4.

4.

AVETHANDWA SISULU

To the higher ups, never ever again. Yesterday, I woke up with a headache. I know it was alcohol but I hated myself at that point. I remembered everything from the pool party. All the silly jokes I cracked and how I was just an annoying girl who can't handle alcohol. Mostly, I hate that I let myself be vulnerable in front of three guys who I just met. Going to a party at their house is fine but getting wasted? I wonder where did the other girls go to but who cares?

“There you are.” Tinyeleti came running to me at my desk. She hugged me.

“Hi to you too.” She let go.

“I was so fuckin worried on Saturday. How could you be so dumb Avethandwa? Is Mbuso your brother?” She is mad.

“Obviously not.”

“Then why are you so over familiar with him? Hello? We are women.” I know that because guess what? I travel with a knife.

“I'm sorry Tinyeleti for getting wasted at Mbuso's place.” She sighed and sat on the desk.

“I'm also sorry. I was just worried. You don't normally go out with just anyone.” She's right. I guess it's because of my dad. He kind of insinuated that I'm a loner and it never bothered me before but this time it kind of did. It's been eleven years, you'll think I've moved on.

“I just wanted to try out new friends except for you. I might have agreed to go out on a date with Sizwe.” She frowns.

“Who's Sizwe? The guy from finance?” She tries to think about all the Sizwes she know. The guy from finance wears glasses and he's a nerd. Glasses are hot on a guy but he shouldn't be a nerd, just smart.

“Mbuso's brother.” She gasp.

“The Triplets B?” Why are they called Triplets B anyway?

“I regret it. I don't wanna go on a date with him.” I was drunk and I must have agreed to everything.

“Why not? He's hot. They all are.” She giggles. She's such a girl.

“Weren't you preaching about us being women and them being men?”

“Of course not, silly. I merely meant that we shouldn't find ourselves in positions where it's easy for men to take advantage of us. No matter how many dates you may go, if someone wants to unalive you they will but a little extra caution won't hurt anyone because as much as the amount of femicide is increasing in the country, we as women we just want to live. We just want to fall in love, be loved safely and securely without feeling like we are in danger. Excuse me. I said a lot.” I hold her hands to comfort her. Tinyeleti is a sensitive person. A lot of things hit close to her.

“I'm sorry for worrying you.” She shakes her head.

“It's okay Ave. I love you and go to that date with Sizwe. On a public space this time and remember it's ten dates before you go to his house.” Technically, I've been to his home but fine.

“I'll think about it.”

“Or I can come along the next time you go to their house to meet the other triplet.” You never know with Tinyeleti.

—

I was busy with analysing data from one of our new aircraft. Golden Aerospace is the biggest company in aircrafts manufacturing in the province. You won't believe how much I make as an intern and now imagine how much I would make as a girl with a contract? I would move to a better apartment. Send enough money for renovations to my grandma. She's the only woman who receives flowers from me on every mother's day. She raised me and I'll forever be grateful.

“So are you going?” Tinyeleti sat on my desk.

“Going where?” I continued with my work because this one is done with her work for the day. She always finds it pleasing to disturb me.

“On a date with Sizwe Mboyo.” Their surname is Mboyo? That's so unfamiliar. Is it Zulu?

“You even know his surname? It looks like it would be proper if you go instead of me, future Mrs Mboyo.”

“I mean Tinyeleti Mboyo does have a nice ring.” She played with her hair. She's so delulu. “But I'm being for real. I want to doll you up. Please say yes.”

“No.” I'm really not interested in going on a date with Sizwe Mboyo.

“Please.”

“It's like he sent you to me.” She looked everywhere but not me. He really did.

“Wow. Since when are you his spoke person? And how does he have your number?” I closed my laptop and stared at her.

“Before you start overthinking, I met him at the reception. He was looking for you but since I know you wouldn't have appreciated the suprise, I asked to convey the message.” She gave me a sheepish smile like all is well.

“How does he know i work here? I never mentioned this place.” Was he perhaps stalking me? I hope not.

“He said you mentioned something when you were drunk. That's not important. If you go to this date, I get a date with Muzi.” I shook my head and opened the laptop.

“I will go on this date Tinyeleti.” She will never leave me alone. She stood up and screamed in excitement. I hope i won't regret this.

“I kind of already told him to pick you up at seven. After work, we are going straight to your place. I'm gonna dzoll you up.” She walked out. She's gonna be disappointed because I'm not dolling up. I'm trying to chase him away.

I paused my work and took my phone to search for his I*******m account. Everyone is on I*******m and I did found him. Some pictures he was with his brothers. He's working at his family business. He seems like he has life all figured together at the age of 22 years and Em Bee, the restaurant that was opened few weeks ago is his family's. What are his family exactly into? There's no mention of any other family member well except for some girl, Thando Zulu. They refer to her as their sister and she always reacts or comment to their posts. I'm pretty sure there's a story somewhere here. Three boys rich at the age of 22 with no mention of parents? Maybe they are trust funds babies.

—

“Thank you.” I sit down at the chair Sizwe pulled for me. We are at his family restaurant. It's fancy believe me but I'm not moved. I'm not one to be wooed by fancy things.

“You're welcome.” He sat down at his. He spent a minute just staring at me. The mood was just awkward. I could be home right now and watching a new series on Prime Video.

“What are you staring at?” I snapped at him. He smiled.

“Are you always this annoyed Ave?” He put his elbows on the table so he could try and get closer to me.

“You don't get to stare at me and ask me that. I didn't even want to come here.” I grabbed the menu on the table. Last time Tinyeleti brought some chicken strips from this place, I'll buy them as a takeaway but now i want to try a different meal.

“Yet you came. I'm honoured.”

“Only to find out what you want from me. You're nothing like my type Sizwe.” I don't think i have a type but it's definitely not Sizwe.

“What's your type then? Let's start there then i will tell you about mine.” All this time, he was just staring at me with a small smile on his face. He looked so much like Mbuso yet he's not him.

“I don't know but I know it's not you.” He laughs a little.

“How sure are you? I think you're my type regardless. You're short, feisty and smart. I'm willing to get to know you more and for you to get to know me.”

“And I thought it couldn't speak.”

“And you have a smart mouth. I think it's sexy. Should we order?” I rolled my eyes but nodded anyway. He's paying so why shouldn't i order?