Living in that house was the perfect paradox. Not everyone could say they had a meal cooked by the queen of creation and then had dinner with the deity of death, who was colder than the dessert.

The food was a simple feast. Fried chicken. Fresh vegetables. Some steamed and served on our plates. Some in the salad bowl. Although I hadn’t tasted the meal yet, I already had a bone to pick.

“So, did you choose her to teach me an unforgettable lesson, or to hurt me for your amusement?” I shot at Death.

“Ah come on, son,” he responded in mocking tone. “Is that how you see it? But I guess you live bound to what you define as true. Relying on vague perceptions to make up your reality. But all that thinking won’t tell you anything, except this deal was made to torture you. So I suggest you change your way of thinking and remodel your worldviews to work for you.”

My head started to feel heavy and burdened by the information overload. Word play was a huge part of his mind games. Sitting in the same room as him made me sick. But I kept my cap on. Slowly, I exhaled the anger that would see me launch my missile-mouth like Malema. Or become enraged like the ghost of Sparta and wage war against a god.

He moved the wine glass under his nose, sniffing it like it was a bouquet of roses.

“You know what, Thulani?” he said, “I liked the old you. Yes, its people like you who proved to me that love and dinosaurs have something in common; both of them no longer exist. You, my bad boy, have broken so many hearts and paralyzed trust that a lot of women will have their current partners pushing wheelchairs for the rest of the relationship. Paying for the damage you caused. You’re good at being bad. And I told Nompilo that you won’t learn a thing from this entire experience. She believes in you. I don’t. So, I turned up the heat a little to prove a point.”

I wanted to say a thousand things to him. Throw slurs until profanity’s pockets were full. If Nompilo knew anything about the emotions I was battling to control, she showed nothing by her expression.

I used the napkin to wipe the corners of my mouth, pushed back from the table and asked to be excused. But he wasn’t finished.

“Don’t run away from the truth, son. Face it, men like you make relationships seem like Math. The woman will look at the X and wonder Y… she didn’t take a calculated risk. And falling from the tallest tree seems better than falling in love with you.”

My heart started to fill up with anger as I stared at the face of Death. Both hands were inching to ring a neck.

“Don’t mind him, Tiro,” Mama Nompilo interrupted, reaching out her hand to touch mine. “Where there is love, there is life. So if Death, over here, was to admit this, he would be out of business. You find love when two minds share one heartbeat. When a single soul inhabits two bodies. I find it so sad when people get lost and lose hope that it becomes difficult for them to see the love that’s all around us. They focus on the dirty dot on a white sheet. So I want you to always remember that love is always there to guide us, heal us. Love motivates us to do good things in life.”

Nompilo was right. Love is the reason why she gave me this shot at redemption. An extra-life to get back into the game and complete its levels, with Death always present at every boss stage. Her wise words allowed me to calm down. I lowered my gaze to regain composure, then went to my room quietly.

The next day, as I was waiting for Lefu at the mall, when, holding shopping bags in both hands, Dintle walked through the shopping complex smiling warmly at everyone she passed. I didn’t notice her until she drew near the bench I was sitting on, anxiously waiting for Lefu to arrive.

“Hey, you’re Tiro, right?” she asked. I felt warm winds lifting, when without hesitation, she looked my way.

All the smart sayings evaporated the moment I inhaled her familiar fragrance of meadow flowers, honey and coconut. All I could manage was a mild smile.

“Oh, hey Dineo. What brings you here?”

Her burdened hands showed me how stupidly obvious my question was. And I never got to hear how she was going to address the awkwardness as she got interrupted by the arrival of another person. Lefu stopped right in front of her. He looked at her. She smiled at him as if they were long-time friends.

“Dineo.”

“Hello, Mr Moleko.” They knew each other? “I can’t get my mind off that new cake flavour you told me about,” she said to him, “wondering just how good it must taste.”

So amiably, in a soft tone that I have never heard him use before, Lefu spoke.

“Well, I actually have a few more samples for you taste. Just hope you’ll like them.”

I was in disbelief. Surprised to the point of being frightened that my ex seemed to be friends with humanity’s most feared enemy. What was Death up to now?

Dintle was right on time to answer my question.

“Of course I will. You and your wife, mam’Nompilo, run the best catering company I know. You’ll do a great job at the party.”

The moment was almost surreal. I just stood there while my eyes got tortured by the sight of a friend complimenting a wolf in a sheep’s skin. By that time, I was certain Lefu could sense my incest. I hated him with a passion. But the old goat didn’t care.

“Son, I want you to meet my new client, Dintle Namane,” he said casually. “Be nice to her, she holds the cheque that will pay for your next meal.”

The two of them laughed. I forced mine out.

“We’ve already met, Pa. she works for the D.O.E too. The same place where I am getting my work experience.”

Lefu played the fool.

“Really?” then he looked at Dintle, nodding at his next utterance. “Then I hope you won’t mind coming to our house for supper this evening. It will give me an opportunity to know more about my son’s workplace. Plus, you’ll get to taste some more cake samples.”

The Dintle I knew was probably piecing together the most polite words to decline the offer, but she wasn’t given the chance.

“Please, it would mean so much to us if you came. Isn’t that right, son?”

That monster put me on the spot!

“Absolutely. It would be great if you could make it.”

He knew I would follow his lead. I had to do it. All part of the act. It was now up to Dintle to say NO to dining with the devil in disguise.

“Alright. But I won’t be staying for more than two hours because I’m not coming alone. If that’s okay with you.”

Lefu welcomed her terms. “The more, the merrier. We’ll see you at seven.”

When Dintle walked past me, she fleetingly brushed my nose with her fragrance of meadow flowers, honey and coconut oil. The scent charged my mind up with some nostalgia. Memories of the good times we had. My ex-girlfriend had only walked a few feet when she looked back and gave us a look of genuine gratitude. After I sent her off with a friendly wave, she proceeded on her way.

***

Tell us what you think: How do you think Tiro will handle the dinner?