THE INCARCERATED STRANGER

 

Chapter 33

 

NHLAKANIPHO

 

He arrived home two days ago, and now the atmosphere is buzzing with preparations for his upcoming wedding. Everyone is bustling around, excited and focused on the big day. A part of him feels happy to be marrying the mother of his children, but another part is weighed down by guilt. He loves another woman and hasn’t found the courage to tell Zekhethelo about Nombulelo,nor tell Nombulelo about Zekhethelo let alone that he has kids.

He cares deeply for both women—Nombulelo, whom he has been with for three years, and Zekhethelo, his soon-to-be wife. When he first met Nombulelo, he wasn’t looking for anything serious; it was supposed to be casual. But as time went on, he found himself falling in love with her in a way he hadn’t anticipated. She loves him back just as fiercely.

For years, he has been juggling his time between Nombulelo and Zekhethelo. They’ve been together for five years now, if he’s being honest. It’s been a delicate balancing act that has taken its toll on him. He hasn’t told his parents about his engagement to Nombulelo; every time he tried to bring it up, the words just wouldn’t come out.

Once the wedding is over, he plans to wait a month before breaking the news to Zekhethelo’s parents about his second engagement. Polygamy has always been what he wanted deep down, and he feels fortunate to have two beautiful women in his life.

As he watches his family prepare for the wedding, a mix of excitement and anxiety churns inside him. He knows that soon enough, everything will change—and so will his life. Balancing love and loyalty has never been easy, but perhaps this is the path meant for him.

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He is driveing to the mall to pick up Zekhethelo after she called him, admitting she had spent all her money on shopping and didn’t have anything left for an Uber. 

“Hey baby!” he greets her with a warm smile as she approaches the car, and they share a quick hug.

“Look how glowing you are!” he says, pulling back to take a good look at her.

“Well, how can I not glow when I’m getting married to my boyfriend, the father of my kids?” she replies, her eyes sparkling with excitement. He smiles and leans in to peck her lips before picking up the shopping bags she has collected.

They climb into the car together, and he starts driving her home. The atmosphere is lively as Zekhethelo chats away, filled with joy about their upcoming wedding. She tells him how happy she is and mentions who might be jealous of her—her excitement spilling over in waves. 

He listens attentively, enjoying her animated storytelling. She’s always been the talker in their relationship, and he loves hearing her voice as she shares every little detail of her day. He nods and chuckles at her jokes, feeling grateful for this moment together as they drive through familiar streets on their way home.

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RILEY

 

“So, next week you won’t be available?” Pari asks, glancing at her  as she hurriedly clears her meetings with clients for the upcoming week. It seems like crime never takes a break—she's only just returned to work for three days , and already there are clients and cases piling up that need her attention.

“Yeah, babe. Mangaliso asked me to go with him to his brother’s wedding,” she replies, focusing on her screen. Pari frowns slightly; she had hoped they could go out together to celebrate her engagement since they hadn’t had the chance to do it properly.

“Well, how about you come with us?” Pari suggests, trying to keep the mood light.

“No! And go be a candle while you’re next to your man?” Pari laughs at the thought, and she chuckles too.

“Well, you could come with Nipho,” she adds.

“Hmm, I don’t know. He’s gone home for a few days, so I don’t think he’ll be available,” Pari replies, sounding uncertain.

“Then I guess you’ll just have to wait for me until I come back next week,” She says with a teasing smile.

“I guess…” Pari shrugs, not entirely convinced but willing to go along with it.

“But if I happen to change my mind, I will definitely come with you guys to that wedding!” Pari declares, making them both laugh again. 

They continue chatting until she finishes clearing her schedule for the next week. Feeling a bit hungry after all that work, they decide to head out for lunch at the mall. 

Once they arrive, they make their way to KFC and order twisters, chips, and drinks. They settle down at a table, enjoying their food while engaging in lively conversation and frequently checking the time to make sure they get back to work . The laughter and camaraderie fill the air as they savor this break .

