It has been two weeks since Tee-le has been visiting the land of the dead. The good news is that he woke up yesterday morning. Renay and I have been religiously going to see him at every morning and evening visiting hour. I was happy to be by his side when he opened his eyes. I think he was happy to have me there too because his first word was “Thuli”. 

He will still be in hospital for a while longer and further start his physiotherapy. I was a bit concerned about the hospital bills because soccer players are not exactly known for having medical aid plans, but Tee-le is definitely the cream of the crop. I had to force Uyanda to get medical aid. Tee-le got medical aid when he got his first salary because his mother has a chronic illness and he wanted to put her on as a dependent. 

I am still at Renay’s place and she is still making me run every morning. I honestly hate it. She keeps saying that we run 5km every morning. It feels as if we run much more than that. I do want to head back home though. Now that Tee-le is getting better, Khosi will start coming to see him and be there for him. I do not believe that it will be appropriate for her to find me there. I have communicated this with Renay and she has tried to keep me here longer. Everyone seems to be convinced that Tee-le and I should be together. Tee-le and I have not even discussed any of the sort. I think people do not want to give Khosi an opportunity to prove us right – that she will do to Tee-le what she did to Sizwe. But what if she proves us wrong? What if she genuinely wants to be with Tee-le no matter how bad things get? We are not even giving her a chance to show us how her relationship with Tee-le has actually changed her. She used to be my friend and we used to be close. I know that she genuinely loves Tee-le. 

“Hey mamacita”, Renay greets me as I pack my bags in her guest room. She walks in and sits on the bed. 

“Hey hey. Thanks again for hosting me, Renay. I really appreciate this”. I say. 

“I wish you could stay longer. The boys are going to seriously miss you”, she says. 

I smile at her. My phone rings. She grabs my phone and smiles at me. Tee-le is calling. She is already smiling, suddenly she is the biggest fan of Tee-le. 

“Put him on speaker”, she says. 

I chuckle. I answer the phone and put him on speaker. 

“Hey”, I answer. 

“Kunjani, T?” Him. 

“Ngiyaphila. Wena unjani?” Me. 

“Can you come see me, please?” Him. 

“Sure. I am just packing. As soon as I am done, I will be there”. 

“You are packing? Uyaphi?” 

“Back home.”

“Please don’t leave, Thuli. I need you”. He says. 

“Remoletile – 

“T… the NFR Legends have let me go. They are not renewing my contract. It will be announced next week. They don’t want to appear as if they are letting me go during my healing process. So, they’ll let the world know that I am awake today, then tell them I am leaving next week.”

Renay and I look at each other. Both our spirits are sinking. 

“I called Khosi to come see me. She told me my family was rude to her and that I was never planning on marrying her, so I need to stop wasting her time. She says she will go to my place and fetch her things by tonight. She said she will leave my house keys in the postbox of the house and I will never see her again”. 

Renay is so excited she starts jumping on the bed. 

“I am really sorry, Remoletile. I am staying at Renay’s place. I am scared that I might be crowding them”. I say. 

“No! She is not crowding us at all. She can stay here as long as you need her here”, Renay shouts. 

Tee-le chuckles. 

“Siyeza okay? We will be there during the visiting hour”. I promise him. 

“Thank you. You are also welcome to stay at my place”, he says. 

“Yho! Umama wakho akuphi? She turns shit up very quickly phela”, I say. 

Tee-le laughs. 

“What would you like us to bring you?” I ask him. 

“Just you”, he says. 

“And what else? Surely you are tired of that hospital food”, I say. 

“It’s actually not that bad. But chocolate cake will be great. I am tired of custard and jelly”, he says. 

“I am craving Chicken Licken hot wings and a McDonald’s frappe as well. Do you care to join me for that meal?” I ask him. 

Renay is so happy she cannot help herself. She starts unpacking my bag for me. 

“Inyongo yodwa le. Kodwa I am game. I will see you when you get here. Thank you for being here, T. I really appreciate you”. He says. 

