoo.

Sf
iso:
wel
comet
othesof
tli
femf
ana.

Me:Iwil
lseet
hem lat
er.Ineedt
ocal
lSbongaj
ust
t
ofindouthowisshedoing.

Sfi
so:
eixyeahweshouldbet
hereforher
,ki
dst
hese
daysf
allunderdepr
essi
onsoeasi
ly.
Me:andIdon'twantthattohappen,
Ipromi
sedt
o
bether
eforhereverystepoftheway.

THOBI
LE

Iopent
hedooronourf
latandt
hegi
rlIam shar
ing
wit
hscreamsr
unni
ngtomeandhugme.

Me:
somuchdr
amaKhanyisoear
lyi
nthemor
ning.

Khanyi
:dudeyouweren'tansweri
ngyourphoneor
sowhatdidyouexpectustothink?

Me:IwasbusybutI
'
m homesaf
enowyoucan
i
nfor
m ot
hers.

Khanyi
:al
ldone.Det
ail
sdet
ail
s.
Me:(
blushi
ng)wher
edoIst
art
?

Khanyi
:int
hebegi
nni
ngchomme!
!

Me:okaywel efttheclubstr
aighttohishousein
Centur
ion.Girlthathousealonegavemeor gasms.
Ontopoft hathet ol
dmeI '
mt hefi
rstwomantobe
ther
easherr ecentl
ymovedi n.Everyt
hingi
s
spotl
essl
ycl eanandneat .

SoheaskedifIwashungryorneededanyt
hingt
o
dri
nkIsaidIwant
edhim chommeuyangazi
ngi
yasheshamoes.

Khanyi:
ngikwazikahl
e,
qhubeka(Iknowyouver
y
well
,conti
nue)

Me:al
ri
ghtchommeguykissedmewitht
hose
gor
geousli
ps,
fr
iend,
het
earedmydressoff
.
Khanyi
:Iwant
edtoaskaboutt
hetrackpant
syou
ar
ewear i
ngbutnowit
'smakessense..

Me:t
heyarehi
sandnewf r
iend.Okaysoguy
pr
esentedt
hecondom andaskedthatIputi
ton,
wel
lfri
endhet
ookmet oheavenandback

Khanyi
:myGodI
'
mjeal
ousnow.Howi
shet
her
e?

Me:
bigandmarvelous.Il
ostcountofhowmany
t
imesIcl
imaxed,Ievensqui
rted

Khanyi
:wi
thar
ubberon?Gi
vet
hismanabel
ls!

Me:fr
iend,ngi
dli
we,Ievenwentonper
iodsbef
ore
t
ime.Het hengavememoneyt obuypads.
Khanyi
:ohmywor
d!Thobi
let
hisguyi
sforkeeps.

Me:definit
ely,Iam notlet
ti
nggoofthisone.You
shoul
dhaveseent hecarsSfi
sodeli
veredthi
s
morning,gosh.I'm worri
edthathedi
dn'taskformy
number, butIwillsear
chforhim onI
nstagram.I'
m
surehe'sthere.

Khanyi
:defi
nit
elyhe'
sther
echomme. Iwonderi
fhe
hasabrotheroranot
herfr
iendbecauseLumkotook
Sfi
sochomme.

Me:Idon'
tknowbutIwil
laskforyou.Letmego
r
est,t
hepainsar
egett
ingheavi
er.

Khanyi
:ther
e'ssomebruf
enonmydr
awer
.Take
somemaybeyouwi l
lfeelbet
ter
.

Me:t
hanksf
ri
end,
her
eaR2500gobuyyour
sel
f
somedr
ess.

Khanyi
:(
huggi
ngme)
thanksf
ri
end.Gor
estIwi
ll
cook.

Ismi
leandwal
ktomybedr
oom.

#KHANYI

Themomentshel ocksherbedroom doorItakemy

phoneandquickl
ygot oi
nstagram andfol
lows
Sabelo.Hej
ustaddedanewpi ctur
eandoh
msindisi
!

Thobil
ewillf
orgi
vemebutIalsowantapieceof
him.Imeanshegi vesmeR2500outoft
hose
thousandsshegot?
Iquickl
ygotohi
sDM andsendhi m aHIandputs
myphoneont hecouch.Icountt
hemoneyandt he
bil
lsIneedt
ocoverwithit
.Myphonevibr
atesandI
checkit.

I
t'
shi
m,hej
ustr
esponded.Isqueali
nexci
tement
.

Me:(
typi
n..
)thanksforr
espondi
ngmymessage,
are
youavai
labl
ef orachat
?

Sabelo:
(t
yping..
)dependi
ngonwhatyouwantto
chatabout.Iam averybusymansoIdon'
thave
ti
mef orchitchat
ti
ng.

Me:(
typi
ng)fai
renough.I
'm Khanyi
,
Isawyoui
nthe
cl
ubyester
dayandlikeyou.Iwantyou.

Sabel
o:(
typi
ng.
.)nowyouhavemyat
tent
ion.You
wantmei nwhi
chway?
Ohgosht
hisguy.

Me:(t
ypi
ng..
)ont
hesheet
shunny,
Ipr
omi
set
orock
yourworl
d.

Sabel
o:(
typi
ng)l
ol,
givemeyournumberl
etmecal
l
you.
..

Yaass!It
ypet
hem upr eal
qui
ckandl
ogout
.Ina
secondmyphonerings.

Me:hel
lo.

Sabel
o:Nkosazana.
.kunj
ani
?(Howar
eyou?
)

OohZulumenandt
hei
rchar
ms,
didhej
ustcal
lme
Nkosazana?
Thobi
le:
whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
obl
ushi
ngt
hismuch?

Herpr
esencest
art
lemet
hatIqui
ckl
yhangupand
l
ookather.

Me:
(get
ti
ngup)don'
tsneakuponmel
iket
hat
.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t14

SABELO

Sowei r
dfort
heladytojusthangupwhilet
alki
ng.
Butthenmaybesomet hi
ngdistur
bedherwho
knows.Icont
inuetoscrol
ldownmyi nst
agr
am and
t
hepeopl
ewhoaref
oll
owi
ngmei
ncl
udi
ngt
hef
orex
t
radi
ngscammer
s.

Icheckthi
sKhanyisi
legirlzoomi
nginherpict
ure,
sheisbeauti
ful
.Hersmileandwhiteteet
h.Reading
herbioi
tstat
esthatshest udi
edsi
milarmodules
l
ikemineattheUniversi
tyofPret
ori
aandshei sa
motheroftwobeauti
fulboys.

Wow, thewayherbodyi ssodamnf i

ne,youwon' t
saythatfl
attummycar ri
edt wochil
dren.Iliketwo
ofherpictur
esandmoveal ong.Ist
umbl eacr oss
MinnieandJoe'spict
ures.Ilookatthem, zoom in
hereyes,sheishappy.Likesheisnotmovedabi t
aboutwhatshedidt ome.

Il
ikeherpi
ctur
eandmoveal
ongt
oot
her
sandmy
phoneri
ngs.

Me:hel
lo?
Voi
ce:i
t'
sKhanyi
sil
e,canyoupl
easecal
lmeback?

Me:
okay.

ShehangupandIr
etur
nhercal
lthatshepi
cksup
i
mmediatel
y.

Khanyi
:I'
m sor
ryaboutear
li
ermyr
oommat
ewal
ked
uponme.

Me:
owhIunder
stand.You'
ref
ri
endswi
thThobi
le?

Khanyi
:yeahweal
sol
ivet
oget
her
.

Me:
Isee.SowhencanIseeyou?
Khanyi
:t
hati
sal
lupt
oyour
eal
ly.

Me:sendmeyourl
ocat
ionIwi
llaskoneoft
he
dr
iver
stopi
ckyouup.

Khanyi
:okay.

Iam actuall
ynotinthemoodf orsexbutsome
company.Thobi l
egaveitt
osodamngood.Af ter
recei
vingherlocati
onIfor
wardittomyguyand
headtot hebathr
oom tobath.

KHANYI
SILE.

Icatwalkinfr
ontofthemi r
rorandcheckmysel f
onemor eti
me.DamnIl ookgood.Sabelot ext
sme
sayingtheguyisoutsi
de.IpassbyThobile's
bedroom,sheissleepi
ngwithheadphoneson.Iwi l
l
texthersi
ncesheisnotfeeli
ngtoowell.
Iwalktothecarandohmsindi
si,
thedri
verishotas
fuckIam havi
ngthought
softaki
nghim butthen
he'snotr
ich.

Igreetandgetbusywit
hmyphoneashedri
vest
o
Centuri
on.Ishar
emyl i
vel
ocat
ionwi
thCebi
sawho
cal
lsmei mmediatel
y.

Cebi
sa:bi
tchwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Me:
wit
hwhat
?

Cebi
sa:i
sn'
tthi
sthesamel
ocat
ionThobi
leshar
ed
fewhoursago?

Me:Cebi
sadon'
tst
art
..
Cebi
sa:uzakukhombaThobi
le.
.

Me:whatever
,it
'snotl
iket
heyar
edat
ingor
anyt
hing.

Cebisa:r
emi
ndmetonevershar
eanyi
nfor
mat
ion
aboutmymenwit
hyou.

ShehangupandIsi
gh.Igotki
dst
ofeed,
agi
rl
got
tadowhatshegott
odo.
Final
lythecarar
rives,
Thobi
lewasn'tlyi
ng.This
houseiseveryt
hing.Theguyleadsmet othelounge
andleavesassoonasSabel ogracetheroom

Sabel
o:hel
lo

Hesayshuggi
ngme,
goshhesmel
lssogr
eatand
f
resh.
Me:hi
,ni
cehouse.

Sabel
o:It
ry.Woul
dyoul
ikesomet
hingt
odr
ink?

Me:doyouhavebeer
?Cast
lel
it
e?

Hel
ooksatmeandsmi
rk.

Sabel
o:Ihavesome.Iwasexpect
ingt
hatyouar
e
goi
ngtoasksomechampagne.

Me:arghtobehonestt
hatt
hingi
sugl
y,wedr
inki
t
f
orclout
.

Hegoestothefr
idgeandt
aket
woouthandi
ngme
one.Wesitdownonhiscr
eamygol
dleat
her
couches.
Sabel
o:souyangi
funahuh?(Youwantme?
).

Heasksmesoamuseddr
inki
nghi
sbeer
.

Me:
Ihopet
hatdi
dn'
tbl
owyouof
fthewr
ongway?

Sabelo:notreall
y,i
t'
sfasci
natedmeact ual
ly.How
strai
ghtupyouwer e,thewomanwhogoesaf ter
whatshewant swit
houtsugarcoat
ingitandt hefact
thatIneverhadsuchpr i
vil
egesgrowingup.

Me:
butwhy?

Sabel
o:ar
gh,
Iguessbei
ngbr
okeandaone
woman'sman.

Me:
thel
oyalt
ype?
Sabel
o:kindof
f.CanIaskyouaquest
ion,
Ihope
youwon'tbeoff
ended.

Me:Ihaveathi
ckski
n,don'
tbef
ool
edbyt
his
ski
nnybones.

Sabel
o:(
chuckl
ing)youlookl
ikeasmartl
ady,
why
sel
lyour
selfsoshortt
omenoutt her
e?

Me:IguessIam usedtomenplayi
ngmethatit
doesn'
thurtanymore.Ot
hert
hanthat
,Ij
usthustl
e
formykids.

Sabel
o:butyoucanst
il
lhust
lewi
thyourl
egs
cl
osed.
.

Me:beli
evemeI
'vet
ri
ed,i
fit
'
snottheUniver
sit
y
hol
dingmydegr
eebecauseIcan'
tpay,
it'
smykid'
s
needsexpandi
ngdai
lyandbl
ackt
ax.Li
kei
t'
sal
ot.

Sabel
o:Ihearyou.Wher
eist
hef
atherofyour
chi
ldr
en?

Me:t
hefi
rstonei
stheret
ryi
ngandthesecondone
i
sgoodasdead,marr
iedandyeah.

Sabel
o:Isee.

Me:youar
en'
tgoi
ngt
ojudgeme?

Sabelo:who?Me?No,never
.Iam t
hel
astper
sont
o
castoutjudgement
.

Me:wowokay,that'
sactual
lyafir
st.Totel
lyouthe
t
rut
hthisisn'
ttheli
feIi
magi nedorwishedfor
mysel
f.Ihatethi
spersonIhavebecomebut
becauseofdesper
ati
on.
..

Sabel
o:youdi
dwhatyouhadt
o,t
osur
vive.

Me:exact l
ybecausei t'
shurtsseei ngyourki ds
cr
yingt osleepwi thhunger ,
atleastnowt here'
s
gr
antbutwi t
h4ot hersibl
ings,itdoesn'tdomuch.
Andt henyouf indpeopl easkingwhyar eyounot
empl oyedwithadegr ee?Whyt hiswhyt hat.
Honest l
yIam j ustti
redbecauset hingspr omisefor
ami nuteandt henextboom, backt osquar eone.

Sabelo:youknowsomet i
mest hereasonwhythings
don'tworkoutforyouguysespecial
lyladi
esit
's
Becauseofthepeopleyouinvolveyoursel
veswith
sexuall
y.Wecallitaspi
ri
tualt
ie.

Me:doest
hatt
hingexi
sts?
Sabelo:itdoesandit
'sverydeep.Becauseoncea
personsucksyourpower sthroughsex,
uzoli
hambaul i
qedei
zwenot hi
ngwi l
lgowellf
oryou.
Itvari
oust houghandwithpeopleli
keyouwho
l
ovesf astlif
eandeasyriches,youbecometarget
s
soeasily

Me:howcomedoyouknowaboutal
loft
hese
t
hings?

Sabelo:
(gett
ingupf
rom hi
scouch)becauseIam
partofthepeopl
ewhodestr
oysother
stobemor e
successful
.

Me:youar
ejoki
ngr
ight
?

Sabel
o:I
'
m not
,IdowhatIdot
osur
vive.Mor
edr
ink?

Me:act
ual
lyIf
eel
li
kewhi
skey,
thi
sconver
sat
ioni
s
maki
ngmehot
.

Sabelo:
(chuckl
ing)Iam sur
prisedatmysel
ffor
tel
li
ngyout hi
sbutdon'tmistakeitf
orf
ooli
shness.I
wil
lhelpyou.

Hesayshandl
ingmeagl
assofwhi
skey.

Me:
why?

Sabelo:becauseyouarereal.Yourintent
ionsand
al
l.Youdidn'tpr
etendnorfakedtobesomet hi
ngor
someoneyouar enotandf orthatIstan.

Me:sohowar
eyougoi
ngtohel
pme?Af t
eryou
havehel
pmewhat'
sgoi
ngtohappenbet
weenus?

Sabel
o:not
hing,
meandyouwon'
tdoanyt
hing.I
wil
ljusthel
pyouandyouwil
lwal
kawayf
rom me
andpr et
endasi
fyoudon'
tknowme.

Me:canwebef
ri
endsatl
east
?

Sabel
o:hahahawecan'
t.Bel
ievemei
t'
sbestt
his
way.

Me:
butt
henIwon'
thur
tyou.
..
.

Sabel
o:youwon'tbutIwil
l.JustbecauseIam
doi
ngthisf
oryouKhanyidoesn' tmeanIam good
guyorIam goi
ngtorepentno.Andyoucan' trepeat
whatwespokeaboutheret oanyonethat'
sifyou
val
ueyourli
feandyourlovedones.

Me:(sighs)whoevermessedyouupSabelodoesn'
t
deservepeace,youareagoodperson.Don'tcar
e
whatyouoranyoneel setosays,
Thankyou.
Iwal
kupt
ohi
m andki
sshi
sli
ps.

Me:Ishal
ltakemyl
eave,
thanksf
ort
hechatand
dr
inks.

Sabelo:youar ewelcome.Iwi l
ltextyouthedetail
s
ofwhatyoushoul ddotocl aim yourlif
ebackand
youshoul dgivemeyourst udentaccountsot hatI
cansettlethefees.Ihopeaf teryouhavegot ten
yourli
febackyouwi l
lstayawayf rom theeasyli
fe
andwor khar dforyourkids.Ifyoucan' tdoitdofor
yoursel
fdoi tforthem.

Me:Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
.

Sabel
o:(
taki
ngmybagandhandingittome)
okay
nowyoucango,Ir
eal
lydon'
tli
ketears.
Igi
ggl
eandhughi
mfort
hel
astt
ime.Heopensthe
doorf
ormeandwal
kmetot
hecar.Whataguy.

SABELO

AssoonasKhanyi si
lel
eaveIgotothesecretroom
andlitupthebl
ackandredcandlesput
ti
ngonmy
robe.Ipoursomewateri
nthedishandstiritup
power i
ngthebl
ackpowder.Thesmokefrom the
watergoesuptotheroofandcomesbacki nside.

Itakemyshar
prodandhitt
hewat erf
iveti
mesand
theMchunubrot
her
sappears.Eachontheirpl
aces.

Me:
whodoIst
artwi
th?

Tobecont
inued.
*
Sponsor
edbyM.J.Tavakar
asha )
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t15

THOBI
LE

Todaytheperi
odsarebett
erthanyester
day,
Khanyi
sile'
spi
ll
sareworki
ng.Iwalktothelounge
aft
erfi
nishi
ngbathi
ngandf i
ndherglueduponher
phone.

Me:goodmor
ning.

Khanyi
:hi
,howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
oday?

Me:muchbetter.Icanfi
nal
lygot
oSandt
onand
haveaproperretai
lther
apy.
Khanyi
:luckyyouasf
ormeIhavet
ogot
oPr
etor
ia.

Me:what'
shappeni
ngt
her
eoryouscor
edanew
bl
esser?

Khanyi:Iam sorti
ngoutt
heissueofmy
qual
ifi
cation.Doyoueveri
maginedabet
terl
if
ethan
theonewear el
ivi
ng?

Me:Ial
waysimagi
nedmysel
ftr
avel
ingonecountr
y
toanot
her,
shoppi
ngwit
houtl
ooki
ngataprizetag
andsubst
it
utewat
erwit
hChampagne.

Khanyi
:Thobi
le!Wearegr owingup,soonturni
ng30
andhavekidstolookafter.Don'
ttel
lmethisisthe
l
ifeyouwanttoli
veforever.

Me:t
her
easonwhyIwantaf
ancyl
if
echommei
s
becauseoft
hatf
act
.Mydaughterdeser
veasoft
l
ifeshameandhermot
herwi
llmakesureshegets
i
t.

Khanyi
:Ihavebeenwat
chingJackie'
slivevi
deoon
i
nstagr
am.ChommeI '
m scared.Al
lthesewhilewe
havebeensleepi
ngwi
thsnakes..

Me:(
rol
li
ngmyeyes)uyahl
anyaloyo.Li
kehowon
ear
thcanasnakefuckaperson?

Khanyi
:okayl
et'
ssayleyenyokaayi
khobutwhat
aboutt
hesoulti
esandall.

Me:fri
endli
sten,
youseeme, Idon'
tcar
eaboutall
thosethi
ngsshame.ArhLord,imagi
neSabelowit
h
thatbassvoi
ceofhissayi
ng"canItakecar
eofyou
baby"snakeparkornot
,ndi
mki l
eshame,gone.
Khanyi
:(
laughi
ngli
ghtl
y)Igi
veuponyouseriousl
y.
ButasformeIam tir
edofsucki
ngthesemen's
di
cks.Iwanttowearapenci
lski
rtwit
hsti
let
tosand
gotowor k.
.

Me:goodluckmyf
riend.Whil
eyoustressabout
rudecl
ient
sandfi
nances,Iwil
lbeshoppingko
DubaiorPari
s.

NARRATED

Bhekisi
saandZenzoar edrivi
ngtogetheraround
JoburgCBD.Theyareact uall
ymonitori
nghowt he
taxi
smoveonadi stance.Bhekisi
sapar ksoutsi
de
carl
toncent
erandtakeouthi swall
et.

Bheki
sisa:l
etmeseewhatIcangetust
oeati
nsi
de
her
eIwi l
lbeback.
Zenzo:okayhur
ryndoda.

Bhekisi
saget sof
fanddisappear
si nsi
dethe
buil
dingleavi
ngZenzoaloneinthecar.Zenzolooks
atpeopleandcarsgoingupanddownacr ossthe
road.Het ur
nsontheradioandstartschat
ti
ngon
hisphone.Outoftheblueashuffl
ingsounddisturb
him.

Helooksaroundandseesnot hi
ng,hecont
inues
chatt
ingunti
lhefeelssomethi
ngtouchi
nghisfeet
hejumpsupdr oppinghisphoneundert
heseats
whenheseesahugesnake.

Zenzo:whatt
hef
uck!

Hequi ckl
ygoestohisbackforhi
sgunbutt
he
snakei squi
ckt
obitehislegsandar
msthen
disappears.
Zenzo:
(scr
eami
ng)ngi
sizeni
!Inyoka!(Hel
pme!
Snake!
)

RightthenBheki
sisacomesoutofcar
lt
oncent
er
withfoodparcel
stothecarandfi
ndZenzo
sweatingandscreaming.

Bheki
sisa:kwenzenj
ani
?(Whati
swr
ong)

Zenzo:(
sweatingandpoint
ingwheret
hesnakebi
t
hi
m)i nyoka.
.inyokabaf
o(snake,
snakemybrot
her)

Bheki
sisa:
(l
ooki
ngar
ound)i
nyoka?Kuphi
?(snake?
Where?)

Helooksaroundandseesnothi
ng, het
urnsbackto
Zenzoandseesthescarswherethesnakebithi
m,
hi
sheadspi nsar
ound,hest
artsthecarwit
hshaky
handsdri
vingInaspeedgoi
ngt othehospi
tal
.
Bheki
sisa:
hol
donbr
otherwe'
l
lgethel
p.

Heshout satt
henur sesthemomentheparks
outsi
dehospital
,theyallr
ushoutt
othecarwit
hthe
str
etcherbutf
indhim dead,hi
sheadhangi
ngfrom
theseatwithwhit
ef oam comi
ngoutofhi
smout h
andbloodonhi snose.

Bheki si
sa:(
scr
eami
ng)
noooooooooo!Zenzo
mf ethu???Comeondosomethi
ng,don'tj
ustst
and
there!

SABELO

Iparkmycarout
sideBongaHoldingstaki
ngmy
thi
ngsandwalki
nside.Iheadst
raightt
otheof
fi
ce
andBongaused.
I
tisact
ual
lymyf
ir
stt
imeofbei
ngher
e.

Managi
ngDi
rect
or:bosswoul
dyou.
..

Me:canyoupl
easeleavemeforamoment
?Don'
t
l
etanyonei
nhereunti
lIIsayso.

MD:yesboss.

Icloset hedoorandsl owl ymovet othewindow.I

canst i
llfeelhisscent,hi
sandSbonga' spict
ures
plaster
edont hewall.Isitdownont hecomfortable
mar oonl eat
herchair.Imi ssyoumf anakit
hi,
Imi ss
youNyambose.Ti medoesn' thealthepainbutit
actuall
yt eachesmet ol i
vewi t
hit.Thosewhosai dit
healsli
edal ot.

Iplacemyheadonthetabl
eandallowthetear
sto
dropasmemoriesofourchi
ldhoodandfl
asheson
myphonemind.Myphoner
ingsf
rom mypocket
di
stur
bingme.

Me:hel
lo?

Khanyi
:Sabel
o,i
t'
sKhanyi
.

Me:Iknow.HowcanIhel
pyou?

Khanyi
:justwant
edtoletyouknowthatI'
mf r
om
t
heUniversit
yandtheyconfi
rmedeveryt
hing.
..
..

Me:t
hat
'sgood,
isn'
t?

Khanyi
:Ial
sor
ecei
vedyourmessageaboutwhatI
shoul
ddoand..
.

Me:
(br
ushi
ngmyf
ace)
lookKhanyidoever
ythi
ngI
sai
dont
hatSMSokay?Igot
tago.

Khanyi
:ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?

Me:nowi
snott
hegoodt
ime.
.

Khanyi
:(l
owvoi
ce)
Sabel
o..
.

Me:stopcall
ingmeKhanyi
sil
e.I
nfactconsi
der
your
selfbl
ocked.
.

Idropt hecal
landblockhernumberandon
Instagram.Isl
owlygetupandgot ohi
scupboard
andt akeoutsomefilest
oread.Thedooropensand
IlookupannoyedbecauseIst at
edverywellt
hatI
don'twanttoseeanyone.

MD:
sirIt
ri
edt
ost
ophi
m but
..
Me:
it
'
sfi
ne.

Sfisowal
ksi
nandsi
tsopposi
teme.Si
lencef
il
lst
he
room.

Sf
iso:Imi
sshi
mtoo.Ever
yday.I
'
m sor
ry.

Thel umponmythroatblockmyvoiceandIbl
ink
twicestoppi
ngt
hetearsfrom comi
ng.Ist
andup
takingmykeysandcell
phone.

Me:Ineedsomef
reshai
r.
.

Sf
iso:okaywecangot
o..

Me:al
one.
..
Sf
iso:Sabel
o..

Ishoothi
m al
ookhet
akesast
epbackr
aisi
nghi
s
hands.

Sf
iso:Al
ri
ght
,okay.
.justt
akei
teasy.

Iputonmyj acketandwalkoutoft
heoff
ice
i
gnoringthelooksfr
om t
hestuffpi
eci
ngmybackas
Iwalkpastthem..

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
51] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t16

KHANYI
SILE
arri
vinghomewi t
hplasti
csbagscontaini
nggoods
formykidswillal
waysbet hebestt
hingtome.I
managedt ogetfewthingsformysibl
ingsaswell
.

Ireal
lyneedtohustl
ehardandgetajobsot hatI
canmoveoutoft hefl
atI
'm shar
ingwit
hThobi l
e.I
n
ordertoavoi
dedtemptat
ionsandrel
apsingIneed
tocutheroff
.

Ihavebeengivenasecondchancei nlif
etodo
bett
er,bysomeonewhoi satapositiontocr
ushit
complete.Iwal
kupt omydadwho' sonhi sweel
chai
ront hever
andar eadingamagazi ne.Hewas
i
nvolvedinaterr
ibleacci
dentt hatt
ookbothhislegs
,theRAFdi dn'
tlastmuch, noteventwoyears.

Me:baba.
.(Fat
her
)

Mt
hembu:Mvel
ase.
.(cl
anname)
Me:
kunj
ani
?(Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
)

Mthembu:si yancengandodakazi
,yi
khonjeukuthi
l
emilenzeiyayeIbebuhlungu.(Wear etr
yingtomy
daughter
,justthatthesel
egsdogetpainfulatt
imes)

Me:ngi
kuphat
heleamaphi
li
sibaba(Ibr
oughtyou
somepainki
ll
ers)

Mt
hembu:akubongwaJama.
.(t
hankyoumydear
)

Ismi
lel
ooki
ngdownatmyphone.

Mthembu:
asisakwazint
ombi
,nizi
fi
hli
le
emadol
obheni(wehardl
yseeyou)

Me:ukuzamaimpi
lobabakodwanginet
hemba
kuzobanconomanje(wearehust
li
ngfatherbutI
hopet
hingsar
egoi
ngt
obebet
ternow)

Mthembu:asi thembekanj alongoba

si
yakukhumbul alakhaya.Kungiphathakabinokho
ukuthiemvakokukhi phaizi
maliezi
ngakaezishisi
we
ngikufundisalokhuawuwut holiumsebenzi(l
et'
s
hopesomydearbecausewedomi ssyouhereat
home.I tpainsmet hatafterspendingsomuch
moneypayi ngforyoureducationfeebutyouar e
sti
llunabletogetaj ob)

Me:nginet
hembakuzol ungababa,oMvelase
bayakhanyisa(Ihavehopethatt
hingsar
egoingt
o
bebetternow)

Mt
hembu:ngempel
a?(
Forr
eal
)

Me:yebobaba.Baba,kunodabaLanaengif
uni
ungiboni
sekul
o(yesf at
her.Dad,t
her
e'sasit
uat
ion
hereIneedyoutoadvisemeat )
Mt
hembu:
ngi
lal
ele(I
'
mli
steni
ng.
)

Me:emalangeniandlulengi
hlangenenomunye
wesili
siongit
sheleenyeint
oengenzengayibuka
ngenyeindlel
aimpilo.
.(fewdaysagoImett hi
s
othermanwhot ol
dmesomet hi
ngthatmademe
vi
ewl i
feinanotherway)

MyfatherandIar
ebestfri
ends,bei
nghisfi
rstborn
andl
oosingmymot heratanearl
yageformedt hat.
Mystepmom isnotbadeit
herandIlovemysi bl
ings
butI
'
m adaddy'sgir
l.

Mt
hembu:ut
heni
?(Whatdi
dhesay?
)

Igivehi
m ashorterversi
onofwhatSabel
otol
dme
aboutsoult
iesandt hecl
eansi
ngIneedtodotoget
ri
doftheevilspi
ri
tsblocki
ngmylif
e.
Mt hembu: ewu, i
nkul ukel endabakant ifuthi
uqini sil
e.Ukut hinjeninanganezanamuhl aanifuni
ukut shelwa.Yi ngakhonebhayi bhelili
kuci t
ha
ukuhl anganakwabant uabi bil
iabangashadanga
ngakhol oku.Umausul elenomunyeumunt ukuf ana
nokut hiushadile,inyamanomoyawent
sekuwumunt uoyedwa.Manj elokuhambani lal
a
nithat hayonkei mi moyamasei vukaixabana
kubhedei zi
ntoempi l
weni ,okubuhlunguakubhedel i
wenawedwakodwanal abaosondel enenabo( this
i
shugeandr eal.Justt hatyouki dsoft odaydon' t
wantt obet old.Thati swhyevent heBi bleis
agai nstsexbef oremar riagebecauseoft hat.Once
youi nvol veyour selfwithsomeonesexual lyyouar e
consi der edmar ried,yourf l
eshandsoulbecome
one.Thenyouguysgosl eepingar oundi nherit
ing
allthesesoul stoyourl ivesandwhent heyst art
fi
ght ingeachot hert hi
ngsst arttogobadf oryou,
sadlyt hi
saf f
ect smeevent heonescl osert oyou)

If
eelt
ear
sbur
ningmyeyeswast
her
eal
it
yofal
l
thi
shitme.Iwoul
dhavelongmadei
t,pr
obabl
y
marri
ed,dr
ivi
ngmycarandowningabeaut
if
ul
housebutno.

Mt hembu: (
touchi
ngmyhand)kuzol unga,ukuze
akut shel
eyonkelentokushokuthiuyakuthanda.
Ungaphat hekikabi
,kukhonaindodaengiyaziyo
ekhi phai
sinyama(it'
sgoingtobef i
ne,forhimt o
tellyouallofthi
smeanshel ovesyou.Don'tf eel
bad, ther
e'samanIknowt hatwil
lhel
pyouwi th
cleansing)

Inodandkeepqui
etasDadsqueezemyhand
assur
ingmeallwi
llbef
ine.

SABELO

Leavingmybrother
'sof
fi
ceIdrovestrai
ghttoa
nearestmal
landparkedmycar.Idon'tevenknow
whatam Idoinghereal
lIknowisthatIneedabitof
f
reshair
.Somewher
eIwon'
tber
emi
ndedoft
he
r
eali
tyofmyli
fe.

Ifi
ndmysel fatEdgar'
s,women'sunder
wearsection.
Idon'tevenknowwhatI '
m doi
ngherebutIam just
l
ookingatt hesebeaut
if
ulgarmentsdi
splayed
around.

"
Excuseme"

Avoicesaysnearme,
Itur
nandl ooktot
he
di
recti
onitcamefr
om.Abeautif
ulwomanwi t
ha
bl
ondweavewaveswithatrol
leyinfr
ontofher
.

Me:hi
.

Her:sor
ryt
odistur
byou,Iam t
ryi
ngt ofi
nd
somethi
ngthat
'sgaga,
that'
svavavoom butIam
notseei
nganythi
nghere.Si
nceyouar eamanI
t
hinkyoucanbeabl
etohel
pmechoose.

Me:
(smi
li
ng)I
'
mfl
att
ered,
okayhowcanIhel
p?

Her:Iam t
ryi
ngt
ocheermyhusbandup,i
t'
shis
bir
thdayandhej
ustl
osthi
sbrotheri
namost
confusi
ngway.Whi
choneofthesewoul
dlif
thi
s
spir
iti
fheweret
oseemewear i
ngit?

Sheaskspoi nt
ingattheli
ngeri
esinfrontofus,I
takeaqui ckl
ookather,she'
sshort,
notshortshort
butshort.Ass,f
latt
ummyandhi psintheri
ght
places.

Me:It
hinkthi
swilldo,
Idon'
tknowr
edandbl
ack
ar
emycol orsoyeah.

Her:
(smil
ingpicki
ngitup)Ithi
nkitwil
ldot
oo.
Thanks,
ar eyouherebuyingforyourwoman?
Me:
notr
eal
ly.
.

Her:ohwokay,
Igot
tago,man'
sgrumpyandhear
t
sor
esoIhavetobefastbef
orewegotothef
amil
y
andhouse.

Me:
yeahsur
e,Condol
ences.

Shef l
ashesasmi leandwalkpastmeherwal let
fal
lsfrom herarmstothefl
oorandcardsscat ter
around.Ikneeldownpicki
ngthem andseeherI D
smar tcard."Zandil
eMchunu".Mymi ndsrunsver y
fastconnecti
ngthedotsandtheypiecetogether
verywel l
.

Her
:thankyou.

Shesaysbr
ingi
ngmet
oli
fe,
Ihandhercar
dsback
andwat
chasshedi
sappeart
othet
il
ls.

Iwalkoutofthestoretomycarwit
hideaspopping
l
eftandr i
ghtonmymi nd.Thi
sisgoi
ngtobeso
i
nterest
ing.JustasIappr
oachmycar,Sfi
sopil
lsup
nexttome.

Me:unesi
dinakodwa!Angi
shongokuthingi
funa
ukubangedwa?(Youar eannoyi
ngthough!DidI
notsayIwanttobealone?)

Sfi
so:
I'
m sor
ry,Icoul
dn'
tletyougonj
eint
hatst
ate,
Ihadt
ot r
ackyoudown.

Me:what
ever
,it
'sagoodthi
ngyouar
eher
e.Guess
whoIj
ustbumpedinto?

Sf
iso:who?
Me:Bheki
sisa'
swi
fe.

Sfi
so:what
?Howdi
dyouknow?Ohoht
hatsmi
rk!
Sabel
owhatar
eyoupl
anni
ng?

Me:youseet his,t
hisisbett
erthandeathmyf ri
end.
Iwil
llethistwobr othersl
iveanddealwithhim.I
am goingtohi thim whereit
'shurtsthemostthathe
wil
laskf ordeat hbutitwi
llr
ejecthim.

Sfi
so:
ishubi
lemagenge,
kwazekwanzi
ma(i
t'
stough
peopl
e)

Me:l
et'
sgogr
abadr
inkort
wo.

Isayunl
ocki
ngmycarandget
ti
ngupi
nsi
de.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
52] :THEBACHELOR

I
nser
t17

ZANDI
LEMCHUNU

Aft
erdryingmyhai rIappli
edthenewhair
moisturi
zermadeandpr oducedbyourveryown,
PearlThusi.I
treal
lydoeswondersonmyhai rnott
o
mentionthegreatsmellitl
eavesaft
erusi
ngit.

