I walked in and took my phone out of the handbag and dialed Sean. It rang a few times and he answered.
"Beauty," he said.
"Are you coming back for lunch?" I asked.
"Yes, I'll be at home lunchtime," he said.
"Okay, we have a guest. He is waiting for you," I told him.
"What guest?" he asked.
"A man by the name of Frankie is here. He says he is Sandra's cousin, well, she claims it is her cousin too," I said.
"What!" he exclaimed.
"Yes," I replied.
"I'll call Sandra. We will talk later," he said.
"Sure," I replied.
I ended the call and went back downstairs to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Frankie walked in holding a whiskey glass.
"You have a beautiful house," he said.
"Thank you," I replied.
"I am sorry about the liquor, I couldn't resist it," he said.
"No problem," I told him.
"Can I help you with whatever you're preparing?" he asked.
"I think I'll manage, but you are welcome to keep me company," I said.
"Sounds just about right with me. What are you going to cook?" he asked.
"Macaroni and cheese," I replied.
"Oh, I love it," he said.
"Is it?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Nice. Well, tell me about you. What do you do?" I asked.
"You know my name, I am Frankie. It's actually Frank, but you know people," he said as I chuckled. "And I work as an estate agent."
"Oh, you are into property?" I asked.
"Yes, and I want out. I've been doing that thing for years, man! So a little change can do," he said.
"I totally understand. Besides, change is good," I told him.
"Yes, and you are an art person. What is it like? Maybe you can draw me, you know!" he said as I laughed.
"I love it! I mean, when you wake up and do what you've always dreamed of doing, it is liberating. I could actually take you up on that offer!" I said.
"And rumor has it that you are opening another gallery at Walmer Park," he said.
"Yes, but not as of yet. I still need to put together an art collection, and now you are giving me ideas," I told him.
"Okay, tell me more," he said.
"Well, I am thinking of doing something that will grab the locals' attention. I've always managed to grab the attention of other nations, but rarely in my own hometown. I have never seen my neighbors attending my exhibitions, which is something I would like to change," I said.
"And that is why many of our artists don't get the support they really need. They are focused on what other nations are doing rather than starting at home and offering the world who they actually are. So work on that, try and find ways you could draw their attention," he told me.
"Thank you. And this is actually the reason why I was in Tanzania. Well, apart from showcasing my own art, I was learning some new things there," I said.
"And how was being out of the country?" he asked.
"It's always good being out of the country, but I missed home, and it is very unfortunate that I came back to this," I replied.
"Oh, sorry. But don't beat yourself up for trusting him. You thought he'd behave and stay faithful since you guys are in a relationship, actually married," he said.
"Yes, but hey, expectations kill," I told him.
"And again, I am sorry for what Sandra did. It was wrong of her to do you like this," he said.
"We can't keep blaming her though. My husband had a hand in it too. Had he also stayed away, neither of this would have happened," I replied.
"How do you feel about the whole thing?" he asked.
"Well, I am hurt, and I just hope it'll pass and I'll move on with my life," I said.
"I was also trying to talk her into coming back home. Our parents don't know she is pregnant; she's been hiding from everyone," he said.
"You guys are very close," I noted.
"We are. I was raised in her home when my mother passed," he said.
"Oh, okay. I now understand," I replied.
This man was a professional liar. His eyes did not flinch, nor did his finger reach up to his face. He was someone who lied without a flinch. We talked about his so-called childhood with Sandra. He was a very interesting man, intimidating but calm. However, I failed to see why Sandra was attracted to him, as he didn't look like her type. What I mean by that is he was unmarried. I did not confront him about what I overheard, but left him to continue with his lies. Sandra walked in pulling her big suitcase.
"Is someone leaving?" I asked.
"Don't act like you didn't know about this," she said.
"Drop the attitude, Sandra," Frankie said.
"At least wait until I am finished with lunch, then you can leave after," I told her.
"And risk being poisoned by you? No, thank you. Frankie, can we go now?" she asked.
