14/11/2024
It was just another morning in the household of the Sehlale's. Monde Sihlale, the husband to Nomonde Sihlale was getting ready to go to work. Nomonde was a housewife due to the fact that Monde was a traditional man who just could not have a working wife. Nomonde was a qualified social worker. She was a beautiful woman who had genuine love for people and was very good with children. She had two daughters Zinzi (14 years) and Zanyiwe (16 years). Nomonde had been married to Monde traditionally for 18 years. She was very obedient and dignified. She loved God, however Monde did not understand this religious lifestyle as he was a deep cultural man. But they found a way to respect and accept each other's beliefs. Monde was a heavy drinker during weekends. But he respected his job so much that he would not even touch a drink on Sundays. He had been working as a Quantity surveyor in one of the top companies in Gqebherha for the past 13 years. They lived in one of the wealthiest surbubs in Gqebherha which is Mill Park. It had been Monde's dream to be a wealthy man. As a result he had a few businesses on the side. Their children went to the top private schools. Monde had a weakness of liking women. He had been unfaithful to his wife for the most of their marriage. However he knew just how to conceal these shady dealings. As Monde left for work and children to school, Nomonde would do her usual house chores. However she knew there was more to life than being a wife to Monde and a mother to her children. The void grew more and more everyday. She was obedient but she was not ignorant. She knew her husband had not been faithful to her. As a woman who took care of this man for years she noticed the signs. But she remembered all the instructions she got when she had utsiki (a traditional Xhosa wedding ritual). She wanted to channel her energy into more positive things. She enrolled for a law degree at the University of South Africa. Which she would later major in family law. She kept this as a secret from her husband. Even though the thought of keeping secrets from her husband was very new to her and was not comfortable with it, deep down she knew her husband would discourage her from furthering her studies. She was not a prisoner in her home however she had to let her husband know of all her whereabouts. She was not a woman with many friends, but she had two friends around the same neighborhood. They would do lunch or meet ups together at times as they were more or less living a similar life. The only difference was one of her friends, Nokuthula was a widow. Nokuthula had a bit of a wild side that Nomonde and Nobahle (the other friend) could not understand. She had been a widow for two years and was still in her early 40s. Nomonde was also in her early 40s whereas Nobahle was in her late 40s. Nokuthula had started dating again here and there and she would at times have alcoholic beverages however she was not a heavy drinker. She dated guys younger than her. Those seemed to be her type. Her late husband was 22 years older than her. She claimed she never had freedom and her husband was controlling and abusive at times. It was as though she was relieved her husband was no more. Nokuthula had a stepson who was 27 and a daughter who was 19. Nobahle had 2 sons (twins aged 17) and a daughter (15years). Nokuthula step son was already working so he had his own apartment even though he would visit from time to time and they also had a good relationship. Nokuthula made it a point never to bring a man in her home as a sign of respect to the children. The three ladies decided to meet up for a lunch date at Ginger the restaurant, at the Beach hotel one time. It was always a good catch up session whenever they met up as they would have good laughs and they could confide in each other. Or so they thought... Nokuthula loved her friends very much but she could not help but be a little envious of the two especially because they still had their significant others as a support system. Her late husband left her all sorts of wealth but for some reason there was always that void she just could not fill. Even though she dated here and there and claimed to be living her best life she could not help but envy her friends. Nomonde had been planning a suprise getaway for her husband's birthday that will be in two weeks from now, so she invited the ladies with their families. They would be traveling to Plettenberg bay with their families, children would be catered for and will have someone to look after should the need arise.
Came the weekend of the trip, Nomonde had asked one of Monde's business partners to "schedule a business meeting" to the Western Cape and the others would travel separately in order not to spoil the surprise. They got to Plett before Monde and his business associate could get there. They had time to make all the arrangements whilst they waited for them. It was on a Friday afternoon. Monde and Mr Shange finally arrived. "Suprise", they shouted. To Monde's suprise even Mrs Shange and their two kid's were there. She had travelled along with the others. "What is going on", Monde asked. It's your birthday suprise, are you surprised, Nomonde asked. "I'm very surprised" he said. They started serving them some finger foods and beverages. The children went and played by the pool as the weather was very pleasant. This was just an evening before the actual birthday celebration. But they were there to have fun. They had booked one of the most beautiful villas with an absolute amazing view.