Iunpackedmyli
nger i
eputt
ingitonthebedandsat
i
nf r
ontofthemi
rror.Iappl
iedmakeup, nott
oo
muchbutenought ogivemet hatgl
owofmybeauty.

Ipackedever
ythingonmyt r
avell
ingbagandsl
ide
i
nonmynewl ingeri
e.Damn, thewayit'
shuggi
ng
mybodysoper fectl
y,Iam amazed.Icatwal
kand
tur
naroundinfrontofthemi r
rorsmil
ing.
Itakemyphoneandst eal
fewsnapsandloadthem
ont heI
nst
agram wit
hthecapt
ion"wai
ti
ngf or
hubby"andlogout.

Minutesl
aterIhearhi
scardri
vingi
naspeedand
walkouttomeethim.Inear
lyf
aintwhenIsee
Thembawi t
hhim.Iquickl
yrunbacktoourbedr
oom
befor
etheycouldseeme.

Hewalksi
nwithhi
seyesredandIhughi
mtight
ly.
Hi
stemperat
urei
ssohotandheisshaki
ng.

Me:
I'
m sor
ry.Haveyoueat
en?

Bheki
sisa:no,
ther
e'snoti
meandt
her
e'sl
ott
obe
done.
.haveyoupar ked?

Me:
yesIdi
d.Iwashopi
ngt
hatwecoul
dhaveal
i
ttl
e
momenttooursel
vesbef
orewejoi
nthefami
ly.I
meanit
'syourbi
rt
hdayaft
eral
landIhaveal
itt
le
gi
ftt
osharewithyou.
.

Helooksatmyhandonhischestcaressi
ngi
t,r
un
hi
seyesonmef r
om headtotoethenchuckl
es
bi
tt
erpushingmeawayfr
om him.

Bheki
sisa:
ngisandakulahlekwaumf owet
hu
ngendl
elaengacacil
e, kukhokonkelokowenaint
o
oyi
cabangayonj eucansi?(Ijustl
ostmybrot
herin
averyconfusingway,andher eyouarethi
nki
ng
aboutsex)

Me:I
'
m sor
ry,
Ijustwant
edt
ocheeryouup.
.

Bhekisisa:awugcokesihambeuyekeukuziphat
hisa
okukanondi ndwa(getdressed,
let
'sl
eaveandstop
behavingl i
keahoe)
Hesl
amsthedooronhiswayoutandIj
umpashi
s
wor
dsst
inkssohard.

KHANYI
SILE

Myfatheraspromised,
tookmet othi
sotherman
whospeciali
zesi
ndealingwit
hsituat
ionsl
ikemine.
Heisknownt obethebestwhenitcomesto
cl
eansingthespi
ri
tsawayfrom youorhouses.

Hegavemeal istofthi
ngstobuythatincludeli
ve
blackandwhi
techickens,
milk(
longli
fe)4eggs,blue,
redandwhit
ecandles.Iwasalsoaskedt obringit
alonganywhit
ecoinmoney.

Rightnowwear einaopenspace,
farawayfrom
peopleandhouses,i
t'
s4am i
nthemorning,
thecol
d
ai
rbreezeishi
tt
ingmyskinharshl
y.
Heslaughter
st hechi
ckenstaki
ngoutt
heirgal
ls
(i
nyongo)mixingitwit
htheeggs,mi
lkandhisown
bl
ackishli
quidmut hi
.

Hel i
ghtt hecandl esbur ningimpephoandasksme
tosayever ythi
ngt hatIwantt ohappeninmyl i
fe
hencef orth.IpleadtoGodandmyancest orsfora
clearpat h,af r
eshst artandbet t
eroppor
tunit
ies.I
askf ortheirforgivenessf orthewrongchoicesI've
madei nl ifeandaskf ortheirgui
dancesand
protectionasIt akeanewpat hinli
fe.

Afterthathet akest hewatermi xedwi t

hallt hose
thi
sandpower sthem onmef rom headt ot oes.
Yeses, thisshititchsobadl yletalonet hehor ri
ble
smel l
.If eelli
kecr yingatthi
spoi nt.IseetheR5
coindr opf rom thebucketandnowIunder stand
whyi t
'snotwi set opickupanymoneyyouf i
ndon
theroads.Youwi llpickuppeopl e'
slivesbadl uck.

Af
tert
hatIwr
apmysel
fwi
tht
hebl
anketandt
oldt
o
wal
ktot
hehouseandnevert
urnback.

Wef inishthepr ocesswithhim gi

vingme
prescript
ionoft hemut hiIwil
lusetofini
shthe
cl
eansi ngcer emony.Hegi vesmesomeugl y
smellingointmentt oputonmybodyl oti
on,
some
herbst ousewhenIst eam for7daysandsome
l
iquidmedi cinet odri
nktwiceadayf or5days.

Iam feeli
ngsomel ightonmyshoul ders,
Iam
str
onglyposit
ivethatthiswil
ldef
ini
telybework.
Aft
erthis,Iam neverputti
ngmyselfinharm'
s
dangerknowinglyagain.

SABELO

Aftersuchalongday,Icansayt hatIam now

fi
nallyfr
ee.Ipourmyselfsomewhi skeyandsitson
thecouch.ThisTVI'm surei
tonlywor kswhenthe
helperiswatchi
ngthosesoapiessinceIdon'thave
t
imef
orTV

Itur
nitonandthel astchannelshewat chedi s161.
Gomoraisair
ing,l
ooksl i
keani nter
esti
ngsoapi e.
Duri
ngadbreakIl ogintoInst
agram, I
'
m st i
llgett
ing
usedtothef
eelingoff i
ndingfoll
owerseverymi nute.

Ifol
lowedZandil
eearl
ieraf
tersearchi
ngforher
.I
gotoherti
melineanddamn, thesnapssheposted
hoursofago.Murrr
!

Igul
pmydr
inkandputt
hegl
assont
het
abl
eand
DM her
.

Me:(
t yping)looki
ngsosexyandbeautif
ul,
Ihave
suchagr eattast
e.Iam sur
eyourhusband
appreciatedthegestur
e.

Il
ogoutandgetupt
oref
il
lmygl
ass,
Inf
act
,It
ake
thewholebott
leandsitdownwit
hit
.Myphone
beeps,sheresponded.Bi
ngo!

Zandi
le:
(message)thanks,
unf
ort
unat
elyhedi
dn'
t
evensayI'
m beauti
ful.

Me:(
typing)he'
ssuchaf
ool
.Don'
tmi
ndhi
m.You
ar
egor geous.

Zandil
e:(
typi
ng)he'
sgri
evi
ng,
soIguesshi
s
behavi
orisexcusabl
e

Me:
(t
yping)nonsense!Sexisver
ytherapeut
ict
o
menespecial
lywhengrievi
ngsothatexcuseis
l
ame.

Zandi
le:
(t
ypi
ng)Ican'
tgetovert
helookhegaveme
andthewordshesaidaf
terthat
..
Me:(
typi
ng)whatdi
dhesay?

Zandi
l
e:(
typi
ng)nahi
t'
scool
..

Me:(
typi
ng)wannat
alkabouti
t?Tal
khel
psyou
know.

Zandi
l
e:(
typi
ng)yeahwel
l.
.

Me:(
typi
ng)youcant
alkt
ome,
Ipr
omi
seIam such
agoodli
stener
.

Zandil
e:(typi
ng)whateverIwantt
osaywould
actual
lysoundbetterwhenIsayitoutl
oudandyou
arefar
...

Me:(
typi
ng)
notreal
l
y,I
'
m actuall
ycl
osert
oyousoI
candri
veandseeyou,j
ustt
ot al
kandmakesur
e
youar
eokay.

Zandi
le:
(t
ypi
ng)owhki fyoucanhur
ryt
heni
twould
befi
nesinceBheki
sisaandhisbrot
her
swentout
.

Me:(
typi
ng)Ishal
lbeonmyway.

Il
ogoutandtaket helastsipofthedr
inkandsmi l
e.
DoIwantBhekisisatodi eaf
tert
his?Notatal
l,I
wanthi
mtosuf fer,kancanenje,
hisownbloodand
wi
fetur
nagainsthi mt henmaybehecandi e.

ForBonga'ssoulandbl ood,
uzonyamf ana.Ayoung
gir
lchil
dislef
tanor phanbecauseofyou.You
shouldhaveacceptedwhatyourst epf
atherl
eftf
or
youbutthen,i
t'
sdoesn' tmatt
eranymorebecauseI
am al
socomi ngforthosebusinessestoo.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
52] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t18

ZANDI
LE

Idon'tknowwhat
'shappeningwithmerightnow
buttheurget
oseeSabeloi sgrowi
ngeveryminute.
Ikeeponchecki
ngmyi nstagram f
oramessage
fr
om him.

"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?"

Thabi,
Themba'
sfi
anceeasksmewalki
nginthe
ki
tchenwit
hatr
ayofcupsfrom t
hemourni
ngroom.

Me:I
'
mf ine.Howlongdoyout
hinkourhusbands
ar
egoingtotake?
Thabi:Ihavenoi
dea,
Thembahi
ntedt
hattheyar
e
goingtoasangomasoyouknowhowlongthose
thi
ngst ake.

Me:eiyeahneh,
butt
henthedeat
hofZenzowas
str
ange.Imeanbei
ngbit
tenbyasnaket
hennotbe
seenanywhere?

Thabi:whatcanwesay?Bayathakat
haabant uegol
i.
Ngicelaungi
gezel
alamakomishingi
sayoqedela
ukugezaizi
ngane.(Ther
e'ssomuchwi t
chcrafton
Johannesburg.Pl
easewashthecupsformeIam
goingtobaththeki
ds)

Me:okaysi
sakunanki
nga(nopr
obl
em)

Sheleavest
hekitchenandIl
oadthecupsand
pl
atesonthesinkputti
ngandst
artwashi
ngthem.I
wishIhaveki
dsofmyownnowt osendaround.But
thenBhekisi
saandIar
egoi ngt
ostar
tont
hat
processsoon.ImeanI
'm donewit
hmydegreeand
working,
Icannowstar
taf amil
y.

Myphonevi br
atesjustasIam almostdone.Ilook
atitandamessagef rom Sabel
ostat
inghe'sparked
fi
vehousesawaycomest hrough.Myheartstart
s
beatingf
ast
er.Idrymyhandsandcal loneoft he
cousinstof
ini
shup.

Iruntothebedroom BhekisisaandIusewhenwe
arehomeandl ookatmysel fi
nthemirror.If
ixthe
doekandputonmyper f
ume.Whyam Imaki ngan
effor
t?He'sj
ustaf r
iendright?Right
,getagrip
Zandil
e,yeshe'
shotandal lbutyouaremar r
ied
moghur l
.Good.Irepeatthosewor dsgoingoutside
checkingint
hecost s.

Iwal
kdownt hestreetlooki
ngataround,i
t'
sso
qui
et,peopl
eareinsi
det hei
rhousesmindingt
hei
r
busi
ness.Perksofli
vingintheburbs,
Iseeacar
f
li
cki
ngli
ght
snotsofarandwal
ktoi
taf
terhet
ext
s
mesayi
nghecanseeme.

Gett
inginsi
dehiscart
hati
sgorgeousandwarmI
am welcomedbysoftmusi
cplayi
ng.Hesmil
esabit
andleansoftohugme.

Sabel
o:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyouwer
egoi
ngt
ocomeout
.

Me:
wel
lIdi
dn'
tthi
nkyouwer
egoi
ngt
ocome

Sabel
o:howar
eyou?Thef
ami
ly?

Me:ar
ghyouknowdeat h.I
t'
ssad,
especi
all
yon
Mam Busi
.Notsolongagoshebur i
edherhusband
nowhersecondborn.

Sabel
o:sosadr
eal
ly,
herhusbandwasagr
eatman
Me:yeah,she'
sscar
edofwho'
sgoi
ngt
obenext
af
terthi
s.

Sabel
o:why?Dot
heyhaveaf
ami
lyr
ivalorwhat
?

Me:I
'm notreal
lysure.Myhusbanddoesn'
tdi
scuss
hi
sfamilyorbusinessaff
air
swithme.

Sabel
o:howl
onghaveyouguysbeenmar
ri
edkant
i?

Me:wearegoingtocelebr
ateourt
hir
dmar r
iage
anni
ver
sarythisyearbut5yearRel
ati
onshi
p
anni
ver
sary.

Sabel
o:t
hat
'squi
tel
ong.Heshoul
dhavebeen
comfor
tabl
ebynow.
Me:
whatcanwesay?Haveyoubeendr
inki
ng?

Sabel
o:abi
t.Youdr
ink?

Me:someti
mesorwhenmyhusbandisnothome.I
usedtoenj
oymywineonmyvarsi
tydays.

Sabelo:act
ual
lyt
her
e'ssomeunopenedwi
neonmy
boot.Doyouwantsome?

Me:j
ustt
wogl
assest
oeaset
heheadache.

Hegetsoutoft
hecart
ohi
sbootandcomesback
wi
thit
.

Sabel
o:yest
erdaymyfr
iendandIwenttot
hisother
cl
ubwewantt obuyandtheownergaveusthi
sone.
It
hrewitonmybootbecauseIam notawine
dr
inkerbutIwi
lldr
inki
twi
thyou.

Me:i
t'
sact
ual
lymyf
avor
it
e..

Sabel
o:f
orr
eal
?Wow.
.feel
free.
.

Hesayshandingi
ttomeandhandsmehi sglass.
Thefir
stgl
assIgul
pitdownandshakemyhead
cl
osingmyeyestaki
nginthebi
tt
ersweeti
tcomes
wit
h.

Me:
kwaqaqekai
gazi
!(Feel
ssogr
eat
)

Sabel
o:yeahneh.I
tmustbegood.

Me:
sot
ellmeaboutyour
sel
f?

Sabel
o:whatdoyouwantt
oknow?
Me:
wel
lfi
rstt
hingsf
ir
st,
areyoumar
ri
ed?

Sabel
o:nopeI
'
m not

Me:anyonespeci
ali
nyourl
if
e?

Sabel
o:yes,
mymot
heranddaught
er.
.

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)
luckywomen.

Minut
espasswithusexchangingt heglassesand
dri
nki
ngthewine.Icanfeelmyselfgett
ingtipsy.
Youknowwhatt heysayaboutthewi negoingdown
thecl
itmoes?Heissoador abl
e,hissmile,mostl
y
hisl
aught
ersendsshiversdownmyspi ne.

Sabel
o:st
opl
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
..
Me:whathaveIdone?

Sabel
o:youar
elooki
ngatmel
ikeyouwantsomeD.
.

Il
aughoutl
oudandcovermymout
h.

Me:youar
esof
unnyyouknowt
hat
?

Sabel
o:am I
?

Me:ver
y.

Hesmil
esandlooksatmyeyes,
wear esocl
oseto
eachot
herli
keIcoul
dfeelhi
sbr
eat
hingthr
oughhis
nosehi
tt
ingmyface.
Sabel
o:(
touchi
ngmyf
ace)youar
esobeaut
if
ulyou
knowthat?

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)
thankyou.
.

Sabel
o:i
t'
sapit
yyouaremarr
ied,
ifyouwer
en'
tI
wasgoingtomakeyoumine.

Me:Sabel
o..
.

Myvoi cei
slowatt hi
spoi ntandmyundi esare
soakedwet.Hebr ushesmyl ipswit
hhis.Godhelp
me!Ihavenevercheat edonmyhusbandandnow
thi
s..mythoughtsgotbl ockedbyhi ssoftli
ps
captur
ingmineintoasl owki ssthatescalat
etoa
heatedhungri
lyki
ss.

Hel
ower smyseat
smovingt
omysideandpul
lup
mydress.Hi
shandbr
ushesmypant
ieswhi
let
he
otheronegoesunder neat
hmydressandsqueeze
mybr eathinsi
det hebr
a.Hefi
nal
lyt
ouchesmy
cookiejarandfindsanoceandownther
eandhe
curses.

Sabel
o:(
bit
ingmyearsof
tl
y)damnyouar
esowet
..

Thisi
swr ongi nsomanywayswaysbutgoshwhy
doesitf
eelssor ight
?Evenmyhusbandhavenever
mademef eelsohot.It
'sl
ikeIam undersomespel
l
becauseIam unabl etost
ophim butinst
eaddr
aws
hi
m evencl osertome.

Me:
(whisper
ingasIf
eel
himrubbi
nghishardrock
manhoodonmycookiejar
)doyouhavecondoms?

Sabel
o:Iwi
llpul
lout
.Godyouar
esowar
m.

Hesayspushi
nghi
msel
ffur
theri
nsi
demeandah
thedel
ici
ousnessofhi
sshaf
tinsi
demei
s
unexpl
ainabl
e.

Me:
(bi
ti
ngmyl
ipsl
ayi
ngback)ohGod.
.

THOBI
LE

Theperiodsarefi
nall
yovernowIcanclai
m myl i
fe
back.Yoohit'
stoughbei
ngawomanr eal
lyImean
whycan'tGodsendsanSMSandi nf
orm usthatwe
arenotpregnantthi
smonththenmoveon?

OkaymaybeanSMSi sexaggerati
ngbutsomesign
nj
elikesomethingthanthesepains.Iwal
ktothe
ki
tchenlooki
ngf orsomethi
ngt oeatandfi
nd
Khanyisi
lebusytypingonhislaptop.

Me:youar
est
il
lup?
Khanyi
:yeahIam updat
ingmyCVandt
ypi
ngsome
coverl
ett
er.
.

Me:(
rol
li
ngmyeyes)youar
eser
iousaboutt
hisj
ob
hunt
ingthi
ngofyour
svel
e?

Khanyi
:yep.

Me:wow,
youhaveener
gy.Anywaygoodl
uck.

Khanyi:t
hankyou,
anot
hert
hing,
Iwi
llbemovi
ng
outsoon.

Me:ohhhh?

Khanyi
:yeahbutIwi
llt
ellyoui
nti
mewhenIfi
nall
y
makeadecisi
onsothatyoucanfi
ndanewtenant
.
Me:okay.
.

What
'swr
ongwi
thKhanyi
?Al
lthi
sal
lofasudden?

BHEKI
SISA

Thetri
pwet ookwaspureuselessandwasteof
ti
me.Thispersoncan'
tseewhodi dthi
s.Iwoul
dsay
i
t'sSabel
obutnah,helooksverycheeseyt
odo
theseki
ndsofvoodoo.He'st
hegunt ype.

Isi
tonthebedandt
akeoffmyshoespr epari
ngfor
ashowerandmybedroom dooropens.Zandi
le
wal
ksinandjumpsseei
ngmeont hebed.

Ist
andupandwal
kupt
oher
.

Me:ar
eyouokay?
youreyesar
ered.
.
Zandi
l
e:(
rubbi
nghereyes)Iwaswi
thmom andt
he
i
ssueofZenzo.
..

Me:har
dert
oal
lofusbutIwi
llaskyout
obest
rong
f
orusokay?

Zandi
l
e:okay,
howdi
dyougo?

Me:ar
gh,
justanot
herusel
esswast
eoft
ime.

Zandi
le:I
'
m sor
ry,
Ibel
ievet
hatyouwi
llf
indwho
di
d..

Me:Iwil
lbutf
ornowlet
'snott
alkaboutthat
.Earl
ier
youhadsomethi
ngtoshowme?I '
m allyour
s..

Zandi
l
e:ur
hm.
.wel
l.
.
Me:
(ki
ssi
ngherl
ips)haveyoubeendr
inki
ng?

Zandi
l
e:j
ustt
wogl
assest
o..

Me:Iunder
stand,al
coholdoeaset
hepai
n.CanI
havemybirthdaycakenow?

Zandi
le:
(pushi
ngmeawaygentl
y)Sab.
.ImeanBabe
l
et'
stakeashowerf
ir
st.I
t'
sbeenalongdayandI
am sweaty.
.

Me:Idon'
tmi
nd.
.

Ishuthermouthwithaki
sspressi
ngheragai
nst
thewallwi
thmyhandonherneckchockingher
soft
ly,
hermoansonmymout hdri
vesmecrazy.I
workmybeltfastandmyjeansdropsonthef
loor
.
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
24,
17:
52] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t19

ZANDI
LE

Todayisthelastdayofmel i
vingIswear.Howcan
theangelofwhor enessl
eavemel i
kethi
s?Ihave
beenafaithf
ullovingpar
tnerf
or5yearandt henI
playar
oundj ustonceandthenthi
s?

Bheki
sisa:babecomeonbeher
e..

Hesayssucki
ngonmyneckandIf akemoan
becausei
t'
squit
eclearthathewon'
tleavemeandif
Iconti
nuepr
otest
ingthatcoul
drai
sesuspici
on.I
di
dwi pedmysel
fwitht
hewi
pesfr
om hi
scarbutI
'
m
worri
edbecauseSabsi
sbi
ggert
hanmy
husband..
whati
f?

Mythought
sgetdist
ract
edbyhi
m sl
idi
ngi
tin
shi
ft
ingmypantyasi
de.

Me:
ahbabet
hathur
ts!

I'
m sodryevenKalaharii
sneverdryl
ikethewayI
am now.NervesareshootingontheroofI'
mtel
li
ng
you.Hetakesitoutandwetmycooki ewithhi
s
sali
va,
gross!HeknowsIhat ethat
!Thefuck!

Hesli
desitinandstar
tspoundi
ngmeandIclose
myeyestryingtoenj
oyit
.Sabel
oflashesmymind
andIgetarouseddownthereImoan.

NARRATED
Sabelosatdownonhissecr
etroom andwatched
asBhekisi
sagetint
imat
ewithhiswi
f e.Hesmil
es
andtookoutthebowlwit
hcleanwaterandhisrod
sti
rr
ingit
.

Sabelo:Bheki
sisa,Idon'twantyoutodie.Youwon't
dieyet.Nowthatourdi rt
inessandseedshave
combined,youar egoingt odancet
omyt une.Oh
boyIam goingt omessyouupsobadl y.Iam your
masterandyout akeor dersfr
om me.

Iwantyout orunthewholeworldlooki
ngf orhel
p
untilyousur r
enderandreal
izeyourmistake.You
creat edthi
sbeastinme,nowowni t
.It
'sallyour
s,
untilldeathdousapart.

WhenBhekisi
sar
eachhi
scli
max,Sabel
ogrunt
s
andpassoutont
hefl
oornextt
ohisthi
ngs.
FEW DAYSLATER

SABELO

Iam get t
inghangoft hecorporatebusinesssi deof
thingsher e.Junglingbetweent het axirank,my
studies,thiscompanyandf amily,Idon'tknowhow
I'
m sur vi
ving.Speaki ngoffamily,Sbongaaskedme
ani phone.Iam gl adt oseehersl owlyget t
ingback
toherol dself,hearingandseei ngherl aught his
pastweekendwast herapeuti
c.

Zenzogotlai
dtorest.I
fIhadti
meIwasgoingto
makehi m myzombiejustf
orcont
rolnj
ebutt
hen
I
'm busy.

Myphonevi br
atesandItakeal ookatit
.It
'sa
noti
ficati
onmessagef r
om Instagram.Wehaven' t
spoket hatmuchsincethatday,real
lyIdon'thave
anythingtotal
ktoher.Herjobisdone.
Zandil
e:(
message)Isawyourcheckinaround
Bonga'sHoldi
ngsandithappenedthatIam dr
ivi
ng
aroundsoIthoughtIshouldpassbyandgreet,t
he
securi
tydownstai
rsisgi
vingmehustle.
..
.

Me:yoohmsi
ndi
si!Sf
isodi
dsaythatyoushoul
d
checki
nwhenyouarehome,nowlookthemess.

Idi
altherecept
iondeskwit
hthephonephoneand
i
nstr
uctthem tosendherup.

Herrosescentper
fumef
il
lsmyof
fi
ceasshewal
ks
i
nallsmil
eshuggingme.

Zandi
l
e:hi
,howar
eyou?

Me:I
'm good.Youl
ookgr
eat
.Howar
ethi
ngsat
home?
Zandil
e:notsogood.Bheki
sisai
snott
aki
ngt
his
well
..

Me:losingar
elat
ive,
especi
all
yasi
bli
ngi
snever
easy.Iknow.

Zandi
le:yeahbutI
'm wor
ri
edatt
herat
ehe'sat
.He'
s
dri
nki
ngexcessivel
yandtaki
ngwrongbusi
ness
deci
sions..

Me:
gethi
m ashr
inkorsomet
hing.

Zandi
l
e:I
'm sor
ry,
didn'
tmeant
obombar
dyouwi
th
myprobl
ems.Howar eyou?

Me:good,
justbusyasyoucansee.
Zandi
le:(touchi
ngmybel t)wellIhavebeen
missi
ngyou, sobadly.Thecarmomenti stheonl
y
thi
ngIthinkabout.HenceI'm here,
Imissyou
Sabel
o.

Me:youar
en'
tsupposedt
omi
ssme,
youar
e
marr
iednj
ewena..

Zandi
le:
butIcan'
thel
pmyselfand,
Ican'
tstop
thi
nki
ngaboutyou,Sabel
oIneedyou,pl
ease.

Theneedandl ookinherpleadi
ngeyesturnsmeon
somuch, Ipickherupandpl aceheronthetable
shi
fti
ngmyf il
esaside.Irunmyhandonhervi si
ble
thi
ghsont hedr essshe'sweari
nguptoherpanties
andshif
tst hem aside.MyGodshe'sready.

Iunbuckl
emybel tandt
akeoutmyshaf
tandr ubit
onherentrance.Shemoanspull
ingmecloserand
tr
iedtoki
ssmebutIdodgehermout handki ssher
neckinsteadasIthrustf
asterandqui
ckinsideher.
Iam forcedtokissherwhenshescreamsasbi t
l
ouder,Idon'twantfunnylooksfr
om myst uf
fsoI
shutherupwi thakissandpumpf ewthrustsand
quickl
ywi t
hdrawandr el
easesonherti
ghs.That
wasagoodunpl annedquick.

Imovef rom heraft

erhandingherthewipestothe
bathr
oom insidemyof f
ice,Iopenthetapandwash
myshaf tcl
eaningitup.Walkingbacktomyof f
iceI
fi
ndherseat edonmychai rwi t
hherlegsopen
breat
hingheavily.

Zandi
l
e:youar
edr
essed?

Me:yes,Ineedtogobackt
owork,Ihavea
confer
encecalli
nabout10mi
nutes.

Zandi
l
e:butIhaven'
tcum!
Me:aikesoyoqhanyiswaindodayakhosi
s,mina
ngi
semsebenziniLana(yourhusbandi
sgoingto
makeyoucome, I'
m workinghere)

Zandi
l
e:Sabel
o,what
'swr
ong?

Me:Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogobackt
owor
k,i
fyoudon'
t
mi
nd..

Zandi
l
e:It
houghtwewer
evi
bingmi
nanawe.
.

Me:vi
bingwi
thwho?

Zandil
e:wi t
hyouSabs,Ifel
ttheconnecti
on
betweenus, howyoulookedatme,touchedmeand
madel ovetoseemeitwasmagi cal,
purereal
connection.
Me:(l
aughing)
uyagul
awena!I magi
nevibi
ngwith
marri
edwomen!Manj euzozihambelanomangibize
Isecuri
ty?(Youarecrazy,ar
eyougoingtol
eaveon
yourownorshouldIcallthesecur
it
y?)

Zandi
l
e:canIatl
eastcl
eanmysel
f.
.

Me:Igaveyout hatt
imebutyoudi
dn'
tuseit,
ther
e's
abathr
oom thir
ddoorwhenyouleavethi
soffi
ce.
Pl
easeclosethedooronyourwayout.Thankyou.

Iopenmyl apt opandstar

ttypingoni t.Shesighs
fi
xingherselfandgrabherbag, onlythesoundof
herheelsmakenoi se.Iturnont heairconditi
oner
andcont i
nuewi thmywor k.Shewi l
lbef i
ne,Ididn'
t
callherhere,wearen'
tevendat i
ng.Onegoodr ound
nyanai nacarevenshe'sact i
ngallpsycho?Letme
blockherfuthi.

It
akemyphoneandbl
ockherandgoesbackt
omy
wor
k.Short
lyaknockcomest
hroughandSf
iso
wal
ksin.

Sf
iso:what
'supSabza!

Me:wol
amyguy.
.kuhambani
?(What
'shappeni
ng?
)

Sfiso:asyouknowIam abar ri
erofgoodnews,soI
readyourbusinessplanfort
hebankpitchand
amendedi t.Haveyoucheckedit?

Me:yoohIhavebeenbusyl
ikecr
azymf
anaIwi
ll
checkitl
ater
..

Sfi
so:youdothat.SoIwast
hinki
nginst
eadof
bui
ldi
ngthebankf r
om t
hescr
atchwhynotbuyit
andrevampittoyourownst
yleandname?
Me:
I'
mli
steni
ng.
.

Sfi
so:youseeassomeonewhoi salsoin
const
ruct
ionpartti
meanddeal ingwi t
hpropert
y
cl
ient
sIhavelearnedthatbuil
dingiswayexpensive
andti
meconsumi ng.Somet hi
ngt hatwedon'tr
eall
y
have.

Me:t
ruet
hat
.Ican'
treal
lybeal
lover
.

Sf
iso:gr
eatsot
akealookatt
hesuggestionsI
madeandletmeknowwhatyouthink.BythewayI
l
ovedthename,SBSbank,
proper
.

Me:t
hankyou,i
t'
srepr
esentmyf
amil
y,the
Nyambose'
s.Sabel
oBongumusaSbonginkosiBank.

Sf
iso:classi
c,ohbefor
eIforget
,wehavea
br
otherhoodmont hl
ygather
inginCapeTownt
his
weekend.It
'sgoi
ngt
obeyourf
ir
stt
imewi
thusbut
youwillenj
oy.

Me:whathappenst
her
e?

Sfi
so:j
ustameeti
ngandcelebr
ati
ngofwhatwe
haveacqui
redandachi
evedinamonth,
advi
ces
andmore.

Me:doIhavet
obet
her
e?

Sfi
so:defi
nit
ely.Ever
yonewant st
oseet heguy
who'sbraveenought otakeubabainsi
dehim.Phel
a
i
fMamadeci dest oreti
reoneday,youarenextt
o
rul
e.

Me:
that'
sawishfulandambit
ioust
hought
.
Monal
isawi
llneverstepdown.
Sfiso:anywayyouar ecomingtothatpart
y,gi
rls,
boozeandal lsort
sofentertai
nmentisgoingtobe
there.Oh,tobri
efyounje,Isawyourstocko'
sname
ont heli
stofthegir
lstheguysbooked.

Me:
(f
rowni
ng)myst
ocko?

Sf
iso:Thobi
le.
.

Me:mxm ait
hatoneyena,
shewi
llbeal
loverme
l
ikearush.
..

Sfi
so:j
ustgiveherwhatshewant
suphumekuye.
Anyway,Ihaveadatetoni
ght
.

Me:(
smil
ing)t
hat
'saf
ir
st,
isi
tadat
edat
eorf
uck
dat
e..
Sfi
so:youknowIdon'
tsugar
coatsoi
t'
sadat
e
dat
e..
.

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)okay.Enj
oyyour"dat
edat
e"

Sf
iso:mxm unomonayazi
.Letmel
eaveandgo
pr
epare.

Heget
supandputhi
ssungl
assesonwhi
stl
ing.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
52] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t20

KHANYI
SILE
Ilayont hecouchwat chingthisTylerPer rymovi e
eatingani cecr
eam.I t
'sactuall
ynowt hatIcan
enjoyTVwi t
houtThobileinsist
ingonwat chingthe
kardashiansorrealhousewi vesofAt lantashows.
Kardashi ansar
ebet t
erthehousewi vesannoymet o
thecor e.Thei
rnoisyandt i
nyvoi ceswi ththat
Amer icanaccountmakesmewantt opuker eal
ly,
l
et '
snotgot othefakeassbodi est heyhave.

Thedooropensandshewal
ksi
ncar
ryi
ngshoppi
ng
bags.Ther
egoesmypeace.

Thobil
e:heybabygir
l.Goodt
hingyouar
est
il
lup.I
gotnewsf oryou.

Me:
whati
sit
?

Thobil
e:soasyoucanseeI'mfrom shoppi
ng.
There'
sapartyt
hisweekendinCapeTown, asi
n
l
ikeadayaftert
omorrow.Themotherofallpar
ti
es
myf ri
end,wearegoi
ngt obeonshipf r
om j
ozit
o
Capet own.Soyouknowhowi t'
swor ksmoes,t
hey
gaveusmoneyf orhai
r,clot
hes,nai
lsandmakeup.
Ami nistar
tpar
kR30andwear egoingtogetR50
back.

Me:wow.
.

Thobile:Iknowr i
ght?Ihavebeenwithri
chguys
beforebutt heseones,ri
chandgenerous.Al
itt
le
bir
dt oldmeSabel owoul dbej
oini
ngthem soyou
cani maginehowl iti
t'
sgoingt
obe, pl
usthetheme
i
sal lwhite.Ican'
twait.

Me:havef
unandbesaf
e..

Thobile:i
t'
sgoingtobemyf ir
stti
megoi
ngt osuch
eventswithoutyou.Fri
endwe'l
lmakeakil
li
ngthere
pleasejoi
nmej ustfortoni
ghtonl
ypl
ease.Forthe
l
astt i
me.
Me:nope,I
'm doneaboutt
hatl
if
e.Iwasr
eal
ly
ser
iousThobil
e.

Thobi
le:butKhanyi
sil
eyouar
ebr
oke,
mor
alswon'
t
payyourbil
lscomeon.

Me:nothankyou.Afterever
ythi
ngthatIknowand
havebeenthroughbecauseofthi
ssoftli
fe,Iwoul
d
rat
herbebroke

Thobi
le:sui
tyour
sel
f.Ther
e'saspeci
alofbr
azi
li
an
weavesfrom..
.

Me:reall
yThobi le?Howmanyweavesdoyouown?
Youknowt heleastyoucandofrom t
his
prost
it
utionmoneyi selevat
eyoursel
f.Getadegree
orsomet hi
ngbecauseyouwon' tbebeautif
uland
sexyforever.
Thobeka:
okayI'
m st
arti
ngtogetannoyedbyyour
behavi
or,
fir
stofal
lI'
m notaprost
it
ute.
.

Me:wearehoneyj
ustthatt
hedif
fer
encei
sthatwe
don'
tst
andonthestr
eetsbuti
t'
sthesame.

Thobil
e:Idon'tknowwhathappenedtoyouthat
madeyout hisboring.Ihavet
ri
edtobepati
entwi
th
youandunder standyoubuthereyouarebusy
judgi
ngmeaboutt helif
eyouusedtol
ive.
.

Me:yesyouareright,
usedtoli
veunti
lIgotsaved
fr
om it
.Asagoodf ri
end,Iam t
ryi
ngtopullyouout
befor
eIshithi
tsthefanandit
'stool
ate.Icare
aboutyouThobil
e..

Thobil
e:goodf
ri
endyousay?Keepyourcar
eand
advi
cestoyour
self
.Inf
act
,whenareyoumoving
out?
Me:sor
ry?

Thobi
le:youhear
dme,
Nadi
aneedsapl
acet
ost
ay
so.
.

Me:(
chuckl
ing)whenyougetbackf
rom yourt
ri
pI
wi
llbegone.

Thobi
le:
(pi
cki
ngherbags)per
fect.Iam goi
ngt
of i
t
onmyclothesboughtwi
thmypr osti
tut
ionmoney.