"That would be appreciated, Mrs. Sean, but as you can see, hormones are playing with her," he said. She rolled her eyes.
"I can tell. Drive safely," I said.
"Until we meet again, Mrs. Sean. And I wish God to bless you with your own one day," he told me.
"Lidlolo, nothing will ever grow in that rotten womb of hers," she said.
Someone was mad, but composure, Beauty. She was trying to start a fight.
"I wish you a happy life, Sandra," I said with a smile.
"That is enough, Sandra. We will go now, sister. Bye," Frankie said. She walked out first, leaving Frank to pull the suitcase and the bag.
"Until we meet again, Frankie. Bye," I said.
He walked out and I heard the sound of the car driving away. I exhaled. Whatever Sean said on that phone call got her off her high horses. I said 'I do' to a disappointment. Lunchtime came and passed. My husband did not come back for lunch. I tried calling but it went straight to voicemail. Relax Beauty.
The house was quiet and empty. We were almost out of groceries too. I cracked my head trying to figure out whether to go to the shopping center or the mall. I ended up driving to Greenacres mall. I bought a few groceries. The mall was not busy as it usually gets. I was able to go in and out. My cellphone rang as I packed my groceries in the car. It was Zee.
"You miss me already?" I asked.
"Yes, and where are you?" she asked.
"Uyatefa, ndise Greenacres," I replied.
"Great! Please drive straight here, I need you to help me with something," she said.
"Okay, I'll be there just now," I said.
"Oh, and we will need a bottle or two of white wine," she added.
"Now I have to go back inside. Your timing is awful, friend," I told her.
"I know. I'll send a text of other things I need just now, okay?" she said.
"Okay," I replied.
I walked back inside the mall and my phone beeped. I looked at it and it was the list of items I had to buy: biscuits, bread, soda water, and fruit. I texted her back.
"Are we baking a cake?" I asked.
"Lol, no my friend. I am trying out a new recipe," she replied.
"Okay, you," I started to type. I bumped into someone so hard that my wallet, keys, and cellphone landed on the floor, my cellphone smashing loudly. I almost screamed. I looked up and it was a man already going down picking up my things.
"Jesus!" I cried.
"I am so sorry, I wasn't looking. Uxolo sisi," he said. He handed them to me and luckily my cell phone didn't crack.
"No, no! It's not your fault. I was also texting whilst walking. It could've been a pole or something," I said.
I scanned the man I just bumped into. Jeans, long-sleeved white t-shirt, medium-sized dreadlocks, and I couldn't help but notice the beads around his neck and wrist. They were not your usual ones, but ancestral beads. He was a shade lighter than brown.
"And I should've looked at where I was going," he said as he smiled. The man had a dimple on the left side of his face. Bawo, intle lendoda.
"I am glad you understand," I nervously chuckled.
"Wait. I don't want this to come as off, but I do know you. You are the famous artist, uhm," he said.
I laughed. "I am not famous but my artwork is. I am Beauty," I told him.
"Yes, of course! My niece is into fine arts too and she adores you," he said.
"Oh, really?" I asked as I genuinely smiled.
It is always a good feeling when you meet someone who actually adores your craft, even if it's the uncle.
"Yes. And unrelated to this, but I can feel you are not at peace. Your soul is disturbed," he said.
"At the moment I am going through something, but I will try and work on finding inner peace," I replied with a smile.
I loved it when we talked about energy. I believe that auras do communicate and mine just did that to this man.
"You have a beautiful smile. Keep it pasted on your face. Oh, where are my manners? I am Mike Dylan," he said.
"Oh, thank you. Well, you know me, Beauty," I said. We shook hands.
"Let me not keep you, Beauty. It was nice meeting you, or rather, bumping into you," he said as he chuckled.
"I was actually the one who bumped, but definitely a pleasure to meet you. Send my love to your niece," I told him.
"I will," he said. He smiled again. We went our separate ways and I walked to the store to purchase the items.