3
THE RED NECKLACE
It was the beginning of January, and Sipho and Karabo were on lunch break. They both worked in Liesbeek Mall – Karabo was a bank teller, and Sipho had just been promoted to assistant manager of the pet store.
“Babes, I brought you some food for lunch,” Karabo said, holding out a lunchbox with chicken and pap inside. “Let’s go to the park and sit under the trees.”
“Thanks, my angel.” Sipho took her hand. Karabo is such a blessing, he thought as they walked down the busy passage towards the main entrance of the mall. She reminds me of my mom – always thinking about other people.
As they passed by Starlight Diamonds jewellery store, Karabo stopped. “Wow. That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” she said, looking at the window display. A red necklace shaped like flowers stood in an open velvet-lined box.
“It really is beautiful, babes,” Sipho said. “You could wear it with the earrings I got you for Christmas.”
“OMG. But it’s kind of expensive, hey?”
Sipho put his arm around her waist. “You should try it on.”
“But I can never afford that, not on my salary. The bank doesn’t pay much.”
“Trying on is free. Come on, babes, I want to see how it looks on you.”
“What if it refuses to come off?” she laughed.
“Then I’ll buy it.”
Laughing, they went into the store.
A few moments later the necklace lay around her neck. A gold chain held a string of red beads that ended in three clusters of flowers. The crystals shone against her dark skin, with the smaller red jewel flowers resting just below her collarbone. The largest flower hung in her cleavage, and it glistened in the bright shop light.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, “Why are you staring at me? Andiyophulang’ phofu? Did I break it or something?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s like I’m seeing an angel from heaven standing right in front of me.”
She took the necklace off and the salesperson put it back in the display. As they went off to the park, Sipho wondered if he could buy it for her. It cost almost a month’s salary. And it was January. He was broke. But Karabo was so precious to him that she deserved nothing but the best. He would make a plan. One way or another he had to get it.
At four-thirty he was giving the baby parrots their last meal of the day in the pet shop. All seven fledglings were huddling together in the incubator. Sipho was feeding one with a big syringe, and they were all shouting and pushing at once.
Mr Mahomed, the shop owner, laughed as the greediest parrot squawked loudly for more food. “This parrot is just like you – he’s always hungry. I’ve been wanting to give you a bonus for all your hard work over the festive season. He’s yours.”
“Oh thanks, Mr Mahomed. I’ve always wanted a parrot of my own. I’m going to teach him to say, ‘Karabo is a lovely lady. ’ ”
Mr Mahomed laughed. “That’s a good idea. Parrots live sixty years, so he’ll keep Karabo sweet until you’re old and grey.”
Sipho finished the feeding and closed up the incubator. “Sir, can I clock out early today? I have some personal business I’d like to take care of.”
“Sure,” said Mr Mahomed. “Business is so quiet this time of the year.”
A few minutes later Sipho entered Starlight Diamonds for the second time that day. Should I buy the necklace? he thought. I’m still tangled up in my festive-season debts. But then he saw the necklace on the deep-blue velvet cloth, and he remembered how beautiful it looked on Karabo’s soft neck. He had to have it.
How the hell am I going to get the money? And then he had an idea. I can sell my parrot, Perry, he decided. It would break his heart, and Mr Mahomed would be upset, but Perry was the only thing he had to sell that might bring in enough to buy the necklace. And Karabo was worth it.
“Can I help you, sir?” the jewellery sales assistant asked.
He took a deep breath. “Can I purchase something on lay-by?”
~•~
It was Saturday morning and Karabo was babysitting her little brother, Lesego. She arrived as Sipho was unlocking the pet shop. He had taken on an extra weekend shift to help earn the money for her necklace. He was late for work, and was surprised to see Karabo holding her eight-year-old brother by the hand.
“Babes, I need a favour,” Karabo said. “I’ve got an appointment at the hair salon. He’s going to be a nuisance in the salon. Can you please keep an eye on him? I’ll be back by eleven.”
“Sure,” Sipho said. “Hey, champ. Howzit?” he said, boxing Lesego playfully on the chest.
