“Oh no! Where is she?” Aviwe gasped in panic. “How can she not show up on an important day like this?”
Aviwe grabbed her cellphone to try to rescue her boss from this dire situation, but all she got was Zukile’s voicemail.
“Hi, this is Zukile Bhengu. I cannot take your call right now. Please leave a message and I will get back to you.”
She heard another voice behind her. “Aviwe, please tell all the staff the meeting will begin in 15 minutes. I expect everyone in my office five minutes before.”
Aviwe nodded and tried to call Zuki again. “What am I going to do now? Who will sign these documents and present the business assessment? Oh, Zuki, you are in so much trouble.”
It was 10am. A toy dog sat on floor, a nappy next to the bed, a cellphone on the side table, and a baby slept peacefully on Zuki’s chest. Somewhere in the distance a phone was ringing.
Eventually, the sound woke the baby, who immediately started to cry. Zuki was forced to open her sleepy eyes and deal with him. Then it dawned on her that she’d overslept.
“No, no, no,” she exclaimed, as she gathered the screaming baby in her arms to answer the landline.
“Where are you? I’ve been trying to contact you since 8am!”
“Aviwe, I am so sorry, it was the baby. I can’t even remember what time we eventually got to sleep this morning. Cover for me and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Zuki sat with her crying baby on her lap and cursed her nanny who had called in sick yesterday, leaving her stranded.
This story is from the 25 June 2020 edition of Drum English.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 25 June 2020 edition of Drum English.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest
