Five years later, after the confrontation: Sipho and Portia

Despite Portia’s numerous threats and intimidation, Sipho finally made the decision to end the marriage. Even though they were parting on very bad terms, he still wanted to dignify their last evening together as husband and wife. He spent the entire afternoon preparing all her favourites and did not forget to include her beloved Merlot on the menu. In order to remind her of the very few good times they shared together, he decided to wear his wedding suit for the occasion.

Once the dinner was prepared and the large mahogany dining table was decked, he sat there patiently awaiting Portia’s arrival. She waltzed in the dining room without even greeting him. She walked in with her laptop and handbag and placed them under the table. Her meal was already placed on her side of the table. The Merlot was of course also not far out of sight.

Sawubona Portia, did you have a good day? You look a bit tired,” said Sipho attempting to break the ice.

Silence.

“Uhmm. . . would you like me to pour you a glass?” He asked her about to stand up.

She filled up her glass in silence and took one gulp. She leaned back on her chair and looked at him with sheer revulsion.

“I am happy you accepted my request to join me for supper,” he said to her with a feeble smile.

She took another gulp of her wine and finally broke her silence, “It is my house after all. It is not implausible that I would actually come to my house.”

His smile faded away gradually but he was still hoping to steer the evening towards a positive light. He tried again to dilute the tension with some humour and also to show genuine concern for her. He noticed how she kept on looking at her plate without even touching the food.

“Do not worry, I did not put any poison or muthi in there,” he said and chuckled a bit.

Silence.

“Uhmm . . . It must be cold by now, I can quickly warm it up in the microwave for you,” he said to her.

Nx!” She clicked her tongue and took another gulp of wine, shaking her head.

“Portia, I know you probably hate me and I very much understand but I am trying here,” he said pleading with her.

“Trying to do what exactly? Is this all a sick joke? You are deliberately spitting on my face by even wearing that suit. The very same suit you wore when you lied to me in front of my guests and the Lord!” She screamed.

“It was not my intention to offend you. I just wanted to remind you of that day – our special day. It was the happiest I had ever seen you and I thought . . .” he tried to explain but was abruptly interrupted by her.

“What was so special about it? I only remember the amount of money I spent for that stupid day! I paid for it – all of it! Just like how I paid for the pots you used to cook this dinner, the food in that fridge and the microwave you were going to use to warm it up,” she shouted at him.

The more he tried to speak to her the more her anger intensified. He decided to simply eat his steak in silence and avoid aggravating her. The two sat on opposite ends of the table like strangers on a train. The only sounds that graced the dining room were from the fork and knife hammering the steak and wine being poured in the glass.

“Siphosethu – our gift! The meaning of your name has been the complete opposite in my life. You have been nothing but a bloody curse!” She said pointing at him.

“Please do not talk badly about my name. My mother gave me that name and it is the only lasting memory I have of her,” he spoke softly.

She whirled her glass, leading to some drops of wine to land on the table cloth. His pleas fell on deaf ears as she was not interested in a single thing he had to say. This maybe their last evening together and she was very determined not to go down without a fight.

“I could care less about that! I took pity on you; took you out of that car wash and now you are divorcing me? Before I came into your life, you could not even spell the damn word,” she said.

He took a few glances at her but did not respond. He casually put some salt and pepper on his steak and devoured the meal he had worked tirelessly to cook. Such display of carelessness right in front of her eyes, combined with Merlot, elevated Portia’s rage. She finished the last bit of wine in the glass and decided to just drink straight from the bottle.

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think of Portia’s attitude? Do you think insulting Sipho will get him to stay with her?