WERE YOU EVER MINE?
She is getting discharged today. At this point, she's prepared for anything. Her heart is so fragile, so anything could affect both her and the baby. Rorisang is not aiming to back down, but what she did yesterday proves that she's plotting something. She's just waiting for the perfect time to spill the beans to Nhlakanipho. This is not Rori she grew up with. Rorisang is not a heartless person. She's not bitter. What changed?
Now that Kele realizes. She sees that she's behind this. She changed her best friend into this person. Rori has been hurt. She watched Rori getting hurt again and again, but she never changed. Now she stabbed her in the back, she has suddenly changed into this person who believes in revenge.
Kele quickly wipes the tears she just shed, but others follow, flooding her face. She goes down her memory lane, recalling how good they were. They were basically sisters. Even though Rori wasn't drinking alcohol like she did, Rori always showed up at her parties. Whenever she was in need of something, Rori was there since her family was financially stable. They talked about everything, shared everything, laughing together, crying together and just… doing everything together.
She ruined their perfect friendship. Rorisang was willing to fix their friendship, but she became bitter and spat out hurtful words. The obsession or whatever she may call that she has over Nhla controlled her. She wasn't like this. Philani must be turning in his grave, disappointed in her.
“Kele, what's wrong?” Sukoluhle asks, getting in the ward. Nkele wipes her face, sighing. “Why are you crying? Did Bhut'Nhla do something to you?”
“No. I… I guess he isn't coming to pick me up again.” Nhlakanipho didn't believe what Rori said yesterday, and the look he gave her was evident enough that he was going to dig in deeper.
“No, I came with him, actually. He's on a call, so I walked in first. Will you just tell me what's going on with you? What made you cry?”
Kele shrugs, “Just life. This isn't how I pictured myself back in the years. I've suddenly become a woman I don't know. Mnqobi wouldn't even be proud of the mother I am.”
Nhlakanipho walks in just as Sukoluhle tries to crack what she just said. “Everything set?” he asks, taking the mini bag he brought when Kele got admitted. “I've signed the discharging forms, so singahamba manje.”
—
They get home after passing by Chicken Licken. Nhla is just frowning, watching every step Nkele is taking. “Are you okay?” he finally asks after a long drive from the hospital.
“Yes, I'm just tired,” Kele mutters, settling down on the couch. Her heart breaks as Nhla doesn't even try to question her deeper. He says he's going back to work and grabs his car keys, walking out.
“I only have thirty minutes to spend before my break ends. Will you mind elaborating what you meant at the hospital?” Sukoluhle curiously asks.
Kele takes out a piece of meat, taking a bite. “It's about Rori.” Sukoluhle rolls her eyes, grabbing one of the fries. “I hurt her, Suko. I hurt her knowing how much she struggles to deal with pain. She was once my best friend, and I betrayed her when she least expected it. I knew how much she loved Nhla. Well, I knew how much they loved each other. I didn't only ruin their relationship, but I also ruined our beautiful friendship.”
“What do you mean, Kele? This wasn't your choice. You didn't choose to be here. Our tradition forced you to be here. It's not like you had a choice.”
“I had a choice, Suko. I should've refused to get married to Nhlakanipho. Rori's disappearance should've been a wake-up call that she didn't like what she overheard between Philani and Nhlakanipho. She was hurt. Finding out that your man is supposed to marry your best friend is painful. I should've put myself in her shoes. I would've been hurt if she were to marry Philani. I hurt her, Suko. The least I should've done was not to fall and stay away when she got back. That's what I agreed on with Nhla.”
She breaks down, putting away the meat. Her heart breaks even more when she thinks of what Rori did yesterday. Even after betraying her like that, she still protected her name. She protected her marriage. That's the Rorisang Nkele knows. She's not heartless.
“Kele,” Sukoluhle whispers, dropping next to her. “I'm so sorry that you feel this way. We sometimes can't control our feelings, Nkele. You love him.”
