Chapter 6
“Zinzi, my love, you are going to sleep at Sis’ Pholisa tonight.” Zinzi’s mom was looking beautiful with her new hairstyle, and she was wearing a dress that Zinzi had not seen before. It reminded her of the days when her mother dressed up and went out until late with her boyfriend Zakes. Zinzi didn’t like it.
“Why can’t I stay here?” she asked angrily. “Have you found a new man?”
“Don’t talk to me like that, Zinzi!” her mother snapped. “And for your information, no, I have not found a new man.”
“So who are you dressing up for?”
Zinzi’s mother sighed. “Tonight I am going to meet your father and speak to him. That’s all. He wants to see you girls so badly. But before that can happen we need to talk …”
Zinzi jumped up and down. “That’s not fair, Mama! I want to come too! I need to see him.”
“Stop it, Zinzi!” her mother scolded. “I knew I shouldn’t tell you. Just trust me, you will see him very soon if all goes well tonight. I promise.”
Zinzi still couldn’t believe that she was being pushed off to Sis’ Pholisa when her mom was going to meet her dad. For a moment she thought about sneaking after her mom. But the look on her mother’s face made her change her mind. Instead she went into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her. As she got ready to go to Pholisa’s she strained her ears to work out what her mother was doing. Was she going to come and shout at her for being rude, or was she going to come and apologise and kiss her, like she did in the past when she felt guilty about Zakes? But she did neither. When Zinzi came out again her mother was carefully putting on make-up. “The taxi money is next to the stove,” she called. “Be good, and don’t forget to offer to help Sis’ Pholisa with the baby. I promise I’ll talk to you tomorrow!”
Zinzi was left alone in the house. She felt abandoned and lonely. Her mom out with her dad, and Ntombi having fun in Jozi, doing who-knows-what. And here she was having to stay up half the night with a crying baby. Life couldn’t get much worse. And then Sis’ Pholisa phoned. Where was she?
She was so jealous of Ntombi and her mom it made her sick inside. But her luck was about to change. She locked the door of the shack and walked out into the street. There, on the opposite side of the road, was Olwethu. And he wasn’t alone. He was walking with a girl, a girl who was talking and laughing with him. She was pretty, with braids tied up in a ponytail. Olwethu was carrying two bags of shopping and the girl was carrying one. Who was this person going around with her sister’s boyfriend? Zinzi saw an opportunity to get back at her family. She wouldn’t be left out. As she crossed the road, Olwethu looked up and saw her.
“Hey, Zinzi, this is Sinovuyo.” Sinovuyo smiled a greeting. She had dimples in her round cheeks. How could Olwethu be going around with someone so soon, and not even ashamed of it? What would Ntombi say when Zinzi told her? She needed to tell Ntombi right now!
Olwethu saw the look on Zinzi’s face and quickly said, “Zinzi, Sinovuyo is my cousin. You can stop looking so suspicious.”
“Oh,” said Sinovuyo, “so you must be Ntombi’s sister. I’ve heard so much about her.” Sinovuyo smiled. “Nice to meet you, Zinzi. You must be proud of your big sister, there in Jozi.”
In one easy second Zinzi went from feeling protective of her sister to feeling jealous of her all over again. Everything is about Ntombi, she thought to herself, faking a smile for Sinovuyo. I’m sick of it!
“Must go, I’m late for my aunt,” she said, and walked off quickly. She found a taxi and sat squashed beside a man with stinky breath and a woman who smelled of a mixture of perfume and sweat. Zinzi thought about Olwethu and Sinovuyo, and how they seemed very close and chatty for cousins. The thought of telling Ntombi about Sinovuyo cheered her up. Maybe she wouldn’t even mention that Sinovuyo was his cousin. After all, Ntombi was having a good time. It would do her good to remember not to take Olwethu for granted. She would be doing her a favour …
The next morning she hurried home. She was tired. She never slept well at Sis’ Pholisa’s. The baby always woke up in the middle of the night, and this time Pholisa had asked her to warm the bottle. She’d had to get up, heat water and put the bottle in it for a bit, while the baby screamed louder and louder. When the bottle seemed warm enough she took it back to the bedroom, where the baby’s cries were louder than ever, but before she could put the teat in the little boy’s mouth, Pholisa had snatched the bottle from her. “You silly girl! This milk is far too hot! Are you crazy? You will burn my baby!” After all she had done for Pholisa, Zinzi couldn’t believe that this was all she could say. No thank you for staying up half the night – just cross words. Ungrateful woman, thought Zinzi.Tired and cross she had lain next to Pholisa, struggling to get back to sleep.