The man were chilling outside enjoying the sunset view whilst they had their beverages. It was a weekend to be enjoyed to Monde, as he really enjoyed his liquor. He can usually handle his liquor but this weekend he was not worried about that. He was going to enjoy himself without any care. It was his 50th birthday and he had achieved so much that he felt he needed to appreciate himself. All he could think about was getting himself a concubine. "Are there any clubs here", he asked. "Just enjoy this beautiful suprise we will visit clubs back in GQ" Nobahle's husband (Lufefe) responded. He was a little disappointed that no one seems to be interested in going out. Nokuthula had only brought her daughter as she did not have a partner. She had also been drinking, heavily this time around. The ladies were in the kitchen busy preparing food as it was a self catering accommodation. The other two ladies also thought to let loose and enjoy themselves. They both had one or two glasses of wine. It was time for dinner and they all gathered in the dining room and to eat. The two women went and did the dishes whilst Nokuthula and the three gentlemen went and sat outside to continue their drinking. After they were done with the dishes Nomonde said her good night as she claimed the wine she had been drinking had gotten to her head. It was her first time drinking so it was to be understood. She then left for bed so did Nobahle and Mrs Shange, they claimed be tired from the traveling. It was around 10pm and the kids also went to bed. It was only the three gentlemen and Nokuthula left. They were also enjoying some music and dancing. It was getting very late and one by one they left for bed. It was only Nokuthula and Monde that were left behind. They both had been been drinking heavily. They started asking each other inappropriate and intimate questions. Monde was interested in knowing if Nokuthula had been celibate since the husband passed on. "Why, do you want to help me" she asked. They both laughed. They were flirting with each other while gazing into each other's eyes with hands touching every now and then. They lured each other into Nokuthula's room. They both stood by the door and said their good night's but he just could not walk away. He finally gathered the strength to walk away but before he could get anywhere he went back to the room. Nokuthula was about to change to her pyjamas so he found her half naked. They both looked at each other with shock. "You're so beautiful" he said. Nokuthula was a very beautiful woman who had taken good care of her physic. They're both came closer to each other and gazed into each other's eyes. Monde started touching her face whilst drooling over her. "Monde" she whispered... "shhh" he said whilst putting his finger on his lips. He then pulled her chin up to his face and started kissing her. Next thing they were in bed together.
Next morning, Nomonde wakes up and she does not see Monde. Has he already woken up, she wondered. She got up and freshened up before she could go look for Monde and prepare breakfast for them. It was around 6am and Nobahle had already started with breakfast. Nomonde went and helped her while she wondered where Monde could've went at this time of the day. In Nokuthula's room, her and Monde were asleep all cuddled up, Nokuthula in Monde's chest. He slowly opened his eyes and to his shock he jumped up causing Nokuthula to also wake up. It was bright and sunny outside. He looked at his watch in panick, dressing up as quickly as he could. They could obviously hear people talking in the kitchen and the smell of breakfast confirmed that his wife had definitely woken up. His heart was racing up and down. He also had a massive headache from last night's drinking. Could this day get any worse, he thought. He slowly opened the door and checked if the coast was clear before getting out. Wheeew, he thought. As he slowly closed the door to Nokuthula's room, Nobahle was on her way to her bedroom to wake Lufefe up so he saw Monde coming out of Nokuthula's bedroom. Monde thought he got away with it. He slowly opened the door to their bedroom checking if Nomonde was there. The room was empty so he quickly got in the shower and changed to clean clothes. He was very relieved. He got away with it. Or so he thought... Nobahle went back to the kitchen to help prepare for breakfast. Her entire demeanor had changed, it was as though she had received bad news. She could not hold in what she saw. She started asking Nomonde questions as to when she last saw Monde to try and put the puzzle pieces together. "I must have been really out of it because I didn't hear him come in or go out this morning" she said. It all made sense now, Nobahle thought. "Let's set up for breakfast everyone must be hungry now" Nokuthula said, trying to change the topic. They set up and every one started coming out one by one till they were all there except for Nokuthula. Monde was strangely quiet that morning. He had been sipping his coffee when Nomonde said, tata ka Zan have you seen Nokuthula this morning? He choked on his coffee and spilled a bit on his chest. Quickly took a napkin to wipe it off and said, "she's your friend why are you asking me"? "When I bumped into bab' Shange last night he claimed he left both of you outside drinking" she said. He explained that she left shortly after and is probably nursing a hangover as she had way too much to drink. Nobahle puzzles pieces had been put together now and was convinced more than ever that something had happened between the two. "I'll go check up on her after breakfast" Nobahle said with a fake smile. Monde panicked even more. Worried that Nokuthula might let something slip. Just as Nobahle was about to get up Nokuthula came in, with a tale between her legs. She looked as though she was lost. Had very little to say. "Are you okay"? Nomonde asked. "I'm okay S'mondz why do you ask", she replied. "You look a little under the weather, it must be the bev". They all laughed. She pretended to laugh aswell, trying to hide her shame. She did not do a very good job because it was written all over her face. Nobahle was looking closely at the both of them while sipping her tea. The weather was very pleasant that day, so they decided to go to the beach. They went to their rooms to go and change to their bathing suits. Nokuthula was in her room, contemplating whether she should join them or not. But she thought to herself, if I do not join them it might just look suspicious. As she was changing her outfit the door opened. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING"!!!