“I shouldn't have, Suko. I promised not to. I also feel like I betrayed Philani. This is not how it should have turned. I feel like… I don't know… but what I know is that I broke her. I broke another woman who was my best friend, my sister.”
“I'm sorry, Kele.” She has nothing to say other than brushing Kele's back.
-
-
-
RORISANG
Before I know it, his cologne fills my office. I put on my straight face, taking my handbag and car keys. Linda asked to meet for lunch after receiving the text of withdrawing the plan yesterday. I just want peace. The same peace I've had these past three years before bumping into this one and his wife.
“Heading out?” His bold voice fills the office. I steal a quick glance at him and nod. He's wearing grey suit with a white t-shirt. He stands tall near the door.
“If this is not about Sinenhlanhla or your wife's anniversary dress. You better leave, I've got things to do.”
He walks further in, not taking a seat, but walks towards me. “Nhlakanipho, I'm serious. I don't want you near me, honestly.”
“Begithi ngizoxolisa nje, Nana wami.” Is that tone supposed to soften me? This man is full of himself. “Lalela, I know what I said hurt you, Nana. I just… I don't think when I'm angry. It just slipped out, I promise.”
“It slipped out, you say? Okay, I understand, so can you leave now?” He blinks twice, biting his lip. “That's what you want akere Nhlakanipho? For me to understand what you're trying to justify yourself with and welcome you back in my arms. I've had enough of you. Do you hear me? Please focus on your wife and baby, and leave me alone.”
He tries to touch me, I step back, blocking him with my hand. “Don't you dare, okay? Don't you even try. I'm done with you and your confused self. Let me be with my man, and focus on your marriage.”
“I love you, not her, Rorisang. How many times should I keep saying that?”
“Don't say that anymore. I heard it enough, wa nkutlwa akere? Unlove me and learn to love your wife!” I unintentionally raise my voice. Is he clenching jaws?
“Watch your tone, Rorisang,” he warns, his eyes darkening. Did I say something wrong, perhaps? Nhlakanipho thinks he owns me. That's his problem.
“Or what? Huh? What are you going to do? Hit me!?” I step towards him, giving him the stern look he's giving me.
“Rorisang.”
“Keng, Nhlakanipho? I'm not Nkeletseng, nna. I won't bow to you like…” his cold hand grabs my neck, not so aggressively, but strongly. “Wh-what are you…”
He leans over, kissing me. I let go of my handbag and keys, trying to push him away. He pulls away from the kiss and pushes me against the wall. “What's wrong with you? Why are you forcing your way into my life? I don't love you. Can you get that, at least?”
“You're right. You don't love me, you're in love with me.” Oh, God! This man is just so full of himself. He thinks everything happens according to him.
“Fvck you! Do you hear me? Fvck you and fvck off from me!” I try to push him again, his hand grabbing both of my hands, pinning them against the wall, on top of my head.
“Lower your tone, or else I'll fvck you so hard, Rorisang. I'll fvck you so hard that you'll lose your senses, uyangizwa?” he says firmly, his bold voice echoing in the office.
“In your dreams!” We share a tight contact, our breathes getting heavier. Someone clears their throat.
“Um… am I disturbing?” I know that voice! Nhlakanipho doesn't bother himself to let go. He's keeping his gaze on me. I pull all my strength together and push him away.
“Leave before I call the police on you.”
Linda swipes glances between us before sitting on the couch in my office. “Do you hatə me that much?” Nhla asks. Listen to this man! Hatə? I wish I did. Only if he knew how much he made my heart beat.
“Leave.” I order him. He glances at Linda and walks out without greeting her. I click my tongue, fix myself and pick up my things from the floor. “I thought we were meeting at the restaurant?”
Linda sighs, “You were taking too long, so I ordered and drove here. Your company is so classy, I should've known.”
“Well, what can I say? I'm a designer, after all.”