Isi
ghandlookatmybankbal ance.Iam onl
yleft
wit
hR5000asmysavi ngs.Letmeseei fIcoul
dget
acheapbedroom f
lataroundasIcont i
nuejob
hunti
ng.Maybethi
swi l
lpushmeevenhar dert
o
l
ookforajob.

BHEKI
SISA
Runni
ngabusyr estaurantissostressfulasf uck
andherethebooksar enotbalanci
ngatal l.Ihave
beentr
yingtogetcalculat
eandf i
ndoutwher edid
thi
smoneywentt obecausemom wi l
lgocr azyif
shenoti
ceswear erunningoutofst ock.

Theof
fi
cel
iner
ingsandIpi
cki
tup.

Me:MCHUNUf
ranchi
sehowcanIassi
styou?

Call
er:MrMchunu,Iam cal
li
ngr
egardi
ngt
herentof
l
astmonththatwasn'tpai
d,t
hedat
eisdueby5
days.
.

Me:what
?Imadeapaymentt wodaysback,
what
doyoumeanyouhaven'
trecei
vedanypayment
?

Cal
ler
:Imeanexact
lyt
hatsi
r,t
her
e'snor
ecor
dof
yourpaymentonourbooks.

Me:(
sighs)l
etmecheckandconf
ir
m somet
hingI
wi
llbebacktoyou.

Cal
ler
:thankyou.

Iquickl
ycheckt hebalancesheetandstat
ement
.I
zoom intheaccountIpaidthemoneyt o.Whatt
he
fuck?Who'sthi
sper sonIpaid?Iloosenupmyti
e.
What '
shappeningwithme?Idon' tknowthi
sperson.

Idi
alt
hebankimmediat
elyandaskthem t
o
i
nvest
igat
ebecauset
hisdoesn'
tmakeanysenseat
al
l.

Iopenmydr awerandt akeoutmywhi skeypour

ing
i
tontheglassandt akeonesip.Thebankcallsaft
er
30minut
esi nf
ormingthatthisaccountis/
wasa
ghost
.Ther
e'snodet
ail
sori
nfor
mat
ionaboutt
he
owner.

Whatkindofsickgamei st
his?HowcanIpaysuch
hugemoneyt oanunknownnonexi st
ingaccount
?
AstockisrunningoutandnowIjustpaidrent
moneyt oacompl et
estr
angerwhovanishedtoa
thi
nair
..

SABELO

Il
oadmybagontheboot,
Sfisodr
ivesi
nandpar
k
hi
scarnextt
omi
netaki
nghisbagtomycar.

Sf
iso:
.Sabzawabant
wana.
.

Me:gr
oot
ie.
.what
'sup?
Sf
iso:
nixbr
oe,
justexci
tedaboutt
hispar
tyboy.I
l
ovewomen.

Me:youdi
dn'
ttel
lmehowyourdat
ewent
..

Sfi
so:wast
eoft
imebrawast
eoft
ime.Butatl
east
thepussywasgood.

Il
aughandcl
oset
heboott
hrowi
ngt
hekeysathi
m.

Me:sot
odayIhadameet
ingwi
tht
hebankIwantt
o
buy.
.

Sf
iso:and?

Me:thosewhit
epeoplewantsahugemoneyf or
thei
rbankandbayanya.I
'
m onl
ygoingtopay30%
ofitt
henusemymagi ctogett
hem toset
tl
efort
hat
.
Sf
iso:doyourmagi
cbr
ayami
.Nowl
et'
sgopar
ty.
Ar
eyour eady?

Me:asi
bangeneboy!

Sf
iso:
CapeTownher
ewecome!

Heswit
chesonther
adi
oandasongbyKabzaand
DjMaphor
isa-
Emcimbi
nicomest
hrough.
.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
52] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t21

THECAPETOWNPARTY
Theguyspul l
supwi ththei
rrentedcars,somef l
ew
downthere,somedr ovewiththeircar
sal lt
heway
up.Sabel
owant edt
oexperiencehisfir
stbusiness
cl
assfli
ghtsot heyfl
ydownher e.

I
t'
soneoft
hebestandexpensi
vehot
elsi
nCape
Town,
TheSil
oHotel
.

Sabel
o:wow,
thi
sisr
oyal
ty.

Sfiso:
thebestboy.Let
'sgeti
nsi
deandmeett
he
rest.

Thebr ot
her
hoodgangf r
om allovercorner
sand
sidesofSouthAfri
cahasshutandbookeddown
theentir
ehotelt
othemselves.Gi
rlsareparadi
ngi
n
biki
nisandswim wearcostumes.
Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)t
hisi
sgoi
ngt
obesomuchf
un.

Sf
iso:
(handi
nghimthekeytohi
sroom)
gofreshen
upandchange,youwi
llf
indusi
nthedi
ningarea.

Sabelot akeshi
skeyandgoest ohisroom.Hiseyes
l
andsonawhi t
eslim blondewomanl ayingonthe
beddr essedinablackl i
ngeri
e.Inhi
sl i
fehealways
fantasizedandwonder edhowi sitl
ikemakingout
withawhi t
ewomanandnow, hewon'thaveto
wonderanymor e.

Sabel
o:(
smi
rki
ng)andwhatdowehavei
nher
e?

Lady:
areyougoingt
ost
andt
her
eoryouar
egoi
ng
togett
othisbed?

Sabel
o:f
eist
y.Hel
lomummy.
..
Lady:
(movi
ngfr
om thebedandst
andsinf
rontof
hi
m)hell
odaddy.Howwasyourfl
ight
?

Sabel
o:exhaust
ing.

Lady:
letmet
akeoft
hat
.

Sabel
osmir
ksasshepusheshi
mroughl
ytot
he
bedandcr
awluptohi
m..

*
*
*
*

Akon]
I
tst
her
emi
xyeah,
ther
emi
xyeah
Akon,
Psquar
e,Mi
sterMayD
Konvi
ctMuzi
k
Fi
rstofal
lyouar
ethet
ypeofwomant
hatst
ayson
mymi nd
Walkdownthest
reet
,ever
yguywannaj
umpon
yourbehi
nd
I
tsyourseduct
iont
hatmakessur
ethatwest
ayi
n
l
ine
Sexualcor
rupt
ioncuzI
’
llki
llanyonef
oryourt
ime
(
Time,
Time,
yeah)
EventhoughImakerealdough,
yourt
her
eason
ther
e’l
lbemoreyeah
(
Time,
Time,
yeah)
Event
houghIgotmuchmor
e,Idon’
tmi
ndi
fyou

Chopmymoney,
chopmymoney
Chopmymoney,
cuzIdon’
tcar
e
Chopmymoney,
chopmymoney
Chopmymoney,
cuzIdon’
tcar
e
Idon’
tcar
e(don’
tcar
e)[
3x]
CuzIgetem pl
ent
y
Idon’
tcar
e(don’
tcar
e)[
3x]
Thegi
rl
stheyl
oveme

Themusicisbust
ingthrought
hespeaker
sand
Thobi
lewal
ksaroundwi thagl
assofher
champagneonherhand.Sheisweari
ngagorgeous
whit
eli
ngeri
eandbarefoot.

SheseesSf
isof
li
rt
ingwi
thanot
herl
adyandwal
ks
tohi
m.

Thobi
le:Sf
iso,
Ihavebeenl
ooki
ngf
orSabel
o,have
youseehim?

Sf
iso:
hel
lot
oyout
oo,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?I
'
m good
t
hanksf
oraski
ng.

Thobi
le:notnowSf
iso.Wher
e'sSabel
o?

Sf
iso:Idon'
tknow.I
nhi
sroom maybe.
.

Thobi
le:what
'shi
snumber
?Iwi
llgocheckhi
m..

Sabel
o:noneed,
I
'm her
e..
.

Hesaysbehi ndthem andThobil

equicklytur
nsand
meltswhenhereyesl andsonhim.Hei slikeaf
ine
wine,keepsongetti
ngbet t
erandbet
ter.Goshwith
thi
scleancut,helookssogorgeous.Hei sonwhite
short
s,sandals,
andshi r
t.

Thobi
le:
ohhel
lot
her
e.Pl
easehol
dmygl
ass.
Shegivesi
ttohi
m andbut
tonhi
sshi
rtandSabel
o
smil
es.

Sabel
o:t
err
it
ori
alt
hatmuch?

Thobi
le:t
hesebi
tchesar
ethi
rst
yandyouar
ehot
.

Sabel
o:I
t'
scut
eseei
ngyouj
eal
ous.Howar
eyou?

Thobi
le:I
'
m good,
it'
sbeenami
nut
e.

Sabel
o:Iknow.Iam busy.
.

Thobil
e:(
brushinghisl
ipswit
hherfi
nger)shhhh,I
underst
and.Youar eabusyman.Don'tworry,
toni
ghtwe'llcat
chup.Let'
sgetyousomef ood.

Shet
akeshi
sar
m andl
eadhi
mtot
hedi
ningar
ea.
Shedi
shesupf
orhi
m andhandhi
mthepl
ate.

Sabel
o:thankyou.Ineedt
oseetheguysandt
alk
busi
ness.Iwil
lseeyoulat
err
ight
?

Thobi
le:
(ki
ssi
nghi
sli
ps)l
aterpapi
.

Sabelowal
kstotheguyswithhi
spl
ateeat
ingand
j
oinsthem att
hebigt
able,
someareseat
edonthe
couchesandchai
rs.

Sabel
o:gent
lemen.

Them:Baba

Theyallbowtohim, helooksatthem andfr

owns
thenheremember sthatBabali
vesinsidehi
mt hat
makeshi m bi
ggerthantherest
.Mor eli
keavice
presi
dent,
sincetheyar
eal lhere,
everymemberis
goingtogive/
off
erhim pr
izef r
om thei
rear
nings.

Hesmi lesatt hatt

hought
,hecangetusedt othis.
It'
sagr eatfeeli
ngever
.Imagi
net hecashmoney
he'sgoingtowal kawayfrom t
hisgatheri
ng,
mi l
li
ons.It'
stheonehe'sgoi
ngt oinvesti
nbuying
thebank.

BHEKI
SISA

Zandi
lewal
ksinourbedr
oom andswi
tchonthe
l
ight
s.Shesi
tsnextt
omeont hebedandtouchmy
arm.

Zandi
l
e:baby,ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?Whyar
eyouseat
ed
i
nthedarkness?

Me:
Iam j
ustt
hinki
ng
Zandi
l
e:t
hat
'snotagoodsi
gn.What
'shappeni
ng?

Me:t
hingsarenotgoi
ngwell
busi
nesswise,
we
mi
ghtbeforcedingoi
ngbackhomeforawhil
e.

Zandi
l
e:what
?Why?

Me:Ican'
taf f
ordtopaythisbond,bothourcars,
andli
fest
yle.Atleastt
hetwoothercarsarepaidup,
,
we'l
lusethem shouldthebankrepossessthese
ones.

Zandi
l
e:what'
shappeni
ng?Ar
ewegoi
ngbr
oke?But
how?Thebusi
ness?

Me:Zandile,
canIr
est?Idon'thaveanswer sto
thosequesti
onsmysel
f,t
hingsar ejustfal
li
ngapar
t
andIdon'tknowwheretostartf
ixingthem.It'
sa
messandIf
eell
ikeI
'
m goi
ngcr
azy.

Zandi
l
e:al
lowmet
ohel
pyou.

Me:how?

Zandil
e:mysal
ary,
letmehel
pwi
tht
her
entoft
he
house.Pl
ease.

Me:
okay.Thankyou.

Zandi
l
e:youar
ewel
come.Forbet
terf
orwor
ser
ight
?

Me:
(ki
ssi
ngherf
orehead)yeah.

KHANYI
SILE.
Thet axidropsmeof fatProteaGl
enphase1,
Sowet o.Ilookaroundthehouses,notsobadatall.
Ifol
lowt hedi r
ect
ionsthi
sladygavemet oher
houseandf indmyselfout
sidehergate.Ical
lhert
o
openupf orme.

Fi
rstt
ick,thesecurit
yisgoodandt heneighborhood
i
scleanandqui et.Icouldn'
tfi
ndanythingcheaper
i
ntownsoIopt edforaR1500r oom i
nSoweto,thi
s
oneIpickedisbeaut i
fulandclean.

Iam heret
ocheckitoutandifIam happyIam
goi
ngt obemovi
ngi nheret
omor r
owsi ncei
t'
s
SundayandThobil
eiscomingback.

Lady:Khanyi
sil
eri
ght
?

Me:
(smi
li
ng)yes.
Lady:wow,
Ifol
lowyouonInst
agram.Youar
eeven
morebeaut
if
uli
nperson,pl
easecomein.

Ifol
lowyouhert othebackandseet hreeni
cely
buil
trooms.FirstIcheckthebat
hroom weshar e,
ni
cei thasseparateshowerandtoi
let.Sheopens
myr oom andwow, t
il
ed,cei
li
ngandmyownmet er
box.IthinkIam happywi t
hit
.

Lady:youhaveseent
hest
opsi
gnmoes?

Me:yes.That
'swher
eIgotof
f

Lady:t hat
'sthemainroad,whereyouwi l
lgettaxis
toJobur g,Maponyamal l
,jabul
aniandNaledi.Our
mal lisawalkabledi
stancebutyoucancat chat axi
that'sR10andyournei ghborsareguys.Rentis
paidever ysecondofthemont handlastfi
naldate
i
st he5t h.
It
'safairarr
angementr eall
y.Ipaythedepositafter
readi
ngandsi gni
ngthecont r
act.Shegivesmet he
keystomyr oom andgates.Newar ea,newstart.I
am planningtosellf
ewcl othes,
weaves,
accessori
est hatIwon'
tuseanymor et
ogi veme
extr
acasht ol ast
.

SABELO

CapeTownwasr eal
lyamazing.Idi
dn'
tknowI
neededabreakunti
lthi
spastweekend.Ri
ghtnow
weareonthewayt oTaboonightcl
ubinSandton
foranaf
terpar
tycelebr
ati
onthenbacktoourl
ives.

IfIcoul
dgetf
ewhour sofsl
eepIwil
lbefi
ne.We
didn'
tsl
eepfr
om allt
hecrui
sing,
games,
meetings,
sexanddri
nking.

WegettoTabooNightclubinSandtonaround
22pm andourpl
aceisreser
vedintheVIP.It
'sonl
y
the12ofuswhoresi
desinGaut
eng.Theot
her
swi
ll
part
yatthei
rcl
osebyar
eas.

15mi nutesl
ater
,gi
rlsjoi
nsusonourtableandIsee
thi
sot hergi
rl
.Shelooksli
keacolor
ed,Iwouldsay
sheisonebutIhear dherspeaki
ngXhosaofwhich
Ifi
nditverysexy.

Her
:st
ari
ngi
sver
yrudebhut
i.

Me:(smi
li
ng)mybad, Idi
dn'
tmeant
omakeyou
uncomfor
table.Sabel
o..

Her
:At
hul
e..

Me:youar
ebeaut
if
ulAt
hul
e.Wher
edoyoul
ive?

At
hul
e:ar
ound.
Ismileandlaybacksmokingmyci garlookingat
her.Theguysdecideonbuyingt heemost
expensivebot
tl
eeverascelebration.Weal lput
downsomecashunt i
lit
'senoughf orthe
Glenfi
ddich40yearoldrar
ecollectionsinglemalt
scotchwhiskythatwort
hR70k.

Me:At hulesweet
hear
t,woul
dyoubeadarl
ingand
getusGl enfi
ddi
ch40yearol
dsingl
emal
tscotch
whisky?

Shel
ooksatmewi t
hhereyeswi
depoppedout
whenIhandhert
hecash.

At
hul
e:(
clear
inghert
hroat
)ur
hm yeahsur
e.

Shecarefulpi
cksi
tupandwalkstothebar.I
cont
inuesmokingmycigarandenjoyi
ngthedeep
sl
owj am housemusi
cthedeej
ayisplayi
ng.
Ray:aiboSabza,kant
ili
phil
ebhodl
ela?(Sabel
o,
where'
sthebott
le?)

Me:ur
hm I
'
m sur
eshe'
sonherwayback.

Sf
isoget
supandgoestothefr
ont
.Hecomesback
minut
esl
atershaki
nghi
shead.

Sf
iso:si
dli
webaf
ethu(wehavebeenr
obbed)

Me:huh?

Sfi
so:
thegi
rlpul
ledarunner
.ButSabzawhywoul
d
yougi
veatotall
ystr
angersomuchmoney?

Me:
(l
aughing)
shedidwhat?OhmyGod!Sucha
smar
tlady.Her
e'smycardgoswi
pe.
.
Sf
iso:youar
eunbel
ievabl
e.

Hecomplainsgoi
ngt othebarandIl aughamused.
AphiweorAthul
ewhat everyournamei s,Ist
and
you.ImeanIunderstandher,i
maginehavi ngguys
spendR200KOnal coholpernightandt henint
he
morningt
heonlythingtheygiveiscallanUberfor
you?Runbabygirl
,it'
syourChrist
mas

Theguysarecompl
aini
ngandt
alksabouthunt
ing
herdownandit'
scr
acksmeupevenmor e.

Tobecont
inued.

(Oursponsorf
ort
hisi
nser
taskedt
obeanonymous.
ThankyouAnonymous.

NB:At
hul
eist
hel
eadi
ngchar
act
eront
hest
oryI
wri
tewi
thSandi
siwe,RoseColor
edGl
assesandno,
shewon'
tbeappeari
nghere.

Thankyou)
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t22

SABELO

Sfisowalkst othekit
chenl ooki
ngl i
keat r
ainran
him out.Shame, i
t'
sther esult
sofdr i
nkingaR70k
bottl
e.Speakingaboutt hat,I
tsti
llamusesmehow
thatgir
ldribbledus.Iguesssomeonewoul dexpect
met obemadbutnah, babygi r
lgotluckyandused
i
t

Imeanifrol
eswerer
eversedandIwer
einher
posi
ti
on,Iwoul
druntoo.I
maginesomuchmoney
spentonal
cohol?I
tdoesn'
tmakesensebutt
henI
guessIwil
lgett
heret
oo.

Me:youl
ookl
ikehel
l.

Sfi
so:Ifeelsot
oo.Godt
hatt
imeIhaveacour
t
appearanceat2pm.

Me:that
'sl
ike5hour
sfr
om now.Takeashowerand
eat
,youwil
lbefine.

Sfi
so:Idon'
twantt
ogot
owor
k,t
hat
'swhatI
'
m
tr
yingtosay.

Me:(
laughi
ng)
shame,
nowyoucan'
tdr
opyourcl
ient
canyou?

Sf
iso:mxm,
youar
en'
tevenhel
ping.I
m st
il
lmadat
youf
orgi
vingt
hatgi
rlourmoneyj
ustl
iket
hat
.

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)getoveri
tbr
oe.Whyar
eyousomad?

Sf
iso:wedi
dn'
tsmash,
thati
swhyIam mad.I
nfact
l
etmego.

Me:rememberwear efi
nali
zingt
hebankdealt
oday
sogetyourshi
ttoget
her.

Sf
iso:yesboss.

Ilaughathisdramaticbehavi
orandcontinuewi t
h
mywor k.IneedtogoseeMr sMchunuandseehow
sheisdoingandal sogivehertheshar
eoft hetaxi
profi
tssi
nceMaci ngwanelefti
tformeandher.As
forBheki
sisa,shameIwi l
lcheckonhisli
felater.
KHANYI
SILE.

Ihavefinal
lymovedmyt hi
ngsandset
tl
edin.Right
nowIam count i
ngthemoneyImadefrom sel
li
ng
someofmyst uf
f.Idi
dn'
tmakemuchbutit'
sgoing
tolastmeforawhi l
eunt
ilIsor
tmythi
ngsout.

Iopenthedoorandseet hegi
rlthatstaysi
nthe
mainhouse,Nomhle,t
hisisherparentshouseso
she'
srenti
ngthebackrooms,it
'smor eli
keshe'
sthe
l
andladysi
nceherparentsarenotstayingi
nhere.

Me:
Nomhl
e,doyouknowanysal
onar
ound?

Nomhle:
yeahIdo,
justacr
osst
hest
reett
hat
's
wher
eIdomyhai r
.

Me:
okayt
hanksIwantt
ocutmyhai
r.
Nomhl
e:haabutwhy?

Me:toli
mit
sthecost
s.Ineedt
osavemoneyandI
am unempl
oyedtobestr
essi
ngaboutmai
ntai
ning
myhead.

Nomhl e:sor
ryforbeingforwar
dneh, butwhat
happenedbecausegi rlyouusetoli
vetheli
fe,t
he
Dubai,pari
sli
festyl
e?PhelayourInst
agram is
popping.

Me:
(smil
ing)l
et'
sjustsayIgr
ewup.Iwi
llt
ellyou
mystor
ysomeot herday.

Nomhle:yoohpleasehlebecauseIwoul dreal
lyli
ke
toknowukuthiwhathappened.Speaki ngabout
employment,IheardthatShopri
tetheonei nProt
ea
Glenmallishi
ring.I
t'
smi ghtnotbeyourkindof
thi
ngorthemoneymi ghtbelit
tl
ebut..
Me:t
hankyouforshari
ngthatinf
ormat
ionwi
thme.I
wi
llt
akemyCVt here.Ther
e'snomoneytool
it
tl
e
whenyouarebroke.

Nomhl
e:okayt
henal
lthebesthey.

Me:t
hankyou,
letmegot
othesal
onIwi
llseeyou
l
ater
.

Nomhl
e:okay.
.ur
hm Khanyi
?

Me:yes?

Nomhle:
wearetheonlygi
rl
sinthi
syar
dsoyouare
wel
comet ocometothehouseandwatchTVi
fyou
wantt
o.

Thedi
sadvant
ageaboutst
ayi
ngi
nfl
atsespeci
all
y
townisthatyouhardl
ybutfurni
ture.Ourf
lathad
i
nstall
edcupboards,war
drobes,andtheworks.The
TVandsoundsyst em wasThobile'
s.Ionl
yhavethe
bed,
couch,fri
dgewithme.Iboughtstove,
microwaveandtherestki
tchenstuff.

Me:t
hankyou.Iwi
llsur
elypopi
nsomet
ime.

Shesmilesandgoesbackinsidewi
thherlaundry
basket
.Ilockmyroom andtakeR200withmeand
crosst
hest r
eett
othesalonshedir
ect
edmet o.

ZANDI
LE

Igetupfr
om t
het
oil
etandfl
usht
hevomit
sdown.I
ri
nsemymouthwit
hBhekisi
sast
ari
ngatmefr
om
thedoor
.

Bheki
sisa:
thi
rdt
imei
nar
ow?Youneedt
oseea
doct
or.

Me:i
t'
snothi
ngseriousmaybeicat
chedabugor
somethi
ng,Iwi
llbefine.Howar
ethi
ngs?

Bhekisi
sa:
notgood,Thembawantsmoneyt ostock
thingsupontheothersi
deanditkeepson
disappear
ing,
thenther
e'sBaf
ana'
suniver
sit
yfees.

Me:maybeweshoul
dseeapr
ophetyouknowt
o
f
indoutwhat
'swr
ong?

Bhekisi
sa:t
hesepeopl
eandli
es,
I'
vegivenupon
them whentheycoul
dn'
tfi
ndwhatki
ll
edZenzoso
nothankyou.

HewalksawayandIsigh.Whatiswrong?Ever
si
nceMrMchunudi edthi
ngsarefal
li
ngapart
,it
'
s
onl
ythetaxiandbusbusi
nessthat'
sboomingandI
onl
ydiscover
ednowt
hati
tisownedandr
unby
Sabel
o.Whatamess.

Itakemycal
endarandcheckmydates.
.myheart
racewhenIr
eali
zethatIski
ppedmyperi
ods.My
Godcouldi
tbe?Noways!

Itakemybagandr ushesout,lucki
lyf
orme
Bheki si
saisnoti
nsightasIdriveout.Igot
othe
mal lnearbyandrunstothefi
rstpharmacyshopi
seeandbuy5pr egnancytestkit
s.

Onmywaybackt othecarIbumpint
osomeone
andtheki
tsscat
ter
sonthefloor
.Someonecome
andshootmenow?

Sabel
o:wow,
youar
epr
egnant
?Congr
atul
ati
ons.

Iswal
lowhar
dandgat
hercour
aget
olookathi
m.I
l
astsawhimthatdayattheof
fi
ceandnowhe'
s
r
ighti
nfr
ontofme, l
ooki
ngdapperi
nafor
malwear
.

Me:youdoknowt hatwedidn'
tusepr
otect
ionsoi
f
I
'm pr
egnantchancesar
e..
.

Sabelo:zero,
none,
negati
vethatyoucanbe
pregnantformesweethear
t.

Me:yousoundsosur
e,whati
f.
..

Sabelo:don'tdothatt
oyoursel
fokay?Iwouldbe
thefir
stpersontoknowifIplant
edaseedi nyouso
discardthosethought
sokay?Itwon'thappen.

Hesmirksandputsonbackhisglassesandleave
mestanding.Myhear
tisaboutt
ocomeoutofmy
mouththewayit'
spoundi
ngsofast .Howcomet hat
someonesohandsomebet hi
sarrogantand
hear
tl
ess?Ineedt
oknowhowf
arIam.
.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t23

ZANDI
LE

Ibitmynail
stappingmyfootonthef l
oorwaiti
ng
forthedoct
ortocomebackwi thresul
ts.Iam so
anxiousandprayi
ngsil
ent
lysohar dtoGodt ohelp
me.ThedooropensandIqui ckl
ygetup.

Me:whatdot
heysay?

Doctor:rel
axMr sMchunu.Okayyouar
epregnant
.
Congratulat
ions.Weneedtodoascanjustsowe
canseehowfarar
ewe.Getbehindt
hatcur
tai
nand
getr
eadyIwi
llbewit
hyoujustnow.

If ol
lowt heinst
ructi
onsandhesoonjoinsme
telli
ngmet olookatthescr
een.Ati
nydoti svi
sibl
e
andt ear
sstream downonmyf ace.Happiness,
finall
yIam pr egnant.

Doct
or:youar
etwel
veweekspr
egnantMr
s
Mchunu..
.

Me:thankyouGod,
thankyousomuchIwi
llf
orever
pr
aiseyounowandforever
.

Thedoct orl
ooksatmeshocked, Imeanhewon' t
understand.Iam sorel
ievedtoknowt hatthisbaby
i
sn'tSabelo'
s.Iwasgoingt odie.Myhusband
wasn'tgoingtosurvi
vet hi
sespeciall
ydur ingthe
att
ackshei sunder.Thi
si stheperfectgiftinour
l
ives.Ihopeit'
sgoingwel lcheerhi
m up.
Yesthet
imingisoffwi
thourcur
rentf
inancesbut
wehavebeentryi
ngforoneandnowit'shere,
Iam
goi
ngtoloveandembracemybaby.

SABELO

Ilookatthepapersfora100t
ht i
mes.Ican'tbel
ieve
this.I
t'
sinblackandwhit
e.ThebankIsmi ne.Idoa
slowvictor
ydancewi t
hthewhiskeygl
assonmy
handandwal kt
oBongaandI '
spict
ureont hewall.I
touchitandsmi l
e.

Me:Idi
ditf
oryouBaf anas,
forSbonga,
formom's.
Tokeepthelegacygoingandon.Iknowyouar
e
havi
ngmybackandwat chi
ngovermewi t
hpops.
Thankyoufam.Cheers.

It
oastt
ohi
m anddownthedr
inksit
ti
ngdown.I
gi
veMom acal
l.Dr
amat
icasalways,shecr
ies
whenItellhert
hatthi
naboNyamboseweowna
whol
ef r
eakingbank!Aft
ert
alki
ngwi
thhershe
gi
vesthephonet oSbonga.

Sbonga:Ican'
twaitt
obragt
omyf ri
endst
hatmy
namewi l
lbeonahugebankbil
lboar
ds.
Congrat
ulat
ionsdaddy.

Me:t
hankyoumypr i
ncess.Iwasthi
nki
ngofgett
ing
youi
ntothi
sfancygi
rl'
sschoolar
oundDurban.
.

Sbonga:
aslongasIwon'
thavet
ost
aytherefull
ti
medad.Ilovest
ayi
ngwit
hgramsandspending
ti
mewi t
hher.

Me:f
ineIhearyou.Meani
ngyouwi
llhaveadr
iver
t
hen.

Sbonga:
that
'
sfi
ne.
.ur
hm dad.
.
Me:yesNana.

Sbonga:whenar
eyout
aki
ngawi
fe?

IswearInear
lychockonmydr
ink.

Me:excuseme?

Sbonga:
I'
m sorr
yifIcomeacr
ossasdi
srespect
ful
butIam gr
owingupandIneedafemal
ef i
guret
o
tal
ktoaboutgi
rlsst
uff.
.

Me:youcant
alkt
oyourgr
andma.
.

Sbonga:t
hat'
snotthepoi
ntdad,gogosekamdala
andIwantsomeonet ohaveamot heranddaughter
rel
ati
onshipwit
h.Gotoshoppi
ngwi thonmatching
out
fi
tsandhai
rst
yles.
.

Me:yoohmydear,Icangiveyouever
ythi
ngi
nthe
wholeworl
dexceptthat
.

Sbonga:
butwhy?Imeanyouar
eacat
chandhot
.

Me:(
laughi
ng)i
mihl
ola!Whatdoyouknowabout
cat
cheswena?

Sbonga:
(gi
ggl
ing)wel
lIdoseetheladi
es'
s
commentsonyourinst
agram post
s.

Me:youshoul
dstayawayfrom myaccounti
nfact
youdidwel
lbytel
li
ngme,Iam goi
ngtoblockyou.

Sbonga:
(l
aughi
ng)hawubabakodwaIdr
amaeyani
?
(Whyareyousodramati
c)
Me:aiyouar
eyoungfori
nstagr
am f
uthi
.Iwi
llmake
sometimesi
nthecomingweeksandsendyouand
yourgr
andmaupheresothatIcant
akeyouguys
onatouroft
hebank

Sbonga:Iwoul
dlovet
hatdad.

Me:letmegetbacktoworkNkosazane.
Uyakuthandaubabayezwa?(Dadddylovesyou
okay)

Sbonga:Il
oveyout
oo.

KHANYI
SILE

Themanagerhi
redmeonspotandgavemea
tr
aini
ngonhowthingswor
karoundhereandIam
worki
ngonti
ll
s.I
t'
sbeenverybusysi
ncemorningI
di
dn'
tevenf
indt
imet
ogot
olunch.

Outoft heblueIseetwoladiestakingpi
cturesof
meshowi ngthem t
oeachot her.Theyar
el owclass
kindofslayqueens,theoneswhoar est
il
lfindthei
r
feet.Youcant el
lbythefakerustyweaveswi t
hno
closuretheyarewearingandthoseR50mudnai l
s
on.

Lady1:i
t'
sherchomme.
.

Lady2:ohmyGod,theeKhanz!Li
fei
samopst
ruu!
YouknowIlookeduptoyou,envi
edyou!

Me:(
smi
li
ng)
canIhel
pyoul
adi
es?

Lady1:ur
hm yeah.
Shesaysput
ti
nghert
hingsandIscant
hem.
.

Lady2:whathappened?Shor
tHai
r,shopr
it
eti
ll
s?
Where'
sDubaiandPar i
s?

Lady1:ahchomme, youknowtheseslayqueens
whent heyf
allf
rom gracemoes.I
'm sur
ethe
husband'swif
efoundoutandthreat
enedher..

Lady2:
(cl
appi
ngherhands)f
rom secr
etl
ocat
ionst
o
thi
s?Ainokuref
wu.

Me:yourthi
ngsint
otalcost
sR1350canIpl
ease
havethecash?

Lady1:
(gi
vingmehercar
d)youcanswi
pedar
li
ng.

Shesayst
he"
dar
li
ng"i
nBonang'
saccent
.Iputt
he
cardandgivethemachinet
ohertopunchinher
code.Thecarddecl
inedandthesmugonthei
r
facesdri
esout.Nowit'
smyturntoembarr
assthem.

Me:si
sZodwa,ngicel
aIvoi
d!Lideckl
ini
leIcar
d!
(Thecar
ddecl
ined)

Lady2:doyouhavet
obesol
oud?

Me:
(smi
li
ng)I
'
m sor
rywhatar
eyousayi
ngagai
n?

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t24

(
Notedi
ted.Pl
easeexcuset
heer
ror
s)
ZANDI
LE

Bheki
sisastar
eatthescanpi
ctur
eforaver
ylong
ti
meunt i
lIseetear
sfal
li
ngi
ntoit
.Hehugsmeso
ti
ght.

Bhekisi
sa:t
hankyou,youhavemademeaman
amongstmen.Yest hingsaren'
tlooki
nggoodforus
atthemomentbutIwi lldoeveryt
hinginmypower
togobackt othel
if
eweusedt oli
ve.Youdeser
ve
everyt
hinggoodforthis.

Myhear tbreaks,
whatishappeningtomyhusband?
Thisi sstr
aininghim.Yest
erdayhehadt ocl
osethe
restaurantsincether
e'snomoneyt opaystaf
fand
buymat eri
al.Thefamilyi
salsoaskingquest
ions.
It'
sliketheancestorsareangryofsomethi
ng.Since
thedeat hofmyf atherinl
awt hi
ngstookSouth.

I
t'
spr
obl
emsaf
teranot
her
.
Bheki
sisa:Iam goi
ngtotakeaqui
ckshowert
hen
we'
llgoseemymot herokay?

Me:
okay.

Hetakesoffhi
sclothesandgoest otheshower
.I
t
akehist-
shirt
,theonehejusttookoffandputi
ton
mybagandwal kouttomycar.There'snosmoke
wit
houtfi
reandIam goingtofindoutwhy.

There'
smustbeaway.Idr i
vest r
aightt
othe
prophet'
shouseandparkoutsidehishouse.Af
ter
thegreet
ingsIgetst
rai
ghtt
ot hepointandtel
lhim
whyI '
m here.

Heli
ghtswhitecandl
esandt akespurecleanwater
andstar
tsprayi
ngforthewater.Aft
ertheprayerhe
di
psBhekisi
sa'st-
shi
rtinsi
dethewater.
Pr
ophet
:mhm mhm mhm kubikubi
.(
it
'sbad,
it'
sbad)

Me:howbad?

Prophet
:ver
y,thi
swilll
eadt ohisdeat
hifnothi
ngi
s
doneabouti
t.Iseeahor r
iblecaracci
dentt
hat
sendshimtocomaf orsol ong.

Me:Godf
orbi
d!Ican'
tloosemyhusbandnotnow.

Prophet:yourmari
talpr
obl
emsbegant
hedayyou
cheatedonhi m.

Ichokeonmysal
ivaandl
ookdown.

Me:whatdoyoumean?
Pr
ophet
:yousl
eptwit
hhisenemywhoseintent
ions
wast
odestr
oyyourhusbandthr
oughyou.
.

Me:
what
?How?

Prophet
:themanusedst
rongblackmagict
ocur se
youboth.Hewant
stoseehim suff
eri
ngunt
ildeath

Me:butwhy?

Pr
ophet:yourhusbandst
art
editwhenheki
ll
edhi
s
br
otherandhereturnedt
hefavor
.

Me:(
sighs)whatcanwedo?I
sther
eawayt
o
cl
eansethebadluck?

Pr
ophet:unf
ort
unatel
yther
e'snone.Heisvery
st
ronganddangerousandIam afrai
dyourchil
dwi
ll
i
nher
itt
hecur
sebecauseyousl
eptwi
thhi
m whi
l
e
pr
egnant
.

