#won injae

[ketso]

Episode 27

We are at Morafe’s house. Morafe is fighting with her sister, so we are only going to her home tomorrow - a day before the actual wedding. Her mother is upset about it, but thina we are more than enjoying being reunited again. And Morafe’s house is NICE!

When Senzi came to drop Wandi off, he took Keith back to his father’s house with him. He was here with that shady brother of his. He better not corrupt my man. Please! Wandi’s mom came by to take Mosetsana and Tshenolo. She promised she’d arrive early on the day of the wedding and drop them off. We believe and trust her because she is organising the fleet of cars that will take Morafe, the bridal party and Morafe’s family to the groom’s home. That’s her gift to Morafe and Thabang. So she has to get to Maja Perre early. Morafe is happy because she says at least her kids will be safe. Their ceremony to take on the Mothipa surname was yesterday. They even call Thabang “papa” now. I think Thabang is an incredible man. He married Morafe with her children. Morafe may still deny it, but I definitely believe that Thabang has won her over - Musa Mseleku vibes or not!

“Bassie! You already miss Keith?” Wandi says to me.

“No man. I’m just so happy to be reunited with you guys! And now the two of you are here? Wandi are you also moving to this place?” I ask her.

We all pay attention to her. Morafe’s youngest sister is here with us.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m so happy for Senzi. He is at peace and so happy being here with his dad and brothers. He has a crazy family, but he’s happy with them. I don’t want to take this away from him. If he decides that he wants to move here, I won’t stop him. Plus, my mom is here and she’s all boo-ed up!”

“With the chief leader nogal! Moholo Khotso Mohale kao fela”, Morafe.

“Clearly this is the land of rich men. I must drag Keith here because he’s blacklisted all over South Africa”, I say.

“By the crazy bitch?” Morafe.

“And her whole family”, me.

“Yoh! Askies babe”, Wandi.

“Yeah well.”

“Heh guys! Not lady Laura showing up at the Maphumulo house for drama at 1am!” Wandi.

We are already laughing!

“What did she want?” Morafe and I ask as we laugh ahead.

“Girl, she first phones me and shits on me. So Senzi shits on her for shitting on me”, Wandi.

“Standard procedure”, Morafe.

“Then, this woman bangs on the house door, demanding to take her child with her. Next thing, girl is throwing vague but suspicious accusations about Senzi’s dad. Then she comes at the stepmother.” Wandi.

“WHAT?! IN HER OWN HOUSE?!” Morafe.

I’m just in stitches. I’m barely coming up for her.

“LALELA! Kanti Mam’Refiloe is ready to be a bitch too. Lady Laura azame impama to Mrs Maphumulo wena!”

“HAAAA!” We all say, including Meme.

“Stru! Mam’Refiloe athi ubani? Uyang’nyela! Wabamba lesandla, wahudula inja and physically threw her out of the house! When she was done, she faced her husband wathi angiphinde ngi-deal-e nabo-baby mama bakho wena! Akulalwe!”

Now we are all shocked.

“And Senzi?! How did he take that?” Me.

“We had sex and went to sleep”, Wandi.

We all look at each other.

We burst into laughter!

“And then wena? Mrs Mothipa to be… how are the relations with the other wives?” Wandi asks Morafe.

“Girl! The first wife is very difficult to read. She’s just there. She smiles when everyone is looking. She’s off when nobody is looking. She seems to be supportive of the marriage and she’s the one who gave her permission for it to happen, but I don’t know. Her aura is… very… sad. Nkare she doesn’t even want to be married to Thabang and she just doesn’t want to be bothered with anything that comes with being Thabang’s first wife.” Morafe tells us.

“Yoh… I thought the worst thing that could happen is her hating you. This sounds… ‘still water runs deep’ vibes. What is she like with you?” Me.

“Girl, I don’t know. Akere the kids and I had to spend a night at her house beginning of the week. There was a whole thing about her welcoming me into the family. She was trying too hard to be nice that she came off stand-off-ish nje. Even my kids said that she’s very weird. Her kids loved my kids though. They all played together and even ‘camped’ together watching movies. Then the lady told Thabang to sleep with me in the guest bedroom and not with her. She said it politely, but I was instantly scared for my kids. I thought she was planning to do something to them. I was even too scared to have sex with Thabang that night and Thabang was just so horny. Yoh.”

We giggle. But we cannot laugh too hard. This is too… weird and serious.

“But we all came back safe. This weekend is happening. The second wife is the nut case.” Morafe.

Now that changed quickly. We are already laughing.

“She’s obsessed with attention that one. When I’m with Thabang, she phones every flippen second asking for something or complaining about something - complaining about me mostly. She has a problem with Thabang being my husband nje. She tried to turn everyone in the family against me before they even met me. Now she’s angry at the whole family for not being nasty towards me. She told her children that my kids are not their siblings.”

“HAI WENA!” Wandi.

“BATHUNG! SHE’S EVEN INVOLVING KIDS IN THIS?!” Me.

“Yoh wena! Her kids even asked Mosetsana and Tshenolo if they were their father’s children.” Morafe.

You can just see the hurt on Meme’s face. It’s as if it happened to her.

“How did they take it?” Me.

“Mosetsana just said that Thabang is her dad. And until he tells her otherwise, no one can take that away from her. The kids were confused because shame, ke bana. One is three and the other is two. Apparently, the mother told them that the first wife uses muthi so they mustn’t trust her and that her kids are not their siblings.”

Yaz we are in disbelief.

“Thabang calls her the straatmaid.” Morafe.

“Ke straatmaid vele”, Meme says.

We all look at her. Then we just laugh.

We spend the rest of the evening chatting and catching up. We actually go to sleep after 2am. And the only reason that we are going to sleep is because Meme reminded us that we are driving ourselves to Maja Perre and that drive is long.

…

Next morning. 7am.

We are packing the last bag into Morafe’s car when Thabang walks into the house.

“Hey baby”, Morafe greets him and kisses him.

Wandi and I smile and look at him. He’s actually VERY handsome.

“Love, are you guys ready to leave? Ladies.” Thabang, acknowledging us right there even.

“You are driving with us?” Morafe asks her.