“Fashion designer, not interior designer. Anywho, what did I just see? Are you having lovers quarrel?” She asks. I've always known her as a gossiper, so I'm not surprised.
“Lovers? We're not lovers nna le Nhlakanipho. In fact, he's right. I hatə him. Watseba Linda, I've had enough of that man.” I fan myself with both my hands.
“Awww, really? The neck grab, hurried kiss, the hands lock? That's chemistry. I saw chemistry and felt it. You're meant to be.” I roll my eyes. Kante, how much did she see? She has been standing on the door all this while?
“Chemistry? What do you know about chemistry wena because you did arts in school, not science? We're not meant to be ya nex. This is just toxic, man. Nhla is toxic.”
Ma Dlamini made me realize that my mental health matters. My emotional state matters more than the love I have for Nhlakanipho. I'm just going to try and just stay away from his toxic self.
“Toxic? He's obsessed with you! Yazin, I also have a plan. A better plan to deal with this. You're not going to let go of those people just like that, Rori. We're sticking to the plan.”
“No, Linda. I don't believe in revenge. I don't even know why I even bothered myself. The more I try to hurt people, the more I'm hurting myself. That's not working for me. Let's drop this. I don't even know why you're so invested because I was using you a pawn.”
She gets up from the couch, heaving a sigh. “Because I deserve it. Rori, we made you go through a lot. I realized that you never broke anyone's heart— except for having a big mouth and spitting hurtful words, but actually a good person. People take advantage of that, including Nhla, and I'm going to help you. I am helping you because I believe that you should also make them feel what they made you feel.”
I shake my head in disapproval. I don't want to get hurt anymore. Focusing on Sinenhlanhla and Lukhanyo is what I'm planning to do. “Lalela, I have a good plan.”— Linda.
“Linda…”
“A perfect one.” She smirks, staring at me. “Nhla will growl back to you and be yours.”
“I don't want him. I have Lukhanyo.”
“Mxm, we both know you've always been Nhlakanipho’s Dollface, his only Nana. That's where you belong. You're his
WERE YOU EVER MINE?
⛱️
She is getting discharged today. At this point, she's prepared for anything. Her heart is so fragile, so anything could affect both her and the baby. Rorisang is not aiming to back down, but what she did yesterday proves that she's plotting something. She's just waiting for the perfect time to spill the beans to Nhlakanipho. This is not Rori she grew up with. Rorisang is not a heartless person. She's not bitter. What changed?
Now that Kele realizes. She sees that she's behind this. She changed her best friend into this person. Rori has been hurt. She watched Rori getting hurt again and again, but she never changed. Now she stabbed her in the back, she has suddenly changed into this person who believes in revenge.
Kele quickly wipes the tears she just shed, but others follow, flooding her face. She goes down her memory lane, recalling how good they were. They were basically sisters. Even though Rori wasn't drinking alcohol like she did, Rori always showed up at her parties. Whenever she was in need of something, Rori was there since her family was financially stable. They talked about everything, shared everything, laughing together, crying together and just… doing everything together.
She ruined their perfect friendship. Rorisang was willing to fix their friendship, but she became bitter and spat out hurtful words. The obsession or whatever she may call that she has over Nhla controlled her. She wasn't like this. Philani must be turning in his grave, disappointed in her.
“Kele, what's wrong?” Sukoluhle asks, getting in the ward. Nkele wipes her face, sighing. “Why are you crying? Did Bhut'Nhla do something to you?”
“No. I… I guess he isn't coming to pick me up again.” Nhlakanipho didn't believe what Rori said yesterday, and the look he gave her was evident enough that he was going to dig in deeper.
“No, I came with him, actually. He's on a call, so I walked in first. Will you just tell me what's going on with you? What made you cry?”
Kele shrugs, “Just life. This isn't how I pictured myself back in the years. I've suddenly become a woman I don't know. Mnqobi wouldn't even be proud of the mother I am.”
