insert 53

iFAIRYTALE KaMAGEZA

𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭 53

MAHLATHINI

The taxi drivers walk into the lounge one by one occupying the couches, those who don't find space squat down. There are 12 of them in the room including Hloma who is Mahlathini's new right hand man. He went to fetch him KwaMaphumulo. He's one of the people who were close to his father, he knows he can trust him. He's older and matured. Having a man like him by his side will come in very handy.

After a while Mahlathini walks in. He's has Mnqobi in his arms, his new obsession. If he could, he would take him everywhere he goes "Iyona lendonda esphethe?" Hloma says with a wide smile.

"iyona le" Mahlathini says taking a seat on the chair reserved for him. He called everyone here to lay down some ground rules. He has a way of working and all of them should follow it. He's in this business to grow, he won't keep people who lack that mindset.

Hloma takes a step forward and starts addressing the men. He retired from the taxi business after losing his brother who was shot with Mahlathini's father during the taxi wars that took place in the early 2000s. He decided to quit everything. He didn't want to die and live his wife and kids behind. But now the industry is safer. Not entirely but it's not as dangerous as it was during their times.

He was very happy when Mahlathini came to visit him with the news. Things have been rough financially but with the job he has now, he will be able to take care of his family. He will forever be grateful to Mahlathini for this.

"At 04:00 you should be at the stand. We're not doing 08:00 here, I'm expecting 5 loads and more a day. Those doing long distances, it's two trips a week to Johannesburg. You deposit the previous day's money before 11h00 in the morning. These are the basics and I will not come back to them. I hope your ears are open and you're hearing me. I don't take nonsense, I don't have mercy. If you fail to do your job I will fire you. Niyangizwa?" he asks looking at everyone in the room. They are nodding.

He then pulls out a black bag under the table. He sets it on top and opens it "A man has to protect himself. I'm not saying you should take these gúns and go kill women. None of you is going to do that. If you know you can't handle lensimbi, don't take it" he says looking at each and everyone of them.

The second bag he pulls out is filled with envelopes containing their pays. The envelopes have names. They all come forward to collect.

In that same moment, Connie walks in. Her eyes immediately fall on the guns and her face changes. She collects Mnqobi and walks out.

"Ndodana" Hloma calls Mahlathini to the side after the meeting ends.

"Ngithi nje angibonge Jama. Out of all people you could have choosen you saw me worthy of doing this job for you. I appreciate your generosity. You won't regret your choice" Mahlathini smile.

"Kubonga mina Zwide. You're the only one I thought of who can put these boys on the line"

"Usuyongivalelisela ke kulensizwa yamehlo aluhlaza" Mahlathini laughs and they bid their goodbyes.

He makes his way to the nursery room where he finds Connie sitting on the rocking chair feeding Mnqobi. She doesn't look happy.

"I was complaining about you beating people now you want to shoot them?" Mahlathini closes the door and sits down on a chair opposite hers.

"It's not that" he says calmly.

"What is it? And why the hell did you take Mnqobi there knowing you will be pulling out guns?" She's tone is high. Mahlathini chooses to remain quiet. He can't talk to her when she's like this, they will not understand each other.

Connie puts Mnqobi to bed and walks out. He stands up and walks over to him. He kisses him on the forehead before following his mother to the bedroom.

He finds her walking up and down removing pillows from the bed and placing them on the chair "Can we talk?"

"No. Everything is clear"

"From the way you're acting, it's not"

"How am I acting?" Mahlathini sighs and sits on the bed "I don't know how many times I've preached 'No violence' in this house, you're not taking me serious. At all!

"You're shouting"

"Yes! and I'm done with this conversation" she says and hops into the bed pulling the bed covers over her.

"How am I supposed to sleep next to you when you're angry at me?" She doesn't answer. Mahlathini sighs in defeat. He gets up and starts undressing so he can take a bath. But before he walks into the bathroom he turns to her.

"I'm a taxi driver, we don't sit in offices and turn around in chairs. The type of business we do is dangerous. Those men have families and it's my responsibility to ensure they return to their families at the end of the day"

"The difference between you and those men is that they have no choice"

"What does that mean?" She sits up.

"We have money Jackson, enough to last us a lifetime. You don't have to do this. I understand you want to be the provider but I can't sit here and relax knowing you're out there and you might not come back. The Shisanyama is doing great, you can build more of those and turn it into a franchise. I know the taxi business is where you started and you will forever have love for it but I don't like what I saw back there. I support you in everything but I don't support that" she says and lies down again. Mahlathini has never thought of leaving the taxi industry even for once. He's not sure he can.

He takes a shower and gets in bed. He lies down facing the cealing and sinks deeper into his thoughts. He remembering those days where his father used to take him to the rank "One day I want to own a lot of taxis" that's what he always told his father, he would smile and pat his head "You will Mfanwami" After he died the taxi ran was one place he felt more connected to his father. It became his home. He met brothers and had men who played a father role in his life. It's not about driving taxis and carrying guns, it's deeper than that.

The next morning he wakes up earlier. He makes his way to the kitchen to make breakfast for Connie, he's hoping he will be able to make her understand.

He finds Nokwanda sitting alone with a bowl of I've cream. She quickly wipes away tears when Mahlathini walks in "Bhutiza" she says with a faked smile. She's hurting. For the first time in her life she put down her standards and invested herself to a man only to get played, worst, he left her pregnant.