“Ja. I’ll drive you guys there. I also have to go to Dithabeng as well. And I have to make sure that my bride is there. I’m not taking any chances.” Thabang ucute jwang!

“Thank you, baby. And we are so exhausted vele. Yoh! We slept late.” Morafe.

He laughs at us.

“Let me make you breakfast at least then we can go.” Morafe.

“Okay baby”, he says then kisses her.

We are all actually doing something in here, preparing the breakfast fit for a king… all for the groom.

“I wonder if our men have eaten nje ngoba siphekela indoda kaMorafe”, Wandi says.

I reply and say, “I wonder who is cooking for them yaz. Morafe out here ka pressure ekana.”

Morafe then says, “Listen here… I’m trying to be the Thobile MaKhumalo Mseleku in this marriage, okay. I’m trying to be the favourite! Please, just help me get there. Y’all are the only wives your men have. You don’t have my kind of problems.”

We all just laugh at that response. Wow!

The drive to Maja Perre was very long. Wandi, Meme and I passed out while Thabang and Morafe were chatting away the whole way there. Morafe’s car is very comfortable, yoh.

But we finally arrive and yerrr, the yard is already festive. The tent is up. People are drinking. People are just merry nje. We head inside. Thabang leaves with Morafe’s car. He’s not even allowed to set foot into the yard.

We get settled inside. Wandi says she’s quickly phoning Senzi. So, I decide to phone Keith.

…

“Hey baby”, I answer my phone.

“Where are you? You sound like you are partying so strong”, Bassie says. No hi. No checking in on how I slept. She’s just focused on the noise around me and instantly believes I’m at a party. Women!

“We are in the car. I don’t know where Ntuthuko is taking us”, I tell her.

“Keith Nkuna! You better not be getting familiar with Tholoana Kingdom stock”, she threatens me.

I actually laugh. She’s so cute when she’s jealous.

“Even if I were getting familiar, baby. Come on now, there’s only one Basetsana for me. The mother of my son. The love of my life. We’ve both tried life with other people and it never worked. You and I are for the history books, my love.” I say.

The guys in the car literally turn the volume down and focus on my conversation. Senzi is sitting next to me at the back and he’s now staring at me. Ntuthuko is driving and he keeps stealing looks at me in the rear-view mirror. Khabane is on the front passenger seat and he has physically turned around and is staring at me.

Bassie is giggling over the phone.

“How are you, love? Are you guys in Maja Perre yet?” I ask her.

“Yeah, we are here. And it’s so full. It’s loud. It’s busy. We want to sleep, but we can already see that’s not going to be a feasible option. Thabang didn’t even come in when he dropped us off.” She tells me.

“Oh, he’s the one that took you guys there?” Me.

“Yeah. It turns out that he hadn’t left neither. So, we all drove down together. Wandi and I managed to sleep in the car. Morafe had to keep her Musa Mseleku occupied.”

I actually laugh. The guys in here laugh too. I think they heard that. She’s not even on speaker. My phone must be quite loud.

“How far are you guys?” She asks me.

“Some guys are getting their suits and last-minute travel things. They got us barbers for fresh trims in the morning. The barbers are already at the lodge that we will be staying at. We should leave this side for our lodge in the next three hours. We want to get some rest. Apparently, we have to be at Wandi’s home to leave with you guys at 8am.” Me.

“Yeah. We are doing glam and hair at 6am. Our dresses are arriving in the next hour. So yes, be here at 8am.” She says.

“Babe, you are coming back with me to the lodge when we leave the wedding, right?” Me. I have to have sex tomorrow. Come on!

She laughs and says, “Yes Keith, I am. Morafe will be sleeping over at her in-laws from tomorrow. We will just go and see her before we drive back to South Africa.”

“Okay good.”

“Did you check in on Risuna?”

“I did. Your mom says he’s great. She was telling me that they are going to some hotel for some child’s birthday party.” I tell her.

“Ja. It’s Themba’s child’s birthday. Remember Themba? He stays two streets away from us.” She explains to me.

“How old is the child turning and why must the party be at a hotel?” I ask her. She knows all this information mos.

“It’s more for the gogos. Themba still lives with his mom. His mom is in the same stokvel as our mothers. Themba’s mom invited her entire stokvel and their grandchildren. The hotel has swings and jungle gyms and fun stuff for kids. His kid is turning one.”

“First of all, Risuna is not even one. And that child can be very grumpy, so he will make both our mothers quite irritated. Secondly, even the party kid self won’t have fun. That kid will probably be freaked out and angry with everyone having fun at its expense. And thirdly, my mom just made me send her three thousand rands for a gift from Risuna. Kanti it’s a party for a one-year-old? I’m not comfortable with this. Both our mothers drink a bit. Risuna cannot be unsupervised.”

She’s laughing at how much I’m complaining. Even these guys in this car I’m in are laughing.

Then she says, “Keith, mzala is there. I spoke to her. She promised me that she will be looking after Risuna the whole time and she won’t touch alcohol. I promised her two thousand rands. She more than accepted it. I’m actually considering her as Rosina’s nanny hey. She’s unemployed and she needs the money. She will work weekends because Risuna is at crèche during the week. If mzala is his nanny, then we can take Risuna everywhere with us.”

I actually like this idea. Mzala’s tongue is just inappropriate sometimes, but I can live with her being my son’s weekend nanny.

“I’m in complete support of that, baby. Speak to her. I really am happy for her to help us with Risuna. Because these weird parties our boy has to attend with his grannies unsettle me. But I’ll keep checking in today. So don’t worry. Apparently, Masingita is at my mom’s place. She’s been there since Michael left her to live with his baby-mama and kid. So, she’s also going to be at that party thing with her kids. I hope she’s too depressed to drink as well.” I say.

“Ja eish, she phoned me.”

I don’t understand.

“Basetsana, you don’t need to be getting yourself acquainted with Masingita.” Me.

The gents stop playing with their cellphones and look at me again.

“Why? Your brother is the one cheating on her.” Bassie.

“That child that she’s had my brother raising all these years is not his child. He left because he found out that while he was abandoning his blood trying to respect his wife, she had him raising another man’s child… to the extent that she was even brave enough to give that child the Nkuna surname.”