Nhlakanipho walks in just as Sukoluhle tries to crack what she just said. “Everything set?” he asks, taking the mini bag he brought when Kele got admitted. “I've signed the discharging forms, so singahamba manje.”
—
They get home after passing by Chicken Licken. Nhla is just frowning, watching every step Nkele is taking. “Are you okay?” he finally asks after a long drive from the hospital.
“Yes, I'm just tired,” Kele mutters, settling down on the couch. Her heart breaks as Nhla doesn't even try to question her deeper. He says he's going back to work and grabs his car keys, walking out.
“I only have thirty minutes to spend before my break ends. Will you mind elaborating what you meant at the hospital?” Sukoluhle curiously asks.
Kele takes out a piece of meat, taking a bite. “It's about Rori.” Sukoluhle rolls her eyes, grabbing one of the fries. “I hurt her, Suko. I hurt her knowing how much she struggles to deal with pain. She was once my best friend, and I betrayed her when she least expected it. I knew how much she loved Nhla. Well, I knew how much they loved each other. I didn't only ruin their relationship, but I also ruined our beautiful friendship.”
“What do you mean, Kele? This wasn't your choice. You didn't choose to be here. Our tradition forced you to be here. It's not like you had a choice.”
“I had a choice, Suko. I should've refused to get married to Nhlakanipho. Rori's disappearance should've been a wake-up call that she didn't like what she overheard between Philani and Nhlakanipho. She was hurt. Finding out that your man is supposed to marry your best friend is painful. I should've put myself in her shoes. I would've been hurt if she were to marry Philani. I hurt her, Suko. The least I should've done was not to fall and stay away when she got back. That's what I agreed on with Nhla.”
She breaks down, putting away the meat. Her heart breaks even more when she thinks of what Rori did yesterday. Even after betraying her like that, she still protected her name. She protected her marriage. That's the Rorisang Nkele knows. She's not heartless.
“Kele,” Sukoluhle whispers, dropping next to her. “I'm so sorry that you feel this way. We sometimes can't control our feelings, Nkele. You love him.”
“I shouldn't have, Suko. I promised not to. I also feel like I betrayed Philani. This is not how it should have turned. I feel like… I don't know… but what I know is that I broke her. I broke another woman who was my best friend, my sister.”
“I'm sorry, Kele.” She has nothing to say other than brushing Kele's back.
-
-
-
RORISANG
Before I know it, his cologne fills my office. I put on my straight face, taking my handbag and car keys. Linda asked to meet for lunch after receiving the text of withdrawing the plan yesterday. I just want peace. The same peace I've had these past three years before bumping into this one and his wife.
“Heading out?” His bold voice fills the office. I steal a quick glance at him and nod. He's wearing grey suit with a white t-shirt. He stands tall near the door.
“If this is not about Sinenhlanhla or your wife's anniversary dress. You better leave, I've got things to do.”
He walks further in, not taking a seat, but walks towards me. “Nhlakanipho, I'm serious. I don't want you near me, honestly.”
“Begithi ngizoxolisa nje, Nana wami.” Is that tone supposed to soften me? This man is full of himself. “Lalela, I know what I said hurt you, Nana. I just… I don't think when I'm angry. It just slipped out, I promise.”
“It slipped out, you say? Okay, I understand, so can you leave now?” He blinks twice, biting his lip. “That's what you want akere Nhlakanipho? For me to understand what you're trying to justify yourself with and welcome you back in my arms. I've had enough of you. Do you hear me? Please focus on your wife and baby, and leave me alone.”
He tries to touch me, I step back, blocking him with my hand. “Don't you dare, okay? Don't you even try. I'm done with you and your confused self. Let me be with my man, and focus on your marriage.”
“I love you, not her, Rorisang. How many times should I keep saying that?”
“Don't say that anymore. I heard it enough, wa nkutlwa akere? Unlove me and learn to love your wife!” I unintentionally raise my voice. Is he clenching jaws?