“Shup”. Me. 

We hang up. 

“Yaz, I love it when a good plan comes together. Tee-le wants you, babe. He has been wanting you for a while now. Shack confirmed it to me. Leruo confirmed it to Paula. Nqoba confirmed it to Lando. Jason confirmed it to Carmen. You and Tee-le are happening”. Renay says.

“Why does everyone know except me?” 

“Angisho you’ve been focused on Yaya. Manje, you are available and we are all Team-Thuli.” She says. 

I chuckle. 

“Asambe phela. I want to drop my boys off at my parents’ house. Shack has training. Then we can go buy lunch and see Tee-le. Lando, Carmen and Paula will be joining us. Welcome to the high-end part of the WAGs”. Renay says. 

I chuckle. I honestly have no comment. 

…

I have been waiting for someone to acknowledge me as Tee-le’s partner, but absolutely no one has seen it fit to involve me in Tee-le’s situation. His parents have spat me out with the fire of the Holy Spirit as if I were bringing with me the spirit of the devil. The team and their WAGs have treated me like a complete stranger; an irrelevant person in Tee-le’s life. I have even been removed from all WhatsApp groups – that is the ultimate exit from this life. I blame Tee-le for all of it. Clearly, Tee-le and I have been having different conversations with the people around us about the details of our relationship and the future of our love. I was clearly in this committed relationship by myself. I was planning a future of weddings and kids by myself. Tee-le was with a fuck-buddy that he had no intentions of having anything more than sex with. Now, he has the audacity to phone me and tell me that he has woken up and was hoping to see me by his side when he opened his eyes. Tee-le has wasted enough of my time. I have been with that man for over two years and I have nothing to show for it. I am done. 

I have met someone now. His name is Tyson Archibald. I have definitely levelled up too. I have gone from vice-captain of the NFR Legends (who, by the way, is not having his contract renewed) to co-owner of the NFR Legends. I do not date for love – I believe that we have all established this by now. I am the type that needs security from a relationship, and I need to be respected and well taken care of. Tonight, I will be collecting all my stuff from his place – and some of his. After two years of bullshit and the past few days where I have been treated like absolute trash when in actual fact, I am the queen, I am entitled to about two of his expensive watches that he has certificates for, and this Benz that he lets me drive. I am going to sell them and treat myself to two weeks away in the Maldives. I am Nobukhosi Thabethe. I do not get played like that. 

Tyson is one hell of a man. Had I known that being with old and established men was this amazing, I would have never wasted my time on these young dudes lower than forty years old who are still in the building process of establishing themselves. Tyson is married – ok shup. I thought I would be bothered, but I am actually not moved. I have never met her. I never have to encounter her. She is ghost to me. Tyson has already bought me a penthouse in Sandton and a Range Rover Velar. I am that girl now. We travel a lot and I am definitely rubbing shoulders with a different breed of women. So you tell me… why must I stress myself out with Tee-le’s drama when I am afforded the life that I actually deserve? 

Mandisa is helping me move into my beautiful penthouse. Her daughters are also here helping me move in. I always promise them non-alcoholic champagne and they love it. They know that I would give them the real deal if I were not scared of their mother. Mandisa can be very hectic. Her son is with us as well, but he is chilling with my mom. It is a nice affair. Tyson has even sponsored all my furniture. The TV room is already set up. There are men here who have been sent by Tyson to move all the stuff to where I would like them to be in the house. This is nice. I deserve this life. I deserve nice things. 

“Flowers just arrived for you, ncane. Where should we put them?” Charity asks me. 

“Tyson is not human, yaz. So much love? We don’t even have vases yet. Put them on a table that has empty space, please”. I say. 

“Khosi, have you checked up on Tee-le kodwa? That poor guy is really going through a lot”, Mandisa says to me. 

“Hai Mandisa, leave me alone. Tee-le is fine. Futhi he is no longer my concern. I have moved on from him”, I say. 