“Yoh!” The gents in the car all say.

Eish. I can’t even gossip with my girl right now.

“Keith, are you serious? Does she know that Michael knows?” Bassie asks me.

“I don’t know. But please, you don’t need that kind of influence in your life. We meet with the family next week. Until then, she must live with what she’s done. And now that I think about it, my mom probably asked me for the three thousand rands to cover her child too in the gift for that Themba’s child. Nx! I want my money back.”

“Keith, don’t be so petty. Hai bo. Just let the kids have fun. The child did nothing wrong and your mother is not going to punish that kid because of its mother.”

“My mother probably doesn’t know that’s not her grandchild”, me.

“Eh!” These guys are going to annoy me now.

“Listen baby, we will chat later, okay? I’ll have my phone on me at all times. Just give me a shout when you can talk. I’m sure your environment is more hectic than mine.” Me.

“Okay baby. I love you.”

“I love you, gorgeous. Bye.”

“Bye”.

I hang up.

The gents look at me.

“What?!” Me.

“Ndoda, is your brother okay?” Ntuthuko is so concerned.

“Not at all. Now his wife is playing my mom. She’s even phoning Bassie now. For what? She mustn’t drag Bassie in her nonsense.” I say.

“Abafazi! Yerrrr! Yiko bathi la bantu bafa bazi! I’m scared of those people.” Ntuthuko.

“So, Tamia is a no?” Senzi. I guess he’s trying to shift the focus.

“Hai ndoda, yini manje?” Ntuthuko.

“Who’s Tamia?” Khabane asks.

“A friend to Wandi, Bassie and Morafe. She’s nice.” Senzi.

“Oh Tamia? Tamia Khumalo?” Me.

“The one and only.” Senzi.

“Is she nice?” Khabane.

“She is shame. Ey, but she has bad luck with men. Yoh.” Me.

“They told you too?” Senzi. Then he and I laugh.

“What do you mean? What bad luck?” Khabane.

“She just ends up with men that don’t know what to do with her. She’s an established company law professional - internationally recognised. And she works for giants. So, these men either don’t understand that about her or they cannot stand that about her. They either serially cheat on her or they beat the shit out of her.” I say.

“Damn.” Khabane.

“And she owns some multi-billion-rand business with her father. She comes from a rich family, and she is creating her own wealth while she’s at it. She’s not even thirty years old yet”, Senzi.

“At least we know that she won’t be around just for Ntuthuko’s money like all his other baby-mamas." Khabane.

"Those women milked me dry when I was still fucking them, and they are still milking me dry now because of those kids we made. Yerrr!” Ntuthuko.

“But then you must know, ndoda, that shit will change when you commit to another woman”, Khabane.

“Especially one like Tamia who knows how to make money and grow that money. She’s not going to be okay with money just leaving the house – especially to other women”, Senzi.

“But they have my kids. I cannot be the kind of father that does not support his children”, Ntuthuko.

“The good news is that Tamia is a woman and she knows when a woman is playing a man. If this is what these women are doing, their party is almost over if you intend on pursuing Tamia. And Tamia can roll with the best of them. I don’t doubt for a minute that she will make sure that your kids are good. The change is that your kids will be great – always. Your baby-mamas are about to wave their gravy-train goodbye.” Me.

There is silence in the car. Ntuthuko seems to be really thinking about this. I think he didn’t quite think this through.

“You know, Wandi told me last night that Tamia is landing in Tholoana Kingdom today. So, after we sort out our suits, we have to fetch her from the airport and drive down to Maja Perre with her.” Senzi.

Khabane and I start laughing. Ntuthuko is now nervous all of a sudden… quiet even.

“Maybe she’s your one”, Khabane says to Ntuthuko, teasing him almost.

“Hai ndoda. Eish mahn.” Ntuthuko is out here behaving like a little girl.

We all actually laugh at him.

We arrive at some mall then get out of the car. We walk in and guys buy their suits. Some are collecting suits that were designed and made for them. I just buy shoes because I forgot my shoes at home. Bassie packed for me and the shoes she packed, she decided she doesn’t like them when she took a second look at my outfit when we arrived in Tholoana Kingdom. Now she’s instructed me to go buy new shoes. I want peace, so I’ll do as I’m told.

Khabane’s wife arrives with three mini versions of Khabane. Two of these kids sprint to their father. He just kneels down and pulls them all into a hug. The young one is in a stroller - the stroller accommodates two kids. So, I’m guessing one of the runners has a reserved seat there in that stroller.

“Are you guys good for your mom?” He asks them.

“Yes.” They say.

“Can I ask her?” Khabane.

They nod their heads.

“My love, have they been good?” Khabane.

The wife pretends to think hard about it.

“Mommy, we were good. Tell daddy.” They say.

She just laughs. So does he.

He gets up from the ground and greets his wife.

I instantly miss my son and girlfriend. He has me feeling like I should marry Bassie and have another kid with her. They are such a beautiful family.

By the time that we are done with this shopping, we go to some restaurant to eat. We find all these other guys here, eating already. Yerrr… there are too many people here. But we all greet each other, and I re-learn all these people’s names again.

Banathi and Mnqobi - brothers.

Reahile and Mohato - brothers.

Khabane.

Ntuthuko and Senzi - brothers.

Mohale and Tholoana - brothers. Tholoana is even Wandi’s VERY distant brother.

Then there’s me.

All their wives are also here. Apparently, the lodge that we are going to is completely booked out and reserved just for us. Yoh, I could get used to this life. I like living soft. This is a soft life.

Now we are all discussing who’s riding with who.

“No guys, I got kazi to let us use one of the NIR tour busses. We will all fit. It’s comfortable, even has seats that recline into beds so we can sleep because yerrr that road is long.” Khanyisa says.

We all celebrate! Nobody wanted to drive. Nobody.

“So, the bus is at Bane’s parents’ house. Bane’s mom just phoned me to confirm that it has arrived. The drivers have all been screened, they have signed an NDA and are taking a nap now so they can drive us there as soon as we are ready. I spoke to Wandi as well. She told me we have to pick someone up from the airport.” Khanyisa.

“Ja, we will pick her up then meet you guys at Bane’s parents’ place.” Ntuthuko says. Senzi and I just laugh.

“When are our parents driving down?” Banathi asks.

“Kazi sent two tour buses. One is for us and one is for them because they are driving down with the kids and their nannies. The kids will stay with their nannies at the lodge when we attend the wedding.” Khanyisa.

These people have money. I mean… WTF?!

And they are chatting about this like it’s nothing.

“My dad says he’s not looking after anyone’s kids. He says he raised his own.” Banathi says.

His girlfriend just laughs. They have two kids together, I think. Mnqobi has one kid.

“The kids are all going with their grandparents. Their tour bus has car seats and is more child friendly. Ours doesn’t.” Khanyisa.

“Knowing my dad, he will say we must swop buses. He’s very capable.” Mnqobi.

We all actually laugh at this.

But we eat up, drink up… someone settles the bill - I don’t know who. They are so rich, it’s not even a discussion. Someone just swiped their card and we are all now leaving full. Yoh! Why were some of us born from the wrong parents?

Khabane drove back with his wife and kids. Senzi is still sitting at the back with me because Ntuthuko told us that the front seat is now reserved for Tamia.

We get to the airport and Senzi is the one who goes out to get her. We are at drop off and pick up, so if we leave the car unattended, we will get fined. Then there’s also the fact that Ntuthuko refuses to pay for parking. These people have money. I don’t understand why Ntuthuko refuses to pay for anything, but when a baby-mama calls, he releases cash – no problem!

We see Senzi walking towards the car with Tamia. He’s holding her bags and they are chatting.

“Yerrr!” Ntuthuko says.

“What now?!” Me.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I’d date someone like that? She looks like she’s just walked out of a movie or a music video. I don’t even have wet dreams about girls that look like her.”

I’m actually in stitches. Tamia is beautiful. She really is. But come on man, I wouldn’t rate her as the most beautiful girl in the world to the extent that I wouldn’t imagine myself incapable of dating her.

Senzi puts her bags in the boot. Then he opens the front door for her.

“Thanks, Senzi”, she says. She’s also very polite.

Senzi comes back to the backseat to sit with me.

“Hey Keith. You good?” She greets me.

“I’m good. How was your flight?” Me.

“It was good. I’m just bushed. I went to the airport straight from work. I’m hoping I’ll be able to change before the long drive.” She says.

“Ja sho.” Ntuthuko responds.

Ai. We shall keep quiet then.

“Tamia”, she introduces herself.

“Ntuthuko. Ngiyajabula ukwazana nawe, sisi.”

“Likewise.” Tamia.

The drive to Khabane’s parents’ place is just Tamia and Ntuthuko chatting. They are actually making each other laugh. Ntuthuko is actually Tamia’s type. She likes them thuggish and somewhere between the unofficial employment spectra. I don’t know what it is about office men that puts her off. I’m not surprised that they’ve hit it off so well.

We finally get to the place, and we seem to be the last to arrive. That’s because Ntuthuko decided to flex – after deciding that he didn’t want to pay for airport parking of course. We stopped at a mall, and he gave Tamia his card to buy whatever she wanted so she could change out of her suit and heels and be comfortable. The weather started to become cloudy and drizzly while we were at the mall. While Ntuthuko smoked outside, Senzi and talking to him, Tamia was in the mall enjoying his card… the same card that he complains about, saying that he might as well put his baby mamas’ names on it because “isebenza bona.” Now while Tamia was shopping, he was telling us that if she becomes his girlfriend, he will open a second bank account and it will be just for Tamia. Heh!

Tamia walked out of the mall dressed in a Jordan tracksuit and oNomdayi sneakers. She even had slippers in a paper bag for when we are on the travel bus. She also bought other stuff. Ntuthuko received her in a hug, put her things in the boot and we came here.

I’m already texting Bassie about this. I noticed Senzi texting Wandi too. This is actually funny.

The bus ride is chilled. With the rain pouring and a sudden cold breeze already just taking over, people are cuddled with their partner and seats are already reclined into bed positions. Senzi and I are sitting together - not cuddling or anything - because we are the only ones without dates. Even Ntuthuko is within Tamia. The first two hours of this bus ride, everyone was asking Senzi and I about Tamia and Ntuthuko. We gossiped, laughed about it and all. Now we are all dozing off because this really is a nice bus ride. Like I said, I could get used to this life.

Before I shut my eyes and sleep for the rest of the trip, I phone my mom to check in on my son.

She tells me that Risuna is fine. He apparently was very active today. But mzala was nice with him, taking him on the swing and riding with him. Apparently, he was passed out by 7pm. When they got home, they bathed him and it was war. I told her that he’s also like that with Bassie, so they mustn’t take it personally. But he is now out like a light. He is over at Bassie’s mom’s place. My mom stayed there until he was asleep.

After we hang up, I dial Bassie.

She answers. I was honestly taking chances, but now that she answers, she can keep me company a bit.

There’s so much noise and singing happening wherever she is.

“Isn’t it raining there?” I ask her.

“It is. But do you think these people care? It’s free food. Free booze. And a free vibe. It’s a whole event before the wedding. We are in the bedroom now getting our weave strips planted. So tomorrow, we will just simply style our hair.”

Whatever that means.

“We are on the road now. We are in a tour bus. People are dozing off.” I tell her.

“I heard that you guys are travelling first class. Must be so nice!” She says.

I just laugh. I don’t comment because I cannot act like I’m new at this around the people who are surrounding me right now. Noria and I had money. Lots of it. But I don’t think it came close to what these people call money.

We chat a bit then Bassie has to go. So, I release her from the call.

I finally sleep.

We arrive at the lodge just after 2am. We are all given keys to rooms. I’m in a room alone because from tomorrow, Bassie will be here with me. I think we leave day after tomorrow. Again, I don’t know who paid for all of this. But I didn’t take out a cent. I’m beginning to feel like a leach hey. Senzi is also sleeping alone. Wandi will join him tomorrow. Tamia has her own room and Ntuthuko has his own room. But we don’t know if one of them gave up their rooms to spend the night in the other’s room. Honestly, I don’t care. I just get into my room, lock my door, put my bags somewhere close, undress myself and just plan to pass out. I’ll deal with everything else tomorrow. I text Bassie to let her know that we are now at the lodge. She actually phones me. Yoh, they are still awake.

“Baby”, I answer my phone.

“I think we are coming to sleep at the lodge.” She says.

“Why?”

“Please send me a pin of your location. I’ll explain when we get there.”

“Okay babe.”

We hang up.

I send her the pin.

Senzi knocks on my door. I know it’s him because he knocks then says, “Keith, are you awake?”

I wear shorts and a t-shirt then open for him.

It’s fucken raining out here.

“The ladies are coming”, he says as he walks in.

“Yeah. Bassie just told me. But she didn’t tell me what happened.”

“Apparently, Morafe and her older sister got into one hell of a fight and the sister was taken away by cops.”

“Isn’t the wedding tomorrow?” Me.

“It gets worse. The sister burned Morafe’s wedding dresses. All of them. She can’t even sleep in her room. The sister burned shit in there and now it’s a mess. Morafe is in a state. Thabang is bringing them.”

“Is the sister mentally disturbed or something?”

He shrugs his shoulders.

I get a call from Bassie. This place is about five minutes away from makoti’s home.

Senzi and I walk together to the gate to fetch them after Bassie tells me that they are here.

Yerrr!

Thabang also decides that he’s sleeping here with Morafe because she’s in a state. I’ve never seen her like this. Thabang asks us for space, and we give it to them. They are in Tamia’s room, so I guess we all know where Tamia is right now. She literally just gave us a key and went back to sleep. Ja neh.

But honestly, I’m worried about what the bride will wear at her own wedding TOMORROW!

[kneeling4loki]

The Meanest person in the world is unhappy

But so is the nicest person

~Don't be so kind you forget to be clever~

Isn't it funny though, how even if you're the nicest person in the world you'd be unhappy but if you're the meanest, it's because you're unhappy.

#zuko #han jipyeong #series of unfortunate events #startup #avatar the last airbender #squid game #ali abdul #loki #loki laufeyson #adam groff #sex ed season 3 #sex education #won injae #maleficent #steve harrington #stranger things #taylor swift #evermore #nice stuff #cassie #euphoria #philosophy #cassie howard #marvel #psychology #violet baudelaire #books #books and literature #character development #comfort character

[shiny-alpaca7991]

Rewriting Startup cause I loved the concept of the show but the way events turned out left me disappointed and unfulfilled.

- I'd change the entire dynamic of the love triangle and have it pretty much resolved by ep 10

- Han Jipyeong wouldn't be interested in Dal Mi romantically. He's more of an older brother type figure here who cares about Dal Mi mostly cause of his connection with her grandmother and he knows what she's been through. He still gets Dosan to pretend like he wrote the letters but it's more cause he's overprotective and doesn't want halmoni or Dal Mi to get hurt.

- Dosan and Han Ji pyeong would also develop a brotherly relationship where on one hand Han Ji pyeong thinks Dosan is an idiot and not good enough for Dal Mi but on the other hand he's also Samsan tech's mentor and wants them to succeed. He'll still be super harsh on the guys but there'll also be a lot of funny moments where he tries help Dosan seem more put together.

- The truth would be revealed at around ep 7. Dal Mi would be really confused about her feelings cause she thinks Dosan from the letters is her destiny but the real Dosan cares about her so much and they've shared so many moments together.

- She talks about destiny with Han Ji pyeong and he helps her realize that she loves Dosan. However, just before she has the chance to give in to her feelings the 2STO deal happens. Dal Mi breaks up with Dosan so he can chase his dreams but he thinks that she doesn't like him because she loves Dosan from the letters.

- Instead of competing as a love interest, I'd have Han Ji pyeong be a sort of mentor/ guardian angel in Dal Mi's life. He's someone she goes to for professional and personal advice. He's also someone who watches over Dal Mi and halmoni and finds a sense of family in them.

- The three year skip would start from ep 11. The characters would have more growth than what's shown in the actual drama. We'll see Dal Mi and Dosan fall in love again. They'll address issues they've had in the past and actually talk about Dosan's issues with violence and his whole inferiority complex.

- Han ji pyeong would be coupled with In Jae. In Jae is on a higher level professionally than Dal Mi. I always thought she and Jim Pyeong would make a good couple.

- We see in the first episode that Ji pyeong and In Jae already knew each other before Ji pyeong followed Dal Mi and halmoni. I'd have them have a semi flirty relationship from the beginning of the show. As in they aren't officially together but they have fun together whenever In Jae is in Korea.

- The whole letters fiasco could have also brought complications to their relationship and brought out In Jae's competitive edge.

- We could also see some nice couple's conflict between In Jae and Ji Pyeong where she's like who's side are you on mine or my sisters?

- I got the sense that In Jae has always grown up feeling alone. Her parents always fought and her sister was younger so she grew up feeling like she had no one to rely on in her family.

- I'd love a scene with her and Ji pyeong regarding the sand and the girl on the swing. I feel like that moment meant more to In Jae than it did to Dal Mi. As though she wished her dad had done that for her as well.

- there could be a scene where Ji Pyeong tells In Jae not to feel alone cause he is here to put sand beneath her swing. He could also help In Jae eventually reconnect with her grandmother.

- I'd also add more scenes of In Jae and Dal Mi Bondi and being the best sisters.

- everything else would be pretty much as it was in the show.

#startup #Netflix #han ji pyeong #seo dal mi #nam do san #kim seon ho #bae suzy #nam joo hyuk #won injae #kang han na

[sseureki]

thank you for bringing the sisters together!

#startupedit #tvn start up #start up #seo dal mi #seo dalmi #won in jae #han ji pyeong #han jipyeong #won injae #its always his advice #thats the right move #everyone else is wrong always #he brought my sisters together indirectly king of all kings

[scripturiends]

lovers in the night, strangers in the light

Read on ao3

Summary: Seo Injae doesn't like the nosy Han Jipyeong, not until the moment she needed him to meddle.

Rating: T

Word count: 1440

Notes: Title taken from Seori's 'Lovers In The Night': “We could be lovers in the night, we could be strangers in the light, if it's going too fast for you.”

~

I've been a fan of Start-Up since it came out, and got hooked with Injae and Jipyeong after their lone scene together in the finale ㅜㅜ So much chemistry and potential that was only saved for a 30-second scene :( In any case, I wrote a self-indulgent fic a few months back for a friend; it was barely 500 words until I patched it up recently to publish here and on ao3, after being a silent reader of Jinjae fics for so long.

Despite the brevity and straightforwardness of the fic, I hope you enjoy! The fic is under the cut. All mistakes are mine.

At the networking party, Seo – formerly Won – Injae looked visibly uncomfortable conversing with the foreign investor whose hands were getting a little too frisky. She shied at the man's touch, turning away to flinch, but at his beck and call, returned just as quickly, beaming from ear-to-ear like she was never bothered in the first place.

Anyone who knew her would be able to tell that she was faking it.

Han Jipyeong watched from afar, blood boiling at the sight before him. While his instincts were to go after her rescue, the better part of his conscience resisted. After all, it was his meddling that got him tangled up in the long and messy thread of Seo Dalmi and Nam Dosan to begin with, and he's gone through far too much for far too long to wish that misery upon himself a second time. Jipyeong isn't getting any younger, and the true test of maturity, he believes, is to learn when to turn a blind eye.

But he can't stand seeing anybody being touched without their consent. No matter how "normal" this is supposed to be in their line of work, he could never get used to it. And if he himself can't get used to it, how could he expect Injae to?

He shouldn't go after Injae, at least not in the way he's planning to. In the milliseconds passing by, his head tells his feet to stay planted on the ground.

They don't listen.

The moment the foreigner let go of Injae to take a sip of his champagne, Jipyeong was there in a flash, placing a hand gingerly around her waist. She yelped lightly, but seemed to catch on quick: her shoulders stiffened, only for a split second, before completely losing tension at the sight of the blond European man who witnessed the brazen display of affection between the two.

Injae sank into Jipyeong's touch, offering a silent nod of acknowledgment at him. Her dimples protruded as she looked up at her beau for the night, with Jipyeong's own smile following suit. He could swear it was like looking into a mirror.

Then, knowing the businessman couldn't speak their language, she muttered through gritted teeth, "Are you always this nosy?"

Injae's laugh was thick like honey, trying to mask the sharpness of the thinly veiled remark she directed at Jipyeong. It almost scared him just how well she could fake her emotions.

But two can play at that game.

Jipyeong switched his grip from Injae's waist to her shoulder, rubbing circles around it with his thumb. "You can let go if you don't need my help," he whispered.

If Injae was annoyed, she didn't show it, at least not in front of anybody. Instead, she grabbed Jipyeong's hand, intertwined it with hers, and didn't let go the entire night.

—

Walking out of the noise-filled venue, Injae's blurred purple vision clears, not that there's much to be seen in the dark anyway. One lonely light envelops the otherwise empty entrance, and all she hears at the moment are the cicadas in the night, and the footsteps of somebody following closely behind her. Steam comes out of her mouth as she sighs, realizing how cold it actually is in her sleeveless evening gown.

She had finally let go of Jipyeong's hand, but his suit jacket was wrapped around her body, hugging her exposed shoulders warmly.

"Just so you know, I didn't enjoy a single second of that," Injae snipped.

"Okay," Jipyeong allows, voice tone a little higher than it usually is, indicating that he's not the slightest bit convinced. He's mocking her. Injae almost snarls at him for being so nonchalant about this, for being so cocky, for having the audacity to be amused at the thought of getting her flustered.

But the truth is, she is somehow thankful. Mostly relieved, that out of everybody who could have stepped in, it was him – somebody she already respects, and definitely someone she could even learn to trust, in time.

While they're co-workers at Sandbox, they're also, in some weird unprecedented way, family. Jipyeong was closer to Injae's own grandmother than she was, but it was never an issue for her. In fact, she's glad there's someone to fill her shoes in all the years she was an absentee granddaughter. She's making up for all the time lost now, and as she navigates her way through a normal life with her real family, Jipyeong is present for those moments too.

They don't talk, not as often as they do with Dalmi separately, but they're civil. Because of that, Injae knows Jipyeong did this out of genuine concern for her.

If it were anybody else, she definitely would have caused a scene.

Injae's valet arrives, and the pair made their separate ways. Without so much as a goodbye, there was a quiet agreement between the two of them to forget all about this little roleplay.

—

The next few days at work were relatively uneventful for Jipyeong, and he doesn't know why he's disappointed.

He half-expected and half-hoped to run into Injae somehow, to feel the same rush that he did during that night, despite the promise that they would never bring it up again. He couldn't even bask in the awkwardness like the masochist that he is, because he never saw her within those days, not even once.

Is she avoiding me? he wondered. And for the better part of those seemingly dead-end days at the office, that was all he could think about.

It wasn't until Injae came running to him the next morning that he realized she wasn't.

"Han Jipyeong!" she called, but he didn't budge. Finally catching up to him, Injae said his name again, this time much more loudly, pulling on his suit before he could even take another step.

Jipyeong turned around, shocked that Injae was even there.

She was out of breath, and he was half-asleep. All-in-all, not a good combination.

Injae cut to the chase. "Dalmi is setting me up with someone," she complained, sounding restless. She's a woman who wastes no time, indeed. With those words hanging in the air, Jipyeong finally had a vague idea as to why she was blocking him in the middle of Sandbox's footbridge.

And that woke him up better than Youngsil ever could.

"I thought you hated me," he quipped, crossing his arms. He's testing the waters.

"I don't hate you," Injae pressed, "I hate that you're intrusive."

Then, she rattled off, "I can usually handle things like this on my own, but Dalmi hasn't stopped with this nonsense and she has been very candid that she has no plans on stopping until she finds the 'perfect guy' for me. I already have enough on my plate as it is, and – "

Injae bit her lip and sighed, embarrassed at the admission of defeat.

Jipyeong finds it endearing.

