Sthembiso

I cupped Makukhanye’s face in my hands. “You need to get back. Your bodyguard will get suspicious.” I stepped back, feeling a pang of sadness. It hurt to let her go, but I knew it was necessary.

Makukhanye stopped at the door, and turned to look at me. “Wait, when will I see you again?” I hesitated for a minute before responding, “When I come back from Joburg.” Her voice dropped, and she whispered, “Oh.” I lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. “Hey, I’ll come back for you. That’s a promise.”

Makukhanye’s voice was barely audible. “I’ll hold you to it.” I smiled, kissing her forehead. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Now go.” Makukhanye left reluctantly, leaving me alone in the bathroom. I felt torn, unsure if I should follow her.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally left the bathroom. I couldn’t believe that I had arrived in Cape Town an hour ago, and now I was boarding a plane back to Joburg.

As soon as I landed, I headed straight to Melusi’s house. At this point, I didn’t care about the risks. Melusi could hang me out to dry or torture me, but I had one mission: to talk to him.

I found Menzi washing his car in the driveway. He stopped mid-scrub, and stared at me in surprise. “What brings you here, Sthembiso?” he asked, wiping his hands clean. “You know my dad will flip when he sees you.”

I stood firm and said, “I need to talk to him.”

Menzi took a deep breath, then stepped aside. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I entered the house, my hands growing sweaty. I counted to three before knocking on Melusi’s door.

“Come in,” he called out.

I pushed open the door and entered. Melusi closed his laptop, and looked at me “Sthembiso,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. He leaned back in his chair. “You don’t learn, but what did I expect? You did learn from me, after all.”

I took a deep breath, my voice coming out stronger than I felt. “I want to talk about Makukhanye.”

Melusi raised an eyebrow, scrutinising me. “What about Makukhanye?” he asked.

I took a deep breath, my words came pouring out. “I won’t play her or use her. I really love your daughter. I haven’t told her yet, but I truly do.”

Melusi’s expression remained skeptical. “Love is a very strong word.”

I nodded. “I know that.”

Melusi took a deep breath, his voice came out measured. “Makukhanye is my little princess, and she’ll forever remain that. I’ve shown her how a man should treat her, just like I taught Menzi how to treat a woman he loves. I doubt anyone is worthy of being with my daughter, not even you.”

Desperation crept into my voice. “What can I do to prove that I love Makukhanye?”

Melusi shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do, now if you’ll excuse me…” He opened his laptop, dismissing me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked out, feeling gutted knowing that I had failed. When I stepped out into the garden my shoulders were sagging, Melokuhle looked at me under her sunglasses. “What was that about?” she asked.

I shrugged, trying to brush off my disappointment. “It doesn’t matter now.”

Melokuhle smiled and offered me a seat. “Sit, I have orange juice.” As if that was enough to make me sit diwn, but I honored her invitation and sat down under the umbrella. “So, what did you need to talk to Melusi about?”. Melokuhle asked again.

I sighed, my heart still heavy. “How much I love Makukhanye.”

Melokuhle nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I suspected as much,” she said and looked at the sky, it was as if her mind was far away. She smiled and said, “You should have seen Melusi’s face when he first saw Makukhanye and held her in his arms,” Melokuhle continued. “He vowed to protect her at all costs and said no guy would ever be worthy of her. He meant what he said.” Melokuhle’s face turned thoughtful. “He’s always been protective of her, and taught Menzi how to be tough. But you seem like a good guy, and I know Melusi wouldn’t have hired you and brought you closer if he didn’t trust you.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, I suppose.”