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After work, she drives home—by home, she means Mangaliso’s place. She won’t lie; she enjoys every moment spent with him, from the days to the nights and every second in between. As she drives, she wonders if she’ll be able to stay alone again when the time comes for her to go back to her own place. She’s already gotten used to being cooked for, spoiled, and waking up in his arms each morning.Pulling into the driveway, she parks her car and walks toward the house. Entering the code at the door, she steps inside and feels a wave of comfort wash over her. She heads straight to change into her swimming bikini; it’s hot outside, and a dip in the pool sounds perfect.After slipping off her clothes, she puts on her bikini and a lightweight bra. Grabbing a towel, she heads downstairs. In the kitchen, she quickly prepares a snack for herself—something light to keep her energy up while she relaxes by the pool.

With her snack in hand, she makes her way to the back of the house where the pool glistens invitingly under the sun. As she settles down on a lounge chair by the water, she takes a moment to soak in the peaceful atmosphere. The sound of water lapping against the sides of the pool is soothing as she enjoys her little slice of paradise, ready to unwind after a long day.

While she’s floating on her back in the pool, her phone suddenly rings. She groans, reluctantly swimming toward the edge to grab it. When she sees “TATA” flashing on the screen, a smile spreads across her face—it’s a video call. 

She answers, and her father’s face appears. 

“Hey, TATA!” she greets him cheerfully.

“My cupcake, how are you doing?” he asks, his voice warm and familiar.

“I’m doing great, Daddy! And yourself?” she replies.

Her father smiles and tells her he’s good, and they dive into conversation. He shares details about his visit to her grandfather, explaining how he confronted him about some family issues and expressed his disappointment. 

He tells her that her grand mother knew all along that her grandfather is her father , his tone serious but calm.

They continue talking for a while, catching up. The connection between them feels strong, despite the distance. Eventually, as the sun begins to set and the sky takes on a golden hue, they wrap up their conversation with heartfelt goodbyes, promising to stay in touch. She hangs up feeling a mix of warmth and reflection, grateful for the bond they share…

After the call, a text from Mangaliso pops up on her phone. 

**MANGALISO:** “Get yourself ready; I’m on my way. We’re going out for a dinner date tonight.” 

A smile spreads across her face. She’s never been on a date in her entire life, and the excitement bubbles up inside her. Quickly, she responds to the text and hops out of the pool, drying herself off as she heads back inside the house.

Her mind races with thoughts about what to wear. She needs to look perfect for this special occasion. Without hesitation, she video calls Pari, knowing her friend will have great suggestions for a dinner date outfit. Pari has been on plenty of dates and always knows how to pick the perfect dress.

As she waits for Pari to answer, she can’t help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement about the evening ahead.

Pari answers the video call, her face lighting up the screen. 

“Hey! What’s up,already miss me?” she asks, her enthusiasm infectious.

“I have a dinner date with Mangaliso tonight!” she exclaims, her excitement bubbling over.

“Shut up! That’s amazing!” Pari replies, clapping her hands. “What are you thinking of wearing?”

“That’s the problem! I have no idea. I need your help to pick a dress,” she admits, glancing around the room, which is filled with clothes but feels overwhelming.

“Okay, let’s do this! Show me what you’ve got,” Pari says, leaning closer to the camera as if she can see better that way.

She walks to her closet and pulls out a few options: a sleek black dress, a flirty red number, and a classic little white dress. 

“What about these?”

Pari studies each dress carefully. 

“The black one is chic and sexy, but the red one is bold and fun. It really depends on the vibe you want to go for!”

“I want to look good but also feel comfortable,” she replies thoughtfully.

“Then I say go for the red! It’ll make you stand out, and it’s perfect for an evening out,” Pari suggests confidently.

“Okay, red it is!” she decides.

 “Now I just need to figure out how to style it.”

“Do you have those cute strappy heels? They would look perfect with it,” Pari prompts.

“Yes! I have those!” she says, her excitement building as she imagines the whole outfit coming together.

“Great! Now let’s do your hair and makeup. How about a sleek ponytail and some bold lipstick?” Pari continues, her energy inspiring.

“Perfect! You’re a lifesaver!” she laughs, feeling grateful for her friend’s help.

As they continue chatting about accessories and final touches, she feels more at ease. The anticipation of the night ahead makes her heart flutter. With Pari’s guidance, she knows she’ll be ready to impress Mangaliso when he arrives. 

After hanging up with Pari, she quickly gets dressed in the red dress and styles her hair just as they discussed. She takes a moment to admire herself in the mirror—a wave of confidence washes over her. Tonight is going to be special…..

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