"Just one day," she begged, eyes sparkling up at Jipyeong. It was the one striking feature that the Seo sisters shared, and he softened once he locked eyes with the older sibling.

He didn't know what else to say, except that he was definitely flattered that Injae thinks Dalmi would stop meddling in her sister's affairs if she presented Jipyeong as her boyfriend.

Boyfriend, he repeated in his head. Seo Injae's boyfriend. It may be an act, but it's rolling off the tongue better than he imagined. He breathed an amused smile to himself, which Injae definitely caught.

She blinked at him with doe eyes as he offered his hand, probably astonished by the fact that her plan (which was barely even a plan, Jipyeong thought. She could at least have given him a pitch) actually worked, but she firmly took the invitation anyway.

They walked to the office in silence hand-in-hand, which, in retrospect, they didn't actually need to do. Jipyeong could try to deceive himself with a rational explanation: maybe they were practicing. Maybe Injae was just excited and got carried away.

Were they still pretending? He didn't care.

What Injae didn't know was that Jipyeong would have dived in headfirst with this crazy plan in a heartbeat, that the way he felt with her at that party was like an itch he couldn't scratch, that he was just waiting for an opening to feel that way again.

What Injae didn't know was that if even if she didn't ask first, Jipyeong would have interrupted her date anyway.

"Hold your head up," he told her in the elevator, his hand still tightly intertwined with hers. "And remember: you can let go if you don't need me anymore."

She didn't.

~

Send me your thoughts here!

#tvn start up #jinjae #start-up #jipyeong x injae #fics #mine #han jipyeong #han ji pyeong #won injae #won in jae #seo injae #seo in jae #netflix #kdrama #jipyeong #injae #kim seonho #kang hanna

[queen-iriswest]

We deserve In Jae and Jipyeong because then Director Han Jipyeong can say you think I’m scary? You should meet my wife!

#tvn start up #start up #han ji pyeong #han jipyeong #won in jae #won injae #bad ass hot couple #pair up the bad bitches #kim seon ho #kim seonho #kang hanna #kang han na

[jiwoes]

I’m screaming

They know 💕

#tvn start up #Kim seon ho #kang han na #han jipyeong #won injae #han ji pyeong #won in jae #the director seems to have a better grasp of what he’s doing #over the writer #he did a great job on his end

[directorjipyeong]

They’re so cute 🥺

#han ji pyeong #han jipyeong #tvn start up #start up #kim seonho #kim seon ho #won in jae #won injae #kang han na #kang hanna #in jae x jipyeong #jipyeong x in jae #jinjae

[a-foreign-concept]

Forever going to be salty about Start Up not giving us TWO lead romances instead of just the one, Injae and Jipyeong were right there 😭

#start up #Kim seonho #kang hanna #Han Jipyeong #won injae

[momenacesage]

jinjae are constantly on my mind

jipyeong is top tier pouty boyfriend when injae is not by his side. however, he doesn't let his ego get in the way of his relationship. he's in constant awe of the strength that his girlfriend possesses, and will do whatever is needed to keep her sane, happy and supported. it shreds his heart to bits when she becomes so work consumed that she forgets to take care of herself. he loves her ambition, and is constantly amazed at the way she seems to soar above everyone's highest expectations. he is aware of the fact that this characteristic was developed as a means of survival. he understands that injae has always felt like she has to be constantly on the ball, constantly evolving, constantly better than everyone else if she wants any form of recognition. if his only purpose in her life is to provide a space where she can relax, be herself and not feel pressured to impress anyone, he'd be happy with that.

#jinjae #start-up #han ji pyeong #seo injae #won injae #jipyeong #dalmi #kdrama #drama #korean drama #dramacool #headcanons #i love them #i cant stop thinking about them #jipyeong is such a simp for his girlfriend #his love is so precious when its directed at the right person #kim seonho

[weirdsixtieslove]

start up thoughts

Now to start off I wanna say i watched this drama because of nam joo hyuk, more specifically to see nam joo hyuk together with suzy, i’ve literally been looking forward to this for like half a year. However as the episodes went on i gotta say i found jipyeong to be by far the most interesting character, the second male lead (and a lot of other storylines) seriously outshined the lovestory of the main couple.

But I’m not saying that jipyeong should’ve ended up with dalmi. I rooted for him but she admittedly had zero romantic feelings for him. His role as her mentor, as an older brother, honestly suited him better. However it still made no sense for her to not even give him a chance. Because listen. This girl spent her entire live longing for the guy from the letters and then she finds out it’s him and she just…does nothing? You’re telling me after all this time, after telling dosan she loves him for all the things that jipyeong actually did, she doesn’t even wanna give it a try, not even when dosan went to the US? Now look, it is absolutely possible for her to not be in love with him. Maybe she realised her love was more of an idolisation of someone who comforted her when she was struggling. Maybe she realised that although he has all the qualities she liked, there’s no guarantee we fall in love with someone just because they’re technically who we asked for. Those would have been valid reasons and would have worked well in combination with the whole "Idk why I love you I just do" part when dosan asked her at the end because that's really just how it is sometimes. But this needed to be COMMUNICATED. This needed to be TALKED ABOUT. Yet it was never addressed, dalmi doesn’t care and that’s just it. It’s frustrating, we needed an honest conversation between them where she talks about her feelings, what he meant to her in the past, what he means to her now, and why this changed. But we never got that.

For me jipyeong’s ending is bittersweet. I liked that he did kinda become part of dalmi’s family and that he decided to support the orphan pair up organisation. I think objectively this is what he needed the most, but he himself never seemed to come to this conclusion, loving dalmi until the end, which made this so heartbreaking. Was it really so hard to have him get over dalmi one or two episodes earlier, or hint at him getting a different love interest?