“Thanks, love,” Karabo said, hugging him and whispering, “I love you.”
“Love you too, babes,” Sipho said, as she left the store. “Come on, Lesego. You can help me feed the baby parrots. And I’ll pay you to help me clean out the cages.”
An hour later the cages were swept, the animals fed, and Lesego was bored.
“Uncle Sipho, can I go play computer games at the shop next door?”
Sipho was busy unpacking boxes of birdseed. “Sure, I’ll take you now.”
Dominic, the manager of Gaming Factory, didn’t even look up from the magazine he was paging through as they entered the shop. Sipho settled Lesego down in front of a screen and gave him the money he had earned. “Don’t spend it all at once, and don’t get into trouble. If you need me I’m right next door.”
As he passed the counter he noticed that Dominic had stopped surfing the internet and was busy drooling over a porn magazine. “Hey – your eyes should be on the shop,” Sipho said. Dominic gave him the middle finger. Sipho paused. Should he be leaving the child in a place like this? But then he thought, no, he’ll be fine. I’m right next door.
The hours passed quickly, with a rush of customers. Sipho kept thinking about the red necklace. It would look so beautiful on Karabo’s long neck. He went to look at Perry. He took him out of the cage and stroked his feathers. Perry was growing nicely. He was almost ready to go. I wonder what Mr Mohamed will say when he finds out I’ve sold him? I hope he’s not too upset, he thought, admiring the beautiful parrot.
Sipho was just getting ready to make a cup of tea when he remembered Lesego. He had a moment of panic. “You idiot,” he said to himself. “You promised to keep an eye on him.” He hurried next door.
As he entered Gaming Factory, Karabo herself came storming out with Lesego. “Sipho, I thought, I asked you to watch Lesego.”
He’d never seen her so angry. “What’s happened, babe?”
“Some older kids wanted to take Lesego’s money, and he refused, so they hit him.”
“Sorry, babes, I was on my way over. I have been busy with customers. Is he OK?”
“Yes, he’s OK. It’s all thanks to Dom here. He intervened and sent the big boys away.”
Lesego frowned. “I could have beaten them – I’m a fighting machine,” he said and he showed them his biceps.
Dominic laughed. “You’re the man, Lesego. But those boys were bigger than you. They could have given you a black eye.”
Karabo smiled at him. “I’m so glad you were there, Dom. Thanks for saving my little brother.”
“Any time,” Dom said, putting his arm around her. “I’m always here. Drop him off any time you like. I’ll watch out for him.”
Sipho felt angry watching Karabo and Dom. If she only knew what he had been doing when he left Lesego there, how he hadn’t even looked up from the porn he was reading … she wouldn’t be thanking him.
As he returned to the pet shop Sipho felt really bad. He shouldn’t have forgotten the little boy there. And he didn’t like the way Dominic touched Karabo. Couldn’t she tell he was a slimy bastard who liked porn?
~•~
“What shall I buy Thabi for her house-warming present?”’ Karabo said one Friday about two weeks later. It was lunchtime, and Sipho and Karabo were lying on the grass at the park, enjoying another one of Karabo’s homemade lunches.
Sipho didn’t answer. In his head he was trying to work out how much he could save from his pay cheque to put towards the necklace. He imagined her joy when she opened the red velvet, heart-shaped box he had already bought for her. He had the box, now he just had to find a way to fill it.
“Hey,” she said, shaking his shoulder. “Are you paying attention? Or am I speaking to myself?”
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“I hope you haven’t forgotten about Thabi’s party tonight?”
“No, babe.”
Their friend Thabi Malebeni had just moved into her own house quite near the mall. She’d inherited the house, a car and a lot of money. Now she was having a house-warming party for all her friends.
“We’re getting a lift with Dom. He’s got a car, did you know? He’ll take us straight from work at half past five.”
Sipho didn’t want to think about being driven by the bastard who’d flirted with Karabo. He didn’t need him in his face. It was bad enough seeing him every day in the gaming shop next door. But at the same time, he wanted to see Thabi. She was a good friend of his and Karabo’s. And his friends Sim and Motso would be there – they were sharing her house with her.
