Bundle of Regrets

By Eulender Mathebula

A woman sent by fate came to rescue him, but he was too blind to recognize it. He went on with his twisted ways. The moment he realized what mistakes he had done, it was too late. So many hearts were crushed because of him, and now he is facing the consequences.

He’s left with an empty, sore heart, and the only option left for him is to correct his past. Will his pride let him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Feb 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728382234

Eulender Mathebula

Born in South Africa in the year of 1990. I started education at Mugidi primary school and completed at magwagwaza high school in 2007 (Mpumalanga province) I want on to further my studies at a college. I started working at private and public companies since 2012. I developed the passion of writing since 2007. I currently live at my hometown in Nelspruit Acornhoek, working on my second fiction (rough patch) .

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© 2019 Eulender Mathebula. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/11/2018

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8224-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8223-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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D UNCAN’S IS A MIDDLE profi

le club where high and low rollers roll. Each weekend the club is packed of people who need help spending their money. The music invites them in from left to right, far and close. It’s a summer night in Hazyview; almost half of the small town is out. A group of three men are sitting somewhere in a corner playing the choose and pick game. Brian is a marketing director who works for a small company. Successful, I could label him that way. He’s over the age of 35 but hasn’t taken settling as an important issue yet. He’s tall, not dark but still handsome. His very cool and collected manner hides the real him. He liked going out, spending time with friends, sometimes with one of his girls. His fashion sense is quite unique and he keeps it expensive, as he knew that will attract most ladies. His expensive car also contributed to luring the girls. He’s always looking clean and handsome. He thought he can get any girl at any time - if you’re not playing along, it’s your loss. His friends said that he’s always irresponsible. They call him the child, or sometimes the striker, because he’s the best scorer when it comes to girls.

Then there’s Stanley and Golden. These two are older than Brian, and they are not as deep as Brian is in the game, but haven’t settled as well. They are both successful in their own fields. Stanley works for a transport organization as an HR officer. He has a steady girl and he’s been with her for two months now. Who knows how steady she is? Stanley liked both his guys and understands them both; they sometimes call him the middle man, glue or the mother. He makes sure the group stayed glued together.

Golden is a manager at a huge supermarket in town. He also has someone in his life, but with this boys, don’t take anything seriously. This one is more mature; he always tried to show his friends the right path when they get lost. He played too - but he played more responsibly. He also came with ideas that will benefit them, like saving money. They call him the father because although he always sees problems in things his boys do, he also sees solutions. He’s older than all of them, as he likes to tell people.

It’s a summer season, and all the hyperactive people are on their worst behavior, including these three boys. It’s been a good month, Brian sipped down a Heineken.

Stanley puts down a can of Heineken, I agree my mom didn’t call me on the fifteenth to tell me about her endless debts.

They all laughed.

Why don’t you teach your mother to budget, Frank? asked Brian.

You can’t teach a lion to eat grass, Frank Stanley looked down.

They laughed again.

The Frank name came about one night they were out chilling there at Duncan’s. A girl came over to them and spoke to Brian. She called Brian by the name Frank, though Brian tried to tell her he wasn’t Frank, she wouldn’t hear it. It got worse when his friends laughed nonstop each time she said Frank. From that night they called Brian Frank. He didn’t like it so he called them Frank in return. They all got used to it and now call each other Frank pretty much all the time. People want to know why they call each other Frank, but they don’t tell.

Ladies, ladies Brian let his eyes controlled his head, he noticed a lady passing their table.

They’re looking good tonight Golden agreed with him.

I need to squeeze my lemons Brian quickly left them. When he comes back, a young lady was walking next to him.

Is that how he squeezes his lemon? asked Golden.

You know frank Stanley nodded.

The DJ knew that by the early hours people are just arriving, others are stressed out, others have come with friends, and others came alone, so between 6pm and 10pm he gives his people a chance to socialize. If you came alone, it’s your chance to double yourself. If you came with friends, make more friends. If you came with your problems, it’s time to drink it down and flush it in the toilet or talk to someone about it. The DJ adds some volume after ten, because by then he’s sure that all his people are united and have had a little to drink, and would like to impress with their moves. After 1am he pumps up the volume, tempting these people to get on the floor and show off. Even the shy ones will be on the dance floor by then. It’s still quiet now, which means it’s still intro time.

Who’s playing tonight? asked Golden.

I don’t know man, but it sounds like this man wants us to sleep here tonight complained Stanley.