In the morning she’d had to go to school tired and hungry, and afterwards wait for hours until her mom came home from work. But now she was home and she wanted to hear everything.
“So, what happened?” she asked her mother, as soon as she walked in the door.
“Zinzi, it’s such a long story,” said her mother. “But I have to say that it was good to see your father. And yes, I’ve said he can see you. He’s coming to visit this evening.”
Zinzi felt a wave of excitement. “And where was he, Mama? Why hasn’t he come before?”
“You sound like your sister,” her mother said. “Which reminds me, Zinzi, don’t talk about this to Ntombi yet. I don’t want anything to upset her while she’s rehearsing for the finals.” She smiled. “Your dad was so disappointed she wouldn’t be here too. But he is very proud of her.”
Zinzi’s excitement smashed down and her jealousy rose up. But her mother didn’t notice anything. “He brought things for you – look, my girl.” On the table were chocolates, and two envelopes with their names on. Zinzi looked in hers. R100! At least he realised that she wasn’t a little girl any more!
“Thanks, Mama,” she said, and kissed her on the cheek. “Can I play on your phone for a bit?” She took the phone to the bedroom and dialled Ntombi’s number. “I don’t want anything to upset Ntombi” – that’s what her mother had said. Zinzi thought of Olwethu and Sinovuyo. She dialled the number but then quickly ended the call. No, she must think carefully about how she was going to play this game so that Ntombi would believe her when she broke the bad news …
Chapter 7
“Hey, girlfriend, welcome to the big city,” joked Mahlodi, seeing Ntombi’s eyes grow bigger as the taxi dropped them at the entrance to a huge shopping mall. Ntombi had been to Cavendish before, but this was three times the size. It was like a city in itself. Already Dirk and Alex had run on ahead and were racing one other – Alex up the stairs and Dirk up the escalator. The other contestants hung back in a group.
“Come on, you two,” Mahlodi said to Ntombi and Katrina, who gaped at a shop full of computers and televisions with wide screens, flashing colour. Everything was larger than life. “Have you never seen a mall before? Not like the twins. I bet they spend half their lives in malls. They probably don’t know if it’s night or day outside. In fact the world could be taken over by aliens and they wouldn’t care. As long as they could shop.” Ntombi and Katrina laughed. I wouldn’t mind doing a bit of that myself, Ntombi thought. She had never seen so many clothes and shoes and computers and perfumes. The shop windows screamed with colour. A bright pink dress caught her eye. Busi would die for that, she thought, and felt a stab of homesickness.
She walked on quickly to join Mahlodi and Katrina, who were waiting at the bottom of an escalator to another whole level of shops. She watched as they got on. And then suddenly there was Alex. He’d come out of a music shop and was waiting for her. “You’ve gotta move faster,” he joked. “And keep your eyes open. This is Jozi.” They got onto the escalator together. He was standing right behind her. “Hey there. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your singi
ng this morning.” He put his hand out to steady her as someone pushed past. “I’ve had that song in my head all day. It was hard for me to concentrate on my solo.”
“You were good, too,” said Ntombi as they got off the escalator. And with that she began walking faster to catch up with Mahlodi.
“Hey, you trying to win a race?” he joked.
Then Dirk called him over to a shop window. His eyes were out on stalks as he admired the new iPod range. Mahlodi laughed and nudged Ntombi. “Hey, stop looking at the guys for a minute – or is it the iPods you like? Take a look at the twins – they’re in seventh heaven,” joked Mahlodi, pointing at Sindiwe and Lindiwe, who had disappeared through the doors of one of the fanciest shops Ntombi had ever seen. She watched as they pranced around the shop fingering this and that expensive dress.