“I think we should get her that set of serving dishes from Clicks. They’re about R135. Do you think you can put in half, and I’ll buy it after work?”
Sipho couldn’t look her in the eye. “Babes, I’m platsak. I’ve got nothing till pay day.”
He felt her stiffening. She sat up quickly. “Fine, then I’ll buy it with my money. I’ll have to go and draw it from the autobank.” She jumped up.
“Hey, what’s wrong? There’s still twenty minutes of lunch hour left.” He got up and chased after her as she stormed down the path towards the mall.
She was acting weird. Why was she getting angry all the time? Was she still angry about Lesego? Was she comparing him to Dominic all the time? If only she knew the truth about him.
She made straight for the Ladies’. “Hey, Karabo, can we talk about this?” he begged, as she reached the door of the toilets.
“There’s nothing to talk about. And you’re not allowed here. People will think you’re a pervert. Just go.”
Sipho saw the security guard approaching. He hurried off. I just wish I could tell her why I’ve got no money, he thought. Then she wouldn’t be upset with me.
It was almost closing time, and Sipho was cashing up. He just had time to feed the parrots and change before five-thirty. Suddenly his phone rang.
“I saw your internet advert on Gumtree for the Yellow Naped Amazon parrot. Is it still available?”
“Yes, it is available,” he said, trying not to let his voice show his excitement. “I’m at Liesbeek Mall. Would you like to come and see the bird?”
“I can be there by six-thirty.”
“Ma’am, is it possible that you can come tomorrow, in the morning, maybe?”
“No, it’s for my husband’s birthday. It’s tomorrow, and I want to surprise him.”
Oh no, he thought. That means I won’t be able to go to the party with Karabo. She isn’t going to understand if I’m late. But I need to sell Perry. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “You can come. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Just as he thought, Karabo was furious when she arrived at five-thirty. She stormed out of the pet shop, shouting, “Whenever I ask you to do something you always make an excuse. I’m sick of it. Don’t bother to come. You obviously don’t want to be with me!”
~•~
It was the first of February and at last Sipho had all the money to buy the necklace. He was just waiting till lunchtime so he could draw the last thousand rand needed from his salary, and then he’d run into Starlight Diamonds and pay the full amount he owed. He felt on top of the world. He couldn’t wait to see Karabo’s face when she opened the box and saw what he’d been saving for. She would know how much he loved her, and that he hoped to spend the rest of his life with her.
Karabo had been very cross with him for a few days after the party, snapping at everything he said. He couldn’t do anything right. But they’d spent this last weekend together. He’d taken her to the movies, and he let her choose a romantic chick flick, and he’d bought her a Coke and a slab and a big tub of popcorn. She had laughed at his jokes and been happy. The old fun-loving Karabo, who loved him, was back.
It was less than two weeks till Valentine’s Day. There was going to be a special celebration – a dance at their church hall. He’d bought tickets and he couldn’t wait to see her in her sexy, black, low-necked dress, with the necklace shining on her glistening skin. When she saw it she was going to know how deeply he loved her. The other girls would all be jealous when they saw how well her boyfriend treated her.
At one o’clock he was about to ask Mr Mahomed if he could take lunch when he saw the Gumtree lady come into the shop, carrying the cage. His heart sank. There in the cage was Perry, chirping away.
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
“Sorry, man,” the woman said. “I have to return the parrot. My husband is allergic to birds and we only found out just now. He’s had asthma since the day I bought him, and the doctor says we can’t have birds around the house. I’m sorry, hey.”
In disbelief, he stared at her. No, this couldn’t be happening. But it was.
He opened his wallet and gave her back the money he was about to spend on the necklace. He was back to square one.
There was only one thing to do – to repost the advertisement on Gumtree. Then he decided to advertise on Facebook too. None of his friends had that much money, but maybe they might know someone who would want to buy it.
It was ten days since he’d been on Facebook. The shop was quiet after lunch, so he spent a little while checking out his friends’ posts. Sim was having problems with his car again. Mzi had won two thousand on the Lotto, and he’d spent it all on clothes at Markham. Sira and Saida went to the Justin Bieber concert, and had their photos taken with him. And Motso had uploaded hundreds of photos from Thabi’s party.