Brian came back and introduced the girl.

The other two don’t waste any more time, they finish their drinks then head to the dance floor. They dance until who knows when.

It’s another day, the boys are chilling somewhere in a park during lunch time.

Rexene has been on my case about finding a woman said Golden, talking about his dad.

Maybe you should try that G-man suggested Stanley.

I have, remembered what happened with Lily? Golden looked scared.

How can you trust those types of girls, what were you thinking Frank? laughed Brian.

What type of a girl was she then? G-man looked at Brian as if he doesn’t know.

She makes her money on the streets man Brian continues laughing.

Stanley and Brian laughed.

Golden looked away You’re bluffing. At least I accommodated her for a month, what about you brother?

I still want to live my life my man. I’m not ready to drown my life in sorrows. He looked at his watch. Did you saw how girls are throwing themselves at me? Brian said with enthusiasms.

What girls? asked Golden?

They continue laughing.

Ey we got to go make some money or these drinking weekends are over guys Brian checked his time keeper again. He respects his job and he tries not to let his drinking and gaming interfere.

They all departed.

About two weeks later, Brian’s mother visited him.

So looking around why is it that always when I come here I found you alone? asked Alice.

Ahh, come on mom he moans, as if he’s had a long hard night.

Don’t tell me you’re dating one of your team members? she said seriously.

Gosh no mom, how can you think of that? he stretched his body with a crossed face.

That’s not a problem either. When he’s ready to meet me, give me a call She’s calm and soft.

Mom, stop it he laughed.

What can I say; your house looks tidy and clean. You on the other hand hey she clapped her hands.

You have no idea what you’re talking about man. he is thinking about the poor girls who work their butt off cleaning for him.

Who is your man? he looked at him in disgust.

I meant to say mom. He laughed again.

It’s because you spend a lot of time with men. You end up calling women man Alice said.

Nah Brian looked down and smiled embarrassed a little.

Good, I’ll be here next weekend. Make sure you’re not alone a little more serious.

I I captain Brian said with a salute.

Since then, his friends have been maybe more serious about making their relationships work. He always tells them they will crash and fall at any second. He decided to find someone to help him with laundry and the rest of the house chores - that’s obviously what it’s all about. About a week later he met a lady named Gertrude. Everything runs smoothly until she moved in. He played it smooth for the first week. The problem about him is that he wants to eat in all the plates on the table; that’s why he quickly gets fed up. On Friday they went out together, just the two of them, but it was nowhere special… Duncan’s. While they were chilling on their table, Candice came over.

When he saw Candice coming, he tried to hide by looking down but it didn’t work.

Hi Candice smiled, standing next to Gertrude, looking at him.

He slowly stands up, oh hi, ho-how are you?

I’m fine, you? she then realized that he’s hoping she won’t mention that night. She smiled; she looked at Gertrude and then left them after looking at the lady next to her. She knows she’ll get that chance again.

I’m great man he smiled as she walked away, thinking what a save.

Who was that? Gertrude asked, looking at him. Gertrude is sweet, too sweet that sometimes she can allow a person to treat her like a fool.

Ah no one, you were telling me about your mom, Lisa he sat down.

My sister, Lisa she can see he’s a bit destructed now that Candice came.

Ohm he laughed.

Now you tell me about your family because we haven’t spoken about them Gertrude concentrated on him.

Ohhhh there’s nothing to tell he felt uncomfortable talking about it.

There is she set her eyes on him.

Well after thinking my mom Alice lives at Mapalo. She and I are good friends he really didn’t felt like talking about it.

Wow not many men have that kind of relationship with their mothers she smiled, impressed.

Yeah I love my siblings as well. They live with her continued Brian.

Mhhhh that’s nice and your dad? interested in hearing more.

Oh and him as well, Always working Brian sounded not sure.

He’s a workaholic. I now see where you got it from thinking he’s cuter and perfect as he talk about his family.

He looked at his time it’s about to get noisy here and crowded. Let’s go home like he didn’t like it that way. He is afraid Candice might come again.

They left.

The next day on Saturday, he decided to go solo. Later he met with Candice.

Dancing, where is she? asked Candice.

Candy baby, leave that Brian brushed it off.

Some men Candice laughed.

What do you mean some men? Don’t you enjoy being with me? dancing with her.

I saw what kind of a man you are last week. So yesterday I didn’t want to ruin what you have with her, I got my own she said with a smile.

