I found Mantoa in the kitchen, chopping some vegetables.

“You see, I kept my promise.”

“Who cares?”

“Baby, don’t be like this please.”

“You are just home because you had nothing better to do at the office.”

Women! You do what they want they complain, you do the opposite they still complain. I kissed her on her neck and she brushed me off. I asked her to make me something to eat and she told me to make it myself. I took a sigh went to the bedroom, changed into a vest and shorts and walked to the kitchen in socks. I prepared myself a killer sandwich, took a beer out of the fridge and went to the sitting room wishing Nomsa’s bikini party was today. The kids found me watching TV and jumped on me.

“Whoa girls I’m tired.”

“Papa you are always tired, what’s new?” Filwe complained, she took after her mother. Fentse, the younger one, tried imitating her and we all laughed at Fentse speaking Chinese.

“Alright girls, Daddy is going to take a nap.”

“How can you go sleep when I’m about to serve dinner?” Mantoa complained.

“I had a sandwich Mantoa, put mine in the microwave.”

I got to my bedroom, thought of going back to the office to pick up some of the files when my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

“Yes?” I answered.

“I think I need your help,” a woman was crying.

“Mrs October is that you?”

“Yes. I found all my belongings outside and he changed the house locks too.”

“Okay, let me get my car keys. Send me directions. I’m coming to you right now.”

Obviously I’d go help out, help her find a place to sleep, comfort her and pretend to be this sweet guy. And soon she’d be eating from the palm of my hand. Jackpot! I found her outside after she had sent some of her belongings back to Kimberly, Sara October looked so drained it broke my heart. For once in my life I felt like protecting someone instead of using her or sleeping with her and dumping her.

She used a currier to send her things home, of which I offered to pay and she declined instantly. We sat in my car since it was starting to rain outside. Seeing a woman so sad broke my heart to pieces.

“What exactly is wrong between you and your husband?”

“I think I explained everything in your office.”

“Yes you did. But Sara, none of it makes sense. If he is the one who started cheating why throw you out like this? I mean men can be heartless but to be so cruel?”

“He found out I had an abortion and… That’s when he started getting abusive too.”

“He hit you?” She nodded. “Well, if he is that kind of a person I don’t think we should still be parked here. Have you made up your mind where you will sleep today? Any friends? Relatives?”

“I came here with him after he was transferred. I don’t know anyone.” She was in tears again. “Polokwane is such a dull town for me, it’s not easy to make friends.”

“Well, I wasn’t born in Polokwane either; I’m from Kwa-Zulu Natal although I grew up here. I’m so sorry about everything. I keep asking myself what could have happened to you if you didn’t call me.”

“He froze all my accounts. Just after I left your office I went shopping only to be told that my card declined.”
“You mean you can’t afford even a place to sleep?”

“I don’t want to burden anyone so I’ll just stay here, outside, maybe he’ll feel sorry for me and let me in.”
“No, no don’t even think of that. I’ll take you to a hotel, don’t worry I’ll pay. Can we go now? I don’t want your husband to find us parked here in front of his yard.”

Her eyes told me she wanted to decline, but I drove away so long. I couldn’t let her stand in the rain all by herself. Besides, I secretly wished she could thank me in a way that I could never forget.

***

Tell us what you think: How do you feel about Sbu?