He wished he could have been there. The house was awesome, and Thabi had gone to town with the food. She loved cooking. There were so many people there, dancing, and drinking and chatting around the little pool. Sim was braaing in the garden, which had a big tree and a swing. Wait – was that Karabo on the swing? But who was she cuddled up with?
He took another good look at it. The guy was Dominic. The gears of Sipho’s heart changed in a sudden jolt, and a rush of adrenalin ran through his veins. He flipped through all the photos. The rest were worse. They were dancing together, and he had his hand on her backside. Sipho felt sick. What was he going to do? The girl he loved the best in the world was slipping away from him, and there seemed to be nothing he could do.
~•~
It was three days until Valentine’s Day and Sipho was in the back room, washing the birds’ dishes. Perry was perched on his shoulder. “You’re growing up. Soon you’ll be learning to fly,” he said to the bird. “It’s a pity that I have to sell you, otherwise I would have loved to be the one to teach you how to fly. I’d have loved to keep you until you and me and Karabo are all old together. You could tell her every day how much we love her. But I have to sell you. I have to do it for Karabo. She means the world to me …”
He felt a sharp pain as he remembered the pictures that he had seen on Facebook. “What does Dominic have that I don’t?” he asked Perry. “I’m much better than that cheap bastard. Always showing off, and breaking girls’ hearts. And he’s always hanging around the bank flirting with her. Why can’t she see what he is really like?”
He finished the last dish, and opened the back door to throw the rubbish in the outside bin. It was one of those unusual summer evenings with dark grey skies.
A thunderous grumble broke out from the clouds. Perry gave a loud squawk and flapped his wings. Sipho tried to grab him, but the bird slipped out of his hand and flew out of the open door into the loading area.
“Perry!” Sipho shouted. “Perry!” He ran out into the loading zone. Big drops of rain were thundering onto the delivery lorries. People were rushing across the tar looking for shelter. A horn blared and he jumped out of the way of a lorry just in time. “Perry, Perry, come here. Perry …”
But the bird was gone.
He couldn’t chase after him now. First he had to lock up the shop. He hurried back inside. He took out his phone and dialled Karabo. “Babe, I’ve got a problem. Perry’s escaped. Can you come over?”
“Of course. I’ll just ask my boss if I can come and help you.”
He was desperate by the time Karabo arrived. Perry could be dead by now. Or stolen. They hurried out of the mall. “I think you should go and look in the park opposite,” she said. “There are so many trees there. He’s probably sitting in one. I’ll go inside and find some more people to come help us look.”
Sipho ran across the road, and began shouting again, “Perry, Perry! Where are you?” The park was full of huge ficus trees with thick, leafy branches. Perry could be hiding in any of them. The rain was pelting down, and the wind was getting stronger.
Karabo came running up behind him. “Babe, babe, did you find him yet?” She put her arms around him.
Sipho brushed her away. All he could think about was Perry getting cold and wet. He was just a baby. If he stayed out all night he’d probably die.
“Hey,” Karabo snapped. “Why did you push me away?”
“There’s no time to play lovey-dovey now. We have to find Perry.”
“It’s like you never have time for me any more. You’ve changed in recent days. If you don’t love me you should tell me.”
“Oh for God’s sake, Karabo, you know that I love you more than anything. But we have to find my bird now.” He couldn’t tell her he’d seen the photos of her and Dom together.
“Bird, bird, bird, bird. That’s all you think about. I may as well be invisible!” she shouted, then burst into tears.
Sipho was too busy peering into the trees to see her tears. He didn’t see Dom’s black Skyline come cruising past. And he didn’t see Karabo get into the car and drive off with him. By the time he looked around again, she was gone.
~•~
It was Valentine’s Day and Sipho was in the park again, searching for Perry. I’m never going to find him, he thought, searching each tree in turn. It was here, last summer, that he first met Karabo. She was sitting alone under the biggest ficus tree, wearing a bright pink floaty dress and he thought she looked like a rose, she was so pretty. He’d seen a guy selling ice creams, and he’d run up to him and bought two Magnums. He had felt a bit shy as he went up to her. Would she think he was a weird geek? But she hadn’t. He’d asked her out then and there. But that was long ago.