Then forget about her. She’s my cousin and I don’t want her to tell my mother I have a gf. She can be annoying sometimes he lied.

It’s not like you are 16 she noticed but she don’t care.

She’ll want to meet you Brian said.

Is that a bad thing? she liked the idea already.

Come on candy, it’s still early for that.

Brian, I’m a grown woman and I know what I’m doing with who and when. So you don’t have to lie to me she can hear that he didn’t want to talk about it because he was trying to avoid lying even though he was already lying.

He just laughed. He almost spends a night in the club because he went home at about 3am.

Gertrude was not sleeping all these time, she waited for him.

When he softly jumped in bed,

What time is this? she turned over to him.

Ohhhh jumpy you still up?

Where were you? she looked at him.

Out he answered fast.

With whom? she made a serious face.

My boys he said fast.

All night? she started to get angry at him.

Can I sleep please? We’ll talk about this in the…

Sleep, Do you know how many hours I’ve been sleeping alone? by then she was annoyed.

Is it a sin to sleep alone? he got irritated.

She just looked at him, and then she started yelling.

Cut the crap Gertrude he didn’t answer even when she keeps on yelling.

On Sunday he woke up late. He found her finished with laundry oh I was about to help you he yawned and stretched his body.

You are late without looking at him.

So…you are coming with me today as if he thought about it first.

To? she looked at him.

We have chillers Sundays today so, I’m going with you he smiled at her.

Ok her heart made an unusual one beat.

Cool his aim is to try and calm her. She’s a good girl and she’s doing her job properly except that she talks too much.

They went on their Sunday thing. Brian introduced her to those who didn’t know her. All went well and she was happy. By the following week he is getting bored of her. He tried to keep her for some time but he had had enough. She’s too sweet, that attraction is gone; all he wanted is for her to go. He met with his boys on Wednesday evening after work.

So how does taking responsibility feels like? started Golden.

Taking what? Brian moved his ear closer to Golden.

That woman in your house, I mean she do everything for you. It’s not like the times you used to get someone on Wednesday to do your laundry then someone on weekend to clean for you. She’s doing all of this and she even gives you the cake every day. You don’t have to hunt for all this kind of hospitality Golden said.

I want her out of my house now as if a heavy burden was weighing on his shoulders.

Why? asked Stanley.

I’ve had enough of her like his mind was miles away as he said.

So fast Golden looked shocked?

Brian wiggled his head.

His friends burst out, they laughed.

Look man you’re being unfair. That lady changed the bachelor look on your house and makes it looks like a home said Golden.

It was fine the way it was like he’s tired.

But it looks better now. She even bought you new curtains said Golden like it was a joke.

They laughed.

With my money Brian held his head do you know that she wants to change my whole kitchen?

Those old rags in your kitchen need a divorce man, she’s right Stanley supported his statement.

Mhhhh looking away, he took a deep breath. I wonder what got in to you two Brian shook his head.

Well don’t you think it’s better to have something to hide with? Stanley asked as he looked up.

So you’re hiding your dirty work with that commitment crap? Brian looked annoyed.

Maybe, at least we are trying Stanley shrugged his shoulders.

Keep a girl for a month at least man, all this playing will hurt you in the end said Golden worryingly.

You guys are not hurt, why would I get hurt? Brian ignored them.

We are still in the game boss but we are playing smart said Stanley.

Well I’m playing safe said Brian.

At some point we got to grow up frank Golden looked serious.

I think I’ve grown it’s enough Brian raised his eyebrows, no thank you."

If you can see yourself in future married with few kids, how do you think it’ll work out? Golden looked at Brian as he spoke.

It will happen on its own said Brian, calm cool and collected.

So what are you going to do? Stanley asked.

I’m going to pull out the bye bye strategy said Brian.

Shame, I really feel for her Golden took a deep breath what did you saw in this girl anyway?

Nothing he looked down in shame.

They laughed out loud.

Obvious, why don’t you find someone who…who…makes you attracted to, someone maybe you think you’re in to? suggested Golden.

I was in to her when I met her not really seriously.

But you said you saw nothing in her Golden got confused.

Yes Brian nodded.

Golden shook his head, they laughed.

At about nine that evening they call it a night and went home.

Since Monday Brian would come home after nine and went straight to bed. If he would come home early, he would complain about head pain, stomach pains and so on then went straight to bed. He did that all week. It didn’t take Gertrude many days to realize that things have changed. On Friday she waited for him thinking he would show up at around 9pm so they can talk about it. The boy didn’t show up.