Tear
sst
ream downonmyf
ace.Thi
sisbad.

Me:youmeant
her
e'snot
hingwecandon?Evena
l
it
tl
ebit
?

Prophet:t
here'
stwoways,confesstoyourhusband
aboutitandaskhimtoseekhelpinNigeri
aor
speaktothisman,humbleyoursel
fbefor
ehim and
askhimt orever
sethi
scurse.Maybe,j
ustmaybehe
wil
l.

Negoti
ati
onwit
hSabelowil
lbeimpossibl
ebuti
t'
s
theonl
yopti
onI'
vegotnow.Confessi
ngtomy
husbandwil
lbethedeat
hofme.

THOBI
LE
Sabeloopensthedoorformeandhugsme.Hei
s
sti
lli
nhisoff
icesui
ts.Hetext
edmeandaskedi
fI
couldcomeforasleepoverbecausehei
s
cel
ebrati
ngandhowcanIsaynot othat
?

Me:hey,pleasecomein.Make.Your
sel
fa
comfor
tableIam goi
ngt ot
akeaquickbat
handj
oin
youshort
ly.

Me:
(bi
ti
ngmyl
ip)
don'
tyouwantmet
ojoi
nyou?

Sabel
o:No,
I'
m good.Iwi
llbeback.Eatanddr
ink
anyt
hing

Me:
okay,
don'
ttaket
ool
ong.

Hesmil
esandrunupstair
s.Itakear
emot eandput
on322,
it'
sther
ealhousewivesofat
lant
at i
me.His
phoneri
ngsnextt
omeandapict
ureofhi
s
daught
erfl
ashest
hescr
een.

It
akei
tandgoupst
air
stohi
m.

Me:babeyourphonei
sri
ngi
ng.

Iopenthebathroom doorbuthe'
snoti n.Okay?
Didn'
thesayhewascomi nguptot akeabat h?I
l
eavethephoneont opofthebedandgetout .Itake
adiff
erentr
outetogodownanduset heonet hat
passesbyhisstudyandIhearwat ersplasheson
thebedroom nearby.

Whywoul dheleavetheluxur
yofhishuge
bathr
oom tocomebat hhere?Curi
osi
tyhasmeby
ti
tsnowasIhol dthedoorhandlesl
owlyandopen
thedoor
.Myhear tstar
tsbeati
ngfast
erasIwalk
fur
theri
ntheroom.
There'swat ercomi ngoutoft hebathroom door,
ugezanj anikantilomunt uumaaci thakangaka?I
opent hedoorandLor dIwasnotr eadyf orwhatI
saw.Ahuge, longpyt honisbathinginsidethe
bathtub.Iletoutahugescr eam andit'sturns
l
ookingatmydi r
ect i
on.

Iruntot hedoorasfastasIcan.Myhear tatthi

s
pointisbeati
ngfiveti
mest hannormal.What?Ina
spli
tsecondIt r
ipandfallonthestai
rcaseandr ol
l
al
lthewaydownunt ilmyheadhi t
sthefloor
.The
onlythingIrememberandl astheari
s"Thobile"
!

SABELO

Fuckf uckfuckf uck!Whatwasshedoinghere?This

girldoesn'
tli
stenIswearandbecauseIwas
rushingtoreturnt oher
eIdidn'
tlockt
hedoor.
Honest l
yIdidn'texpecthertocomehere.Theonly
placeshe'sbeeni smybedr oom anddownstai
rs.
Nowshehasseenmei nUbabafor
m andit'
snot
good.Iquickl
yt r
ansfor
mtomyhumansel fandrun
aft
erher.Iscream whenIseeherr
oll
ingdownthe
st
aircaseuntilherheadhi
tsthegr
oundroughl
y.

Me:
shi
t!Thobi
le,
Thobi
le.
.wakeup!

Isoftsl
aphercheeksandshet akesonelookatme
andtakeherlastbreath.Fuck!Iquicklygoupstair
s
andcallSfi
sowhot ell
smehewasonhi swayt o
showmesomet hing.Itryallwayspossiblet
orevive
herbuttheydon'twork.She'sgone.Iputonmy
tr
ouserandsitsont hefloorandst ar
eatherli
feless
body.

Sf
iso:
(walki
ngin)ntwanant
wanayoudon'tknow
whatIhaveforyou.Imean.
.geezwhatt
hef uck!

Heget
sst
art
ledbyThobi
le'
sbodyont
hef
loorand
dr
opst
hef
il
eshe'
scar
ryi
ng.

Sf
iso:
dudewhathappened?

Me:shesawmei nUbabafor
m andfal
lfr
om the
st
air
case.Herhear
tcoul
dn'
thandl
etheshock.

Sf
iso:Shi
t!

Me:itwasn'
tsupposedtohappenl
iket
his.Shewas
annoyi
ngyenabutshe'samother.
.

Sfi
so:I'
m sorr
ydudebutsuchcasual t
ieshappens
everyti
mei nourl
ives.Thisi
syourfir
stoneI
understandhowyouf eelbutt
here'
snot i
met osi
t
andmopaboutt his.Weneedt ogetri
dofherbody
here.
Hegoestoherbagandt
akeouthercel
lphoneand
dest
roysi
t.

Sf
iso:wher
edoyoukeepyour
..never
mind.

Idon'thaveanyst r
engthinmet omoveani nch.To
sayI '
m shockwouldbeanunder stat
ement .Igot o
mypr i
vat
eroom anddr i
nksfrom t
hebl ackpot.I
feelsomuchbet teraf
terandhelpsSfisoinput t
ing
heronmyboot .Wearegoi ngtodumpherbodynot
sof arfr
om peoplesothatshecanbef oundand
buried.

Sfi
sosuggestedwetor
chherbutno,itwil
ltorment
herfamil
ynottoknowaboutherwhereabouts.
Sfi
sogivesmespaceanddr i
vesoutwhenwecome
back.Themomenthedrivesout,aBmw1ser i
es
dri
vesin.

Zandi
l
ewal
ksupt
omeandgi
vesmeasl
ap.Ihol
d
onmycheekandl
ookathershocked.

Zandi
l
e:howcanyoubesoevi
l
!WhathaveIever
donetoyou?

Me:Ithi
nki
t'
shi
ghtimeIgetsecur
it
ytoguardmy
houseandmebecausecl
earl
yIam notsaf
e.

Zandil
e:whydoyouneedsecur it
ieshuh?Ar eyou
afr
aidthatpeopl
earegoingtoseet hesnakesand
wizar
dsyouhi deundert
hishighwal l
edhouse?

Me:whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?

Zandi
le:ohquitt
hepretence!Inowknowthatyou
aret
heoner esponsi
bleforthemiser
yinmy
marri
age..
.
Me:
owh?

Zandil
e:Sabel
ost
opt
his,
Innocentpeopl
ear
e
suff
eri
ng.

Me:mawuthii
nnocentpeopl
edoyoui
ncl
ude
your
sel
f?

Zandile:youhuntedmet oser
veyourpurpose!
Please,it
'senoughnow.Youar eeven,
youlosta
brotherhelostone.Reverset
hecurseandletusgo
backt oournormal l
ives.

Me:(
chuckling)youdon'
tknowmet ocome
whereveryouarecomingfrom andspi
tnonsense.
Zandil
eIdon'thitwomenbutyouarestar
ti
ngtobe
anuisance.

Zandi
l
e:al
lI'
m aski
ngf
ori
sthatyour
ever
se
what
everspellyoucast
edonourl
ivessot
hatwe
canl
ivepeacefull
y..
.

Me:canyoupr
oveal
lthi
sgar
bageyouj
ustvomi
ted
nowatCourt
?

Zandi
l
e:huh?

Me:cont
inuespeakingnonsenseaboutmeIam
goi
ngtowipeyourlastcentinthebank.Iwil
lsue
youandthatl
ousyt hi
ngyoucallahusbandf or
def
amati
onofchar acterever
ylastcentyouhave.
.

Zandi
l
e:Sabel
o..
..

Me:
getout
!

Zandi
l
e:pl
e..
Me:
youwanttoseet hewi
zar
dsandsnakesyou
wer
etal
kingaboutl
ivehuh?Okaywai
there.
.

ItaketwostepstothehouseandIhearhercar
rever
singout.Fuckwhataday!

Tobecont
inued.

*
Sponsor
edbyanonymous *
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t25

SABELO

It
'sbeenalongdayf
ormeandhonestl
ythi
ngs
didn'
tgoasIhavepl
anned.Iwasl
ooki
ngfor
wardt
o
somecrazywi
ldsexar
oundthi
sti
mebutthen,
now
Iam f
acedwit
hanemptyhouseal
lal
one.

Isi
tonthecouchandt akeouttheweedrol
li
ngi t
.I
don'
tli
kesmokingitunlessIam ext
remel
ystressed.
Thi
sistheperf
ectti
met ogethi
ghanddrunkthen
sl
eep.Womenar eexhausting.

Thener veofZandileshowingupher eandstart

threateningme.Whot hehelldoesshethi
nkshei s?
Tosl apmeeven?Ineedt osetupanexampl eby
her.Thiscoolvibesfr
om meyi yolengi
jwayel
isa
ngabant u.It
'squi
tecl
earthatpeopledon'
tli
ket obe
treatedli
kehumansoI '
mmabet hemonsterthey
l
ove.

IputonchannelOandl ogontomyI nst

agram
account
.There'
salwaystwoort hr
eewomen
thr
owingthemselvesonmyDM' severyti
me.Ilay
backandstartchatt
ingwit
hthisotherone,she
l
ooksyoungthough.Idon'tdealwithama2000,
t
heyar
etr
oubl
eandbayaphaphal
abant
wana.

TheTVmakessomeshuf f
lingsoundl
ikeit
'sl
osi
ng
anetworkorsomething.Itakearemotetochange
thechannelbutt
henavi ewofBhekisi
saand
Zandil
edrivi
nginacarshowsup.Iputmyj oi
nt
asideandsit
sstrai
ght.

Zandi
l
e:babe,bef
orewegethomeIneedt
otel
lyou
somethi
ng.I
t'
simport
ant
.

Bheki
sisa:canwet
alkabouti
twhenwegethome?

Zandil
e:noit
'sveryimport
antsoweshoul
dtal
k
aboutitnow,l
et'
sfightandar
gueher
ebeforewe
gethome.

Bheki
sisa:youar
econf
usi
ngmenow.
Zandil
e:Ihaveaconf
essi
ontomakeandIknow
youwillpr
obabl
yhateMeaft
erthi
sbutpl
easeknow
thatIwasn'
tonmynormalsel
fwhenthi
s
happened..

Bheki
sisa:
Zandi
le.
.

Ohbit
chyouar
enotaboutt
odothat
!Whatt
hef
uck?
It
ouchmyneckl
aceandspeaki
ntoi
t.

Me:l
etthecarcr
ushnow!Theyshoul
dn'
tdi
e,j
ust
f
ewinjuri
es.

Irepeatt
hewords3t i
mesandBheki sisacrashes
i
ntoanothercarandthepicturedisappear.Irun
upstai
rstomyr oom t
ochange.Ican' tkeepon
l
ookingovermyshoul derbecauseofZandi le,Ineed
todealwit
hheronceandf oral
l.
KHANYI
SILE

Aft
erthatmomentwitht
hosef akewannabeslay
queensthemanagert
oldmet hatasmuchast he
customeri
sal
waysr i
ght,soareweasempl oyees.

Idecidedt ojoinNomhl eonherof fertowat chTV

andwechi llt
alkingassheasksmeaboutst art
ing
afresh.Ievendel etedthatol
daccountwi thallthe
fancyf akelif
estyleIli
vedthereandcr eatedanew
onewi t
hmyr ealnamesKhanyi si
leNot hando
Mt hembu.Theonet hatwil
lrepr
esentgr aceand
growt h.Inowf ollowinspi
ri
ngandr el
evantpeopl e
andt hathelpsme.Lessnudesandassonmy
ti
mel i
ne.

Nomhl
e:(
star
ingatherphone)ohmygoodness!

Me:what
?
Nomhl
e:thi
sgi
rl
,It
hinkshewasyourf
ri
endor
somet
hing.

Shesaysshowingmet heFacebookpost .Nadia

postedapict
ureofThobil
ewi t
hsomehasht agand
RIP.Ifeelmyheadspi
nning.What ?Ireadtheposts
i
t'
ssaysshewasf ounddeadnotSof arfrom t
he
buil
dingandcopsareinvest
igati
ngherdeat h.

Iknowwepar tedwaysinnotsogoodter
m butI
didn'twishherdeat
h,nowherdaughteri
s
mot herl
ess.Whatayounglif
elost
.

NARRATED

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

It
'st
hemor
ning,
doctor
sandnursesar
erunni
ngup
anddownt
ryi
ngtosavethepeopl
ewhowere
i
nvolvedinaterr
ifi
caccident.Theguywhol ost
contr
olofthecar(
Bhekisisa)
issaidtohavesuf f
ered
severei
njuri
esandsli
ppedi ntocomawhi lehis
companionisintheEMERGENCYr oom being
att
endedto.

Onepersondiedintheacci
dentandothersar
e
sur
vivi
ng.Sabeloarri
vesdressedi
nallbl
ackand
walkstoZandil
e'
sbed.Zandil
esuffer
edsmall
scr
atchesandforeheadbumpont hewindow.

Zandi
l
e:Sabel
o..

Shesayst
ryi
ngt
otakeof
ftheoxygenmask.
.

Sabel
o:shhhhr
elax.
.rest
.

Herbreat
hingshoot
supashereyesbecomestear
y.
Helooksangryandshe'
sneverseenhi
mli
kethat,
ever
.

Sabel
o:uyaphaphawenamarauyabona?(Youar
e
sofor
warddoyouknowt hat
?)
I'
mt i
redofthisbackandfor
ththingwi t
hyouand
I'
m goingenditnow.Isi
zul
usithiizonozaboyise
zi
yowel akubantwana.I
'
m sorr
y,it'
sthenature.

Zandi
letri
est ositupbutSabeloputshishandson
herst
omachgi vi
nghert hemostdeadlylookever
.
Aft
erthathet ouchesherfaceandblowssomeai r
onherface,nose,eyesandears.

Me:(whi
sper
ingonherf
ace)wenevermet
,f
orget
aboutme.

Aftert
hatheput
sbackhisgl
assesandwal ksaway.
Assoonashe'soutofsi
ghtZandi
leexper
ience
severepai
nsonherl
owerabdomenandscr eams.
HOURSLATER

ZANDI
LE

Iopenmyeyesandl ookaround.Iam atthe

hospi
tal
.Myheadi sabitdizzyandheavy.Wewere
i
nanaccident ,
goi
ngtomyi n-
lawshouse.I
remembertalki
ngtoBhekisisaaboutsomethi
ngbut
whatwasitthatIwantedtosay?

Nomar nIwantedtot el
lhi
m somethi
ngsobadl
y
butthenBheki
sisalostcont
roloft
hecar
.Whatwas
i
tthatIneededtotellhi
m?

Thedoctorwal
ksinandsmi
lesweakl
ylooki
ngat
me.Ifl
inchwhenIfeel
somepai
ns.

Doct
or:
I'
m sor
ry,
yourbodywasundersomuch
st
ressandt
hebabycoul
dn'
tmakei
t.
.

Iqui
cklytouchmyst
omach.Thebaby.What
happenedtomybaby?Tear
srol
ldown.

Me:doct
or,
mybaby?

Doct
or:Iam sor
ry.Wedi
dever
ythi
ngt
hatwecoul
d
do.
..

Me:doctorno!Youputmyhusbandi
ncomanow
youki
llmybaby?Whathappenedtomybaby?

Doct
or:ma'
am youneedt
ocal
m down.
..

Me:don'
tfuckentellmetocal
m down!Ineedt
o
knowwhathappenedt omybaby?Whydi dyouki
ll
mybaby?If al
lasleepforf
ewhoursandyoukil
lmy
baby?

Doct
or:nur
se!

Theycomerunni
ngwi
thi
nject
ionsasIki
ckt
he
bl
anketsandr
emovet
hedrip.

Me:bitchdon'
tyoudaretouchme!Iwantmybaby,
youki
lledmybaby!Iam goingtosueallofyou!
Okay,okayI'
m beggi
ngyoupl easebr
ingbackmy
baby,
Ipr omi
seIwon'tfi
ght.

Theyi
njectmewi
thwhat
ever
.

Doctor:youneedt orest,
thi
swil
lhel
pyout ocal m
down.Af terthi
sIwil
lrecommendabestt herapist
thatwillhelpyouovercomethi
s.Youexperienceda
traumat i
c..
.
Hestar
tssoundi
ngf
arandmyeyesbecomesheavy
Icl
osethem.

Tobecont
inued.

*
Sponsor
edbyRi
char
dThabang*
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t26

SABELO

Il
ookatZandi
lebei
ngsedat
edandswi
pesawayt
he
vi
ew.

Me:mi
ssi
onaccompl
ished.
Istar
tthecaranddr i
veaway, nowshewon' t
remembermeoranyt hi
ngwedi dtogether.The
memor yshehasofmei scompl et
elywipedoffand
i
fit'
shappenst hatsheregai
nsitIdon'tknowhow,
butIwillki
llhermysel
f.

Myphoner i
ngsandit'
sMrsMchunu.Isigh,
she's
t
heonl
yi nnocentper
sonIf
eelsor
ryforbuttheni
t
i
swhatitis.

Me:Mama.

Mr
sMchunu:son,
howar
eyou?

Me:I
'
m wel
lhowaboutyou?

MrsMchunu:notsogood,
haveyouheardabout
Bheki
sisabei
ngi
nacaraccidentwi
thhi
swifelast
ni
ght?
Me:r
eal
ly?NoIhaven'
thear
dthat
.Ar
etheyokay
t
hough?

MrsMchunu:t
hat
'swhatI
'
mt r
yingtof
indout
.Iam
goi
ngt
othehospi
talaswespeak.

Me:
okayMaIhopei
t'
snotbad.

MrsMchunu:Ihopesotoo,whenwil
lIeverr
est
?I
bur
iedmyhusbandandsoni nashor
tspaceofa
monthnowmyot herson?Nothi
sisenough.

Ikeepqui
et,
howdoyoucomfor
tsomeonewhil
e
youknowyouaret
her
ecauseofhermi
sery?

MrsMchunu:anywayt hemainreasonI'
m cal
li
ng
youisthetaxibusi
ness.Ir
ecei
vedacallf
rom one
ofthedri
verstel
li
ngmet hatt
heyencount
ered
i
ssuesi
noneoft
her
out
esweuse.

Me:whati
ssues?

MrsMCHUNU:Idon'
tknowbuttheassoci
ati
onof
Jobur
gandKemptonpar
karefi
ghti
ng.

Me:t
hosepeopl
eshoul
dn'
tcr
eat
eunnecessar
y
pr
obl
emsforus.
.

MrsMchunu:pleasegoandcheckwhat
's
happeni
ng.Sor
titoutSabel
o.

Me:don'
twor
ryyour
sel
fmot
herIwi
llsor
titout
.

Mr
sMchunu:t
hankyou,
updat
eme.

Me:Iwi
ll
.Youdot
hesamewi
thyourchi
ldr
en.
Imakeat ur
nandt aketheN12backtoJoburg.I
checkthegunundermyseatandt akei
toutto
checkifi
t'
sloadedincaseIneedtouseit
.Iwon't
negoti
atewit
hthesepeople.Iam wayt
oobusy.

ATTHEJOBURGMTNRANK

Sabel
oar r
iveswi t
hhi
sblackandsi
lverRange
Rover.Thetaxidri
ver
sareargui
ng,
there'
sa
st
andstil
l,
passengersinl
ongquesasnoonei s
at
tendingtotaxis.

Sabelowalksuptothem andthenoisecooldown.
Hisdri
ver'
sstandnextt
ohi m.Hishandsont he
pockethespeakscalml
y.

Sabel
o:kwenzenj
anil
anamadoda?(
What
's
happeni
ngheregentl
emen?
)
Theyst
art
sspeaki
ngatoncemaki
ngnoi
se.

Sabel
o:akukhul
umeumunt uoyedwa,angi
thisonke
si
yezwa?(Canoneper sonspeakatthetime,no
oneissuff
eri
ngfrom hear
ingprobl
em)

Theonewho'sst
art
edthi
sissuewi
thahugebel
l
gi
vesSabel
oapaper.

Guy:thi
sisasummaryfr
om meandtheother
owners.Yourt
axi
shaveoccupi
edal
lrout
esandi
t'
s
notfai
r.
.

Sabel
o:notf
airt
owho?

Guy:t
hatpaperst
ateshowmuchofat axyou
shoul
dpayinorderforyourt
axi
sto.
..
Sabel
otear
sthepaperi
ntopi
eces.

Sabel
o:angekenikuboneloko!Hambauyotshel
aI
bossyakhoingi
fonele!
(Thatwon'thappen,
gotel
l
yourbosstocal
lme)

Theot
herguysl
ooksathi
minawe.

Sabelo:anot
herthi
ng,st
opharassi ngmydriver
's,l
et
mehearawor daboutmyt axi
sbei ngst
oppedagai n
kuzonyiwa.Youdon'townanyr oads,whythehel l
shouldIpaytaxtoyou?Andyou, gobacktowor k,
l
ookatt hepassengersst
uckint hisbl
azi
ngheat ?

Heor der
shisdriver
'sbackwholooksverypleased
togobackt otheirt
axi
s.Sabelofol
lowsback
checkingeachtaxiandgreet
ingpassengerswho
areveryhappythathecamet othei
rrescue.
Hegetstothelasttaxithat
'sabouttoleaveand
seesKhanyisi
le.Shockandsur pr
isevisi
tshim but
heactscool.Hewhi st
lestappi
ngont hequantum
bonnet
.

Sabel
o:who'
sdr
ivi
ngt
hist
axiandwher
eisi
tgoi
ng
to?

Dr
iver
:mlunguwami,
iyaeProteaGlen,
phase1-
4.
(I
t'
sgoingtoPr
oteaGlen,
phase1-4)

Sabel
o:zi
phii
zikhi
ya?
(Wher
ear
ethekeys?
)

Dr
iver
:bhozadoyouknowt
hesect
ions?

Sabel
o:(
smil
ing)Iwi
llmanage,
Iwasadr
iverat
somepoint
.
Theguysgiveshimthekeys,hegoesbackandtap
onKhanyi'
sshoulder.Shet
urnsandtakeoutt
he
headset
s,shockedtoseehim her
e.

Khanyi
:Sabel
o.

Sabelo:wozauzohl
alangaphambi
li
..
(comest
ayat
thefr
ont)

Khanyihesi
tat
eforamomentandSabel
oreadsher
mindandlaughs.

Sabel
o:forsomeonewi
thaBcom degr
eeyouseem
tobescaredofnumber
s.

Khanyi
:wel
ltaxi
mat
hemat
icsi
sn'
tthesame.
Thetaxiget
sful
landSabel
ost
art
sitdr
ivi
ngoutof
ther
ank.

Khanyi
:howmuchi
sthet
axi
?

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)R17.
50.

Khanyi
:haiboSabel
o!

Sabel
o:(
laughi
ng)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng,
i
t'
sR20.

Khanyi
:yuuhatl
east
.Di
dn'
tknowyouknowhowt
o
dr
iveataxi?

Sabel
o:thi
siswher
eIst
art
edMaMvel
ase.Whatar
e
youdoingi
nSoweto?

Khanyi
:Ist
ayandwor
kther
enow.Act
ual
lyIshoul
d
buyyouadr
ink,
justt
osayt
hankyou.Your
eal
ly
savedmyl
if
e.

Sabel
o:mydr
inkcost
syourwhol
esal
ary.
.

Khanyi
:what
?

Sabelo:mypointis,I'
m happyyouaref
ineand
makingadecentl i
ving,st
optryi
ngtopl
easemeand
hel
pyour sel
f.Minangigrand.

Khanyi
:Iguess,
Ijustwant
edtoshowmygr
ati
tude
t
hat'
sall
.DidyouhearaboutThobi
le?

Sabel
o:yeah,
sadnewsi
ndeed.Wher
edoyouwor
k?

Khanyi
:atShopRi
te,
Iknowi
t'
snothi
ngbi
gbutI
hopetoscoresomethi
ngbi
gsoon.
Sabel
o:youknowur hm t
here'st
hisbankin
RosebankandIheardit
'snowunderbl ack
management.Theyarerestr
ucturi
ngandshaping
uptheposi
ti
ons.Maybeyoushoul dapplyther
e,
whoknow,youmi ghtbelucky.

Khanyi
:what
'st
hebankname?

Sabel
o:i
tisnowcal
ledSBSbank.

Khanyi
:fi
rstti
meI '
m heari
ngaboutit
.It
'sagood
thi
ngseei
ngbl ackpeoplesteppi
ngupandowning
suchbi
gest abl
ishments.
.

Sabel
osmi
lessi
lent
lyashecont
inuest
otodr
ive.

Sabel
o:ugundel
eni
?(Whydi
dyoucutyourhai
r?)
Khanyi
:wel
lbei
ngbr
okeand.
.

Sabel
o:shame,
Iwi shyoucanfi
ndawellpayi
ngjob
yazi
.Uyahawul
isa.Idon'
tknowyourf
atherbutyou
l
ooklikehi
m.

Khanyihi
tshi
sar
m andhel
aughs.

Sabel
o:I
'
m sorr
ybutI'
m bei
nghonest.Youar
enot
ugl
ybutifIwer
eyourboyfr
iend,
Iwoul
dlovet
he
weavesandfacebeat
slookbetter
.

Khanyi
:wel
lsadl
yyouar
enotmyboyf
ri
end.
.

Sabel
o:f
ort
unat
elyf
oryou.
.

Khanyi
:youar
ewei
rdt
hough,
mostZul
umenhat
es
t
heset
hings.
.

Sabel
o:aibanemanga,
ayi
khonj
eindodaengathandi
umuntuwakheabemuhl e(t
heyar
elying,
nosane
manwhowon' tl
ovehi
swomanbeautiful
)

Khanyi
:ushonj
e?(Yout
hinkso?
)

Sabelo:Iknowso,
knowwhent heystartwit
hthat
bul
lshiti
t'
seit
hert
heyarejeal
ousthatothermen
wil
lseeyoubeauti
fulort
heycan'taf
fordit.

Khanyi
:sowenawoul
dbuyyourwomant
hese
t
hings?

Sabel
o:defini
tel
y..butnowmydaught
erwi
llenj
oy
thepr
ivi
leges.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
53] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t27

KHANYI
SILE

Iwast hel
astpersontogetoffinthetaxi
.Ist
il
lcan'
t
beli
evethatIsawSabelo.It
'sbeenlongandhe
keepsonget t
ingbett
erl
ikeafinewine.GoshIknow
he'sdangerousanddeadlybutIcan'thel
pmyselfor
stopmyselffrom l
iki
nghim..
.

Nomhle:youar
esmi
li
ngal
lal
onent
ombo,
shar
ethe
goodnews..

Me:
wel
llet
'sj
ustsayImetmycr
usht
oday.
Nomhl
e:wow,
TheeSabel
o?

Me:
yep,
hewasdr
ivi
ngt
het
axit
oGl
en.
.

Nomhle:aikeSabel
oanddr
ivi
ngt
axi
skuhl
angana
kanj
ani?

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)t
urnedouthe'
stheownerbabes.
.

Nomhle:what
?Youknowwhat
,tomorrowI'
m goi
ng
t
oJoburg,Iwantt
oseehi
minperson.Youareso
l
ucky.

Me:hahahawelli
t'
sapi
tyhekeepsonpushi
ngme
awaythough.

Nomhle:youknowwhat,f
reeadvi
cefrom me,st
op
chasi
nghim.Savet
hatenergyf
orbet
terthi
ngs.
Me:youarer
ight,couldyoupl
easeconnectmet
o
yourWiFi
?Iwantt ologont
othi
swebsiteand
submitmyappli
cation.

Nomhl
e:al
ri
ghtbabest
hepi
nisNomhl
3e957.

Me:youarethebest
,onet
hesedaysI
'
m goi
ngt
o
buyyouIcecream.

Shereall
yisthesweet
estandcoolestperson.Il
og
ontothewebsit
eandthere'
splent
yofposi t
ions
avail
abl
e,Sabelowasri
ght.Iappl
yto5t hatIqual
if
y
forandlogout.

SABELO

Dr
ivi
ngbacktomypl acefr
om t
hetaxir
ankIsee
Mamaont hebackseatofmycart
hrought
herear
vi
ewmi rr
or.Shel
iesappear
ingl
iket
hisandi
t'
snot
coolatal
l.

Mama:r
elax.Icomei
npeace.

Ibowsl
owl
yandpar
kont
hesi
deoft
her
oad.

Mama: thekingdom i
shappy, youhavemadeusl ot
s
ofmoneyi naver yshortspaceofti
me, thewomen
yousleptwithbroughtussomanysacr ifi
cesand
thatmadeusevenst r
onger.Thelastsacrif
icewas
therealdealbecausethebabywaspur e.

Me:t
hankyou.

Mama:f orthatyouwil
lgetapromot
ionandmore
reward.Youareatastagewherebyyoucanask
anythi
ngfrom theki
ngdom andgetappr
oved.
Me:anyt
hing?

Mama:(
smili
ng)anyt
hing.Youar
etheKi
ngand
ki
ngscan'
tlackanyt
hing.
.

Me:canIask,
isi
tpossi
blef
ormet
ohaveaf
ami
ly
ofmyown?

Mama:(looki
ngathergl
assymir
ror
)yesit
's
possi
ble.Youar
eahumanbei ngaf
teral
l.

Me:howwil
lIknowi
fthewomani
sther
ealdealor
she'
saft
ermymoneyandstat
us?

Mama: al
lyouwil
lwantt
odoisprotectherandkeep
herfr
om harmsway.Whentheti
mei sright
,Baba
wil
lguideandshowyoutoyourr
ightwoman.
Me:whatdoyoumean?

Mama:t hewomant omarr

yyouwillacceptyouthe
wayyouar e,shewon'tj
udgenortr
yt ochangeyou.
Babawi l
lapproveagoodwomanf oryou.Hewi l
l
revealhi
mselfaroundherandherreact
ionwillbe
yourchoice.

Me:youhaveconf
usedmeevenwor
se.

Mama:Iaskedyout
onameanythi
ngyouwantas
yourr
ewardandyouchoset
hissost
aywit
hit
.

Myphoner
ingsandi
t'
sMr
sMchunu.Ianswer
.

Me:Mama

Mr
sMchunu:Sabel
o,canyoupl
easecomet
omy
house?I
t'
squi
teur
gent
..

Witht
hatshehungup.Il
ookatMonal
isawho'
s
busyfanni
ngher
sel
fwiththemi
rr
or.

Mama:go,whatevershet
ell
syoui
t'
sthet
rut
hand
handl
eitwit
hcare.

Iopenmymout htoaskwhatdoesshemeanand
she'
sgone.Idon'tli
kethi
sonebit
.Babawant sto
comeoutandi tcanonlymeanonething,whateverI
wil
lhearwil
langerme.Idrinkt
heli
quidtochannel
him downanddr i
vetotheMchunuresidence.

Ipar
kmycarandwal
kinsi
deandf
indherseat
ed
downont
hecouchcr
ying.

Me:
Mama,
youcal
ledf
orme.
MrsMchunu:yesSabel
oIdi
d.Howi
sther
out
e
i
ssue?

Me:Iwouldli
ket
obel
ievei
t'
ssol
ved.Howi
s
Bheki
sisa?

MrsMchunu:he'
soutofcomaandbei ngtreated
butheisgoi
ngtobechargedwit
hnegligence
dri
vingmeani
nghe'
sgoingtopri
son.Hiswi f
ei snot
i
nagoodspaceafterl
osingherchi
ld.I
t'
sachaos
andit'
sal
lmyfaul
t.

Me:
whatdoyoumeani
t'
syourf
aul
t?

MrsMchunu:theancestor
sareangr yand
punishi
ngmeforgivi
ngthem awr ongsurname.I
needtodothi
ngsrightandtel
lthem thei
rreal
surnamesothatt
heycangoanddowhat ever
needstobedone.
Me:IhearyouMrsMchunubutnowI
'
m conf
used
ast
owhat '
sthatgott
odowit
hme?

Mr
sMchunu:youar
ethekeyt
oendal
loft
his.
.

Me:Ibegyourpar
don?

Mr sMchunu:Sabelo,peopl
earetal
kingandatf
ir
stI
thoughti
twasj ustsi
ll
yrumoursbutnowIknow.I
shouldhavepreventedthi
slongt
imeagoandnow
youarekil
li
ngeachot her.

Me:uyakhul
umakodwaangi kuzwakut
hiuthi
ni!
(Youaretal
kingbutIcan'
thearwhatyouaretr
ying
tosay?)

Mr sMchunu:(wipi
nghertear
sandtakeoutanold
pictur
efrom heral
bum)thismanisthebi
ologi
cal
fatherofmychildr
en.
Shegivesi
ttomeandIst
andupasifafir
eburned
myhandsthemomentmyeyescomei ncont
act
wit
hthemanshe'swi
thonthepi
ctur
e.

Me:whatki
ndofsi
ckgamei
sthi
s?Thi
sismyl
ate
f
ather
'spi
ctur
e!

MrsMchunu:yes,yourfat
herwaswor ki
ngIn
Johannesbur
gbackthenandwewer ecolleagues.
Wecheatedonourpartnersandi
tresult
edin..
..

Me:youwantt
otel
lmet
hatBheki
sisai
smybr
other
?

Mr sMchunu:yes,ThembaandBaf anatoo,my
husbandknewandhi sr
ealint
enti
onofhiml eavi
ng
thebusinesstoyouwasr euni
ti
ngyouwi thyour
brother
s.Hewashopi ngthatyouwillworktoget
her
and..
IfIdon'
tleavenow,
babawi llj
umpont
hiswoman
andit'
sgoingtobebloody.Isnat
chmykeys.

Me:Ican'tstandthi
sbull
shit
!Bhekisi
saisnotmy
brot
her,Iref
use!Gofi
ndaf at
herforyourbast
ard
chil
drenuyekeukubhedel
aubabawami !

Isl
am t
hedoorandr
unt
omycar
..
.

Tobecont
inued.

*
Sponsor
edbyL.Madonsel
a *
[
01/
24,
17:
54] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t28

AMONTHLATER
SABELO

Ihavebeenwayt oobusyandI '

m gladthatkeptme
sanefrom al
ltheupsanddownsandnew
revel
ati
ons.Nowt hatIam donewrit
ingmyexamsI
canactual
lysitdownandr evi
sitt
histhi
ng.

Somyf athercheatedonmymot her

?Whatki ndof
anaffai
rthatresul
tsin4chi l
drenandhidt hem?IfI
am notmistaken,Bafana,t
helastbornis4year s
youngerthanBongameani ng.
..Aifut
hithi
nking
aboutthi
smakesmever yangry.Iam angrythatt
he
ownersofthismessar ebot hdeadandl ef
tmewi th
atasktosolveit.

Iam madatmyf atherforbet

rayingmymot herli
ke
thi
sandal somadatMrMchunuf orl
eavingmea
businessandneverstat
ehisintenti
onsclear.Iam
madatMr sMchunuwhoknewt het r
uth,
sawt he
beefthatt
heWillbroughtbutsti
llkeptqui
et,
howI
wishshekeptherlegsthatcloseitwouldhavebeen
bett
er.