Mahlathini sits down opposite her "Talk to me" she gives him a brief look.

"I'll be fine"

"I don't like seeing you like this" Mahlathini says looking at her sister who has tears looming in her eyes.

"I have a baby growing inside me who already doesn't have a father, and that makes me feel horrible. I've already failed her"

"That's not true, we don't have control over things like this. You have to pick yourself up. You made a mistake, that's life, don't beat yourself up for it" she sighs

"I'm going to have to tell myself that over and over again"

"Come here" she smiles and walks into her brother's embrace "I'm here for you and umshana wami'"

"Thank you Bhutiza"

"Now help me make breakfast for your sister in law, she's mad at me" Nokwanda chuckles.

"Usuyozincengela"

"I have to, ngiyayithanda into yami"

"Ncooah!"

**

Mahlathini walks in with a trey of breakfast as Connie makes the bed. She gives him a brief look and continues with what she's doing. He places the trey down and walks over to her "I'm sorry for what you saw yesterday" he says taking her hand and pulling her closer to him "I understand you're worried about my safety. But you don't have to, I pay Skebhe enough to make sure I'm protected. Nothing will happen to me"

"And you're expecting me to trust that?"

"I can't leave the taxi business Connie. That will be like letting go of who I am" She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath "Ngiyakucela mama" he says stroking her cheek. Connie opens her eyes and looks at him firbsi long extended moment.

"Okay ...but stop grooming my 3 months old baby into your Nkabi ways" he laughs

"I'm serious, you can't be pulling guns in front of Mnqobi"

"I know. That was wrong of me . I'm sorry" he says and kisses her "Come eat" he pulls her hand they sit down.

"The choreographer is coming over today" she says.

"Ay, I don't want to do that, I told you"

"Please, we have over 500 000 people who will be watching our wedding. You know I can't dance. I don't want to be a Facebook laughing stock" Mahlathini sighs.

"Okay"

"Wear tights"

"Ini?! Kungamane kuyekwe ke" Connie is laughing.

*
*
*

[NARRATIVE]

Nolifa on the road driving to one of the hardwares at town to get quotes on the building meterial when a call comes in. Her phone is connected to the car so she presses answer.

"Miss Mabena, it's Dr Nkosi"

"Oh hey Dr" she says already regretting why she answered the call. She's been avoiding his calls for two weeks now.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great. I met with my father and my stay has been amazing" she lies, nothing has been amazing with meeting with her father. The only amazing person has been Smiso. If it wasn't for him, she'd be gone already.

"I feel like you're trying to convince me" Nolifa rolls her eyes.

"Why would I try to convince you?"

"Are you driving?"

"Yes and you're pretty much disturbing me"

"I'm sorry. Park at the side of the road, I have to talk to you"

"Zimase come on, I will call you later and-"

"No, you've been ignoring me for 2 weeks so don't expect me to believe you will call me" Nolifa sighs and pulls to the side of the road. She parks under a tree and cuts the engine.
"How are you feeling, really? Don't lie to me because that's not helping any of us"

Nolifa leans back on the seat closing her eyes. Dr Nkosi has been her psychiatrist for 6 years now. He's the only person who knows her pain and everything she's been through.

"I'm frustrated. The condition I found my father in was bad. He has 7 kids he can't provide for and a wife who I think is mentally disturbed. They didn't have food, they house is almost falling, it's a lot. And now I have to be the one stepping in. I thought when I come here I will be bonding and catching up with him. Right now the sun is hot and I'm on my way to the hardware to get quotes on the things I have to buy for the building process. I didn't sign up for all of this. My life is a mess, this is the last thing I needed"

"I'm sorry to hear all of this. Don't look at it with a negative eyes. You've found your father alive. You still have a chance to build your relationship"

"He has too many responsibilities, all those kids need his attention, where is he going to get time for me?"

"He will, it won't happen in one day, it will be a process but eventually you will get there, I need you to believe in that"

"I will try".

"You won't try, you will do as I say"

"I will do as you say"

"Is there anything else you want to share with me?" Nolifa takes a brief moment, she can't keep things way from Zimase, he will dig them out sooner or later.

"I met a guy"

"Really? tell me more"

"I met him at a Supermarket, he's a security guard there. We started talking and ...I don't know, something in him drew me in. He's caring and kind, he listens. I really like him" Dr Nkosi is quiet for a moment.

"Does he like you?"

"I think he does"

"Have you been able to open up to him about your past?"

"Not really, he only knows about the issues I have with my mother"

"That's good. I've struggled to convince you to open up to people for a very long time now. I'm even suprised that you met a guy and you like them enough to open up to them. If he really wants to be a part of your life. He has to know you, your pain and everything so he can understand why you're the person you are and why you act the way you do. You're not an ordinary woman. You have so many broken parts that need to be treated delicately. If he doesn't understand that, things will not work out and I can't afford to have you get your heart broken. It took me years to build you to be what you are now" Nolifa is deep in thoughts.

"I understand" she finally says.

"Good. I would like to have a conversation with the both of you, soon"

"Alright" She says and they bid their goodbyes, she's feeling lighter than she was when she answered his call. She starts the car and drives to the hardware where Smiso is already waiting for her.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"And let you shop the building material alone as if you don't have a man?" Nolifa is smiling.

"Okay Ndoda yami" she says and Smiso laughs.