Brian went straight to Duncan’s from work. He met his boys and had some fun. At about 00:00 his friends were bailing out.

Come on boys, one more hour Brian still wanted to dance; actually he didn’t want to go home.

No I’m so tired. I can’t take more of this Golden wanted to leave.

This girl’s dance like they don’t have bones Stanley looked at what he was talking about.

And, added Golden they wear loose short dresses looked tired.

Now you want to leave that? Brian tried to change Golden’s mind.

I don’t care if you’re staying behind man. You’re old enough to take care of yourselves; bye dudes Golden left.

Ok since you’re crying like a little girl I’ll stick around for an hour. It’s not like she’ll wake up when I get there said Stanley as if he was keen on leaving.

Now you’re talking my man. Let’s go and try to dance. I saw a hot double dancing down there Brian said with excitement.

I’m behind you my man he followed, dancing.

There are few explainable types of drinkers in a club. Dancers, people can learn to dance in a night club. Some people can’t leave those places without dancing and they choose those places for its music not drinking. That’s why there are some fit people in night clubs, the Dance as you drink types. They just find themselves drinking but that’s not their big priority, they want to dance and have a nice time.

Now there are these types who go out for partners. This one’s they dress up smart, make sure they stay fresh all night. These ones are not hard to spot, appearance. Now we call them fishermen and fisherwomen, they fish as they drink.

Then there are those fat types with huge bellies, maybe it’s those who says when they are drinking at the night club they rest their minds. Being home is the same as the long stressful day at work. He’ll say his wife is the same as his annoying boss so he’s spending the night there. So this one’s gets a drink, a seat, sits down and watch those dancers. These ones know who can dance who can’t and which are whose best moves. When someone goes to the dance floor, they already know what he’s going to do. They know who dates who and since when, they even know top secrets only because they don’t have much to do and their paying too much attention. Now these are inspectors, they inspect as they drinks.

Stanley is the middle fielder. If he would go out with golden, they won’t drink much and they will go home early. Golden thought if they drink one or two drinks there’ll be fewer chances of accidents caused by them. Golden is more matured; he pushes the conversation of saving money, investing, committing and all sorts of stuff. He’s not always like that but he’s more like that. While Brian would want to dance and drink till he can’t no more. He knows the good things but he prefers to talk about new brand of alcohol, hot dancing/drinking sports, girls and their underwear’s etc. at least he don’t make credits, he pay his bills on time and tries very hard to keep his job appropriate.

Stanley is the middle man, a good middle man. Now that he’s left with that party animal, they didn’t saw the sun coming out. It was already six in the morning eish time flies when you’re having fun he took down almost 20L of Heineken. He only wants to sleep now.

The drunken master is tired too but can drive better than Stanley. He told Stanley to leave his car behind, he will drive him home. When he got enough rest he will come get it.

I thought G-man was the only father and you were the child Stanley joked.

Like father like son. What does that makes you? Brian spoke tiredly.

Eh… he gave it a thought.

Mother? he laughed you’re lucky I’m not the father.

Sis Brian he frowned.

He dropped Stanley then went straight home. When Brian got home, his Mrs. was livid.

What are you doing Brian? her eyes were red like she’s been smoking weed the whole night.

What? like he didn’t hear her.

Is this how it’s going to be? waved hands angrily.

What are you talking about? all he was thinking about was his bed.

Wake up fool. Your over 30 and this is what you do, drinking all night, Wasting money she shouted.

My money bitch he moved tipsy.

What did you just say? she started to get wild.

He hurried away from her, waving her away when she yells. He locks himself in another bedroom and dies away. When he wakes up it was noon. His phone was ringing nonstop and a terrible headache also woke him. He went to take a long bath then went to face his thorn.

She’s in the lounge watching TV.

He smiled as he came closer what’s for lunch ma lady?

She turned and looked at him; face crossed then decided not to answer.

Are you mad at me? he’s still smiling.

She pretended to be concentrating on TV.

Fine I’ll make myself something to eat he’s wearing that ‘whatever’ expression on his face. He went to the kitchen and open few doors, whistling. He didn’t want all of the stuff he saw there. His hangover wanted something spicy and chilly. He took his car keys and walk out.

Gertrude thought he was going to apologies. She was so shocked when he