“Like you did with Sizwe, right?” she says. 

“What’s your problem? Why are we having this conversation?” I ask her. 

“Why are you so selfish?”  

“How am I selfish? Have you not been noticing how I have been treated since Tee-le got into that accident?” 

“Did any of that treatment come from Tee-le?” Mandisa. 

“Mandisa, I am done with Tee-le. We do not mention his name in this house. Tee-le will be fine. He has more than enough support”. I conclude. 

“Nobukhosi –

“Drop it Mandisa, please! Stop talking to me about Tee-le!” I say and storm off. 

…

Tyson and I are no more. He never called me back after that hotel incident and I have decided to move on with my life than to be a slave to such disrespect. What was I thinking anyway running around with an old married white man? I am a doctor, I do not need a blesser. I have been fine without one all my life. I am not going to die now that I have lost what we briefly had. I heard he has a new girlfriend. My sister told me that he is out here blessing Tee-le’s ex, Khosi Thabethe. That girl has no shame at all. She is doing to Tee-le what she did to Sizwe Mpetha. She is always making headlines for all the wrong reasons. She and Tyson deserve each other and I wish them all the hurt that could ever strike upon a couple that thrives to hurt people. 

Today, I am at Tshepi’s new place. She has moved into a very beautiful house in Tlou with her daughter. It is not an expensive and glamorous area like Taung, but the area is nice, her house is nice and she is about a thirty-minute drive away from work. She has even put her daughter in a private school. Tshepi came to Tholoana Kingdom to do better for herself and she is definitely achieving that. I am so proud of her. She is such a good role model to Phatsima and she is teaching her all the right values. I look at Tshepi’s relationship with Phatsima and I wonder where it all goes wrong to the extent that a daughter becomes like Khosi Thabethe. Tshepi is doing everything right – as I suppose Khosi’s mother did. Tshepi gives her daughter everything – as I suppose Khosi’s mother did. But she still turned out the way that she did. 

“Babes, ushup?” Tshepi asks me as she brings champagne to where I am sitting and we laze outside her house with feet in her pool. Phatsima is in our sight, playing with her cute white fluffy puppy, Zoe.

“Yeah, I am good. I am just caught in thoughts”.

“Thoughts about Tyson?” she asks me. 

I shrug my shoulders. 

“I think it is a good thing that the two of you broke up. It was unhealthy to begin with. It was never going to end well. At some point, you were going to want more and he was never going to change his wants because he already has it all”, she says. 

“I hear you. Why do you think Khosi wants to be with him? Gosh, she didn’t even wait for our relationship to be buried. She bombarded him while we were still mourning it” I say. 

“Why do you care? You are done with him, right?” 

“Does that mean I shouldn’t care about him?” 

“As difficult as it is, let him go. Nothing good is going to come from stressing about him being with other women. Tyson has money that can buy his problems away. You are stressing about someone who can throw money at any problem. Tswa daar, chomi yaka”. Tshepi says. 

“I kinda liked him friend”, I tell her. 

“I know. I am sorry it had to end so prematurely. But koKhosi, he has met his match. That girl is going to make him wish he was with someone who does not care about his money”, she says. We both laugh.   

“Ho tla siama friend, don’t worry”, she says. 

“And maybe you can finally introduce me to Bangz!” I say. 

She laughs aloud. I smile at her. 

“How are things with Uyanda?” I ask her. 

“Honestly, I have no idea. Uyanda and I have not even spoken in about a week now. If there is one thing that he has shown me is that urata Thuli ka pelo yahaye kao fela. I was just a distraction and a guilty pleasure to him. His heart is with Thuli and that will never change. He has literally shown me that and I am not going to fight it”. 

“Do you regret leaving Phatsi’s father for him?” I ask her. 