He still needed three thousand for the necklace, and he was prepared to do anything to show her how much he loved her.
At eight-thirty that morning Sipho was at Cash Converters. “This PlayStation is worth R2000,” Sipho said, pulling out the receipt from his carrier bag. He put the PlayStation on the counter. “And this wristwatch with a leather strap is worth R500, excluding the custom-make,” he added. “As for this painting … mxim, I don’t want to talk … the detail says it all.” His heart raced as he added them to the pile. Karabo had given him the watch for his birthday in November, and the painting had been her Christmas present to him. She’d asked an artist to paint it for him – it was a portrait of a Yellow Naped Amazon parrot in the Amazon forest, and he loved it. But he loved her more.
“R1500. For all,” the assistant said.
“You’re joking, right?”
“Next!” the man shouted.
“OK, just hold on,” Sipho said. “And with this customised slim leather folio case for a Lumia phone, as well as this Lumia Touch. How much?”
“R2500.”
“I’ll take it,” Sipho said, downhearted. It really hurt to let the painting go. The painting had been specially made for him, and there wasn’t another one like it in the world.
He still needed R500 – and a bit to live on. There was only one person who could help him.
Sipho turned to a public phone that was just around the corner from Cash Converters. He dialled Thabi’s number. “Hey, Thabi, it’s me, Sipho.”
“Hey. What a surprise.”
“I know,” Sipho said. “Eish, girl I need help … I’m desperate. Mr Mohamed is out on a sick leave and I am a bit low on cash … Could you please lend me a thousand?” Sipho felt bad phoning Thabi. He didn’t want Thabi to think he was a parasite. But she was the only person he could turn to.
“Shame. It’s hard to get over those Christmas debts, hey?” Thabi said. “Send me your banking details.”
“Thanks, Thabi,” Sipho said with tears standing in his eyes. “You’ve just proved to be my oxygen, again.”
At twelve-thirty Sipho was at the pet store. He just couldn’t wait for Karabo to arrive. The necklace was nestled in the heart-shaped velvet box, and he had bought a bunch of red roses too. He was so excited. After all the weeks of drama she was finally going to know that he loved her. She was going to be thrilled.
He hid behind the store-room door, peeping out, so he could jump out and surprise her.
Next moment, Karabo stormed in, shouting, “Sipho! Sipho! Come out, uphi? Damn it! What did I just see in Cash Converters?”
“What?” Sipho exclaimed, hiding the box behind his back.
“Your birthday gift!” Karabo said. “I was looking for a game for Lesego, and there was the watch I gave you. Do you have any idea how much that watch cost? And the painting? You just sold them, like you don’t care? Huh?”
“Ka-Ka-Karabo …” Sipho stuttered. Then something caught his eye.
What was she wearing? What the hell?! “That necklace – where did you get it?” Sipho pointed at the red necklace hanging round her neck.
“Dominic,” Karabo said. “Dominic bought it for me while you were busy looking for your stupid bird.”
Sipho gaped like a fish in a tank. He choked. But before he could say anything, Karabo had stormed out.
~•~
It was late afternoon. The shop was quiet. Sipho opened the red box. The necklace lay on the velvet in the shape of a heart, and he felt like he’d lost everything. He’d lost Perry, he was platsak, and the love of his life was going out with the world’s biggest loser.
He took a photo of the red necklace with Mr Mohamed’s iPad, and posted it on Gumtree.
For Sale. Paid R4500. Unworn, for sale R3000. Contact Sipho at Liesbeek Pet Store, Liesbeek Mall.
Hopefully I’ll be able to buy two parrots, Sipho thought. R3000 should be enough for two African Grey chicks to breed and sell.
He was in the back washing the bird dishes when he heard a voice shouting, “Service.”
“That can’t be Dominic,” Sipho mumbled under his breath. “He wouldn’t dare …”
“Godammit. Service!”
