Chapter Sixteen

STRING OF PEARLS: SIXTEEN -

MCEDISI

"Let me guess, you also told her that we were after Qhawe's money?" I ask, my tone laced with disgust.

MaSibiya looks down, her eyes evading mine.

"Baba," she says, trying to touch me.

I yank my hand away, pushing the plate aside.

"You acted like an enemy of this family. You manipulated Onezwa. Why didn't you sit down with me and tell me your fears?" I demand, anger boiling within me.

"You always look down on Maka Nonka, saying she's too modern. And what about you? Does that mean you are too traditional? No, you are not. You are just a pretentious, two-faced cow," I say, getting up abruptly, almost knocking over the chair.

She breaks into sobs.

"Mthethwa, you don't mean that. I was threatened. I was scared that you would show her the love and affection you never showed me. It was fear, okay? I'm sorry," she pleads.

I shut my eyes, remembering the injustice I did to this woman. My anger dissipates, replaced by empathy.

"It's okay, I'm sorry I went off on you," I say, taking her into my arms.

"Ngixolisa, Myeni wami," she whispers, tears streaming down her face (Forgive me, my husband).

I nod.

"It's fine. I'm going to take a quick shower, then I'm heading to bed. I'm a bit tired," I say, retracting from the embrace.

"I'll do the dishes, then go check on Mama before joining you," she replies.

Later, as we lie in bed, my mind wanders to Onezwa. The barrier between us seems impossible

Maybe I should just forget about her. I lived without her for two years; I can live more.

MaSibiya breaks the silence.

"Should I be worried?" she asks in a breathy voice.

"Are you and Onezwa...?" she starts.

I interrupt before she finishes.

"Onezwa has moved on with her life. She's seeing someone, so you have nothing to worry about," I say, the words stinging like a snakebite.

"Okay," she says, snuggling closer.

I peck her lips before attempting to summon some sleep.

ONEZWA

I feel like the worst person in the world right now. Mcedisi Mthethwa's sudden reappearance has disrupted my life, just when I've found happiness. After a half-day at my store, I struggle to concentrate. I called Troy to pick me up, and we decided to grab a late lunch at 9th Avenue Bistro.

"How was your day?" Troy asks, his face hidden behind the menu.

"It was okay," I reply.

He nods, putting the menu away.

"And you? How was your day?" I ask.

He shrugs.

The waiter takes our order.

"Did you have any visitors today? Didn't the catering people cause trouble?" Troy asks.

I shake my head, and he nods.

"What do you see when you look at me?" He asks, his tone serious.

"Uhm...my man," I reply, frowning.

"What was your brother-in-law doing in your office?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

"How do you know he was there? Are you keeping tabs on me?" I ask, trying to maintain composure as my heartbeat accelerates.

"Would you answer my question?" He presses.

"Alright, fine. He came to apologize about the catering issue," I admit.

"Then why did you lie about it?" His tone is off, frightening.

"Because of how you reacted yesterday. I didn't want you to make a big deal out of it. I'm so sorry, motho wame," I apologize, attempting to touch his hand.

But he removes his hand and stands up.

"Troy, I said I'm sorry," I plead in a low tone, avoiding a scene.

He ignores me and storms out.

Embarrassed, I bowed my head, hiding my tears.

"There you go," the waiter says, placing our drinks on the table.

"Please wrap the food to go and bring the bill," I request.

Moments later, the waiter returns. I pay the bill and leave.

I take a cab home, but Troy isn't there. I tried calling him multiple times, but his phone rang unanswered.

After leaving several messages, I give up and go to bed, crying myself to sleep.

Here's the revised text in the present tense:

TROY

I stormed out of the restaurant, fury burning within me. After dropping Onezwa off in the morning, I remembered my meeting in Bloemfontein and decided to drive back to the store to tell her to take a cab home, but when I got there, I saw that so-called brother-in-law walking into her office. I was livid, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I thought she'll be honest about him coming around.

I canceled my meeting and spent the day stressing, wondering what they were doing behind closed doors.

As I walked away from the restaurant, a mix of anger, hurt, and betrayal swirled inside me. Why is she lying to me? Doesn't she trust me enough to tell the truth?

I recall Mcedisi's gaze, the way Onezwa trembles in his presence. There's history between them; I'm sure of it.

My phone rings repeatedly, but I ignore it. I need space to process my emotions. I wander aimlessly, trying to clear my head. Onezwa's apologies and explanations echo in my mind, but the feeling of being kept in the dark overshadows them.

Eventually, I return home, and Onezwa is asleep. I watch her, torn between holding her and confronting her.

The next morning, my emotions still simmer.

"So, you think you can just lie to me and get away with it?" I ask.

She rubs her eyes, confusion etched on her face. "Troy, I....." I interject

"Don't explain. You're attracted to that guy, aren't you?" I accuse.

She sits up, defensive. "No, Troy, that's not it. Mcedisi just showed up unexpectedly...."

"Unexpectedly? Save it. I saw how he looked at you at the launch. And how you reacted. You can't hide it from me."

Her eyes widen. "Troy, there's nothing going on between us."

"You expect me to believe that? After you lied to my face?" I sneer.

Her face falls, and she heaves a sigh. For a moment, I feel guilty. But I push it aside.

"You need to understand, Onezwa, I'm the only one who truly cares about you. Don't jeopardize what we have for some fleeting attraction."

"You don't know what you are talking about. There's nothing going on between us, period!" She snaps

My expression hardens.

Lemohang, my ex-fiancée, comes to mind. We were together for three years, or so I thought. Turns out, she was entertaining another guy behind my back.

The memory still stings. I recall the night I caught them together, in my bed – the betrayal, the lies, the shattered trust.

Since then, I've built walls around myself. I don't let anyone in easily. But Onezwa...she's slipping past my defenses.

Now, as I watch her, I'm reminded of Lemohang's deceit. The same feelings of suspicion and anger resurface.

I won't let it happen again. I won't be blindsided.

That's why I'm pushing Onezwa, testing her. I need to know she's not like Lemohang.

I'll be damned if she thinks she can hurt me too.