“Watch your tone, Rorisang,” he warns, his eyes darkening. Did I say something wrong, perhaps? Nhlakanipho thinks he owns me. That's his problem.
“Or what? Huh? What are you going to do? Hit me!?” I step towards him, giving him the stern look he's giving me.
“Rorisang.”
“Keng, Nhlakanipho? I'm not Nkeletseng, nna. I won't bow to you like…” his cold hand grabs my neck, not so aggressively, but strongly. “Wh-what are you…”
He leans over, kissing me. I let go of my handbag and keys, trying to push him away. He pulls away from the kiss and pushes me against the wall. “What's wrong with you? Why are you forcing your way into my life? I don't love you. Can you get that, at least?”
“You're right. You don't love me, you're in love with me.” Oh, God! This man is just so full of himself. He thinks everything happens according to him.
“Fvck you! Do you hear me? Fvck you and fvck off from me!” I try to push him again, his hand grabbing both of my hands, pinning them against the wall, on top of my head.
“Lower your tone, or else I'll fvck you so hard, Rorisang. I'll fvck you so hard that you'll lose your senses, uyangizwa?” he says firmly, his bold voice echoing in the office.
“In your dreams!” We share a tight contact, our breathes getting heavier. Someone clears their throat.
“Um… am I disturbing?” I know that voice! Nhlakanipho doesn't bother himself to let go. He's keeping his gaze on me. I pull all my strength together and push him away.
“Leave before I call the police on you.”
Linda swipes glances between us before sitting on the couch in my office. “Do you hatə me that much?” Nhla asks. Listen to this man! Hatə? I wish I did. Only if he knew how much he made my heart beat.
“Leave.” I order him. He glances at Linda and walks out without greeting her. I click my tongue, fix myself and pick up my things from the floor. “I thought we were meeting at the restaurant?”
Linda sighs, “You were taking too long, so I ordered and drove here. Your company is so classy, I should've known.”
“Well, what can I say? I'm a designer, after all.”
“Fashion designer, not interior designer. Anywho, what did I just see? Are you having lovers quarrel?” She asks. I've always known her as a gossiper, so I'm not surprised.
“Lovers? We're not lovers nna le Nhlakanipho. In fact, he's right. I hatə him. Watseba Linda, I've had enough of that man.” I fan myself with both my hands.
“Awww, really? The neck grab, hurried kiss, the hands lock? That's chemistry. I saw chemistry and felt it. You're meant to be.” I roll my eyes. Kante, how much did she see? She has been standing on the door all this while?
“Chemistry? What do you know about chemistry wena because you did arts in school, not science? We're not meant to be ya nex. This is just toxic, man. Nhla is toxic.”
Ma Dlamini made me realize that my mental health matters. My emotional state matters more than the love I have for Nhlakanipho. I'm just going to try and just stay away from his toxic self.
“Toxic? He's obsessed with you! Yazin, I also have a plan. A better plan to deal with this. You're not going to let go of those people just like that, Rori. We're sticking to the plan.”
“No, Linda. I don't believe in revenge. I don't even know why I even bothered myself. The more I try to hurt people, the more I'm hurting myself. That's not working for me. Let's drop this. I don't even know why you're so invested because I was using you a pawn.”
She gets up from the couch, heaving a sigh. “Because I deserve it. Rori, we made you go through a lot. I realized that you never broke anyone's heart— except for having a big mouth and spitting hurtful words, but actually a good person. People take advantage of that, including Nhla, and I'm going to help you. I am helping you because I believe that you should also make them feel what they made you feel.”
I shake my head in disapproval. I don't want to get hurt anymore. Focusing on Sinenhlanhla and Lukhanyo is what I'm planning to do. “Lalela, I have a good plan.”— Linda.
“Linda…”
“A perfect one.” She smirks, staring at me. “Nhla will growl back to you and be yours.”
“I don't want him. I have Lukhanyo.”
“Mxm, we both know you've always been Nhlakanipho’s Dollface, his only Nana. That's where you belong. You're his