“Not really. I left Phathudi for me, not for Uyanda. Phathudi was very toxic in my life and maybe le nna I moved on too prematurely. Maybe Uyanda excited me because he was not Phathudi and I was desperately seeking an escape from Phathudi. Maybe I also need to take some time out and focus on my child. Phatsima needs me and I am not going to be a good mother to her if I keep running after the Uyandas of the world”, she says.

“Askies, chomi yaka. He is one of many. You will meet the right one”, I tell her. 

“My bosses are very upset with me for dating one of these players. They called me unprofessional, gave me a warning and threatened to not renew Uyanda’s contract”. 

“That’s a bit extreme”. I say. 

“Well, it caused a lot of drama for the team. The good news is that Uyanda has a team that already wants to sign him. Even if they don’t renew his contract, he is sorted. I just didn’t want him to leave the team like this or because of me. And Rofhiwa is just a hypocrite. She is running around with Reahile Mohale. But I’m the unprofessional one because her parents own this business. She is the one who gave me the warning. Imagine!” She says. 

“Don’t compare yourself to Rofhiwa, chomi yaka. Rofhiwa will always land okay. She is the daughter to billionaires and is a girlfriend to the prince of this country. You are not in the same WhatsApp group so please, do not use her as a template of what you should be doing in life or at work. But as far as you being punished for Uyanda – it is wrong. He equally played his part in all of this. Do not carry the blame on your shoulders”. I try to console her. 

“Eish chomi, it is difficult not to. I mean, we not even on speaking terms, so it is very difficult to even navigate how he is feeling or what he is going through. I wish I could just know what is going through his mind right now.”

I hold her hand. 

“Mommy! Mommy! Uncle Yaya is here. I opened for him”. Phatsi yells from inside the house.

…

“Hey family”, I hear Rofhiwa say. I didn’t even know she was in South Africa. 

“Sister!!!!” My three boys run to their sister. Even Khanyisa gets up from the couch she’s sitting on and heads to Rofhiwa to say hi. 

I smile at how amazing my kids’ love for each other is.

“We not having another one, Mr R.” Fikile says and I laugh. 

We were all watching a movie together. Fikile and I are still cuddled into each other. Rendani was sitting with us, cuddled with us somehow. Gundo and Ranwedzi were sitting together on one couch. Khanyisa was lying on a couch alone. Rendani is still a mommy’s boy. He must grow up so I can stop sharing my wife with him. 

“Hi Kazi. Hi papa”, she is now here greeting us. Fikile stands up and hugs Rofhiwa. I hug her too and say hello. 

“Rendani, Gundo, Ranwedzi… thathani izikhwama zikadadewenu and take them upstairs.” Fikile says.

The boys help themselves to the bags and head upstairs. 

“I didn’t know you were coming”, I say to Rofhiwa. 

“Yeah, I came for Mfundo’s membeso and mabo thing.” She tells me. 

I nod my head. I’m glad that boyfriend of hers is not here. 

“You must be so tired. The travelling is a lot.” Fikile says.

“I am. I just want to shower, eat and sleep.” Rofhiwa says. 

“Okay… I’ll bring you your food upstairs.” Fikile says. 

Rofhiwa nods her head. She takes a longer look at me. I hate it when she does that. I hate it when she makes me feel like I’m supposed to say something in her empty silences. I’ve accepted the boyfriend, haven’t I? 

“Khanyi, let’s go to the kitchen to see what we can put together for Fifi”, Fikile says. Now she’s going to leave me with Rofhiwa. I genuinely have nothing to say to her. I really don’t. 

Fikile and Khanyisa leave the room. We were really watching a nice movie. And I don’t even like movies. 

Rofhiwa sits where Fikile was sitting. 

“Papa, how are you?” 

“I’m fine, Rofhiwa”. 

“I want us to be in a better place, papa.” 

I don’t say anything. I mean, I’m trying. I really am. Why isn’t she seeing it? What more does she want from me? 

“Papa – 

“Rofhiwa, what do you want from me, huh?” 

“I want you to look at me with pride again. I want you to stop being so distant and stop looking at me like I’m your biggest disappointment.” 