Sipho hurried into the shop. “Damn you, Dominic. Damn!” Sipho cursed. “You bastard! You still have the balls to show up here.”
“Ey yo, man, wad up?” Dominic wouldn’t look him in the face. “Yo, dude, get over it, you ain’t getting her back. It has been written in the stars – me and Karabo – dope forever.”
Sipho’s face turned blood red instantly. He glared at Dominic. “I’m warning you, bastard. Leave before I grind you to dust!”
“Ha! Ha! Ha! What damage can a feather like you do to me?” Dominic said, pushing Sipho with his shoulder. “You should consider stand-up comedy coz you freakin’ hilarious.”
I can’t hit him, Sipho thought. I’d give anything to smash his ugly face, but if I’m caught fighting here Mr Mohamed will fire me. Then I’ll have nothing.
“Look, it’s been a long day for me,” he said. “Please leave.”
“Why, dude? I’ve got the right to buy Karabo a bird in a store of my choice. Hoping they haven’t flapped away from you like Karabo did.”
Sipho exploded in rage. “You disgust me. Just leave! You ain’t buying shit here.” He grabbed the front of Dominic’s leather jacket.
“Why?” Dominic sneered. “You’re nothing. Just this morning Karabo told me I satisfy her in bed, and that you’ve got a pinkie-sized dick.”
Sipho grabbed Dom’s neck and choked him. Dominic jabbed him in the ribs. They fell against the row of bird cages, which clattered to the floor.
“I’m going to freakin’ kill you!” Sipho yelled. Dominic’s eyes were bulging and his veins were sticking out on his forehead.
“What exactly is going on here? You are behaving like animals. Let him go, Sipho!” Karabo’s hands were tugging at him.
Dominic thrashed out again. His hand caught Karabo’s necklace. The red flowers fell apart and clattered to the floor, leaving nothing but an empty chain on her neck.
“Now look what you’ve done!” she yelled.
Sipho let go of Dominic’s neck. He bent over to collect up the beads. He picked up one of the flowers. The paint was chipping off it. Underneath it was just plastic. Karabo saw it too.
“Hey, you told me this was real. You told me you paid six thousand for it at Starlight. It’s fong-kong rubbish.”
Dominic stood rubbing his neck. “So what? It looks real.”
“You don’t really care, right?” Karabo said. “Just get out.”
As Dominic wandered out, still rubbing his neck, the phone rang. “Liesbeek Pet Store,” Sipho said, picking up the receiver.
“Is that Sipho? This is Mrs Malleson from the vet. We have found your bird – one of our clients brought him in. She found him in a tree in her garden.”
Sipho couldn’t believe his ears. He did a little dance behind the counter. He gave a thumbs up to Karabo.
She squeezed behind the counter to give him a hug. Then she saw the Gumtree ad.
“You spent R4500 on my Valentine’s present?” she asked, amazed. “Have you still got it?”
“Sure.” He opened the desk drawer and pulled out the box.
“You’ve already broken one necklace today,” he said sternly. “Are you going to break this one too? I don’t know if you deserve an expensive present like this.”
“Shhh. Baby, I’m sorry,” Karabo said, putting her arms around him. “I was only flirting … to get your attention … You were so busy with your parrot all the time …”
“I’m sorry, baby. I was so busy trying to make the money that I forgot what really matters.” Sipho opened the box, and put the red coral necklace around her neck. Then he kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Sipho’sam,” Karabo said. “You are the greatest gift of all.”
Discussion questions
• Do you think Sipho was right to try to buy Karabo the necklace? Why or why not?
• What are the differences between Sipho and Dominic?
About the author
Mzimkhulu Mackenzie is 22 and lives in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. His poetry has been published on the FunDza Fanz section of the FunDza mobi network. Mzi worked intensively with his mentor, Helen Brain, to write ‘The red necklace’ and loved the process. It has inspired him to continue writing both fiction and non-fiction. Mzi’s dream is to study journalism.
Being a mentee …
I thought the process was fun. I really learned a lot from Helen about writing. I realised why we should encourage young people to read, and how it helps to develop your writing as well. The more I read the more ideas for writing I get.