Ihaveaddedsecur i
tyi
nallmyproperti
esbecause
she'sbeenanageversinceBhekisisawas
dischar
gedfrom hospi
tal,
heisnowwai ti
ngfortr
ial
andhealingi
npr i
soncell
s.AsforZandil
e,I
anonymouslyarrangedabesttherapi
stforher
,I
hopeshe'sgoingtobefine.

Ihavetemporar
il
ycuttieswi t
halmosteveryone
i
ncludi
ngthebrother
hood, deepdownIwi sh
Monali
satoldmeaboutt hisbecauseIbeli
eveshe
knewbutforherself
ishreasonsshekeptqui et
.
HowcanIexpectapowerhungr ymermaidt obea
honest
?

Idon'
tknowhowt hi
sisgoi
ngt owork,
meand
Bheki
sisabr
other
s?Okaytheothertwoarebett
er
buthi
m andIarethesame,inkunzi
ezimbil
iazi
hlal
i
esi
bayeniesi
sodwa.

YesterdayIconfr
ontedmymot herwiththetruthof
whichshewasshockedt olear
nt hatIknowof .She
wasangr yandaskedmehowcanIaskhert hator
speakliket
hataboutmyfatherbutlaterconf
irmed
thatdadoncehadanaf f
airwit
hamar ri
edwoman
andshehopedt hatheendedthings.

Unfortunatel
yhedi dn'
t,
thataff
airr
esult
edi
n4
chil
dren.Mar nIhateMrsMchunusomuch, Ihave
blockedallkindofcontactwit
hher,themanager
dealswithf i
nancesandher.

SfisoandSbongawal ksi
ntal
kingaboutwhat
ever
theyar edi
scussi
ng.Sbongaandmymom ar e
visit
ing.

Sf
iso:
(shaki
ng)Sabza,
longt
imebr
oe.
Me:
examshadmebybal
lsbutnowt
hat
'soutoft
he
way,i
t'
sbet
ter
.

Sfi
so:
I'
m happyman.HeardBheki
sisai
sbr
eat
hing
thr
oughthewoundinpri
son.

Me:actual
lyt
hat'
swhyIcall
edyouher
e.Abouthi
m.
Ineedyourpr
ofessi
onalhel
p.

Sf
iso:okay?

Me:yeahIneedyout
ogethi
m out
.

Sfi
so:(chuckl
ingi
ndi
sbel
ief
)what
?Youar
eki
ddi
ng
ri
ght?

Me:i
sthejobabitt
oomuchf
oryou?Shoul
dIget
anot
herl
awyer?
Sfi
so:woohSabzadudewhat
'shappeni
ng,
slow
down!

Me:(si
ghs)Sf
iso,
Ihaveal
ott
hat'
sgoingonr
ight
nowcanyoudot hisf
ormewit
houtaski
ng
questi
ons?

Sf
iso:
fi
ne,
butyouowemeanexpl
anat
ion,
ful
lofi
t!

Me:andyouwi l
lgeti
t.Ipr
omisewe'l
lgotothecl
ub
andIwil
lfi
llyouupaboutever
ythi
ngthat
'sbeen
happeni
ng.

Sfi
so:youbet
ter.Ihear
dtomor
rowyouar
emeet
ing
yourbankemployees?

Me:(
smili
nglooki
ngatSbonga)yes,mybusi
ness
par
tnerandIaregoi
ngtorevealour
sel
ves.
Sf
iso:
wel
lgoodluck.LetmegoandseewhatIcan
dowit
hthecaseyouar egi
vingme.

Me:t
hankyoubr
ayami
,Ioweyou.

Weshakehandsandhel eaves.Ir
estonmychai r
andcheckonmyI nstagr
am.Ihaven'tbeenacti
vein
awhi lemaybe2weeks.Ther e'
sloadsof
notif
icat
ions,Ihar
dlyfol
lowthepeoplethat
's
fol
lowsmeshameandIknowi t
'smeanbutthenit
i
swhati tis.

Icheckont heDM' sandcomesacr ossamessage

from Khanyisi
le'
snewaccount .Shet ol
dmeabout
herinter
view,toherherpassingitandt oher
actuall
ywor ki
ngont hebank.Wow, I
'
m gladshegot
thejobwi t
houtmyi nfl
uence.ThewayIhavebeen
sobusy, Ievenforgott
hatItoldheraboutit.
Igotohertimel
ineandwow, t
hat
'st
helookIpref
er.
Noof f
ensebuteveryonehast
hei
rpref
erencei
s
okay.Il
ikecl
eanlykeptwomen.

Sbonga:sodad.
.

Me:yesbaby.
..

Sbonga:yousai
dtomor
rowwear
emeet
ingour
employeesri
ght
?

Me:yes.
.

Sbonga:
Iwasthi
nki
ngaboutget
ti
ngamor
efor
mal
l
ook,asuit
..

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)howol
dar
eyouagai
n?
Sbonga:
12..butdadcomeon,
Ineedtolookthepar
t
andthepeopleshoul
dknowandfeelt
hatI'
mt he
nextCEOinline.

Me:Il
ikeyourmindset,
bossl
adyvi
besal
ready.
Okay,
let
'sgoshopping.

Sbonga:
(scr
eamingandhuggingme)youar
ethe
best
.Urhm onemorerequest
?

Me:whydoIgetaf
eel
ingt
hatI
'
m goi
ngt
oregr
et
t
his?

Sbonga:
(gi
ggli
ng)i
t'
snot
hingbi
gbutIwas
wonderi
ngifIcoul
dhavemyowncreditcar
d?I
don'
twanttoaskyoumoneyeveryminut
e..

Me:owht
hat
'
sdoabl
e.Iwi
llgetyouonedon'
twor
ry.
.
Sbonga:
daddyoft
heyearawar
dgoest
oyoushame
wenaNyambose..

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)aveuyiscam nganekaBongumusa!

Sbonga:
(gi
ggl
ing)sohowmuchar
eyougoi
ngt
o
putt
hereever
ymont h?

Me:Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t.

Wegett
othecaranddr
iveout
.

KHANYI
SILE.

Itucki nmypowderblueshirti
nsidemynavypencil
skirtandputonmybl acksti
ll
etoesinsi
demybag.I
sti
llcan'tbeli
evet
hatIscor
edmysel fahighcl
assed
positionintheworl
dclassbank?Iam an
i
nvest
mentbankert
hatear
nsR475500peryear
,
divi
dethatby12monthst
ogetmymonthlysal
ary.

Godisgoodf orreal.Todaywearemeet i
ngthenew
owner s.Iam excit
edandner vousatthesameti
me
Idon'tknowwhatt oexpect.Imeanrumorshave
beengoi ngaroundt hatthebossishandsomesome
sayshe' sver
yqui et
,somesayhe'sanononsense
taker
,somesayhe' skind.

What evert
hecasemaybe, Iam j
ustexci
tedtomeet
themanwhodi dthethingsandownsuchcl assy
establi
shment.I
nf ewmont hsIwil
lbemovingback
tojozibecausei
t'
sf arcomingfr
om here.

Ipl
ugonmyheadsetandl i
stentometroFM
morni
ngnews,Ialwaysdothatever
ymor ni
ngt obe
updat
edaboutwhat'
shappeningintheworldsinceI
don'
thaveaTV.Irai
semyheadandohGod, a
massivet
raf
fi
cjustbef
oreSouthgat
einfrontofus.
Coul
dn'tthi
shappenonanyot herdayt hantoday?
Wheremyf ir
stmor ni
ngisessenti
al.10minutes
passwithusstuck,i
t'
sli
kethecarsinfrontaren'
t
moving.Thefrust
rati
oninmei sobviousandIwant
tocr
yatt hi
spoint
.Clearl
ythemeet i
ngisonnow.

MyGodIam goi ngtobesolate!Afterf

orevert
he
l
inesopensbutit'
stoolat
e.I
'
ml ate.NoIneedt o
moveseriousl
y,i
fIwasstayi
ngi nNewt ownI
wouldn'
thavebeenstuckint
raffi
c.

Iarri
veatworkandrushtothel
adi
estofi
xmyself
wipingthesweatandputonmyheels.My
coll
eaguespassesmecomi ngf
rom t
heboar
droom.
Istoponeguy.

Me:
hi,
ist
hemeet
ingover
?

Hi
m:yeahbutt
hebossesar
est
il
lint
her
e.
Bosses?OkayKhanyi
sil
egetagr
ip.It
akeadeep
hugebreat
handcatwalktot
heboardr
oom..

SABELO

Themeetandgr eetbetweenourst uf
fwas
successful
.Iam happyatmyHRt eam, mostpeopl
e
whoar ewor ki
ngher eareyoungandbl ack.Ot
her
racesareavailabl
ebutmyai mistoimprovethe
blackyouthandgi vethem theopport
uniti
esthat
wer edepri
vedbyf ormerempl oyer
s.

Sbonga:
wel
lthatwentwel
l.
.

Me:ver
ywell
,nowyouseethathavi
ngmoney
meanshavi
ngavoice,
powerandauthor
it
y?

Sbonga:
yeahi
t'
samazi
ngact
ual
ly.Ther
especti
t
comands.
..
.

Thedoorsl
owlyopensandKhanyisi
lewal
ksin
sl
owlyconf
used.Shegreet
suslooki
ngatshocked.
.

Khanyi
:Sabel
o,ur
hm whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Me:(smi
li
ng)babygot
othecarandt
ellt
hedr
ivert
o
getyouhome.

Sbonga:
(smil
ing)yesdad.
.(
whi
sper
ingi
npassi
ng)
she'
sprett
y.

Shegr eet
sKhanyi
sil
eandwalksoutcl
osi
ngthe
door.Ipushmychairbackandst
andupwalkingt
o
her.

Me:Mamvel
ase.
.goodf
oryout
ofi
nal
lyj
oinus.
Khanyi
:wai
t.
.don'
ttel
lmet
hatyouownt
hispl
ace?

Me:
(gr
inni
ng)
wel
l.
.

Khanyi
:(
runni
ngtomeandhugsme)ohmyGod!
Youdon'tsei
zet
oamazemeeveryday!

Ihugherbackandgoshshesmellssogood.Idon'
t
knowifi
t'
sexci
tementorwhatbutsheki
ssesme
butqui
ckl
ypull
sback.

Khanyi
:urhm I
'
m sor
ryIshoul
dn'
thavedonet
hatI
guess.
..

Igrabhertomeandshuthermout hkissi
ngher
deep.Goshherli
psaresot enderandsoft.Tosay
I'
vebeendyingtotast
ethem.Ipi ckherupand
placeheronthetabl
e,
herlookmakesmeweak, my
handsgoest
ohershi
rtandunbut
toni
t.
..

Tobecont
inued

*Sponsor
edbyar
eaderwhoaskedt
obekept
anonymous *
[
01/
24,
17:
54] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t29
(
Notedi
ted,
pleaseexcuseer
ror
s)

SABELO

Thekissisfastfi
ll
edwithemotions,hunger,desi
re
andlust.Ihavebeenwithnumberofwomen
recentl
ybutIneverfeelsuchchemistr
y.AllI've
everdoneisjustfuckandpass, f
uckt orel
easebut
withthi
swomani nfr
ontofme, Iwanttotakemy
t
imewithher
,Iwantt
odevourandenj
oyher
wit
houtanyr
ush.

Myhandsgoesunderherski
rtt
oherpanti
esandI
playwit
hherf
olds,
themurmuri
ngbetweenourki
ss,
fuck.

Khanyi
:(
whi
sper
ing)wai
twai
twai
t.
..

Me:
ahwhyr
uinagoodmoment
?

Khanyi
:doyouhavecondoms?

Me:Idon'
tbut
..

Khanyi
:t
heni
t'
snothappeni
ng.

Shesaysget
ti
ngdownandf
ixhershi
rt
.
Me:what
?Don'
tdomel
iket
hat
..

Khanyi:
uyaf
ebawenaSabel
o,Idon'tknowwher
e
t
hatdickwassoIwon'
ttakethatr
isk.

Isweart
hewayshesai
dit
,gotmecr acki
ngupso
bad.Iwi
pemytear
sandholdherhands.

Me:okayokayIunderst
andandyouar
eri
ght
.Ihave
beencarel
esslat
ely.
.

Khanyi
:exact
ly.
.

Me:mamela,cometot
hehouselat
er.
.l
et'
sdoi
tthe
ri
ghtway,di
nner,
musi
c,
wineandthenyouasa
desser
t?
Khanyi
:(
bitt
ingherl
ips)
mhmm.
.Sabel
o,youknowI
j
ustgotcleansedri
ght.
.

Me: Iknow,r
elaxnothi
ngwil
lhappentoyouorthose
aroundyou,Ipromise.Unl
essyouareplanni
ngon
galavanti
ngaround..
.

Khanyi
:ofcausenot
..

Me:t
henyouhavenot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.Lat
er?

Khanyi
:yesboss.Igot
tago.

Shekissesmeonelastti
meandl eavest
heroom.
Damnwoman!Ir estonmychairandsmi l
ealone.
Thatwasmassive.Igetupandgot omycardrivi
ng
st
rai
ghttotheMchunuhousehold.
Dri
vinginherewakeupsomanyemot i
onsinme
butIhavetoactal
lcool.Ihavenochoicebuttodo
thi
s,inHonorofmymot her'
swi shesasshe'
sbeen
beggingmetodoi tf
orSbonga, Idon'
twanttoher
togrowupanddat ehercousins.

If
indBafanawater
ingthegarden,
nowthatIlook
cl
oseathim,hedoeslookli
keBonga,
especiall
y
wi
ththatbear
donhi m.

Me:
Baf
ana.
.

Baf
ana:
bhut
iSabel
o..

Weshakehandsandgoi nsi
det
hehouse.Hegoes
tocal
lThembaandthei
rmom andBhekisi
sat
ri
esto
getupusinghi
scr
utches.

Bheki
sisa:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?WhydoIgeta
f
eel
ingyouwantt
odi
stur
bourpeace.
.

Me:eiawukahleukuzenzaIfeel
istwenauhlal
e
phansi
,bel
ievemeIdon' twantt
obeher e.

Bheki
sisa:t
henwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e.

MrsMchunu:Ical
ledhimtojoi
nus.Sabel
othank
youf
orhonori
ngmyi nvi
te.

Sherepl
ysi
tt
ingdowni
nbet
weenThembaand
Baf
ana.

Bheki
sisa:mama,
kwenzenj
ani
?(Mot
her
,what
's
happening?
)

MrsMchunu:mychi
ldr
en,
asyouallknowand
r
ememberthevi
deoyourf
athermadebefor
ehe
pastaway,t
hatwasplayedduri
ngthereadi
ngofthe
wil
lwhereheconfessedinnotbei
ngyourbi
ologi
cal
fat
her.

AsmuchasIam ashamedaboutt hisbutIam

t
hankf ulfortherespectyoual lhaveme.Youdi dn'
t
j
udgemenorquest ionedme.Ihavebeent ryi
ngto
fi
ndawayt otel
lyout hi
s,Ihadhopedt hatIwill
fi
nishmour ningmyhusbandt hent el
lyouguysyour
realsurnamebutt hel ongerIkeepqui etthemor e
t
hingsgoSout h.

Sabeloisyourelderbr
other
,hi
sfat
herandIhadan
aff
airthatr
esult
edi nt
hebir
thofy'
all
.

Them:what
?

Mr
sMchunu:
yourr
ealsur
namei
sMt
het
hwa.
..
.
Bhekisisal
ookedatmeandIstareathi
m backas
thehousefelli
ntoacomfor
tabl
esil
enceeveryone
digesti
ngwhattheyj
ustheard.

KHANYI
SILE

Icheckatmyselfaft
erget
ti
ngofffr
om theUberand
walkinsi
dethehouse.Thesecur
it
ydidn'tevengi
ve
meahassl eit
'sl
ikeSabel
oinf
ormedthem about
me.

Nomhl eworkedhermagiconmyf aceIlookl

ikea
goddess.Iam weari
ngashor tgoldonearm
gli
tter
ingdr
esswithblackheals.IchoseaBrazil
ian
razorcutweave.

Idoabr eathingexerci
sebef or
er i
ngingthedoor
bel
l,
I
'm suret hesecuri
tyinformedhimt hatI'
m
comingup.Thecar sinthi
shar d.Yesesonewould
swearthere'ssomemeet i
ngofsomesor t.
TheyounggirlImetearl
ieropenst
hedoor,she'
son
somelongsweat erandi
swal ki
ngaroundonsocks.
Shesmilesatme.

Sbonga:
hi,
youar
ethel
adyImetatt
heof
fi
ceear
li
er
ri
ght?

Me:ur
hm yeah,
I
'm her
etoseeyourf
ather
.I'
m hi
s
f
ri
end.
.

Sbonga:
(smil
ingandlet
ti
ngmei
n)hisfr
iendr
ight
?
Youarebeautif
ul.Mynamei
sSbonga.
.

Me:Khanyi
sil
e.

Sbonga:youar
ereal
lyar
ethel
ight
,come.Gogo.
..
MaCel
e:yi
ni?
(whati
sit
?)

Sbonga:umnganikababaukhona(myf
ather
's
fr
iendi
shere)

Inear
lyf
aintwhenIseethewomanseatedont
hose
hi
ghchairkni
tt
ing.HowcanSabel
oinvi
temeover
andnotwarnme?

Me:sani
bona(gr
eet
ings)

MaCele:yebomngani,wazewamuhle,
uwumabani
kentombi?(Hel
lotoyoutoofr
iend,
youar
e
beauti
ful
,what'
syoursurname?)

Me:ngi
nguKhanyi
sil
eMt
hembu.
..
(I'
m Khanyi
sil
e
Mthembu)
MaCele:ohJamakaSi j
adu(cl
anname), oh
ungahlal
anjentombiumnganiwakhouyeza(you
cansitdown,yourf
ri
endiscoming).

Thi
sissowr
ongi
nsomanyl
evel
s.

Sbonga:canIgetyouanyt
hingt
odr
ink?

Me:wat
erwi
llbef
ine.

Shenodsandwal
kst
otheki
tchen.NowIam l
eft
wit
hthi
swomanwho'
ssmili
ngnonestop.

MaCel e:ngiyaj
abulakeubonaumnganikaSabelo,
besengi khathazeki
lengi
thingi
zozengi
shone
ngingambonanga(iam happyt ohavefinal
lymet
myson' s'fr
iend"Iwaswor ri
edthatIwi
lldi
enot
meet i
ngher .
Sabel
ocomeswi
thbagsandsmi
rkwhenhesees
me.

Sabelo:Mamvel
asesowukhona?(Youar
eher
e
al
ready?)

He'
senj
oyi
ngt
hisandIwi
llgethi
m.

Sabel
o:ma, ngiyabonasenibonene.Ngumama
wami nendodakaziyamilena,mamanguKhanyi si
le
l
onau. .
.(ma,Icanseeyouhaveal readymet.This
i
smymom, andmydaught erhere.Mom, thi
s
Khanyisi
leNothando,my..)

MaCele:umnganiwakho,si
yazi
.Besashil
o.Muhle
kodwaumnganiwakhondodana(Yourf riend,
we
knowshealreadysai
dthat,
yourfr
iendisbeautif
ul
son)
Heblushesli
kecrazy.Thi
sbighead!Wesitdown
andeat,babygi
rli
stalki
ngandaskingme
questi
onswhil
emagogoyenai stell
ingmetocome
vi
sitKZN,whatdothesepeoplet
hinkIam tothei
r
son?HeeJesu.

Sabel
okeepsonwinki
ngatmeever ychancehe
get
sandbrushi
ngmyt i
ghsunderthetabl
e.Aft
er
eat
ingIt
akethedi
shestot
hekitchen,hecomes
wit
hplat
es.

Me:
wenaSabel
o..
.

Sabel
o:shhhh,
Iknow.Youwi
llpuni
shmewhenI
comeback.

Me:wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?

Sabel
o:iam wal
kingt
hem out
,mydr
iveri
staki
ng
t
hem home.Ther
e'sanemer
gencyandmom want
s
t
oseehersel
finherbedt
oni
ght
.

Me:okay.

Heleavesmeputingthedishesonthedishwasher
.
Sbongacomestosaygoodbyeandasksf ormy
number.Okaybabygirlr
est.Igi
veheranyway.
Theysaythei
rgoodbyesthenwal kout
.

Iwalktotheloungeandsitdowntakingoffmy
shoes.Iputonchanneland322andmyf avor
it
e
songisplayi
ng.Bri
tneyspearsandthathotguyon
some-Makemesong. .

I
'
m dr
eami
ngami
leami
nut
e'boutsomebody
Thi
sfeel
ing,
Iwannagowi
thi
t,causet
her
e'sno
way
We'
rehi
dingawayf
rom t
hist
oni
ght
,oh,
thi
stoni
ght
Cant
ellyouwantme
Byt
hewayIseeyoust
ari
n''
crosst
her
oom,
babe
Noshamei
nthegame,
justcutt
heshi
t,behonest
Yeah,youknowwhatyougot
tadot
oni
ght
,do
toni
ght

Ij
ustwantyout
omakememove
Li
kei
tai
n'tachoi
cef
oryou,
li
keyou'
vegotaj
obt
o
do
Justwantyout
orai
semyr
oof
Somet
hingsensat
ional(
ohyeah)

Thedoorshut
ti
ngst
artl
esmeandIqui
ckl
ysi
tdown
andwatchSabel
owalki
ngtome.

Sabel
o:f
inal
lyi
t'
sthet
woofus.

Me:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmeyouhadvi
sit
ors?
Sabelo:
youweren'tt
ogoingt
ocomeandbesidesI
thoughtIwasgoingtocomebackear
lybutt
he
meetingtookl
onger.

Me:okaybutdi
dyoumanaget
ogetever
ythi
ng
done?

Sabel
o:yeahIguesseveryoneisuptospeedwit
h
whati
shappening,j
ustleftf
orustodigestt
henews
andfi
ndawayf orward.
.

Me:soundshect
ic.
.

Sabel
o:tur
nsoutIam anol
derbr
othert
o3guysI
usetohatewi
thpassi
on.

Me:
iyoo!
Sabelo:
yep,
butIdon'
twantt
otal
kaboutt
hat
toni
ght.
.

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)whatdoyouwantt
odo?

Sabel
o:Iwanttoki
ssyou,her
e(heki
ssesmynose)
andhere(
myforehead)t
hencomehere(myneck)
thenl
astl
yhere.

Hesayst aki
ngmyl i
psintohi
s.Irespondt ohis
touchandhegetsmeont opofhi
m.Ourt ongue
swirl
inginsi
deeachothermouthsheget supwi th
mest il
lonhisar
msandwal kthestaircasetohis
bedroom.

REMOVED

THEFOLLOWI
NGDAY
Thesunhitsussoni celyfrom thewi
ndow,Idon'
t
knowwhatt i
mewef ellasl
eepbutIrememberhim
fet
chingabottl
eofwi neandsomesnacks.Wehad
somuchf un,hi
mt el
lingmeabouthi sli
feevenhi
s
heart
breakbyhissweet heartandthedeat
hofhis
brot
herofwhichstil
lhur t
shim.

Whathur t
shimt hemostisthatBongat ookabull
et
thatwasmeantt okil
lhim,i
notherwordsBonga
diedforhim, andthatisact
uall
ywhatchangedhi m
tobet hiskindofperson,i
tfoundhim nursi
nghis
heartbreakfrom hi
sexandmessedhi m upeven
mor e.

Istr
etchmyar mst ryi
ngtofreemyselff
r om hi
m.I
taponhi sarm butwait,
whyi si
tsosoft.Iopenmy
eyesandj esuschri
st!Idon'
tknowhow j umped
from t
hebedt othef l
oorscr
eaming.Asnakehad
i
tselfwrappedaroundmewhatt hefuck.
Icr
ywhenIr ealizet
hatIhitt
hefl
oorr
oughlyand
hur
tmyhi p.IlookatthebedandseeSabelosi
tt
ing
uprubbi
nghi seyes,exact
lywher
ethesnakewasat

Sabelo:baby?What
'swr
ong?Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
ther
e?

Myheartisaboutt
ocomeoutofmymout hri
ght
now.Hegetsupandwalkst
ome,Iam cr
ying,
becauseIsawasnakeandal
sobrokemyhip.

Sabel
o:Khanyi
sil
e?Baby?

Hedoesn'
tremember
?

Me:Ibr
okemyhi
p..

Sabel
o:whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?Ihear
dyouscr
eam.
.
Me:
urhm yeahIhadani
ght
mar
e.

Sabel
o:okayl
etmegetaf
ir
stai
dki
t.

Helooksgenuinel
ywor r
iedofwhi chmakesme
wonderifhedoesn'tr
ememberhi m changi
ngor
what'
shappeninghere?Bayangi l
oyastr
uu.
.myeyes
scanthewholeroom andi t
'sspotl
esscl
ean.I
fthey
arenotbewit
chingmewher e'
sthatpyt
honthatwas
cuddl
ingwithmef ewmi nutesago?

Tobecont
inued.

*Thi
sinser
tsponsoraskedmet
onameheras
SABELO'SPERSON *
[
01/
24,
17:
54] :TheBachel
or
I
nser
t30
(
Notedi
ted,
pleaseexcuseer
ror
s)

KHANYI
SILE

Iholdont othecupofcoffeestar
ingintospace,
my
mindcan'tgetoffwhatIsaw.Isweart oGodI
wasn'thall
ucinat
ing.Lor
dpleasedon'tletmetobe
crazy,mykidsarewayt ooyoungt ohaveaskrr
skrrrmother.

ButthenIfIwasn' tcrazythenthatmeansSabelois.
.
aimarnhow' sthispossible?It'
sonethi
ngt oknow
abouthim beingar it
uali
stbuthim bei
ng
umaml amboi tsanotherstory.Ontopofallthat
,I
am sti
llhere,
Istil
lgetgoosebumpswhenIt hinkof
him.Whatdoest hatmakesme?Am Iser i
ously
goingcrazy?

"
Car
etoshar
ewhatgotyousodeepi
nthought
s?"
Hisvoicedist
urbsme.Iputdownt
hecupandget
offf
rom thechairandl
impputi
ngbackt
hemil
kto
thefr
idge.

Me:Ineedt
ogo,t
raf
fi
ciscr
azythi
smorni
ngandI
havet
ochangeandbeatworkby10.

Sabel
o:youcan'
tgot
owor
kli
mpi
ngl
iket
hat
.Take
adayoff.
.

Me:Iguessit
'st
oosoonf ormet
omessaround
wi
thwork, t
heoneIprayedsohar
dfor
..

Sabel
o:Khanyi
sil
e,IownthatplacewhenIsayt
ake
adayoffImeanthat,nooneelseisabovemyword.

Isi
ghandkeepquiet.Argui
ngwi t
hhimispoint
less.
Hewalkscl
osert
ome, Iswearformall
ooksso
muchgoodonhim, heshouldrockital
ways.
Sabel
o:canwet
alk?

Me:about
?

Sabel
o:ever
ythi
ng,Iknowyouhavelot
sof
quest
ionsaboutwhatyousawandIam readyt
o
answeryouhonest
ly.Sofeel
free.

Me:Sabelo,
Iwanttoknow,whenwewer
eint
imat
e,
wasIsleepi
ngwit
hyouor .
.ur
hm..

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)youar
esocut
eyouknowt
hat
?

Me:qui
ttr
ippi
ng,
yousai
dweshoul
dtal
k.

Sabel
o:I
'
m sor
ryIcan'
thel
pit
.Noyouweresleepi
ng
wit
hme, howcanubabadoal
lthet
hingsIwas
doi
ngt
oyou?

Me:
howdoest
hiswor
k?Whywasi
tal
lovermel
ike
t
hat
?

Sabelo:okay,hewaswelcomi
ngandscanni
ngyou
andheappr oves.Int
ermsofhowi
t'
swork,he
prot
ectsanddef endsme.

Me:I'
m scar
edofi
tappear
ingorhar
mingme
honest
ly.

Sabelo:i
tshal
lneverharm you,
infacti
twi
llnever
appeartoyouagainunlesstoprot
ectyouf
rom
danger.

Me:whatel
sedoyouwantt
otel
lme?
Sabel
o:f
orst
art
ersIdon'
teatbr
eakf
astort
akea
bat
hwi t
hwomen

Me:
why?

Sabelo:ther
e'saneverydaymorni
ngr
itualt
hat
requi
resmet odowi t
houteati
nganyt
hingunti
l
l
uncht i
me.

Me:sowe'
l
lneverhaver
omant
icbat
hsandsexi
n
t
heshower
?

Sabelo:
showercandobutnoti nabath, Iwi
lltel
l
youwhy.Bef oreIt
akehimin,heusedt oli
veina
pool,hi
spreviousownerbui
ldhim aroom wi t
ha
pool.Sooncei nsi
deabathtubhefeelstheneedt o
playwit
hwat er.Heisacl
eangentlemanandl oves
watershame.
Me:(r
oll
ingmyeyes)youspeakasi
fit
'syourf
ri
end
orsomet hi
ng.
.

Sabel o:(
smiling)heismyf ri
end, mypr otectorand
shield.Khanyi si
lelook.Iknowt hatalloft hisi
s
probabl yalotf r
om youandyout hi
nkt hatyou
deser vebetterofwhi chistruebutIwantt oconf
ess
somet hi
ngtoyou.I t'
sbeensol ongIf eltsopeace
andcal mli
ket his.Il
ikedyout heveryf irstmomentI
sawyouatt hecl ubunf ort
unatelyyourf riendhad
mar kedmeal ready.

Whenyoumadeyourmoveoni nst
agram Iwasli
ke,
that
'smykindofwoman.Youmadei tinaclassy
way,str
aighttothepoi
ntwi
thoutaski
ngmeusel ess
questi
ons.WhenIpushedyouawayf rom, Iwas
worri
edofr ui
ningyou.

Iti
syourboldness,
brai
nsandbeautythatatt
ract
ed
met oyou.Evennowlookatyou,st
andinghere.I
gott
aadmi tt
hatyouarebr
ave,theexactki
ndof
womanIneedbymysi
de.

Youl
ist
enanddef
ini
tel
ynotl
iket
heot
hergi
rl
s..

Me:ohIam defi
nit
elyl
iket
heot
hergi
rl
sMr
Mthethwa.Il
ovemoneyandsof
tli
febutnowI
'
ve
l
earnedtoworkfori
t.

Sabelo:yousee, that
'sexactl
ywhatIam t alki
ng
about.Ther eal
nessandhowyout ookwhatIsaid
andwor kedoni t.Somewoul dhavedi scarded
thosetalksaside.Khanyisi
le,Idon'
tknowwhatt he
futur
ehol dsforusbutIwantt ospendthe
remainingdaysofmyl if
ehappyandchasi ngthe
l
ifetomyf ul
lcapabil
iti
es.

Iwantyoubymyside,notasasexpartner
,thatI
cangetfr
om anywomanoutt her
ebutIwant
someonetobuil
dwit
h,someonest r
ong,
cour
ageous,
goaldri
ven,det
erminedandbeautif
ul.I
don'
tseeanyoneel
sewit
hthosequali
ti
esexcept
youMamvelaseomuhl
e,mylearnedcol
league.

Pleaset
akemyhand, let'
stravelt
heworldt
ogether
andbetheafri
canversionofBonni eandCl
yde.Last
butnotl
east,
pleasedon'ttryandchangeme,Idon't
wanttochangeandleastofi tal
lIdon'
twanttogo
backtopover
ty.Iam comf ort
ableatbei
ngri
ch.

Me:Ineedt othinkaboutallofthi
sSabeloandget
backtoyou.IlikeyouyesandGodt hechemi st
ry
betweenusi smassi vebutther
e'salotIwil
lhaveto
tur
nabl i
ndeyei ntoandIneedt odoasel f
i
ntrospect
ionifIwillbeableto.

Sabel
o:t
hat'
sfai
randIunder
stand.Takeal
ltheti
me
youneedandwhenyouhavedeci dedyouknow
wheretofi
ndme

Me:i
fIagr
eet
obeyourBonni
einyourCl
yde,
you
wi
llhavetogetr
idoftheideaofsl
eepi
ngwi
ththe
ot
herwomen.Iwillnotbeshari
ngyousameasyou
won'tbe.

Igot
tagoandgetr
eadyt
oleave.

Sabel
o:ur
hm mydr
iverwi
llt
akeyout
othedoct
or.

Me:t
hankyou.
Il
eavehim deepinthoughts,
heshoul
dthi
nktwice
becauseIam goi
ngt obeputti
ngupwithalot,
and
womeni ssomethingthatIdon'
twantt
odealwith.

THEMCHUNUBROTHERS

Bhekisi
sali
mphi swaytotheseatjoi
ninghis
brot
hersinthebedroom.Theyhaven'
tspokenabout
thebombt hei
rmotherdroppedl
astnight.
Bheki
sisa:madoda,
niyi
thi
nil
endaba?
(Whatdoyou
makeofwhatmom sai d)

Bafana:asshockingasitmay,Iact
ual
lybeli
eveit
becauseIremembert hefi
rstt
imedadbrought
Sabeloaround,
Ifeltt
hiski
ndofconnectiontohim
youknow.LikeIlovedhischil
landcal
m vibes,
nowI
underst
andwhy.

Bheki
sisa:butt
henheki
ll
edourbr
otherandt
his
famil
ythroughshi
t.

Bafana:youkil
ledhi sfi
rst,
youst art
edthissodon't
actli
keavicti
m.I fthere'
sanyonewhohaveapower
toendthis,i
t'
syou.Goapol ogiestohim because
bel
ievemehegotnot hi
ngt olose.Hedoesn'tneed
us,hecansomargoonwi t
hhi sli
fewhil
emaki ng
oursalivi
nghel landthere'
snot hi
ngwecando
aboutit
.Youst artedthisshit
,youendit!
Themba:asmuchasIhat et oadmitthi
s,Bafanais
ri
ght.Wepr ovokedhi
m andhest ri
kedback.It'
s
ti
meweendt hi
s.Nomatterhowwer unawayf rom
thisorhowwel ookatit
,he'sourelderbrot
her,our
blood.Weneedhi m,notonlybusi
nesswi sebutt o
sortoutoursurnameandconnectust otheri
ght
undergroundgang.

Bhekisi
sa:(si
ghs)Ihearyoumybr othersandyou
areri
ght.Iall
owedgr eedyajdjeal
ousytogetinthe
way,Ishouldhavecal meddown, t
ookast epback
andlookedintothisi
nabet terway.Whatdowedo
nowbecausewehavehur teachother'
scornersso
much?

Bafana:Isaylet
'sgotal
ktohi
m,haveaheartto
hearthonestconver
sati
onandpl
easeBheki
sisa,
keepyourheaddown.
Bheki
sisa:Ihearyou,wher
earewegoingt
ofi
nd
hi
m becausehe'sallovert
heplace?

Themba:gett
heguywhogotyououtodpri
son,
Iam
surehedoknowabouthi
swhereabout
s.

SABELO

Ihavebeenst ar
ingatthi
sfi
leIam notget
tingthe
words.Iam notabletoconcent
rat
eandi t
's
fr
ustr
ating.Khanyi
sil
ewantsmet ogetri
doft he
womenbuthowdoIdot hat?

Ri
ghtt
henMonal
isaappear
sont
hechai
ropposi
te
mydesk.

Me:Iwil
lnevergetusedtoyourr
udel
yshowi
ngup
st
yle.Whatdoyouwant ?
Mama:comeon,
don'tt
ellmeyouarestil
langry.
Youcal
ledf
ormeI'
m heretoansweryourquesti
on.