“I’ve accepted your relationship with this boy, haven’t I?” 

“Because Kazi made you accept it. I know that if it were up to you, I’d be married to that Mudau boy.” 

You know what… I was watching a really good movie with my sons and my daughter that still listens to me. I was enjoying my evening with my wife and the kids that I can still actually parent. This one that has an ID and can make her own decisions just came here and ruined my night. Agh mahn! 

I just stand up from where I’m sitting and make my way to my bedroom. I’ll just watch the news or soccer highlights or something. I’m just annoyed. 

I hear chatter in the kitchen. Fikile is probably catching up with the kids. She is that kind of mother. Late night chats with the kids, catching up on their lives and taking time to understand them. She’s honestly a superwoman. How does one woman be an incredible mother, an amazing businesswoman and the best wife a man can ask for? I wouldn’t trade her in for anything. She honestly keeps my house warm. 

She comes up to the bedroom after about an hour. I was watching some documentary, so I was able to wait for her. 

“Mr R”, she says as she walks in.

“Mrs R”, I say, smiling at my stunning wife. 

“Can I sleep here today?” Yoh, Rendani! 

“No!” Fikile and I say at the same time.

“Fine! I’m going to sleep with sister!” He says. Sister is Rofhiwa. Khanyisa is Sisi and she never allows this shit. She will lock her door and let the boys cry outside her door until they are tired of crying. 

“Hamba!” Fikile says. As soon as Rendani leaves the bedroom, Fikile closes our door and locks it. 

We look at each other and we start chuckling. 

“Why is he having such a hard time moving out of our bedroom?” Fikile asks me, laughing. 

“I don’t know. And he’s too old to still be in bed with us.” I say. 

“Rofhiwa must also kick him out”, she says. 

I just laugh. 

She smiles at me. 

No, she must not try to go all deep with me about this Rofhiwa thing. Please. I’m not in the mood. 

“So, Mr R… I was thinking – 

“We are not talking about Rofhiwa, please Mrs R.” 

She looks saddened by this comment, but she proceeds to say, “I was thinking we should go on a family holiday.” 

Oh.

“We haven’t been on one since Ranwedzi was born if we think about it. It’s probably because Gundo came shortly after that, then Rendani came. I was overwhelmed to a point where I stopped working. Then you had to manage the business with Mthunzi, one CEO down. I then got back to work and it’s just been one thing after another. We just travel for work and most times, it’s without our babies. So, I’m thinking that we take a bit of a break and just spend time together as a family. And then… you and I also take some time out and go away… just me and you.”

I like this idea… especially the one with just me and her. 

I smile at her. 

“I like it”, I tell her. 

“Really?”

“Why wouldn’t I like it?” I ask, laughing.

“You never want to stop working and we love you and need you here too. Plus, the boys will love it. It’s their first time going on holiday. I don’t want that experience for them to be with friends and their families.” 

“Come here”, I stretch my hand out to her and say. 

She walks up to me and sits on top of me. 

“You know that I love you, right?” I say. 

She nods her head. 

“You are the best mother and wife EVER. I love you, my stunning wife.” I tell her. 

She kisses me. 

I kiss her… undressing her as I kiss her. She undresses me too, remaining on top. 

“MOMMY!” Gundo. 

“Ignore him. He will go away.” She says. 

Lol. 

“PAPA”, Rendani. 

We are really ignoring them. 

“Guys, we want to say goodnight. Please open the door.” Gundo. 

Now, my wife and I are having sex, amidst my boys and their noise. My stunning wife is on top of me, riding me. 

She’s so good and I’m unable to express just how amazing she is. She has her hand over my mouth. So I’m grabbing her thighs and her perfect ass to unleash everything I’d have unleashed if I could moan. 

“PAPA! OPEN THE DOOR!” Rendani. 

Fikile turns around, still on me. She bends down, touching my toes. Her back and her ass are now facing me, and she fucks me from this angle. 

My goodness! 