“We’re definitely coming back with Daddy,” one said, coming out. “That Carducci shirt was only R400,” said the other.
Ntombi could never afford something like that. “They think money grows on trees,” said Mahlodi.
“No, they know that money grows on their daddy,” joked Alex, who had joined them. “He’s really rich. He’ll probably try to bribe the judges. He’s done it before.”
“Seriously?” Ntombi had forgotten that she had told herself she wouldn’t speak to Alex.
“Seriously … at this talent contest in Durban. Everyone knew that this one girl sang better – she was even signed up by a record company. But who won?” He jerked his head towards the twins.
“That’s terrible.”
“Money buys you lots of things,” said Alex. “But it can’t buy you love.” He looked at Ntombi.
“Yeah, I’m not so sure of that,” said Mahlodi. “It certainly might buy them a husband.”
“Although maybe they will charge so much lobola nobody will marry them,” said Ntombi, and they all laughed.
For a moment she wondered what it must be like for someone to be interested in you only for your money, or for what you looked like. That wasn’t true love. But then she thought about her dad. He had really loved her mom. So why had he left?
“Here comes Dirk,” said Alex. “Believe it or not, the dude can’t take his mind off the terrible twins.”
Dirk heard him and laughed. “You’re just jealous because they won’t look at you,” he said.
The twins had already chosen the best table in the restaurant and were sipping sparkling water through straws, their lips pouting in the same way.
“How is it that they get there first every time?” Andile asked.
“Not when it comes to the finals,” Alex assured him.
Everything looked perfect to Ntombi – the sofas had plump, soft cushions and the coloured lampshades made the light warm and bright. Waiters rushed around the place carrying pink milkshakes, steak and chips, and other foods that Ntombi didn’t even recognise. The smell of sizzling burgers made her hungry suddenly.
She and the other girls headed off to the toilets to freshen up. The twins joined them and spread their collection of lipsticks, blushers and mascaras all over the counter. They took a long time applying a new layer of foundation to their already made-up faces. When Ntombi’s cell rang, Lindiwe was quick to notice.
“Boyfriend?” she asked. Ntombi turned her back to her as she answered. She didn’t want her anywhere near her phone again.
It was Zinzi. “Hello?” She could hardly hear her with the noise of chattering in the background. It seemed all the women in the restaurant were suddenly in the toilets.
“Ntombi …”
“What is it, Zinzi? Is it Mom? What has happened?”
“I saw Olwethu with another girl today … They were standing really close together and laughing.” Ntombi didn’t reply. Zinzi went on, “She was really hot, with dimples. Ntombi – are you there? Can you hear me?”
Ntombi felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. “Yes, yes, I’m here. Zinzi – are you sure? Was it Olwethu? Have you seen the girl before?”
“Of course I’m sure,” Zinzi said. “You think I’m stupid?” Ntombi heard a voice in the background. “I must go,” said Zinzi quickly, and the line went dead.
Ntombi stood there, stunned. Her hands were trembling. Olwethu and another girl. It wasn’t believable, it couldn’t be real. She could not imagine Olwethu’s smile for someone else, his kiss on someone else’s mouth.
“What’s wrong, country girl?” It was Sindiwe. “Boyfriend trouble?”
Mahlodi was washing her hands, and saw Ntombi’s face. “Are you OK?”
“I’m fine,” said Ntombi. But she didn’t look fine.
She looked at her shocked face in the mirror. Then she took a deep breath. It’s probably nothing, she said to herself. Anyway, Olwethu’s allowed to have friends. After all, I’ve been laughing with the other guys here – it doesn’t mean anything. She splashed herself with cold water in the hope that it would wash away her fears.
“Hurry up, girlfriend,” said Mahlodi, drying her hands. “The boys will eat all the food.” She looked at Ntombi’s face in the mirror. “Are you sure you’re OK, girl?”