Ir
ollmyeyesandl
aybackont
hechai
r.

Mama: whatshe'saski
ngf ori
sreasonabl
eand
underst
andable.Womenandt hei
renti
tl
ementt
o
thei
rpart
nersandchi l
drenisunderst
andabl
e.

Me:Igett
hatbuthowdoIf
eedubababecausehe
needsasacr
if
iceever
ymont
h?

Mama: (lookingathergl assymi r

ror)youhavetwo
opti
ons.Gethi m offfr
om youandbui l
dhim ahouse,
notjustanybuthugehouseandgethi m awif
e
everyyear .Meani ngyouhavet omar r
ysomeone
el
sef orhim,mor eli
keasecr etwif
ef orhi
m andhe
i
sgoi ngt osleepwi thherthroughyou.Orpass
him/returnhi m overandgetbackt obel i
kethe
otherbrothers.Youwi llberich,mightybutyou
won'thavethekindofpoweryouhavenow,
youwill
sti
llbehighbutyouwil
lhavetodoahumanblood
sacrif
iceever
yyear.

Me:Maci
ngwanesacr
if
icedhi
msel
f,how'
sthat
work?

Mama:ther earetwoopt i
onsfort
hat.Youchooseto
beimportentnotbeingabletogetinti
matewith
womenatal l,sacr
ifi
ceyourseed,everyt
imeyour
wif
efall
spr egnant,sheencount
erasmi scar
ri
age
andthat
'sasacr if
ice.

Me:Ican'tputherthr
oughthat.Iwoul
drat
herhave
t
hem takenofffrom mestr
aightup.Notpr
oduce
t
hem atall.

Mama:that'
salsodoable.Al
thoughi
twoul
dst
il
lhur
t
hernotbeari
ngyourkids.
Me:whatdoyousuggestIdo?

Mama:what
'sonyourmi
ndson,
tal
ktome.

Me:theopti
onsarecrazy,
Idon'twantt
obean
ordi
narypersonaft
erthehighposi
ti
onIhave
secured.Iwantt
okeephim. .

Mama:ifyouarepl
anni
ngonhavingafamil
ywit
h
ki
dsaroundandkeepi
nghim homefor
geti
t.Whydo
yout
hinkBongumusaret
urnedSbongahome?

Me:
crap!
!

Mama:Iwouldsayt aketheyear l
ysacri
fice.I
t'
sthe
bet
teroneandyoucanal wayschooseawayt odo
i
t,t
hroughaccident,sui
cide,gunshots,
yourchoice.
Youwillst
il
lberichandacqui reever
ything.You
wantnormalcyandf amil
yt henthat'
sthepr i
ceto
pay.Ei
therway,
asacr
if
icehast
obemade.

Shel
ooksathergl
assymi
rr
or.

Mama:yourbr
other
sar
eont
heway.Beki
nd.
.

Wit
hthatshedi
sappear
sandmyphoner
ings.I
t'
s
Sf
iso.
.

Me:br
ayami

Sfi
so:TheMchunubrothersinsi
stedonseeingyou
andtheysoundeddesperat
e.Igivethem your
l
ocati
on.

Me:i
t'
scool
,
Iknow.

Sf
iso:cool
,ar
eyouar
med?
Me:Iwi
llhandl
eit
.

Ihangupandcheckt hegunonmydr awerthenget

backtowor k.Minut
eslatert
hereceptioncal
lsand
i
nf or
m meaboutt hem aski
ngpermissiontosend
them up.Igranti
tandrestonmychai rwaiti
ngfor
them.

Theywalkin,
l
eadbyBheki si
saandstandinfr
ontof
mydesk.Het akesouthi
sgunsandputt hem i
nthe
tabl
e,Baf
anaandThembaf ol
lowshi
m.

Bheki
sisa:wecamei
npeace.

Mi
nut
espassbywit
hmest ar
ingatt
hem,
Itake
mi
neoutandpl
acei
tnextt
otheir
s.

Me:youmaysi
tdown.
Tobecont
inued.

TheBachel
or

I
nser
t30

KHANYI
SILE

Iholdont othecupofcoffeestar
ingintospace,
my
mindcan'tgetoffwhatIsaw.Isweart oGodI
wasn'thall
ucinat
ing.Lor
dpleasedon'tletmetobe
crazy,mykidsarewayt ooyoungt ohaveaskrr
skrrrmother.

ButthenIfIwasn' tcrazythenthatmeansSabel
ois.
.
aimarnhow' sthispossible?It'
sonethi
ngtoknow
abouthim beingar it
uali
stbuthim bei
ng
umaml amboi tsanotherstory.Ontopofal
lthat
,I
am st
il
lhere,
Ist
il
lgetgoosebumpswhenIthi
nkof
hi
m.Whatdoest hatmakesme?Am Iser
iousl
y
goi
ngcrazy?

"Car
et osharewhatgotyousodeepinthought
s?"
Hisvoicedist
urbsme.Iputdownthecupandget
offf
rom thechairandl
impputi
ngbackthemi l
kto
thefr
idge.

Me:Ineedt
ogo,t
raf
fi
ciscr
azythi
smorni
ngandI
havet
ochangeandbeatworkby10.

Sabel
o:youcangot
owor
kli
mpi
ngl
iket
hat
.Takea
dayoff
..

Me:Iguessit
'st
oosoonf ormet
omessaround
wi
thwork, t
heoneIprayedsohar
dfor
..

Sabel
o:Khanyi
sil
e,Iownt
hatpl
acewhenIsayt
ake
adayof
fImeant
hat
,nooneel
sei
sabovemywor
d.

Isi
ghandkeepquiet.Argui
ngwi t
hhimispoint
less.
Hewalkscl
osert
ome, Iswearformall
ooksso
muchgoodonhim, heshouldrockital
ways.

Sabel
o:canwet
alk?

Me:about
?

Sabel
o:ever
ythi
ng,Iknowyouhavelot
sof
quest
ionsaboutwhatyousawandIam readyt
o
answeryouhonest
ly.Sofeel
free.

Me:Sabelo,
Iwanttoknow,whenwewer
eint
imat
e,
wasIsleepi
ngwit
hyouor .
.ur
hm..

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)youar
esocut
eyouknowt
hat
?
Me:qui
ttr
ippi
ng,
yousai
dweshoul
dtal
k.

Sabel
o:I
'
m sor
ryIcan'
thel
pit
.Noyouweresleepi
ng
wit
hme, howcanubabadoal
lthet
hingsIwas
doi
ngtoyou?

Me:
howdoest
hiswor
k?Whywasi
tal
lovermel
ike
t
hat
?

Sabelo:okay,hewaswelcomi
ngandscanni
ngyou
andheappr oves.Int
ermsofhowi
t'
swork,he
prot
ectsanddef endsme.

Me:I'
m scar
edofi
tappear
ingorhar
mingme
honest
ly.

Sabelo:i
tshal
lneverharm you,
infacti
twi
llnever
appeartoyouagainunlesstoprot
ectyouf
rom
danger
.

Me:whatel
sedoyouwantt
otel
lme?

Sabel
o:f
orst
art
ersIdon'
teatbr
eakf
astort
akea
bat
hwi t
hwomen

Me:
why?

Sabelo:ther
e'saneverydaymorni
ngr
itualt
hat
requi
resmet odowi t
houteati
nganyt
hingunti
l
l
uncht i
me.

Me:sowe'
l
lneverhaver
omant
icbat
hsandsexi
n
t
heshower
?

Sabel
o:showercandobutnotinabath,Iwi
llt
ell
youwhy.BeforeIt
akehi
mi n,heusedtoli
veina
pool,hi
spreviousownerbui
ldhi
m aroom wi
tha
pool.Sooncei nsi
deabatht
ubhefeelst
heneedto
pl
aywi t
hwat er.Heisacl
eangentl
emanandloves
watershame.

Me:(r
oll
ingmyeyes)youspeakasi
fit
'syourf
ri
end
orsomet hi
ng.
.

Sabel o:(
smiling)heismyf ri
end, mypr otectorand
shield.Khanyi si
lelook.Iknowt hatalloft hisi
s
probabl yalotf r
om youandyout hi
nkt hatyou
deser vebetterofwhi chistruebutIwantt oconf
ess
somet hi
ngtoyou.I t'
sbeensol ongIf eltsopeace
andcal mli
ket his.Il
ikedyout heveryf irstmomentI
sawyouatt hecl ubunf ort
unatelyyourf riendhad
mar kedmeal ready.

Whenyoumadeyourmoveoni nst
agram Iwasli
ke,
that
'smykindofwoman.Youmadei tinaclassy
way,str
aightt
othepoi
ntwit
houtaski
ngmeusel ess
questi
ons.WhenIpushedyouawayfrom, Iwas
wor
ri
edofr
uini
ngyou.

Iti
syourboldness,
brai
nsandbeautythatatt
ract
ed
met oyou.Evennowlookatyou,st
andinghere.I
gott
aadmi tt
hatyouarebr
ave,theexactki
ndof
womanIneedbymysi de.

Youl
ist
enanddef
ini
tel
ynotl
iket
heot
hergi
rl
s..

Me:ohIam defi
nit
elyl
iket
heot
hergi
rl
sMr
Mthethwa.Il
ovemoneyandsof
tli
febutnowI
'
ve
l
earnedtoworkfori
t.

Sabelo:yousee, that
'sexactl
ywhatIam t alki
ng
about.Ther eal
nessandhowyout ookwhatIsaid
andwor kedoni t.Somewoul dhavedi scarded
thosetalksaside.Khanyisi
le,Idon'
tknowwhatt he
futur
ehol dsforusbutIwantt ospendthe
remainingdaysofmyl if
ehappyandchasi ngthe
l
ifetomyf ul
lcapabil
iti
es.
Iwantyoubymysi de,notasasexpar tner,t
hatI
cangetfr
om anywomanoutt herebutIwant
someonetobuildwit
h,someonest rong,
cour
ageous,goaldri
ven,det
erminedandbeaut if
ul.I
don'
tseeanyoneelsewiththosequalit
iesexcept
youMamvelaseomuhl e,mylearnedcolleague.

Pleaset
akemyhand, let'
stravelt
heworldt
ogether
andbetheafri
canversionofBonni eandCl
yde.Last
butnotl
east,
pleasedon'ttryandchangeme,Idon't
wanttochangeandleastofi tal
lIdon'
twanttogo
backtopover
ty.Iam comf ort
ableatbei
ngri
ch.

Me:Ineedt othinkaboutallofthi
sSabeloandget
backtoyou.IlikeyouyesandGodt hechemi st
ry
betweenusi smassi vebutther
e'salotIwil
lhaveto
tur
nabl i
ndeyei ntoandIneedt odoasel f
i
ntrospect
ionifIwillbeableto.
Sabel
o:t
hat'
sfai
randIunder
stand.Takeal
ltheti
me
youneedandwhenyouhavedeci dedyouknow
wheretofi
ndme

Me:ifIagreet
obeyourBonnieinyourClyde,you
wi
llhavetogetri
doftheideaofsl
eepingwiththe
ot
herwomen.Iwi l
lnotbeshari
ngyousameasyou
won'tbe.

Igot
tagoandgetr
eadyt
oleave.

Sabel
o:ur
hm mydr
iverwi
llt
akeyout
othedoct
or.

Me:t
hankyou.
Il
eavehim deepinthoughts,
heshoul
dthi
nktwice
becauseIam goi
ngt obeputti
ngupwithalot,
and
womeni ssomethingthatIdon'
twantt
odealwith.

THEMCHUNUBROTHERS
Bhekisi
sali
mphi swaytotheseatjoi
ninghis
brot
hersinthebedroom.Theyhaven'
tspokenabout
thebombt hei
rmotherdroppedl
astnight.

Bheki
sisa:madoda,
niyi
thi
nil
endaba?
(Whatdoyou
makeofwhatmom sai d)

Bafana:asshockingasitmay,Iact
ual
lybeli
eveit
becauseIremembert hefi
rstt
imedadbrought
Sabeloaround,
Ifeltt
hiski
ndofconnectiontohim
youknow.LikeIlovedhischil
landcal
m vibes,
nowI
underst
andwhy.

Bheki
sisa:butt
henheki
ll
edourbr
otherandt
his
famil
ythroughshi
t.

Bafana:youkil
ledhisf
ir
st,youstar
tedthissodon't
actli
keavicti
m.Ifther
e'sanyonewhohaveapower
toendthis,
it'
syou.Goapol ogi
estohim because
bel
ievemehegotnot hingtolose.Hedoesn'
tneed
us,hecansomargoonwi t
hhi sli
fewhi
lemaking
oursali
vinghellandt
here'
snot hi
ngwecando
aboutit
.Youstartedt
hisshit
,youendit!

Themba:asmuchasIhat et oadmitthi
s,Bafanais
ri
ght.Wepr ovokedhi
m andhest ri
kedback.It'
s
ti
meweendt hi
s.Nomatterhowwer unawayf rom
thisorhowwel ookatit
,he'sourelderbrot
her,our
blood.Weneedhi m,notonlybusi
nesswi sebutt o
sortoutoursurnameandconnectust otheri
ght
undergroundgang.

Bhekisi
sa:(si
ghs)Ihearyoumybr othersandyou
areri
ght.Iall
owedgr eedyajdjeal
ousytogetinthe
way,Ishouldhavecal meddown, t
ookast epback
andlookedintothisi
nabet terway.Whatdowedo
nowbecausewehavehur teachother'
scornersso
much?

Baf
ana:Isayl
et'
sgot
alkt
ohi
m,haveahear
tto
hearthonestconver
sat
ionandpl
easeBheki
sisa,
keepyourheaddown.

Bheki
sisa:Ihearyou,wher
earewegoingt
ofi
nd
hi
m becausehe'sallovert
heplace?

Themba:gett
heguywhogotyououtodpri
son,
Iam
surehedoknowabouthi
swhereabout
s.

SABELO

Ihavebeenst ar
ingatthi
sfi
leIam notget
tingthe
words.Iam notabletoconcent
rat
eandi t
's
fr
ustr
ating.Khanyi
sil
ewantsmet ogetri
doft he
womenbuthowdoIdot hat?

Ri
ghtt
henMonal
isaappear
sont
hechai
ropposi
te
mydesk.
Me:Iwil
lnevergetusedtoyourr
udel
yshowi
ngup
st
yle.Whatdoyouwant ?

Mama:comeon,
don'tt
ellmeyouarestil
langry.
Youcal
ledf
ormeI'
m heretoansweryourquesti
on.

Ir
ollmyeyesandl
aybackont
hechai
r.

Mama: whatshe'saski
ngf ori
sreasonabl
eand
underst
andable.Womenandt hei
renti
tl
ementt
o
thei
rpart
nersandchi l
drenisunderst
andabl
e.

Me:Igett
hatbuthowdoIf
eedubababecausehe
needsasacr
if
iceever
ymont
h?

Mama: (l
ookingatherglassymi
rr
or)youhavetwo
opti
ons.Gethim offfr
om youandbuil
dhim ahouse,
notjustanybuthugehouseandgethi m awi
fe
ever
yyear .Meaningyouhavetomarrysomeone
el
sef orhim,mor eli
keasecretwif
ef orhi
m andhe
i
sgoi ngtosl eepwithherthr
oughyou.Orpass
him/retur
nhi m overandgetbacktobel i
kethe
otherbrothers.Youwillberi
ch,mightybutyou
won'thavet hekindofpoweryouhavenow, youwill
sti
llbehighbutyouwi llhavetodoahumanbl ood
sacrif
iceever yyear
.

Me:Maci
ngwanesacr
if
icedhi
msel
f,how'
sthat
work?

Mama:ther earetwoopt i
onsfort
hat.Youchooseto
beimportentnotbeingabletogetinti
matewith
womenatal l,sacr
ifi
ceyourseed,everyt
imeyour
wif
efall
spr egnant,sheencount
erasmi scar
ri
age
andthat
'sasacr if
ice.

Me:Ican'tputherthr
oughthat.Iwoul
drat
herhave
t
hem takenofffrom mestr
aightup.Notpr
oduce
t
hem atall.
Mama:that'
salsodoable.Al
thoughi
twoul
dst
il
lhur
t
hernotbeari
ngyourkids.

Me:whatdoyousuggestIdo?

Mama:what
'sonyourmi
ndson,
tal
ktome.

Me:theopti
onsarecrazy,
Idon'twantt
obean
ordi
narypersonaft
erthehighposi
ti
onIhave
secured.Iwantt
okeephim. .

Mama:ifyouarepl
anni
ngonhavingafamil
ywit
h
ki
dsaroundandkeepi
nghim homefor
geti
t.Whydo
yout
hinkBongumusaret
urnedSbongahome?

Me:
crap!
!
Mama:Iwouldsayt aket heyearl
ysacri
fice.I
t'
sthe
bett
eroneandyoucanal wayschooseawayt odo
i
t,t
hroughaccident,sui
cide,gunshots,
yourchoice.
Youwillst
il
lberichandacqui reever
ything.You
wantnormalcyandf amilythenthat'
sthepr i
ceto
pay.Ei
therway,asacrif
icehast obemade.

Shel
ooksathergl
assymi
rr
or.

Mama:yourbr
other
sar
eont
heway.Beki
nd.
.

Wit
hthatshedi
sappear
sandmyphoner
ings.I
t'
s
Sf
iso.
.

Me:br
ayami

Sfi
so:TheMchunubrothersinsi
stedonseeingyou
andtheysoundeddesperat
e.Igivethem your
l
ocati
on.
Me:i
t'
scool
,
Iknow.

Sf
iso:cool
,ar
eyouar
med?

Me:Iwi
llhandl
eit
.

Ihangupandcheckt hegunonmydr awerthenget

backtowor k.Minut
eslatert
hereceptioncal
lsand
i
nf or
m meaboutt hem aski
ngpermissiontosend
them up.Igranti
tandrestonmychai rwaiti
ngfor
them.

Theywalkin,
l
eadbyBheki si
saandstandinfr
ontof
mydesk.Het akesouthi
sgunsandputt hem i
nthe
tabl
e,Baf
anaandThembaf ol
lowshi
m.

Bheki
sisa:wecamei
npeace.
Mi
nut
espassbywit
hmest ar
ingatt
hem,
Itake
mi
neoutandpl
acei
tnextt
otheir
s.

Me:youmaysi
tdown.

Tobecont
inued.

*
Sponsor
edbyanonymous *
[
01/
24,
17:
54] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t31

SABELO

Lookingatthethreeoft
hem i
nfrontofme,Iseemy
father
'si
mage.Howdi dImissthis?Li
keheckthe
resemblanceistoomuchbutIguessitwasmi ssed
wit
hcoinci
dence.Par
tofmeisexci ted,
Idon'
tknow
whybutIguessit'
sbecauseI
'vealwayswishedto
havebr
othershenceBonga'
sdeathhi tmehard,t
he
Nyambosearmyandr i
ghtnowI '
ml ooki
ngatthem.

Bheki si
sa:(clearinghi sthroat)
Nyambose, Di ngiswayo.Si koni l
e,
ngikoni l
e,i
gazi
l
ici
thi ki
lekungaf anele.Sekwanel e,
ngiyazehl isafuthi
ngiyazithobaphambikwakhongi celaintent helel
o
ngithiyobe.Ngi yazikuni ngiokumel esi ndlulekukho
fut
hiukuxol isakwamiangekekubuyi seabaf owethu
kodwasi sanet huba, ithubal okucalakabusha
nokuhl elaikusasael ishanel inconokunal eliobaba
bethuabasi shiyenal o.(Wewr ongedyou, Iwr onged
you,bloodhavebeenshar edunnecessar y.Iti s
enough, Ihumbl emysel fbefor eyouaski ngf or
for
gi veness.Iknowt here'
sal otthathappenedt hat
weshoul ddealwi t
h, andt hatmyapol ogywon' t
bri
ngbackourbr othersbutwest il
lhaveachance, a
chancet oaf r
eshgr eatstartt hanthenoneour
fat
her sleftforus)
Bafana:engikucelayominauzwanonobambi
swano.
Umasi bambenesi but
henesi
ngoNyamboseakekho
oyosit
hintangishonesizukul
waneset
hu(whatIam
askingforisunity,
ifweareunit
ednoonewil
ltouch
usandt hefuturegenerati
on)

Themba:kunj alo,umndeniuyaxabanakodwa
umndeniohl akani phileil
oof ihlaamahl azoawo.
Isi
thasi ngenakal ulaumasi ngazwani .Singabasol
a
obabakodwangi wunt uokhol elwaesi khathi
ni,
ukut
hi
yonkei ntoinesikhat hifuthiyenzekangoba
kwakudal i
we.Isikhat hisokut hioNyambose
babuse, sesif
iki
le.(Indeed, fami lyf i
ghtsalltheti
me
butawi sefami l
yhi dest heirshenani gans.An
enemyf indsitseasi ertoat t
ackwhenaf ami l
yis
divi
ded.Iam af irm bel i
everoft hi ngshappeni ngon
therightt i
meandt hatthere'sar easonf or
everything.Wecanbl ameourf athersbutnowI
beli
evet hatthet imef ort
heNyambosear myt orul
e
hasar ri
ved)
Ibr
ushmyfaceasthei
rwor
dshi
tmedeepandr
est
myarmsonthetabl
e.

Me:ngi yani
zwakant ingiyabonga.Ngi yazikubiza
l
ukhul uukubani zehl
isenizelapha.Namiangi xol
ise
ngendlelaengit
hat heizi
ntongayo, ububiobubodwa
abulungiizi
ntokodwakesekwenzakel e(Ihearyou
andt hankyou.Iknowi t
'stookal otofyout ocome
hereandapol ogies.Iwoul dalsoliketoapol ogise
forhowIhandl edt hesituati
on,t
wowr ongsdon' t
maker ightbutithashappened)

Baf
ana:Iguesswecanr
eint
roduceour
sel
ves.I
'
m
Baf
anathelastbor
n.

Themba:Themba,
the4t
hbor
n

Bheki
sisa:Iusedtobet
hefi
rstbutyeah,
I'
m
Bheki
sisathesecondbor
ntoourfather.
.
Me:(
smili
ng)Sabel
oyourelderbrot
her.Iwon'tl
ie,
i
t'
swon'thappenoverni
ghtthatIwil
ltrustyouand
l
etyouonmyci rcl
ebutIam wil
li
ngtot ry.

Theyheaveasi
ghandIgetupgoingtoBonga'
s
cupboar
dcomingwi
ththewhiskeyandgl
asses.

Me:thi
smar ksasaf r
eshstar
tforallofus.Iwil
l
arr
angewithmymot herandshewi l
ltalktothe
peopl
efrom myf ather'
ssi
deandt henIcant ake
youhomef orthatceremony.

Wedrinkandt
oastt
oaf
utur
ethatseedi
m but
possi
ble.

Me:umakungekhoenikwenzayo,ngingat
handa
ningi
phel
ezelesi
yeerank,kunamadodaangi ni
ka
i
nkinga(i
fyouarenotbusyIwoul dl
ovef oryouto
accompanymet othetaxirank,t
herearemen
givi
ngmet r
oubles)
Bafana:
ngingaj
abulakabi
,kadengayi
gci
naIdrama
yaserank(
Iwouldlovethat
,Imissedt
hetaxir
ank
drama)

Westandupandt
akeourgunswal ki
ngoutoft
he
bui
ldi
ngtot
hecar
s.Bheki
sisari
deswithmewhile
Baf
anaandThembari
detogether
.

Si
lencefil
lst
hecar.Ican'
tbel
ievet
his,meand
Bhekisi
sainonecar?Wondersshallneverend.

Me:howi
sZandi
le?

Bheki
sisa:
shei
srecover
ing,
Iam hopi
ngt
hatsoon
shewil
lbehome.

Me:Iam gl
ad
Bhekisisa:whenar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?Youar
e
reaching40..

Me:youaresoundi
ngli
kemymotherri
ghtnowbutI
am hopi
ngsoon.Ther
e'sf
ewt
hingsIneedtosor
t
bef
orethat
.

Bhekisisa:whenarewemeeti
ngt
hef
utur
eMr
s,
that
'sifawusonaisishi
mane.

Me:
uyaphaphayong!

Hechuckl
esl
ight
lyandl
ookout
side.

KHANYI
SILE

X-
rayswer
erunonmyhi
pandl
ucki
lyf
ormeIdi
dn'
t
br
eakmybonejusthi
thar
d.Iwasgivensome
oi
ntmentt
orubandsomepainki
ll
ers.

RightnowIam insidethetaxit
oBr eetaxir
ank
whereIwillgett
axistoProteaGlen.Ikeepon
t
hinkingaboutwhatSabelosaid.Hiswor dsar
e
ri
ngingandt wi
sti
ngonmyhead.

Il
oveSabelo,
heckIlovehimjustthewayhei
s,r
ich,
arr
ogant
,powerf
ul,t
all
,handsomeandandand..
.I
don'
twanttochangehim butthenagai
nei
x.My
phoneri
ngsandit'
shim.

Me:
Sabel
o.

Sabel
o:t
houghtyouweregoi
ngtosayhel
lobaby
buti
t'
sfi
ne.Whatdidt
hedoctorsay?

Me:ar
ghi
t'
snotbadasi
thur
ts.Iwi
llbef
inei
nfew
days.

Sabel
o:t
hatgood,
wher
ear
eyounow?

Me:Iam passi
ngNewt
onj
unct
iont
oBr
eet
axir
ank.

Sabel
o:pl
easewai
tformeout
side,
getof
ftheback
ent
rance.

Me:okay.

Isaymyshortlef
tandgetofft
hetaxi
.Iam wear
ing
hist
rackpantssi
nceIam li
mpingt
hedress
wouldn'
thavedonejust
ice.

NARRATED

Sabel
odr
opt
hecal
landl
ookathi
sbr
other
s.
Sabel
o:maj
it
aasi
ji
kenil
aBr
ee(gent
lemenl
et'
sgot
o
Bree)

Themba:
kunanieBr
ee?(What
'shappeni
ngatBr
ee?
)

Sabelo:somebigheadaskedmei fIhadagirl
fr
iend
andIthitmethatact
ual
lyIdon'
t.SoI'm goi
ngtoget
her
et here.
.

Bafana:
(whistl
ing)let'
sgogetourwif
egents.Ei
Zuluawusinikeiskhiyandoda!(
Zul
ugiveusakeyof
thi
staxi
)

Bheki
sisa:
nah,
lethi
m dr
iveus.

Theyal
lcli
mbont het
axiandtheZuluguydri
ves.
I
t'
susuall
y5mi nut
eswalkbutwithataxii
twas2
minut
es.Sabel
ospott
edherstandingontheexi
t
andwi
thherphoneandhandbag.

Sabel
o:t
her
eshei
s.

Baf
ana:
ohnguyeuManyambosel
ona.

Theyal
lgetof
fthet
axiandwal
kupt
oher
.

Sabel
o:Dudl
unt
ombi
(heygi
rl
)

Baf
ana:zal
aBant
uzi
yebant
wini

Bheki
sisa:qomant
ombingaf
ainhl
ambakanyoko.

Nowt heothertaxidri
ver
spaysat
tent
ionand
Khanyiisblushi
ngl i
kecrazy.
Sabelo:Nkosazaneemhlopheokwezi
hlababt
hi
zolwandle(beaut
if
ulasyouare,aswhi
teaspureas
thesandsoft hesea)

Themba:umamanobababal
indewenaekhaya
ntombi
..

Sabel
o:Nkosazananamikangi
zenzi
,ngenzi
wa
l
uthandool
usha'mangqanqu.
Kuhl
ekoml
il
owot
hat
he,
Ngi
thathwaumsingawot
handoongi
dlai
zibi
li
ni
i
mihlanamalanga
Ngi
vul
eleenhl
izi
yweningi
ngene
Ngi
fi
saukubai
mpukaneukuzeungi
phunge,
Sengi
bunamat
heobakhoubusongot
hando
Ngifi
saukubaumoyaukuzengi
ngeneezi
bil
ini
zakho,
Ungi
phef
umul
engi
zengi
guqul
einhl
izi
yoyakho
emnene.
.
Thembalami
,that
hai
sandl
aSami
,
ngesi
lungubat
hi
walkwi
thme.
Ekhayabal
indewenaMaMvel
ase.
Manj
eut
hini
?

Heaskswit
hasmir
kstandi
ngi
nfr
ontofherand
t
hewhist
lesatt
het
axir
ank.

Khanyi
:ungi
buki
sel
anikodwangabantu
Nyambose?(Whyareyoudrawi
ngattent
iont
ome
Sabel
o?)

Sabelo:ut handomama, manj

euyangifakanoma
uyangikhipha? uyangif
akaenhl
izi
yweniyakhonoma
ungikhiphaosi zi
nilokubai
mpohlo?(It
'slove
mommy, sodoyouputmei nyourheartortakeme
outofmi ser yofbeingTheBachelor
?)
Khanyi
:yebo(
yes)

Sabel
o:yeboukut
hini
?(yeswhat
?)

Khanyi
:yesIl
oveyou.

Thewhist
lesandhypeasSabel
ocelebr
atet
hebest
wayZulumendoes.Hisbrot
her
sarethrowi
ngal
l
thecl
ansathim.HegoesbackandhugsKhanyi
andbabykissherl
ips.

Sabel
o:phi
ndaangi
zwanga?
(Repeatagai
n)

Khanyi:Il
oveyou, bythatImeanIacceptyouf or
thepersonthatyouar e,andt hatIdon'
twishto
changeyoui nt
osomeoneel se.ImeanthatIdonot
expectperf
ecti
onf rom you,justasyoucan'texpect
i
tfrom me.WhenIsayIl oveyouImeant hatIwi l
l
l
oveyouandst andbyyouevent hr
oughthewor st
ofti
mes,i
tmeanslovi
ngyouwhenyouar ei
nabad
moodortir
edtodothethi
ngsIwanttodo.I
tmeans
l
ovingyouwhenyouaredownnotjustwhenyou
arefunt
obewith.

Bheki
sisa:kodwaManyambosemasoqedazonke
i
zif
ungozomshadomanj e,
uzot
hiningempel
a
masekufikelol
osuku? (ButMrsNyambosewhy
wouldyouf i
nishallyourweddi
ngvowsnow?What
ar
eyougoi ngt osayonyourweddi ngday?)

Theyal
llaughandcheerupasSabelopicksherup
ki
ssi
ngher ,
clai
mingheri
nfrontofever
yone.
..

Tobecont
inued.

(Anot
heranonymoussponsor
,guysthesponsor
sof
thi
shousearedoi
ngthemost,makingsureyou
dontst
arveovert
heweekend.
Let
'sappr
eci
atet
hem ast
heyal
soencour
age
mmmet
odel
iverf
ory'
al
l )
[
01/
24,
17:
54] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t32

KHANYI
SILE

Whatislove?Irememberwat chi
ngt hi
spodcast
i
ntervi
ewbet weenUsherandPhar rel
lWil
li
ams,
whenPhar r
ellaskedUsherhowdoeshedef i
nelove
hesaid"loveissacri
fi
ce,pai
n,pati
ence,shari
ng,
underst
anding,andtackl
esallt
hings"

Iagreeintheal lthatsaidbutIrefusei
nthepai n
part,l
ovedoesn' thavet ohurt
,whoeversaidlove
hurtwaswr ong,loveissupposedt obr
inggood
vibesandf eelsonly.Yesobstacleswil
lalwaysbe
therebuttheyshoul dn'tbethereasonwhywear e
together
.
IfyouaskmeIwoul dsaywhenwel ovesomeone
weexperiencethesameposit
ivethought
sand
experi
encesaswhenwel i
keaperson.Butweal
so
experi
enceadeepsenseofcar eandcommi t
ment
towardsthatperson.

Being“i
nlove”includesallt
heabovebutalso
i
nvolvesfeeli
ngsofsexualarousalandatt
ract
ion.
However,researchintopeopl
e’
sownvi ewsoflove
suggeststhatnotalll
oveisthesame.

Drivi
ngbackt omyplacei nPr
oteaGlenseat
edon
thebackseatofhiscar,oneguyisdri
vingf
orhi
m
becauseIrefusedgoi
ngbackt ohishouse.
Tempt i
ngthatmaybe, Ihavetofocusanddon'
tget
tooexcit
ed.

Ihavecomesof art
oletmyguar
dsodowneasi
ly,
i
f
ther
e'sanyt
hing,
Idon'
twantt
omessupmyjoband
professionalr
elati
onshipIhavewit
hhim,yeahhe's
theownerandal lbutst
il
l.I
fshipsi
nks,
that
'sthe
onlythingthatwi l
lhol
dmeupandkeepmegoi ng.

Me:youknowIneverimagi
nedyouasthi
sromant
ic
guy,Imeanlookatus,
wearetr
endi
ng.Ever
yonei
s
sayi
ngtheywanttogotoBreet
axir
anktomeet
yourki
nd..

Sabel
o:(
laughi
ng)hahawel
lmyki
ndi
srar
e.Iam a
l
imit
edediti
onbaby!

Me:uyaphaphashame(youar
efor
war
d)

Sabelo:(
smili
ng)youmakeme, youknowwhenI '
m
withyouMamvel aseIfeelsof r
ee,Idon'thaveto
pretendtobesomeoneel se.Iknowi t'
ssti
llearl
y
daysbutIcansayyouknowt herealSabelo,the
onebehi ndal
lthesef
ancyshi nysuits.
Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)ohbutIl
ovet
heSabel
oonsui
tseven
mor
e..

Sabel
o:(
smi
rks)ohyeah?

Me:eyababy,youknowyougotthatthi
ng,that
sauce,t
herespectandaut
hori
tyyourvoiceand
physi
quedemandsi stoomuchtobemi ssedand
i
t'
sturnsmeonsomuch.

Sabel
o:don'
ttal
kli
ket
hatpl
ease,

Me:
why?

Imovemyhandonhistighsal
lovert
ohisbr
ief
s
andhehi
sbreat
hinghi
nchesIchuckl
e.

Sabel
o:Iam goi
ngt
oaskt
hisguyt
otur
nthecar
backtoCent
uri
onandhaveyoufuckedupsobadi
f
youkeepondoingt
hethi
ngsyouaredoing.

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)okayI
'
m sor
ry,
Iam behavi
ngnow.

Sabelo:
(caressi
ngmyf ace)youaresobeaut
if
ul,
I
l
oveyourbi groundeyes,yourbushytr
immed
eyebrows,yoursharppoi
ntynose,anddamn,t
hose
l
ips.Yoursmi l
e,thosedi
mples..

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)pl
easest
op!

Sabelo:
(ki
ssingmyhand)Iwantt omakeyouhappy,
Iwanttotakeyouever ywherewit
hme, Iwantyouto
bemymanager ,t
heCEOofmyl i
fe.Khanyisi
leI
bel
ieveMjolonyisedusbot hindi
ffer
entwaysandI
don'twanttowast emoreti
mebusydat ing.Iwant
todoeverythingwithyouasmywi f
e.
Me:soyapr
oposeryi
niNyambose?
(ar
eyou
pr
oposing)

Sabelo:(smi
li
ng)nah,iam justl
ett
ingyouofmy
i
ntentions.AssoonasImovet het hi
ngsIhavet
o
do,Iam claimi
ngyouof fi
ciall
yKhanyisi
le,
wena
komeleuyophekelaisalukaziSami(youhaveto
cookformymot her)

Me:Iwoul
dlovet
hatbutbefor
eeveryt
hing,
Iwoul
d
l
oveyoutomeetmyfamily,
especi
all
ymydadand
ki
ds.