As for dosan, I honestly think that jipyeong’s character was just way better developed. He changed a lot after the first few episodes which is a shame because he lost a bit of his charm from the beginning. He developed these weird confidence issues towards jipyeong, like saying dalmi will choose him even without the letters but also that he has nothing and jipyeong (a guy with zero family or friends who had to work hella hard to be where he is now) has everything, then he beat him up after jipyeong was literally asked to be honest about that contract (seriously that was so random and uncalled for) and then he refused to return the letters that were always jipyeongs. His character was just kind of all over the place and i guess it can be explained by jealousy and immaturity, which doesn’t make him a terrible character, if it wasn’t for jipyeong it would have been alright, but with the second male lead just having the way more interesting personality and storyline going on, it did make dosan’s behavior become a bit annoying. Especially considering that without jipyeong, dosan would’ve probably never met dalmi and would’ve already had his technology stolen by these fake investors in the beginning.

It was also a bit weird how jipyeong’s harsh feedback was seen as such a big deal, despite always giving valuable advice. Yet when he did end up thinking that he was too harsh both the female mentor and dalmi herself said that he didn’t do anything wrong, so what was the point here?

*

Now as for dalmi’s mom and sister: i was really pissed how injae and the mom just abandoned dalmi. I mean is no one questioning why the mom didn’t even tell her that she re-married? That she was gonna move to a different continent? And then the dad died and they still didn’t bother to be there for her?? hello??

Both the mom and injae redeemed themselves at the end but what was severely lacking was an honest conversation with dalmi, apologizing and saying they will try their hardest to make it up to her. Especially her relationship with her sister was really confusing, like right after that time jump they had worked together for three years already and clearly didn’t hate each other anymore but at the same time injae didn't even know that her grandma had gone blind. At the very end, dalmi's conflict with her sister and mom are resolved, without ever getting enough scenes that actually show *how* it was resolved so it feels a bit incomplete.

*

To sum up, what this drama was lacking the most were additional scenes of characters addressing their past and talking about their feelings, as a lot of conclusions kind of came out of nowhere because they weren’t properly addressed.

Actually, since i’m already at it, i would like to propose this alternative storyline: Jipyeong never falls in love with dalmi. When dalmi finds out the letters were written by him, she’s torn between both. When dosan goes to the US, dalmi asks jipyeong to give their relationship a try and they’re dating for a while, but eventually realise it’s not working, so they remain close friends and he’s welcomed into their family. When dosan comes back he and and jipyeong become friends because they have no reason not to. Dosan and dalmi get back together. the end.

Anyways despite everything i just said, i quite enjoyed this drama. Not perfect, but very enjoyable nonetheless, thanks to an amazing cast and a lot of funny and heartwarming scenes.

#start up #i know i kept complaining the entire time but i geniuenly liked it it just became a bit hard to watch when i got too attached to jipyeong #this is so damn long ugh i'm sorry #i have so much more to say but this was the most important i guess and i just wanted to get it off my chest and move on #won injae #nam dosan #seo dalmi #han jipyeong #start up drama #start up kdrama #suzy #nam joo hyuk #kim seonho #bae suzy #kim seon ho #kdrama #teamjipyeong #teamdosan

[kimdokiisms]

Nah I'm mad as fuck that instead of developing dalmi and injae's relationship throughout the show they decide to toss it in last minute because the writers forgot that injae and dalmi having conflict was a central plot point in the show????? So now it's just awkward watching them being normal sisters because it doesnt feel natural at all.

#start up #startup #dalmi #injae #seo dalmi #won injae

[estournel]

As start up has ended, I wanted to say a few things about people who has been brushing off the character NDS from the drama itself just because they're annoyed. Let's be honest, it's insanely annoying too for many people to do this.

Firstly whether I'm team NDS or HJP, it doesn't matter. I root for both and I'm not (anymore) looking for love stories in dramas. I expect less love stories and more towards the story line instead of the love stories implied here. So whoever DALMI ends up with, I don't really care. But what people are brushing off about him is his feelings, his expressions and his struggles. I'm not saying all of you brush off his feelings but there are 𝑨 𝑳𝑶𝑻 of people who did. I don't especially understand those people who said they don't get why NDS acts like that and bluntly say "I skipped his scenes" most of the times.

Many people are being relatable towards HJP, and agrees towards the way he is acting to others but many was actually annoyed on how NDS and it's very very disturbing me as someone who relates to NDS at some point. Many of them would say "I don't understand why is he like this." then watch and learn and perhaps read some explanation instead of hating him (and some of them are being childishly toxic, throwing hates to the actor himself.) I hope this stops and let people take the time to notice there are a lot of people around you who actually stands in NDS position, and actually understand (not sympathize, just understand) that it is hard to stand in such position most of the time, and have those kind of feelings wrapping your whole being. I won't explain the whole NDS per-episode and per-scenes, but look it up. Please stop hating the character (and especially those who hates and dislikes the actor himself) it's sickening to the fact that NJH didn't search his name anymore in the internet and he probably notice the slanders that's thrown to him. But at least he did a great job on playing his role too.

As the drama ends, I love how the ending goes. Every character development is seen, happy (with or without a significant other in your life) just genuinely happy in peaceful life rather than holding grudges towards one another and be mature about it as they grew throughout the year. 💖 Congrats to START UP team and staff and all the actors / actresses involved. 𝑩𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑴𝑨 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑼𝑹𝒀. Also good job for the war of the year between HJP and NDS. 🙂💖 I love you both doe.

#start up #nam joohyuk #nam dosan #kim seonho #han jipyeong #team nam dosan #team han jipyeong #bae suzy #seo dalmi #스타트업 #kdrama #korean drama #thoughts #joohyuk #suzy #seonho #kang hanna #hanna #seo injae #won injae #injae #dodal #jidal #jipyeong dosan #jido #korean

[misandriste]

WON INJAE in eps 1 - 8 of START UP (2020)

#tvn start up #won injae #kdramagifs #kdramaedit #start up #for my 5 injae stans... #it ended up being her scoffing and laughing for most of them #give us more injae scenes T T #i am a sucker for meanish women #kdramas #by misa #gifsbymisa

[sseureki]

I want to dissolve my adoption

#startupedit #start up #tvn start up #won injae #won in jae #there she is! #choi won deok #my best girl #kang hanna #kang han na

[jooahae]

the way jipyeong and injae were the last two people to know about halmeoni’s condition.. they deserve better than this

#i said what i said #han jipyeong #won injae #kim seonho #kang hanna #tvn start up #start up