“I’m fine,” said Ntombi, as they went to join the others. Mahlodi sat down next to Katrina, leaving a space on the sofa next to Alex, who looked really pleased to be sitting next to Ntombi.
“So, what are you having?” he asked her. “I’m having the biggest steak they’ve got.”
“But that’s R80!” said Ntombi, shocked.
“Hey, we’re not paying – relax,” said Alex. “This is sponsored. You can order anything.”
“We’re having salads,” said one of the twins. “We have to watch our weight. We’ve got the Girls’ High Beauty Pageant next month.”
The other one looked wistfully at the menu. “Don’t you think we can just have the chicken wings?”
The other twin wagged her finger. “Now, now, Sindiwe, what would Daddy say? No, no, just salad, sister dear.”
“I have to eat healthily, which means a balanced diet,” said Mahlodi. “I need the energy for soccer. We train just about every day.”
“I’m surprised you have time to sing, Mahlodi,” Sindiwe said. “I can hear you don’t practise much.”
Mahlodi ignored them, instead chatting to Alex. After a while he turned to Ntombi. “Come on, you’ve hardly said a word,” he teased her.
Ntombi gave him a big smile. If Olwethu was out there having fun, why shouldn’t she? She wouldn’t let anything spoil it. And she would enjoy Alex’s flirting. What was wrong with that? As long as she didn’t take it further, it didn’t matter. When the waiter came she asked for the same steak Alex had ordered, with extras.
She talked brightly. She was having a good time! Over ice cream and chocolate sauce Alex told her about his family. How he used to listen to his dad playing old records – Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa – and how he had made his family laugh when he tried to sing along before he could even speak. “I had to fight for attention, with seven kids to compete with,” he chuckled. “I got this old guitar. My dad told me if I could play he would send me to lessons. I never thought I’d make it here today.”
It’s tough, we all want it so badly,” said Dirk.
“I know,” said Ntombi.
“Hey, but there’s always a next time, whatever happens,” said the thin blonde girl on the other side of the table.
“How would you spend the money?” asked Dirk.
“We’re going to buy Mini Coopers,” said Sindiwe.
“In pink – identical,” added Lindiwe.
“Girls, I have to break some bad news to you,” said Alex. “The prize money isn’t nearly enough and, besides, only one person can win.”
“What would you do?” Mahlodi asked Andile the rapper.
“I’d love to get a good sound system, but I think I’d probably pu
t my brother back in school.” The table was silent for a moment as they all looked at him. “My brother’s good at science. But there was no money at home so he had to leave school, get a job. He should be getting an education.”
“Didn’t take you for that type,” said one of the twins. She sniggered softly to her twin, but loudly enough for everyone to hear, “I thought he would buy drugs with it.”
“Ignore them,” Mahlodi said. “Don’t listen to them, Andile.”
Andile flashed her a grin. He was quite handsome under the hoody. “Don’t worry, Mahlodi, I won’t.”
“And you?” Mahlodi asked Katrina. “What would you do?”
“I’d put the money towards buying my family a decent house,” she answered. “You?”
“I’d set up another girls’ soccer club,” said Mahlodi.
“Dreams, dreams,” said Alex. “How about you, Ntombi?” But she was saved by the waiter arriving with the bill. She realised she wasn’t sure what her dreams were any more.
As they drove back in the private taxi the sun was setting, and the sky was streaked with pink and red. “That’s so beautiful,” gasped Ntombi.
“Yeah, at least pollution is good for something. We get the best sunsets here,” Dirk smiled.
Alex was looking at the driver, checking that he wasn’t watching them. He pulled out a six-pack of cider.
“Come on,” he said. “It’s not like we’re going to get drunk on these.”
“Pity,” said the boys, as they handed them around.
“Too many calories,” said the twins.
“More for us,” Andile said as he took a big swig.
“Hey, we shouldn’t be doing this,” said Katrina. “Agnes trusted us to go out and come back on our own, responsibly. We can’t break her trust, guys.”
“Watch me,” said Alex, taking a slug of cider. Ntombi held the cider in her hand.
Jealous in Jozi Page 4