Sabelo:ofcause,
Iwoul dlovethat.
(smili
ng)mara
uyangifanel
ayazi
, sl
endersamimadoda.Youknow
Isti
llf
inditamusingthatthisf
lattummycar ri
ed
twokids?Wow, youar ej
ustperfect,ever
ythi
ngis
onshape.Youar enotskinnybutmyki ndofmeal.
..

Me:wenaukhul
umakakhul
ushame!
(Yout
alkt
oo
much)

Sabelo:
uyangi
hlanyi
sanj
e,Icanseeuswal
kingint
o
thoseboardr
ooms,handi
nhand.Ahbaby,Beyonce
andJayZdon'tstandachanceonus.

Me:(
laughi
ng)youar
esosweet
.Sot
hosear
eyour
br
others?

Sabelo:yeah, t
heNyambosear my.(
chuckling)you
knowi t'
samazi nghowbl oodspeaksf ori
tself.We
justcli
ckedasi fweneverr aisedgunsateachot her.
TobehonestIam happyt ohavet hem asmy
brothersnowi twillbeeasiertodelagatesome
tasksandr olestot hem.Speakingaboutr oles,Ihad
somet imet othinkaboutwhatyouaskedme.

Me:
whatdi
dIaskkonj
e?
Sabel
o:t
hatifIwantyouasmyBonni eonmyCl yde
Ineedtogetri
doft heideaofsleepingaround.
Honest
lyIneverloveddoingthat,Iam theone
womankindofman. .

Me:t
henwhathappened?

Sabel o:
whenIgotmyhear tbr
okenbysomeoneI
sawaf utur
ewi t
hIhat edwomenhonest l
y.Idon't
thinkthatIwasgoi ngtobeabl etol
oveandl augh
withawomangenui nelylikeIdowithyou.WhenI
takeubabai nme, oneoft het ermswasthatIfeed
him,how?Sl eepwi thyourol dkind,
theslays
queensandt hepeoplet heysleepwithei
therdiesor
suf f
ersasevermi sfort
une.

Me:JesusChr
ist
!

Sabel
o:yepsoIhavel
ookedatmyopti
onsgivento
meandIhavedecidedofgi
vinghi
m backt
ot he
ki
ngdom.
.

Me:atwhatpri
ce?BecauseIknowt
her
e'sal
waysa
pr
iceofbreaki
ngrul
es.

Sabel
o:t
hepr
izeIchoset
opayi
sgi
vingawaymy
seed.

Me:
what
?

Sabel
o:it
'sbett
ert
hatway, yesIwi
llst
il
lberequi
red
todootherthi
ngsbuti
twillkeepmer i
chand
str
ongerbecauseIam gi
vingawaymyl if
e.

Me:Sabel
o,el
abor
atewhatyoumean.

Hel
ooksatt
hedr
iverwho'
sfocusedont
her
oad.
Sabel
o:ehboy,It
hinkIwil
ltakeitf
rom her
e.Cal
l
oneoftheguystogetyou,Ineedsomepr i
vat
e
momentwiththemadam. .

Guydoesn'tevenhesi
tate,
hepul l
sbythesi
deof
roadinLenasiaandgetsout.Sabelol
ockst
hedoor
andlookatme.

Sabel
o:i
tmeansthatIwil
lneverhaveki
dsofmy
own,meansI
'vesacr
if
icedthem onthecul
t.

Me:
butSabel
o,whatI
fIwantf
ami
lywi
thyou?

Sabel
o:wehavet
woboysandonegi
rlpl
uswecan
al
waysadopt.

Me:i
sthatal
lowed?
Sabelo:yesiti
s.Pleasedon'
tworr
y,t
hisi
sthebest
opti
onIf oundsuit
ableforme,f
orus.

Me:
sowhenareyougoi
ngt
obedoi
ngal
loft
his?I
meant
heri
tual
?

Sabel
o:ur
hm af
termybr
other
'scer
emony.

Ikeepquietandlookathim.Godwewouldhave
beauti
fulchil
dreni
nheri
ti
nghisl
ooksmixedwit
h
mine.Hebr ushmyarml ooki
ngatme.

Sabel
o:whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
?

Me:Iam t
hinki
ngabouthowwoul
dthesexbel
ikei
f
weweretodoither
e?

Youshoul
dseehi
sli
pscur
vei
ntoasmi
leashe
gent
lyget
smeont
opofhi
m.

Sabel
o:act
ual
ly,
Ilovehowyout
hink.

Wekiss,soft
ly,
slowl
yandt enderwit
hmyhands
wrappedaroundhisneck.Hiscarisbigandopen
i
nsidesohepushest hefr
ontseatsclosingt
hem
andmovet hem morefurt
hertothedashboard,
that
gi
vesusmor espaceandr oom toundresseach
other
.

Sabel
o:ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
e?Don'
thur
tyour
sel
f.
.

HeasksasIposi
ti
onmysel
fonhi
shar
drockshaf
t.

Me:Iwi
llbef
ine.

ImoanasIf
eelmysel
fst
ret
cht
oaccommodat
e
hi
mi nsi
deme.God,
hegr
oanspr
essi
ngmeeven
deep.

Sabel
o:(
whi
speri
ngbi
ti
ngmyear
s)youar
en'
taf
rai
d
ofmyAIDStoday?

Me:shutup!Yout
alkt
oomuch.

Ishuthi
smout hwit
hakissandstar
twor
kingmy
waistontopofhi
m, t
hepai
nfrom myhi
pisther
e
butIwon'
tall
owitrui
nthi
smoment .
.

FEW DAYSLATER

SABELO

Sfi
soandIaretal
kingi
nthekit
chenwai
ti
ngf
or
Khanyi
sil
etocomedownsot hatwecangot
ohi
s
f
ami
ly'
sdi
nner
.

Sf
iso:
mynumberisonspeeddi
ali
ncaset
heol
d
mandeci
detoshootyou.

Me:
whywoul
dheshootme?

Sfiso:Idon'
tknow,it
'sinaf at
her'
snaturetohat
e
theirdaught
er'
sboyfriends.Waitunt
ilSbonga
growsupyouwi l
lsee.

Me:Sf
isoIt
hinkourbusi
nessi
sdoneher
ebuddy,
go.
.

Sf
iso:
(l
aughi
ng)i
fyousurvi
vet
hef
ather
,herson'
s
wil
ldothej
ob,pl
usyouknowhowprot
ecti
veboy
ki
dsarewit
hthei
rmother
s.
Me:(
pushinghi
m outsi
de)r
eleaset
hefundsbackt
o
Bheki
sisa'
sbusi
nessaccountandshutup

Sfiso:canIbehonest
?Iam soboredthathe'
syour
brotherandyouguysaremakingpeace.Iwas
havingplanswit
hthatmoney.
.

Me:wel
lputi
tback.Bye.

Iclosethedoorandshecomesdown,mygoodness,
there'
ssomethingaboutr
eddr
essesonawoman.
Shel ooksbr
eathtaki
ng.

Khanyi
:I'
m done,
wecango.

Me:goodnessKhanyiyoul
ookamazi
ng.

Khanyi
:t
hankyoupapi
,youl
ookhott
oo.
Me:ther
e'ssomet
hingmi
ssi
ngonyourout
fi
t,wai
t
her
e.

Iqui
ckl
yr unupst
airsandtakediamondneckl
ace
andear
ringsIgotforheryest
erday.

Khanyi
:ohmywor
d..

Me:per
fect
,at
rueQUEEN.

Khanyi
:thankyoubaby.

Me:don'
tment
ioni
t.Asi
bangeneke.

Ipl
ugherar
m ont
omi
neandwal
kout
side.
Me:pi
ckyourf
avor
it
eri
de.

Khanyi:Iam af
anoffastcar
ssocanwet
aket
he
Fer
rariandcanIdr
ive?

It
hrowthekeysatherandgot
othepassengersi
de
l
eavingherscr
eaming.

Me:ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
eatdr
ivi
ngwi
tht
hoseshoes?

ImeanIsuckatdr
ivi
ngwi
thsandal
sandshe'
s
aboutt
odri
vemybeastwi
thastil
ett
o?

Khanyi
:Idi
dn'
tbuymyl
icensehun.

Okayma' am.Iputonmyseatbel
tandr el
axaswe
hitt
heroads.Thetraumasheputsotherdri
veson
theroadscracksmeupsomuch, there'
sthi
sone
Audit
ryingtotakechances.Shewait
sforhi
m on
t
herobot sandwhenit'
sopensshespeedslikea
l
ight
ning,Icheckonthemi r
rorandwow,Idon'tsee
i
tanywher eus.

LadiesandgentlemenIhaveadr i
ver.Mypersonal
chauffeur
.Wef i
nall
yarrivesatherfamil
yhouse.It
's
actual
lyanormalhouse.Herki dsrunuptoherand
shepicksthelastborn,
that'
s4yearsandt hefi
rsti
s
abitshyhe's8.

Wegr eetherfat
herwho'
sonhisweelchai
r,Imakea
mentalnoteofgett
inghi
m amoreadvancedand
expensiveone,t
heonethatwon'
trequi
repeopl
eto
pushhim aroundwithi
t.

Mthembu:i
t'
sapleasuretofinal
lymeetyou
Nyambose.Iknewyoulovedmydaught erwhenshe
t
oldmeyouopenedupt oherabouteveryt
hing.Iam
aman,Iknowwedon' tdothattoanyone.
Hesaysthataf
teral
lthef
ormalgr
eetingshave
beendonenowwear echi
ll
ingout
side.

Me:Il
oveyourdaughterMrMt
hembuandi
t'
sa
pl
easur
ebeinghere,
reall
y.

Mthembu:i
m gl
ad,Khanyi
sil
ehavebeenthrougha
l
ot.She'
smyfir
stdaught
erandangif
uningaye.
Umaekwehlul
a,mbuyi
sel
eekhaya.

Me:Ihavenoi
ntent
ionsofhur
ti
ngher
.

Henodsandl
ookatmycar
,smi
lesabi
t.

Mt
hembu:
howr
ichar
eyou?

Ichuckl
e,idi
dn'
texpectt
hatquest
ionatal
l.
Me:f
il
thy.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
55] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t33

KHANYI
SILE

Thedi nnerbet
weenmyf amil
yandSabelowent
reall
ywel l
.Myfatherwelcomedhim wit
hwarm
arms.I twasbeauti
fulwatchi
ngthem smoki
ng
cigar,
lolSabel
ogavemydadawhol ecigari
magi
ne!

Idon'
twanttomenti
onhim aroundthekids,
hei sa
natur
alofwhi
chmakesmesosadt hathewillnever
hol
dhi sownbi
ologi
calchi
ld.Iknowit'
sapriceto
pr
aytohaveanor maldayl
if
ebutit'
sheavy,
Ifi
nd
mysel
ftemptedtotel
lhi
mtokeepubabaonasl ong
aswewillhavechi
ldr
enbutthenagai
nnayeubaba
wit
hhisdemands.

Andyoucan' tbeguaranteedwiththesethi
ngs,t
hey
keeponchangi ngeverynowandt hen.Iam hoping
byt heti
meher etur
nstodot herit
ualIwouldhave
fal
lenpregnant,wehavebeenver ybusyand
withouttheprot
ecti
on.It
'scrazybuthedeservesa
chil
dofhi sown,heisnotperfectbutdeepwithi
n
him, he'
sgoodhearted.

Sabel
o:sobabe,Iwasthi
nkingt hatwhenwecome
backf
rom homewi t
hmybr othersIbri
ngSbonga
wit
hsothatwecant aket
heki dsoutforsome
gamesandalit
tl
ebitofshoppi ng.
..

Li
ttl
ebit
?SabeloisaweirdZul
umanshamebutI '
m
notcomplai
ning,
Ihaveseenhi
s"l
it
tl
ebitof
shoppi
ng"andbelievemehe'
sgoi
ngt obuythe
whol
esandtonmall
.ButthenIwoul
dlovet
omeet
t
hebabygir
landforthem t
obond.

Me:Iwouldlovet
hatbutpr
omisemeyouwon't
spoi
ltheseki
dstoomuchSabelo.
..
Iknowyou.

Sabelo:buti
t'
snotl
ikewecan'taf
fordi
tbaby,l
et
thekidshavesomef un.OhIpr
omisedMichael
(fi
rstson)ani
pad.
.

Yousee?
!

Me:bat
hongSabel
o!

Sabelo:what?Mykidsaregoingtober i
chkids,
playswithcomputersandiftheygotboredgotothe
parkandi cecr
eam dates.Theywil
lplaycri
cket
,
rugby..
Me:msindisingi
vel
elwe!WhataboutSbongababe?
Don'
tyouthinksheshouldcomet hi
sside?Idon'
t
wantyoutobeaper fectf
athert
omykidsandend
upneglect
ingher.
.

Sabelo:t
hatwon'
thappen,t
hebi
gsisdoesn'
twant
tol
eavehergrandmother
.Maybeyoucanconvi
nce
hertocomethissi
de.

Me:maybeifweconvi
nceuMacomet
henshewi
ll
cometoo.

Hesmilesr
eleasi
ngonehandfrom t
hesteer
ing
wheelandt
akemyhandj oi
ningwit
hhis.

Sabel
o:youar
eamazi
ngyouknowt
hat
?

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)youhavet
oldmeacoupl
eoft
imes.
Sabelo:
thi
scomi ngweekendwearegoingdown
wit
htheguys, canyoupleasepl
easecomewithme
sothatIcanformall
yint
roduceyoutoever
ybody?

Me:howbi
gisyourf
ami
ly?

Sabelo:wel
l,l
et'
ssee,i
t'
s4ofusf r
om Gauteng,
eachwi t
hthei
rcompanionexceptBafanawho'sst
il
l
playi
ngaround,Thembawithhiswifeand2kids,
Bhekisi
saandhiswife,meandyou.

Me:
haibo.
..

Sabel
o:t
henbackhome, t
here'
scousi
ns,aunt
's,
uncl
e'
s, ni
eces,
nephewsli
keit
'saful
lhouse.

Me:yoohokay.
Sabel
o:don'
tworr
y,t
heyareamazingpeopl
eand
besi
des,Iwi
llbebyyoursi
detoguardyouatal
l
ti
mes.

Ij
ustsmi
leandr
estonmychai
rlooki
ngatt
hef
ront
.

Me:Ineedt
ogetfewthingsf
rom mypl
ace
t
omorrowthenbef
orethecer
emony,whenar
ewe
l
eavi
ng?

Sabelo:Thursdayaft
ernoonaf
terever
ybodyhave
knockedoff.Iwil
laskBafanat
odr i
veyou..

Me:Icoul
dtakeat
axiIdon'
tmi
nd.
.

Sabel
o:nothappeni
ng.

Me:why?
Sabel
o:imagi
neaft
erallt
het
rendswemadel ast
weekthenyouareseenonataxi,gi
rl
fr
iendyami
yonkeemataxi
ni?Howwouldthesedrivesr
espect
me?

Me:okayt
henyoucanal
waysgi
vemeoneofyour
car
s.

Sabelo:Idon'
tsharemycar s,
justli
kemywomen.
Butforthisonce,Iwi
lll
etyoudriveonebutst
il
l
Bafanawi l
laccompanyyou.

Me:(
rol
li
ngmyeyes)Idon'
tneednobodyguar
d.

Sabel
o:whydon'
tyoumovei
noncevel
e?Youar
eso
far
.

Me:i
t'
sneverhappeni
ng,
youwantmydadt
o
di
sownme?

Sabel
o:yourdadl
ovesme,hewon'
tdi
sownyou,I
cancal
lhim nowhewil
lbeli
ke"
kul
ungil
endodana"
.

Hemi
micksmydad'
svoi
ceandwel
augh.

THEFOLLOWI
NGDAY

NARRATED

BafanadrivesKhanyisi
letoProt
eaGl encourtesyof
thebigbrother'
sinst
ructi
ons.Onthewayt heykeep
ontalki
ngaboutr andom thi
ngsnjeanditisthen
thatKhanyisil
elear
nsthatbabybrotheri
smor eof
l
ikeSabelot hatwhyhetrustandloveshim somuch.

Besi
dest
hei
rmat
chi
ngper
sonal
it
ies,
guyi
sal
soa
christi
an,
thewayhespeaksaboutf ai
thandGodi s
j
ustamazi ngtowitness,hepreachesunexpectedl
y
andyoudon' tgetboredbuti
nsteadf i
ndyourself
i
nt r
iguedandaskyour sel
fquesti
onsaboutyour
l
ifestyl
e.

Theyfinall
yreachProteaGlenandfindsNomhl e
washingwi ndows,sheisonhershortsandsports
bra.Bafanagreet
sandst andoutsi
det hecarwhil
e
Khanyisil
egoesinsideherroom.Nomhl etai
lsher.

Nomhl
e:gi
rl
!

Khanyi
:yessweet
hear
t?

Nomhle:whydi
dyounevert
ellmet
hatyour
br
othersi
nlawaret
hathot
?

Khanyi
:(
laughi
ng)
bat
hongNomhl
e,It
houghtyou
t
hatwasanobvi
ousf
act
,Sabel
oishotso.
.daa.

Nomhl
e:andt
hisone?Whoi
she?

Khanyi
:ohhi
snamei
sBaf
ana,
thel
astbor
n

Nomhle:aigi
rlmni
keamanumberamingiyamf
una
shame!(Aigi
rlpl
easegi
vehi
m mytens,
Iwanthim)

Khanyi
:aibobabygi
rlr
est
!Andbesi
desyouar
e
t
wodi f
fer
ent.

Nomhle:opposi
teat
tr
act
smoghur
l,everhear
dof
t
hatsaying?

Khanyi
:what
ever
,Iwi
llgi
vehi
m yournumber
..

Nomhl
e:Khanyi
sil
eI'
m ser
ious!
Khanyi
:soam I
.Igot
tagobef
oreIgetl
ateatwor
k

Nomhl
e:oho,
youar
edat
ingt
hebossmoes.

Khanyistuckhert
ongueoutandgoesbackt
othe
car
.Nomhl ewavesatBafanaandhewavesback
smil
ing.Theyhitt
heroad.

Baf
ana:whoi
sshe?

Khanyi
:ohshe'
sthegi
rloccupyi
ngherpar
ent
's
house.

Bafana:
wow,she'
shot,
Ididn'
tgetcl
osert
oherbut
fr
om adist
anceIcoul
dpickthatup.

Khanyi
:that
'
sagoodt
hingbecausenayeshe'
s
char
medshame.

Baf
ana:
(smi
li
ng)ser
ious?

Khanyi
:yep,
sheaskedmet
ogi
veyouhert
ens.
.

Baf
ana:sowhatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or?For
war
dthem
kwangoku!

Khanyi
:(
shaki
ngherheadt
aki
ngoutherphone)
men!

Baf
anachuckl
esandcont
inuedr
ivi
ng.

DURI
NGTHECEREMONY

Al
lthebrot
her
shavebeenwel
comedand
i
ntr
oducedtotheMt
hethwacl
an,
rel
ati
vesand
ancest
ors.Theyar
eal
lwear
ingt
hei
rfamouscow
wri
stbands.

Sabeloiswi t
hot hermeneati
ngmeatbuthekeeps
onlookingatKhanyif r
om adistance.Khanyi'
s
motherinl awandSbongawel comeherwi t
hwarm
armsbutasf orsomeaunt'sandcousinswel l
,
especial
lyt hegirlswhothoughtsinceSabeloist
he
bachelortheyst oodachance.Unf ort
unatel
y.

Bheki sisai
ntr
oduceZandi l
ewhohavebeenawful
quitet hewholetri
pf r
om Jobur
g.Theyusedone22
seaterbust otravelandshesawSabeloonceand
didn'tsaymuch.

Bheki
sisai
ntr
oducehert ohisbrotherandgetcall
ed
byoneoftheaunt'sbackinthehouse.Zandil
eis
nowleftal
onewithSabelointheshackwher ethey
keepthemeet,t
radit
ionalbeerandall.
Zandi
l
e:Sabel
oMt
het
hwa.
.

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)t
hat
'sr
ight
.

Zandi
le:
(chuckl
ingbit
ter
ly)yout
hinkyouhavei
tal
l
cover
edandsor tedhuh?

Sabel
o:Ibegyourpar
don?

Zandi
le:Iknowwhoyouareandwhatyoudi
d!The
doct
orhypnotizedmet
oregai
nmymemor y!

Sabel
o:ohr
eal
ly?Goodf
oryou!

Zandil
e:Iam goingtotel
lmyhusbandever
ythi
ng,
al
lofthisli
tt
lebrot
herhoodnonsensei
sgoi
ngto
end!Hewon' tl
etyougetawaywi t
hknowi
ngyou
ki
ll
edhisbaby.
Sabelo:pl easebemyguest .Likegoahead, goin
thereandt el
lhim,youthinkIcar eaboutyouand
yourstupi ddeadbaby?Igotnot hingtoloose,even
i
fBheki sisagoesbacki ntohat ingmeangi nandaba!
Butasf oryoubabygi r
l,huh,whatdoyout hinkis
goingtohappent oyou?Hi m knowi ngt
hatyouopen
thatfatthighsforhiselderbr otherhuh?Doyou
thi
nkhe' sgoi ngtoloveandl ookatyout hesame?

Zandi
leswal
lowhardandbli
nktwice.Shet
hought
Sabel
ohavechangedbutnotabit
.

Sabel
o:youknowwhat'sgoingtohappen?Hewill
beangrybutgetoveri
teventual
ly,
Imeanwe
managedtoforgi
vethebloodwespl i
tsyout
hinka
whoreli
keyoucandowor se?

Letmetel
lyouwhat
'sgoingt
ohappen,hewil
lfil
e
foradi
vor
ceandIwillmakesur
eIgethim Sf
iso,
youknowhe' sthebestinthecount
ryri
ght
?Hewi l
l
takeyoutocleanerandyouwi l
lgobackto
Hammaskr alwithonlyyourunder
wearandtheni,
ashisbigbrotherIwil
laccompanyhimtothereed
dancewher ehewillpi
ckanotherwif
e,avi
rgi
nof
causeandset t
ledown.Haveyouseenhow
beauti
fult
heladiesarethi
sside?

Zandile:
(t
eary)youaresuchamonster
!Ican'
twai
t
forthedaykar mavi
sitsyouandyougett
opayfor
allyourevi
lways?!.

Sabelo:kar
madoesn'
texist,
sodon'
thol
dyour
breat
h!Youmightsuf
focate!

Tobecont
inued.
*
Sponsor
edbyS.Maepa *
[
01/
24,
17:
55] :TheBachel
or
I
nser
t34
(
Notedi
ted)

NARRATED

Sabelolefttheshackandwentt othetaxi
.He
neededamomentt ojustcooldownandthink.Heis
sti
llsur
prisedthatZandileregai
nedhermemor y,
mxm whyonear thdidhebot herpayi
ngforthat
expensivedoctorforher?

Heshoul dhavelef
therl i
kethat
,goi
ngcrazyinthat
governmenthospitalbuthethoughthewasdoing
ri
ghtbyhi sbrot
herast heyaremakingpeaceand
hereversedthecursebutnowZandi lei
sprovi
ngt o
beanui sance.

He'snotworr
iedaboutther
elati
onshipbetweenhim
andBhekisi
saalt
houghhe'sstart
ingtoli
keit
,
havingsomeonetoleanonissof uckenamazing.
Hei sabitwor r
iedaboutherspeaki
ngtowrong
people.It
'snotasecretthatheisri
chandgot
enemi eseverywherebecauseatsomepointhehur
t
cornersbut..

Rightt
henawaveofwat erhithi
m andheknew
whatitmeans,Monal
isaishere.Hebowsalit
tl
e
andturnst
olookatherbehindhim.

Mama:youdon'thavet
owor r
yabouther,
she
knowswhatastakeandwon'ttal
k.Goi
ngback
homeisn'
tanopti
onforhersoshewon'tr
iskt
hat
..
.

Sabel
o:sowhyt
hedr
amaandt
rat
rums?

Mama:
shei
sinl
ovewi
thyou.
.

Sabel
o:what
?Shecan'
tbeinlovewi
thme!No!I
s
shecr
azy?Shehasnoreasontobei
nlovewi
thme!
Mama:(
chuckl
ing)yougi
vethesewomenmulti
ple
or
gasmsandexpectthem nott
ogopsycho.
.

Sabelo:
butyenangamrobhanj
elastt
ime(butI
robbedherlastt
ime)

Mama:clearl
ylomrobhozowakhobomnandi
becauseshecan'
tstopthi
nki
ngaboutyou

Sabel
o:whatdowedobecauseIdon'
twanther
causi
ngdrama?

Mama:mhmm, weneedt
oremi
ndherwhyshe'
s
wi
thBheki
sisaagai
n.

Sabel
o:andhowdoyoupl
anondoi
ngt
hat
?
Mama:(
looki
ngathergl
assymi
rr
or)l
eavet
hatt
o
me.Her
ecomesyourwoman.Smile.

Shedi
sappearsandSabeloseeKhanyi
sil
ewalki
ng
tot
hecarwithaplat
eoffood.Suddenl
yhiswhole
moodchangesforbett
er.

Khanyi
:Idi
dn'
tseeyoueat
ingandIwast
oldt
hat
youareher
e.

Sabelo:
(smil
ing)
kodwabengingabonwangubani
?
NgiyabongaMamvelase(thankyoufort
hinki
ngout
forme)

Khanyi
:ever
ythi
ngwentwel
l,
yourbr
other
sar
e
happy.

Sabel
o:Iam alsohappy,
Ihopeandbel
ievet
hatt
his
i
saf r
eshstartforusasafami
ly.
Khanyi
:yeah,
whenarewegoi ngbackt
oJobur
g?I
needtogohome,Michaelcat
chastomachbugbut
mystepmom tookhi
mt ocli
nicand.
.

Sabel
o:we'
lll
eaveear
lyt
omor
rowmor
ningbutwe
canevenl
eavenow..

Khanyi
:nono,fi
nishever
ythi
ngyouneedtodowe'l
l
gotomorrow.Iam suret
hemedstheygavehim wi
ll
hel
phim.

Sabel
o:okaybutIwi
llt
akehi
mtot
hedoct
orwhen
wearri
ve.

Khanyi
:noneed.Medi
cat
ioni
sthesame.

Sabel
o:Idon'
twantt
oar
gueyouaboutt hi
s,mykids
deser
venothi
ngbutt
hebestespeci
all
ywhenit
's
comest otheirheal
th.Youwil
lhavetogi
vemeyour
det
ail
sandt hei
rssothatIcanaddthem onmy
medicalinsurancecard.

Khanyi
:babe,wearenotevenmar
ri
edbutyouar
e
makingdrast
icchanges.
.

Sabelo:i
nmymymi ndandsoulIam al
readyyour
husband,soal
lowmetodomydut i
esinpeace..

Khanyi
:(
smi
li
ng)Il
oveyou.

Sabel
o:Il
oveyoumor
e.Nowcomeki
ssme.

Khanyibl
ushesandtheyshar
eashor
tki
ssandshe
goesbacktothehouse.

KHANYI
SILE
I'
m gladthati
t'
sfinal
lyaneveni
ng,Iam soti
redbut
atleastever
ythi
ngisdone,thewashingofdi
shes
andpot syoohhai.

Iam inSabelo'
sbedroom wit
hSbongaseat
edin
fr
ontofthemi r
rortr
yingbennyandBet
tyhai
rst
yle.I
fi
nishappl
yingloti
ononmybodyandgoest oher.

Me:
letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat
.

It
akethecombf
rom herandopenl
inesonherr
ich
bl
ackhair
.

Me:soyourgrandmaandIhadat al
kandwecame
toaconcl
usionthatatt
hebeginni
ngofthi
snew
comingyearyouarecomingtostaywit
hus,bot
hof
you
Sbonga:
(huggingmyl egsexci
tedl
y)yaaay!Thank
youfort
wisti
ngt hatwoman'sarm aboutmoving
her
e.Yoohfinall
y!

Me:it
'wasn'
teasi
erandshekeptoninsist
ingt
hat
ever
ymonthshewi l
lcomeandvisi
therebecause
shedoesn'
ttr
ustt
hepersonshewil
lleavebehi
nd.

Sbonga:grandmaneedt orest
.Don'twor r
yshewi l
l
l
oveitther
e.Ican'twaitt
omeetyourki ds,theyar
e
soadorabl
e.Juniorlookmixedracethough.

Me:
hisf
atheri
swhi
te.

Sbonga:
ohnowit'
smakessense.I
fyoudon'
tmi
nd
measkingwher
eishe?

Me:Idon'tknow,
Idon'tevenknowifhe'
sst
il
lali
ve
orwhat.Heneverreachedouteversi
nceIt
oldhi
mI
waspr
egnant
.

Sbonga:t
hatsucks.I
'
m sor
ry.

Me:i
t'sokay,
thatwhyyouneedt omakesur eyou
pl
ayfarawayf r
om boysandmj olounti
lyouar
e
marr
iedbecauseboyswillhur
d( hurt
)you.

Sbonga:
myfathercanki
llme,
het
rustmesomuch.
Ican'
tdi
sappoi
nthim.

Me:hewantsthebestf oryouandknowsthatyou
areverymuchcapableofdeliver
ing.Youl
ack
nothi
ngSbonga,yourfocusshouldbemainlyon
yourbooks.

Sbonga:yeah,Iam happyt
hatyouar ehereandinto
myf at
her'sl
if
e.Ireall
yyearnedf
ort hesekindof
conversat
ionsandnowt hatIam havingthem i
t'
s
f
eel
ssounr
eal
.

Me:Idon'
tknowwhatt hefut
ureholdsorhowit
l
ooksli
kebutIpromiseyouthataslongasyour
f
atherandIaresti
llt
oget
her,Iwi
llal
waysbehere.

Sbonga:t
hankyou,f
orgi
vingmyfat
herachancet
o
fami
ly,abigf
amilywewil
lhave.

ShehugsmeandIbrushherback.Thedooropens
andSabel
owal
ksin.

Sabel
o:t
hatl
ookscosy.Whatdi
dImi
ss?

Sbonga:not
hing,
justgi
rl
stalk.Thanksfort
he
hai
rst
yleMam Khanyi,I
'
m offtosleep.Goodni
ght
dad.
Sabel
o:goodni
ghtbaby.

Sheleavest
her
oom andSabel
olooksatme
smil
ing.

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)what
?

Sabel
o:(
kissi
ngmyforehead)t
hankyou.Let
'sr
est
,
wehaveal ongwayt
ogot omorrow.

AFEW DAYSLATER

SABELO

Iputt
hewheelchai
rontheboottogetherwit
hthe
boysbicycl
esandcl
osedtheboot.Khanyisi
lecame
wit
hherhandbag.
Khanyi
:I'
mreadyt
ogo.

Me:gr eat
,Ihavel
oadedever
ythi
ng.Sendmyl ove
andgr eet
ingstot
herestoft
hefamil
y.Iwi
llsee
them soon.

Khanyi
:okay.

Me:baby,
Iwi
llbef
ine.

Khanyi:(br
eaki
ngvoi
ce)Iam j
ustscar
edSabel
o,
whatifsomethi
nggoeswrongandyoudon'
tcome
back?

She'
stal
kingaboutt
her
it
ualt
hat'
shappeni
ng
toni
ght
,ret
uni
ngbackubabaandhavi
ngmyseed
cast
rat
ed.
Me:(hol
dingherhands)Iwil
lbefi
ne,don'tt
hink
aboutthi
sandf ocusonyourfami
ly,
wor k.Iwil
lbe
backbeforeyouknowitandthenwewi llst
artt
he
processoflobol
anegoti
ati
on.

Khanyi
:t
hewhol et
hingisscar
yanddeep.Going
i
ntothecoffi
nforhours,
whatifyoudon'
tcome
backand..

OkayIshoul
dn'
thavet
oldhert
hedet
ail
snowl
ook.

Me:baby,Ineedyoutobestr
ongf
ormeokay,I
havedonethisbef
oreandcameoutf
ine,
Iwi
llbe
fi
ne.

Shehugsmesotightandfeel
ingherhotski
n
agai
nstmi
nesendsshiver
sdownmyspi ne.

Khanyi
:(
kissi
ngmyl
ipst
ear
y)comeback,
Iloveyou,
wel
oveandneedyou.

Me:Iwi
llbeback,
nowgo.

Iopent
hedoorforherandt hegate.Shereverses
andhootwhenout.Isighandgoesbacki nsidethe
houset
oprepar
efort hetr
iptoPretori
a.

LATERTHATDAY

SabelostoodinfrontofMamanaked, hi
sbody
smearedwi thbl
ackandr edmuthion.Monali
sawas
busystir
ringupthebigpotthatwasboil
ingli
ke
crazyinthemiddleoftheroom busypouri
ngstuf
f
i
nside.

Shegotupandwentt oopenupt hecof

fi
n,
sprinkl
ingsomeoft
hemut hiar
ounditandgavet
he
resttoSabelot
odri
nkit
.
Monal
isa:r
eady?

Sabel
o:l
ikeIwi
lleverbe.

Monal
isa:t
hisi
sapoi
ntofnor
etur
n.Dr
inkup!

MEANWHI
LE.
..

Khanyisilewasunabletosleep,shekepton
checkingherwat chandcellphone.Shestoppedso
manyt imesf r
om cal
lingSabelobutrightnowshe
couldn'tdoitanymore.Shedialedhisnumber.

"Sabel
oMthethwahere,Iam notavai
labl
eatt
he
moment,pl
easeleaveyournameandnumberIwill
cal
lyouback"
.
Khanyi:Sabel
o,Ijustwantyout oknowt hatIl
ove
yousomuchandIam t hi
nkingaboutyou.Inever
thoughtIwouldeverbet hi
sscaredofloosingyou
l
ikethewayIam r ightnow.Iam goingcrazy.
Pleasetel
lmeyouar eokay,youcan'tl
eavemenow,
notwhenI '
vejustfoundmyhappi ness,please
comeback.

Shedr oppedthecallandburiedherfaceonthe
pil
lowast ear
sstreameddownherf ace.Shewas
shitscaredandtothinkthathe'
sgoingt obeaway
for12hour sdoesn'
thelp.It
'sonl
ybeen4hour sbut
yeses.

Sheplugsinherheadsetandl i
stentosomegospel
music,sheisevenaf rai
dofprayingbecausewit
h
theli
fetheylead,shedoesn'tknowifGodwi l
lst
il
l
hearherprayers.Hepr obabl
yblockedthem
becausetheyar esinners.

Shef
inal
lymanagest
ofal
lasl
eepaf
tert
ossi
ngand
tur
ning.Ar
ound3am asharppainki
ckonherl
ower
abdomenwalki
ngherupfrom hersl
eepscr
eami
ng.
.

Khanyi
:Mama!Baba!

Shecriespai
nful
lyasshesawbl oodgushing
thr
oughherlegs.Herstepmom and17yearold
fat
herrushesi
nsidetheroom af
terhear
ingher
screams.

MrsMt
hembu:ohKhanyi
sil
e!Cal
lanambul
ance!Si
t
upmybaby,
situp.

HOURSLATER

Sabeloopensuphiseyesandreali
zethathe'
son
hisbed,hi
shouse.Hedoesn'tr
ememberwhendi d
hegotbackbecausewhenhecameoutoft he
coff
inhewastakentothesteam sessi
onand
passedoutdur
ingt
hepr
ocess.

Hisheadisabi theavi
eranddizzy,her
eaches
underhispi
ll
owandf i
ndhisphone.Heswi t
chiton
andjumpsatt hetime.Fuck,3pm!Hesleptt
he
wholeday!Hisbodyi si
nchingwithpai
n,messages
comefloodi
ngt ohisphoneincludi
ngthevoicemai
l
Khanyi
silel
efthim.

Thel astmessagefrom herwassentbyhersist

er
i
nf or
mi nghi
mt hatshe'satthehospi
tal
.Hecall
sher
backandt hephonei sonvoicemail
.Hekickshi
s
blanketsandputonhi sclot
hes.Hecan'tbat
hunti
l
thenextday.

Hedr i
vesli
kecrazytothehospit
albusyasking
hi
msel fwhathappened.Themomenthear r
iveshe
pusheseveryoneoutofhiswayuntilhefi
ndst he
doctorwhoisattendi
ngKhanyisi
le,hetel
lshim
aboutKhanyisi
lesuff
eri
ngami scarri
age.
Hisheartsi
nkssodeepbeati
ngfast
.Hebrusheshi
s
facet
ost optear
sfr
om f
all
ingandwalksl
owlyto
herward.

Shequi
cklysi
tsupwhensheseeshim buthet
ell
s
hert
orestandtheyshar
eat
ighthugfordearl
if
e.

Khanyi
:(
tear
ybr
ushi
nghi
sface)youcameback?

Sabel
o:Ipromi
sedyou.Whathappened?Whyar
e
youhere?

Khanyi
:Sabel
o..

Sabel
o:It
houghtyouwereonpi
ll
,what
'sgoi
ngon?
Howdidyoufal
lpregnant
?
Khanyi:
allIwant
edtodowasgi
veyouyourown
baby,yourownchil
d.

Sabel
o:(
glassyeyes)youcan'
ttri
cktheki
ngdom
Khanyi
,themomentIdeclaredthatdeci
sioni
twas
done.
.

Khanyi:
(cr
ying)
I'
m sor
ry,
Ijustwantedyout
o
exper
iencethejoyofhol
dingyourownbaby.
.

Sabeloswall
owshardandr
eali
zehowmuch
Khanyisi
lel
oveshi
m.Hetakeshertohi
schestand
brushherbackki
ssi
ngherfor
ehead.

Sabel
o:i
t'
sokay,
wewi
llbef
ine.Pl
easedon'
tcr
y,
pl
ease.
.

Tobecont
inued.
(Thankyouforpar
ti
cipat
ingint
heQ&Awehad
earl
ier
.Itwasgoodengagingwi
thyou)
[
01/
24,
17:
55] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t35

KHANYI
SILE

Everwant ssomethingforsomeonesobadandi t
doesn'thappen?Her eIam, hurtt
hatSabelowon' t
haveaki dofhisownot herthanthefactthatIjust
l
ostmybaby.Iheart hewhol eadopti
onntonintoni
buthisownf leshandbloodwoul dhavebeenso
l
ovely.Someonet or unhislegacywhenhe'sgone
becauseyesSbongawi llt
akeoveronedaybutwe
al
lknowt hatshe'sgoingtogetmar ri
edandt ake
someoneel se'ssur
name.

Thedooropensandhewal
ksi
nwi
that
rayof
breakf
ast.Thesmellfr
om adist
anceisverymuch
appeti
zing.Yest
erdayaft
erbei
ngdischar
gedwe
camebackst rai
ghthereandwehavebeencuddli
ng
al
lnight.

Me:
(si
tt
ingup)t
hatsmel
lsgr
eat
.

Sabel
o:goodmor
ningma'
am.Ij
ustwant
edt
ocheer
youup.Howareyou?

Heki
ssmyfor
eheadpl
aci
ngthet
rayont
hebedsi
de
t
abl
eandget
ti
ngint
obedwit
hme.

Me:
I'
m okayandf
eel
ingbet
ter
,pl
ushungr
y.

Sabel
o:pl
ease,
digi
n.

It
akef
ewbi
tesandmhmm.Sodel
ici
ous.It
ryt
o
feedhimthenrememberthathedoesn'
teat
breakf
astandpullbackt
hefork.

Sabel
o:(
chuckl
ing)pl
easef
eedme.

Me:whathappenedt
o"Idon'
teatbr
eakf
ast
"?

Sabelo:wit
hubabar eturned,Iam nowallowedtodo
fewthingslikeeati
ngbr eakf
astalthoughI'
m notso
usedtoi tbutyeahfortodayIcant rywit
hyou.

Me:r
eall
y?Thati
ssocool
!Sonowwecanhave
t
hoseint
imat
ebathst
oget
her?

Sabel
o:(
laughi
ng)yeswecan.
.

Me:okay,
openyourmout
hke.
Sabelo:
(shaki
nghisheadlaughi
ng)I'
mtheone
who'ssupposedtobedoingthattoyou.

Me:
I'
m notsi
ckbabe.

Sabelo:Iknow,lookbabeIwantyout oknowt hatI

trul
yappreciat
eyourpr esencei nmylife.Iam sorr
y
thatyouhadt ofalli
nlovewi thamanl ikemewho
hassomuchcompl icati
ons.Iam sorryt hatIcan'
t
giveyouyournor malkindofl if
ethatyoudeser ve
butIneedyout oknowt hatIloveyouandIwi l
ldo
everyt
hinginmypowert okeepyouhappy.

Me:Sabelo,
don'tblameyour sel
f.Iagreedtothis
unionknowingt hati
twon'tbeeasy.Ijusttooka
gambleanddi dn'tworkout.Don'tbeatyoursel
f
aboutit
.Ihaveaccept edandit'
sf i
ne.Aslongaswe
haveeachot herandourkids,we'llbefi
ne.

Sabel
o:(
kissi
ngmyf
orehead)Il
oveyousomuch,
andwhatyoudi dshowedmehowbr aveyouare.I
askedBhekisi
satodraftal
ett
ert
oyourfamil
yto
askyourhandi nmarr
iage,
Ican'
twai
ttomakeyou
mine,of
fi
ciall
y.

Me:Iam your
salready.Justgi
vemeadayort
wot
o
gr
ieveIwil
lbefi
ne.

Sabelo:Iam notrushingyou,takeal
lthetimeyou
need.Enjoyyourbr eakfast
,Ineedtorespondto
tonsofemai lssi
nceIhavebeenawayf orawhil
e.I
willseeyou.Callmei fyouneedanything.

Hegetsoutfrom bedandkissesmylipstaki
nghi
s
phoneleavi
ngthebedroom.Ifini
sheati
ngandput
thetr
ayasideandsitsi
nfrontofmir
ror.Isi
ghand
takeofft
hedoekIam wearing.

Me:youar est
rong,youarebeauti
ful
,youar
e
amazing.Sabel
o,thekidsneedsyou.Youar
ethe
gl
uethatholdsthisf
ami
ly.St
rongwal
lsdoshake
butnevercol
lapse.

SABELO

Myemai lsar
efloodi
ngwi t
htonsofmessagesI
thi
nkit
'stimeIgetmyselfaPA.There'
sal ott
odo
andthere'
sonlyoneofme.ThingisIjustdon'tt
rust
anyonesoIwi l
lhavetomanagebymysel ffornow
unti
lKhanyigetsbet
tert
henIwilldel
egatesomeof
theworktoher.

Oneemailbri
ght
ensmyday, f
r om t
heUniversi
ty,
fi
nal
lyI'
vecomplet
edmycour seandpassedmy
exams.Yourguyisont
heroadt ograduat
ion,how
awesomeisthat
?Final
lywi
llgettowearthatgown.

ThedeskshakesandIknowwhatthatmeans.Ir
est
backonmychairandstar
eattheopposit
echai
r
whereMonali
samakeshersel
fcomfort
ableat
.I
don'
tbowbutcl
ickmyt
ongue.

Monali
sa:yoursacr
if
icehavebeencompl
etedand
you.
..

Me:Iknow.Canyoul
eave?I
'
m busy!

Monal
isa:Sabel
o..
.

Me:Igaveyoual
lmyseedthenyouhadt
otakeone
thi
ngthatmat
ter
sthemostonmywoman.Whyar e
sogreedy?

Monal
isa:Sabel
o,youknowhowi
twor
ks.
.

Me:yeahwhat
ever
,justl
eave.

Monal
isa:can'
tyouseet
hisont
hebr
ightsi
de?
Mor
emoney,
powerand.
.

Me:Monal
isa,
justf
uckof
fmar
n!

Monali
sa:
(sighs)Iwi
lll
etthisbehavi
orsl
idejust
thi
sonce,becauseIunderstandyourpai
n,other
thant
hat,i
t'
snotacceptable.Youcametousf or
powernottheotherwayaroundsosucki tup!
Answeryourphone.

Wit
hthatshedisappearsandmyphoneri
ngswi
tha
+65code.Icoolmyselfdownandanswer
s.

Me:
hel
lo.
.

Voi
ce:Sabel
o,howar
eyou?

Il
ookatmyphoneandputi
tbackonmyearagai
n.
Me:
Minenhl
e?

Mi
nni
e:yep.Di
dIcat
chyouonabadt
ime?

Me:urhm no,Iam j
ustsur
pri
sedyoucal
led.That
's
al
l.Howar eyou?

Mi
nnie:I
'
m goodjustbusy,
mot
her
hoodi
skeepi
ng
mebusylikecr
azy.

Me:wow,
youhaveababy?

Mi
nni
e:yeah,ababygi
rlt
hatJoei
ssoobsessed
wi
thI
'
mj eal
ous..

Me:(
chuckl
ing)youcan'
tcomebet
weenaf
ather
anddaught
er'sl
ove,youcan'
t.
Mi nni
e:Ihavelear
nedt hatthehardwayandt hat
ti
meumunt uisonlyafewweeksol d.AnywayI
don'twanttowast eyourtime,Ihavealwayswanted
tocallyou,especi
all
yaf t
erthedeathofBongumusa.
Ijustdidn'
thavethestrengthinmet odoso.My
deepestcondolences.

Me:
thankyou.Iappr
eci
atet
hat
.

Minni
e:wedi
dn'
tgetal
ongbuthi
sdeat
hshockme
hey.

Me:i
tshockal
lofus,
butwear
elear
ningt
oli
vewi
th
i
t.

Minnie:yeahandIam happyt
oseeyoukeepi
nghi
s
l
egacyandyour son.Isawonthenewsand
congratul
ati
onsontheSBSbank,youar
esurel
y
makingmoves.
Me:Iam r
eal
lyt
ryi
ngMaGumede.
.

Minnie:youar
en'ttryi
ngNyambosebutyouar e
doingthemost.Real l
yIam happyforhowthings
haveturnedoutforyou,andthatyouhavefi
nally
managedt omoveonandf oundlove.Youdeserve
al
lthatandmor e,Iknowyouwi l
ltr
eathergood.

Me:Iam t
hebl
essedonet
ohaveherr
eal
ly.

Minni
e:andI'
m sorryforallt
hepainIputyou
t
hroughbutatleastitpushedyoutodoamazi ng
t
hingsandactuall
yfindabet t
ercompanion.

Me:i
treal
lydi
d.

Mi
nni
e:act
ual
lyIdeser
veaUI
Ffr
om youyazi
.
Me:
(chuckl
ing)haibof
orwhat
?

Minni
e:ni
ggaIdat
edyouforf
iveyear
subr
oke,
aiI
needtogetpai
dfort
hat
..

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)somet
hingswi
llneverr
eal
lychange!

Minnie:asl
ongasi ti
nvol
vesmoney,i
twon'
t.I
'
m
ki
ddingnjal
o,Iam j
usthappyyouar
ehappy.

Me:Iam happy,
shemakesmehappy.SoonIam
makinghertheMrs.
.

Minni
e:aboutti
me!AkingneedaQueent
orunhi
s
ki
ngdom.Al lt
hebest
.

Me:
thankyou,
Imeant
hankyouf
ort
hiscal
l.Idi
dn'
t
knowthatImi
ssedhear
ingyourvoi
ceunt
ilyou
cal
led.

Mi
nni
e:i
t'
sapl
easur
e.St
ayawayf
rom t
roubl
e.

Me:
(chuckl
ing)I
'
veneverbeenat
roubl
emaker
..

Minni
e:Iknow, butnowyouaresomebi gshot
busi
nessmanandi tcomeswithtr
oublesoIknow
whatI'
mt al
kingabout.Igot
tago.Keepwell
.

Me:Mi
nenhl
e..
.

Mi
nni
e:yeah?

Me:If
orgi
veyou.

Mi
nut
espasswi
thsi
lence.
Mi
nni
e:t
hankyou,
Ifor
giveyout
oo.

Me:
(l
aughi
ng)bat
hong,
forwhatnow?

Minni
e:wel
lforbei
ngcomfor
tabl
ewi
thbei
ngbr
oke
ofwhi
chmademecheat .
.

Me:usasangenenamanj
e,byebye.
(Youar
est
il
l
cr
azyevennow)

Mi
nni
e:byeSabzandt
hankyou.

Ihungupsmi l
ing,i
magineshe'
sforgivingme?
Mi nni
ewi l
lfor
everbecrazybutonther eal
s,I'
m
gladshel ef
tme.Becauseifshedidn'
tIwoul dn't
havebeenwher eIam r
ightnowwitht hewoman
thatlovesmel i
kethewayKhanyisil
edoes.
Speakingabouther,herbi
rt
hdayisapproaching
soon.Iwanttosendt hedel
egat
ionsamedaybut
thenatthesamet i
meIwantt omakeherdayext ra
speci
alnyana.Iwouldbuyheracarbutt here'
s
plent
yofthoseintheyard,someIonlydroveonce.

Iwantsomet hi
ngsoval uable,somethingthatwil
l
makeherdayext raamazi ng,she'
sturning30so
yeah.MaybeaCOOposi t
ionatSBSand10%f r
om
myshar egiventoher.Iown55%shar eswi t
h
Sbongaowni ngthe45%shar e.Sogiving
Khanyisi
lethe10%wi llmakeSbongaandIequal s
nowofwhi chIdon'tmi ndbecauseIwanthert ocall
theshotsoneday.

Aknockscomest
hrought
hedoorandKhanyi
peepsi
n.

Khanyi
sil
e:yourbr
other
sar
eher
e.
Icl
osemyl
apt
opandgetupt
aki
ngmyphonegoi
ng
toher
.

Me:f
inal
ly,
Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
hem.Yougood?

Khanyi
sil
e:I'
mfinej
ustsleepy,
shoul
dImakeyou
guysanythi
ngtoeatorsnack?

Me:
nobaby,
goandr
estIt
hinkwe'
l
lmanage.

Khanyi
sil
e:okay.

Shewalksbackt
othebedr
oom andIj
oint
hem i
n
thel
ounge.

Me:madoda(
greet
ings)
Theyst
andupandweshakehands.

Me:
wher
e'sBaf
ana?

Themba:usePr
otea,
uyaj
olaphel
aloyo(he'
sin
Prot
ea,
he'snowdati
ng)

Me:heeyouguysdon'tsay!Wel
lI'
m happyforhi
m
t
hough.Amani sn'
tsupposedtobealone.

Bheki
sisa:
Amentothat.Sohere'
syourl
ett
er,
readi
t
andapprovei
fit
'sokaybefor
ewesendit.

Me:thankyousomuchf orthi
s.Iam waycl
uel
ess
abouttheset
hingsbutcanhandlet
herestwel
l
..

Themba:heeSbongai
sgrowing,
soonyouwi
llbe
handl
ingherl
obol
anegot
iat
ions.
.
Me:mybabyiswayt
ooyoung.Pl
easedon'
tgi
veme
depr
essi
on.

Theyl
aughandIof
fert
hem dr
inks.

Bheki
sisa:
ist
hemadam okay?Shel
ooksabi
t
down.
.

Me:
wel
ostourbabyyest
erday.
..

Themba:
ohmar
n,t
hat
'sbad.

Me:yeahsot
hat
'swhy.

Bheki
sisa:
andhowar
eyou?
Me:
whatcanIsay?I
'
m okayIguess.
.

Bheki
sisa:noyouarenot.Iknowhowi t'
sfeel
sli
ke
l
osingachildevenwhenitwasnotf ul
lydevel
oped
butst
il
lthatpai
ncuts.I
'm sorr
yforyourloss,
hope
youandKhanyiwi l
lbeal
right.

Me:t
hankyou,
Ihopesot
oo.I
sZandi
ler
ecover
ing
wel
l?

Bheki
sisa:
wellandwer econnect
ing,youknowI
swearthepastfewdaysIf el
tthedistancebetween
usbutnow, i
t'
slikeourl
oveisnewagai n.Af
teryour
l
obolanegoti
ationsIam taki
ngheronahol i
day..

OkaymaybeIshouldn'
thavebeenhar
shon
Monali
sa,she'
sdoi
ngthemosthey.Ioweheran
apol
ogy.
Me:I'
m glad.Guysl
et'
sseewhatwecaneati
nthe
ki
tchen.

Themba:asl
ongasithavemeati
nit
.Inf
actl
etme
handl
ethepot
s,chefThembai
nthemaki
ng.

Me:whateveryouguysdo,
don'
tmessmywoman'
s
ki
tchenassebl
ief
..

Themba:r
estmf
e2,
we'
l
lcl
eanup.

Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
24,
17:
55] :TheBachel
or

I
nser
t36

KHANYI
SILE
Thelobolonegot i
ati
onwentpr ett
ywel lalthoughI
washol di
ngmybr eat
h, myfather
'sbrother sgot
dramaf orday,Ieavesdroppedont heir
conversati
onwher etheywant edtoover chargehim
becausehe'srichonsomei m educatedandal l
.
Hebana, t
hesameper sonthatismybossand
payi
ngmysal ary,t
heywantt otel
lhim aboutmy
educati
on?

Ihadt ot
alktodadandbeghim nottoallowhis
greedyuncle'
srui
nthi
ngsforus.Bhekisisal
eadi
ng
thelobol
owi t
hthei
rUncl
ecouldturnthingsupside
downi ft
heyconti
nuewit
htheirgreedi
ness.

Nowt hatallisoverandthefami l
yagreedon
whateverpricetheycharged,I'
m happy.Iam so
happylikeifsomeonet ol
dmef ewyearsbackthat
onedayIam goi ngtobethishappyandl ovedi
woulddef i
nitel
ylaughattheirf
aces,thewaymj ol
o
wasshowi ngmef lamesngakhona.
Thepastfewweekshavebeenhar donmeand
Sabelobutwemanagedtogrieveinpeace,I
'
m
thankf
ulfort
hesuppor
tourfamilyandfri
endsgave
us.

Mymom cal l
smet otakethef
oodtohim out
side
thegat
e.Finall
y,themomentIhavebeenwai t
ing
for
.Toseehi m.YuuhImi ssmypersonyetit
'sbeen
hoursofnotseeinghim.

Sabel
o:(
comi
ngoutoft
hecart
omeetme)
Mthembu
Mvel
ase,
QhudeniMvel
ase,
Owavel
’
eNyandeniyemi
khont
oyakwaMabaso,
Mvel
asekaGuda,
Ongawadl
’
amat
hibani
,
Angadl
’
amat
hibanei
ndl
alangabei
wil
e,
Mni
siwemvul
ail
angal
ibal
ele,
Ngoz’
ovel
’
eNyandeni
,
NgozakaMkhubukel
i,
kaGazi
,
Ni
nabaseMl
aml
ankunzi
!

Thebabygirlthati
smei sbl
ushi
ngrightnow.Guys
ther
e'ssomethingaboutbei
ngcal
ledwithyourcl
an
nameshey.

Me:youl
ovemaki
ngmebl
ushyazi
..

Sabel
o:ungowamimoessoI'
m al
lowed.Nkosi
kazi
wami.
.(youaremi
nemoes..
.mywife)

Me:
yebobaba(yesmyhusband)

Sabel
o:(
kissi
ngmyf orehead)Ican'
tbel
ievethat
thi
sreal
lyhappened,thatweareactual
lyhere.
Thankyousomuchf orlovi
ngmeKhanyi si
le.
.
Me:no,
youl
ovedme.

Sabel
o:doyouthinkwecandisappearforacoupl
e
ofminutes?Iwanttoshowyousomet hing.

Me:
letmet
alkt
omysi
ster
.Eatyourf
ood.

Igobackt
othehouseandtellKamoI'
mleaving
wit
hSabel
oIwil
lbebackquicklysosheshould
coverf
orme.

Me:
wegotanhour
.

Sabel
o:t
hat
'senough.Geti
nsi
deanddr
ive.

Bathong,
hemovestothepassengerseatand
conti
nueeat
ingi
npeacewhilehetel
lsmet odri
ve
t
othebank.

Me:howmuchdi
dtheychar
geyou?

Sabelo:
that
'sf
ormet
oknowmyl
oveandf
oryout
o
neverfi
ndout.

Me:(r
oll
ingmyeyes)okay,
youst
il
lrememberour
dealmoesbabe?

Sabel
o:whatdeali
sitkonj
e?

Me:Idon'twantaweddi ng.Nowt hatyouhavepai

d
l
obolowe'llgosignandIwi l
ldothenecessary
tr
adit
ionalcust
omst obewel comedbyyour
ancestor
sandf amil
y..

Sabel
o:ohyeaht
hat
,wel
lIagr
eedt
oitbutbaby.
.
Me:pl
easedon'
ttel
lmeyouar
echangi
ngyourmi
nd?

Sabelo:
noI'
m notbutcanwehaveanaf t
erpar
ty
nyana?we'l
linvi
tef
ri
endsandfami
ly.Setupanice
decor,
getsomecake,dr
essupandenjoy?

Me:that
'sf
inebabe,
ali
tt
lecosycel
ebr
ati
onwon'
t
hur
t.

Sabel
o:phewIwasworri
edyouwil
lsaynoanddo
whatwiththedr
essIor
deredf
oryou.
.

Me:(
scr
eami
ng)
ohmygoodness,
yougotmea
dr
ess?Howi
sit
?

Sabel
o:(
chuckl
ing)youwi l
lseei
tMonday,
rest.Igot
youever
ythi
ngbaby, eventhemakeupart
ist
..
Me:yabonawenamyper son,
youar
egoal
sshame,
aboMi nni
ebabhayi
zashame!

Sabel
o:(
laughing)Iknowr
ight
?Speaki
ngabouther
,
shecal
ledlastweekIgotbusyIf
orgott
omentioni
t.

Me:
ohw,
whatdi
dshewant
?.

Sabel
o:Ican'
tsaywhatexactl
ybutshespoke
aboutBongumusa'
sdeath,ourbr
eakup,t
hatshe'
s
wishi
ngmeal lt
hebestbl
ahblah.
.

Me:okay,atleastt
her
e'snobadbloodbet
weenyou
twosothat'
sver ymuchbigofher
.Whatarewe
doingherebabebecauseit
'saSatur
dayandpast
knockoffti
me?

Sabel
o:Isai
dIwant
edt
oshowyousomet
hing
nj
ena.Rel
axwear
eal
mostt
her
e.

It
sparkedinourparki
nglot
sandit'
sweir
dbecause
i
t'
sSaturday.Sabel
ogetsofff
ir
standopensmy
doort
akingmyhandl eadi
ngtheway.

Me:it
'
ssoquiet,
wher
e'sever
yonebecauset
hei
r
car
sareout
side?

Sabel
o:youwi
llsoonf
indout
.

Heleadmeal lt
hewayt otheboar droom andt he
momentheopenst hedoortheyscr eam "sur
prise"
.I
nearlyfaint
!What?Theystartsinging"happy
bir
thdayKhanyi "ohit
'smybi r
thdayt oday?!CrapI
evenf orgot
.Thewhol est
affishereandIcan' thelp
butblush.WhatInot i
ceisthateveryonei sdressed
up,l
ikereall
ydressedup.
Me:ncoohyouguys.
.baby,
thankyou.

Iam emot
ionalatt
hispoi
ntl
ikeser
ious.
Sabel
okneel
sinfr
ontofmewi
thar
ingandIcover
mymouthshocked.

Sabelo:
baby, Mamvelase.(
Chuckl e)Idon'teven
knowwhatt osaybutIwantt ogiveyout hisri
ng,on
yourbir
thdayasasymbolofl oveandmy
commi t
mentt oyou.Khanyisil
eIwantt ol oveyou
andbet hereforyoufortherestofourlives.
Wi t
houtfi
nishingourweddingvows, wi
llyoupl ease
makemet hehappiestmanandmar rymei nfrontof
allt
hesepeopl e?

Huh?Il
ookar
ound.

Me:yes!
Ulul
ati
ongoescrazyandhesl
idet
her
ingonyf
inger
andkissesmedeep.

Gayguy:okayokayokaythatwascuteandall
,
sweet
heartwedon'thaveti
me,Ineedtost
arton
yourmakeup,hai
randallwebett
ergo.

Me:what
?

Gayguy:
yourweddi
ngdar
li
ng.Goshyouar
eso
sl
ow.

IlookatSabel
oandhewi nks,
Iam sogettinghim
forthi
sbutIam happy,
real
lyIam.Everyonegoes
tothei
rcarsanddri
vestoanearbygorgeouslodge
,Iseemyf amil
yandtheycometomescr eaming.

Me:t
rai
tor
s!
Kamo:yoohitwassohardkeepi
ngt
hisf
rom you
hl
e,
I'
m gladi
t'
sfi
nall
yhappeni
ng.

Me:
youhel
pedSabel
opul
loft
his?

Kamo:yesdarl
ing,
Imustsayi
t'
shasbeent he
busiestt
woweeksformebutI
'
m notcompl ai
ning
becausehepai
dmegood.Comel et
'sgetyouready.

Shet akesmyhandt oanotherroom andmyeyes

arelookingatt hemat r
imonialvenue,I'
mt akenby
thedecor .Itisreall
ybeauti
ful
.Real
lyGodcame
thr
oughf orme.Idi dn'
texpectthi
satall.Afteran
hourIam al lr
eadyandsetSbonga, Nomhl eand
Kamoar emybr idesmaids.

Dadevenonwheel chairholdmyhandandwalkme
downtheai
sle.Tearsofj oyinmyeyes!The
groom'
spar
tylookssohot ,myboysonthei
rbow
ti
esandsui
tsmat chingwi t
hdaddy,myhearti
sful
l.
Sabel
o:(
whi
sper
ing)youar
esobeaut
if
ul.

Me:yout
ri
ckedmei
ntot
his,
Iwi
llr
unaway.

HelooksscaredIlaughandfocusonthepast
or
pr
eaching,
aft
erhisverseshetakest
heri
ngsand
pr
aysforthem.

Pastor
:repeataf
terme.IKhanyi
sil
eNot
hando
Mthembu, t
akeyouSabeloMthethwat
obemy
l
awfulweddedhusband.

Me:I,
Khanyi
sil
eNot
handoMthembu,t
akeyou
Sabel
oMthet
hwatobemylawfulweddedhusband.

Pastor:
withthisri
ngIvowt olove,
protect,
respect
,careforyou,
i
ngoodandbad, sicknessand
healt
h,r
ichandpoor ,
ti
lldeat
hdousapar t
.
Irepeataft
erhi
m andsl
idether
ingonhisf
inger
.
Peopleulul
ateandhist
urncome,hesayst
hevows
andslidinthe43di
amondsetri
ngonmyf i
nger.It
's
smallyetsoheavy.

Pastor
:wi
thpowersi
nvest
edi
nme,Ipronounceyou
husbandandwif
e,youmayki
ssyourbri
de.

Heholdmyhandssmi li
ng,kissmyf oreheadbef
ore
taki
ngmyl i
psi nt
ohis.Thewhi st
les,
screams,
ululat
ion,
cameraflashli
ghtsdr i
veme
crazybutIfocusonthemani nfr
ontofme, my
husband.

AYEARLATER

Sabel
owalkst
otheki
tchenwit
hhisbr
ief
caseand
Khanyiget
supfr
om t
hetabl
ewalki
nguptohim and
fi
xhisti
e.
Khanyi
sil
e:Iam meet
ingupwi
tht
hei
nvest
ors
t
oday..

Sabel
o:It
rustyouwil
lhandlethem well
babe,Iam
aphonecallawayi
ftheystartgi
vingyouprobl
ems.

Khanyi
sil
e:Idoubtt
heywi
llandeveni
ftheydo,
I
wil
ldealwit
hthem.

Sabel
o:(
smi
li
ng)t
hat
'smybaby.

Khanyi
sil
e:yout
rai
nedmewel
l.Goki
lli
t

Sabel
o:(
kissi
ngher
)samet
hinggoest
oyou.Il
ove
you.

Khanyismi
lesandaboutt
orespondwhent
he
i
nter
com r
ingsandthesecur
it
yinf
ormst hem about
awomanwho' sher
etoseethem.Theylookateach
ot
herandgrantt
heAccesstothehouse.

Minut
esl at
eraknockcomest hroughthedoorand
Khanyiopensit
.Abl ondewomani n6i nchhi
gh
heel
sandashor tdresswalksinwithababyboy.
Sabel
ot akeonelookatherandrememberher .
She'
sthewomanwhogavehi mt hebestti
meofhi
s
l
ifeonthatbrot
herhoodCapeTownt r
ip.

Sabel
o:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Lady:Icamei
npeace.
ijustcamet
odr
opof
fyour
baby..

Sabel
o:mywhat
?

Lady:I
'
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
oryoual
lthi
sti
mewi
thno
l
uck.Youar ewel lknownyetnoonewant edt ot
ell
meexact l
ywher eyoust ay.SabeloIhavedonemy
partofr ai
singthisbabyandi t'
shightimeyou
conti
nue.Iam act ual l
ygivingyoual lt
helegalri
ghts
tohim, youcanr aisehi m wit
hyourwi fe.Igota
scholarshipinUSA, fi
nall
yIam goi ngtodo
somet hinggreatwi thmyl if
eandst ophoppi ngfr
om
onemant oanot her.Idon'twantanyt hi
ngf r
om you
exceptsomemoneyf ortheticket
.

Sabel
o:ungi
jwayel
akabiyazi
!Takethi
schi
ldwi
th
youandleavemyhouse!whatthehell
!

Khanyi
:babewai
t,hei
sreal
lyyour
s,t
akeacl
ose
l
ookathim.Pl
ease.

Sabel
o:Khanyi
sil
e..
.

Khanyi
sil
e:Sabel
o,t
hisi
sGodansweri
ngour
pr
ayersandmywi sh.Wedon'
thavet
oadopt
anymor
e.Yourf
leshandbl
oodi
sher
e.Mama!

Sheshoutsformymot herwhocomesoutf rom the

bat
hroom nearbyandKhanyiwalkstoherwiththe
boywhil
eSabel ostar
esatthewomanr eadyto
murderhi
m withjustonl
yhiseyes.

MaCele:Simakadengenzi wani
!NguSabel o
azi
hlel
elelonaboDi ngiswayo,
siyabonga
ukungasif
ulathel
i!(Whatishappeningtome?This
chi
ldlooklikeSabelo!Thankyouourancestor
sfor
nottur
ningyourbacksonus)

Shetakesthebabyandchant
ingcl
annames,
Sabel
osighsandsitsdown.

Sabelo:Sbonga,
onmydrawer,
i
nmyst udy,ont
he
l
eft
,there'
smychequebook,br
ingi
there.
Lady:(givi
ngKhanyithebag)youar ewelcomet o
dopat er
nitytestonhim,int hi
sbagt here's
everythi
ngabouthi m,hiscer t
if
icate,documents
permitti
ngyout otakehim, IwillbeinJobur gf
or
fewdayssowecanf inal
izeever yt
hingbeforeI
l
eave.Hi srouti
ne.He'sacoolbabyanddoesn' t
bothermuch

SbongagivesSabel
othechequebookandr
ushes
tohergr
andmother.

Sbonga:she'
ssocut
e.GoshIhavehandsome
brot
hers.

Sabel
osi
gns5mi
ll
ionandgi
vest
hel
ady.
.

Lady:t
hat
'sal
otIdon'
tthi
nkIshoul
d..

Khanyi
:(
smi
li
ng)
keepi
tsi
s,youhavenoi
deahow
happyyouhavemakeus.Thisisnothi
ngcompared
tothegi
ftyoubroughtusher
e.Al
lthebestf
oryour
fut
ureendeavor
s.

Lady:
wow, ur
hm.
.(
wipest
ears)okayt
hankyou.At
l
eastmybabywil
lbeingoodhands.CanIpl
ease
saygoodbye?

Khanyinodsandt
ell
sSbongat
ogi
vet
hel
adyt
he
babyboy.

Sabel
o:whathi
sname?

Lady:SJ,
Inamedhi
m af
teryou.

Sabel
oswall
owshardandKhanyihugshi
s
shoul
der
slayi
ngherheadonhi
schest.
Khanyi
:Godsti
lll
ovesusaf t
eral
l.Hegrant
edyou
mybiggestwi
sh,t
ofatheryourwonfleshandbl
ood.

.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.THEEND.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

(Wehavecomet oanendofourj our

neyandt hank
youf oryourpar t
icipat
ion.Iwrotethi
sst ory
becauseIf el ttheneedt oeducateandi nform you
aboutt hereal nessofsext i
esandthatritual
ist
real
lydoexi st,howeverIwoul dli
ketost atethatnot
allr
ichmenar erituali
sts,somemenr eallywor k
hardf ortheirmoneysoi twoul
dn'tbefairtoput
them wi t
ht heseones.

Thosewhohavebeenwi thmef orquitesomet i

me
wil
latt
estt
hatIdon'tdragastoryline,onceIfeel
l
ikeamessagehavebeendel i
veredIwr apmyst or
y
atanychapt
ernumber .Also,
wedon' tdoseason
two'
sheresopleasedon'tevenbot heraski
ngmet o
wri
teonebecauseIwon' tent
ertai
nt hat.
Ournewst oryofwhi chIal
sopr omi sethatit'
sgoi ng
tobeabombwi l
lresumeont he1stofFebr uary.As
Ihaveoncement i
oned,Iam busyguysandnowI
fi
ndmysel funderunnecessarypr essure.Thei niti
al
planwastor et
urnont he25thofJanuar ybutI
thoughtIwouldmanagebutnoIcan' tsoIwi lltake
thist
imetof i
nishmypr i
ori
ti
esf ir
standr eturnt o
you.

Iwillal
souset
hisopport
unityt
ofocusonthest
ory
Iam writi
ngwi
thSandisi
we,RoseColoredGl
asses
giveitmyundi
videdat
tenti
on.

Iwouldal
soli
ketot
hankmyawesomer eadersfor
thel
oveandsuppor
ty'
allgaveme,t
heotherwriter
s
whoread,
commentsandevenshar
emycr aft
,you
areamazi
ng.

Lastbutnotl
east
,abi
gthankyout
othe
breadwi
nnersoft
hishouse,Iam t
alki
ngaboutthe
sponsor
s,youguyskeptusgoingandf ort
hatyou
areappr
eciat
edandloved.Keepdoingthegood
workandGodwi l
lbl
essyouf orme.

Her
e:
ht
tp:
//vi
sionar
ywr
it
ings.
com/
aut
hor
/1489

ismyvisionarywriti
ngsprofi
lel
ink,
underi
t,you
shal
lfi
ndallmy16pr evi
ousstor
iesI'
vewri
tt
en.If
youwanttoknowt heordert
heycomewi t
h,scrol
l
downtothef i
rstpostsofthi
spageandreadt he
postt
here.

From me,
Thembeli
hleNkosi
,Isayt
hankyouf
or
readi
ngTheBachel
or.

Il
oveyou,
keepwel
l
)