Yoh! 

Now, I can’t help myself. I’m releasing some moans now. 

“Guys, go to sleep”, I hear Rofhiwa say. 

“Kazi and papa won’t open the door. We want to say goodnight.” Rendani. 

“Maybe they are already sleeping.” Rofhiwa tells them. 

“No, they are talking. I can hear them.” Gundo. 

“Guys, go sleep. Maybe they were watching TV and they left it on”, Khanyisa says. 

“Tell them to open!” Rendani. 

I hear Fikile also burst a moan out. She’s shaking now. I’ve also cum and I also made a noise. 

There’s silence at the door now. 

Fikile climbs off me and heads to the toilet to clean herself up. I’m still catching my breath. I’m not sure if that was thrilling or amazing or both. Then I hear Khanyisa whisper, “They are having sex.” 

Rofhiwa whispers back, “They started a long time ago.” 

But the boys are gone. It’s just them two. Fikile comes back into the room smiling. I signal to her to listen to the door.

“How does kazi get papa to moan like that?” Rofhiwa. 

“Kazi takes pole fitness classes with Auntie Koena. Papa is not retiring from sex anytime soon.” Khanyisa. 

“Hai wena!” Rofhiwa. 

They giggle. 

Fikile grabs a gown, wears it then heads to the door. She opens the door and the girls gasp. 

“Why ning’jwayela kabi nendoda yami?”

They are SHOCKED! 

“I’m married. I can have sex all night and day all I want. And yes, I know moves that make my man come home every night. Nani shadani. You’ll understand”, Fikile says then shuts the door. 

We hear them running away. 

Fikile and I look at each other. She’s actually really freaked out.

I laugh. She giggles too, but is still freaked out. 

…

Today we are fetching our bride from the Kunene family. I’d like to say that it’s an amazing time for us, but it’s not. Kholeka’s family has been around since yesterday and they’ve made Koena cry and not even want to be part of any part of these celebrations. Fikile was very quick to remind them that they were in Koena’s house every time they reminded Koena that she is not Mfundo’s mother and she gets nothing from umembeso. Koena’s mother was also incredibly hurt because she genuinely takes Mfundo as her grandchild. 

Before we left the house this morning, Kholeka’s sister and Koena got into an argument – I don’t even know what the argument was about because they’ve been fighting since Kholeka’s family arrived – and Kholeka’s sister slapped Koena.

Now… Koena is a tswana thug from Mafikeng. She has these gangster traits that scare the shit out of me at times, especially when Maps and Keba were around. I was terrified that Kholeka’s sister wouldn’t make it back home alive. But before Koena could even respond to that slap, Mfundo had packed their bags and he was dragging them out of my house. When I say drag, I don’t mean that he aggressively asked them to leave. He threw their bags out of the house: Thingo, Zothile, Rendani, Ranwedzi and Gundo helping him… then these boys physically dragged these people out of the house. Those who still had the opportunity to leave themselves did just that. Then Mfundo spent a good thirty minutes lashing out at them and telling them they were no longer invited to the celebrations. 

Now, we are on our way to Nelspruit – Nene’s father’s main house. We are fetching her from there. 

Koena is still heavily upset. Zothile is sitting on her lap, dozing off on her chest. My mom is sitting next to Koena. I’m sitting with Mfundo – I’m driving and Mfundo is on the passenger seat. He’s also a bit down. Thingo is riding with Thomas and his family. My sisters are also in this V250 with us. Thomas drives the other V250 with his family and some of mine. There are about fifteen cars in convoy and we are all changing into the siSwati outfits of today when we get to Nelspruit. Mbali is driving with Thomas and his family as well. Thomas has the most kids, so I’m not even offended.

“Mina angazi nje ukuthi lo mndeni wakhabo Kholeka uzeleni la to begin with. UKholeka akasekho!” My mom starts. 

I wish Skhaska were here. He knows how to handle his woman. But he had to sort something out with his shops and taxis. Yes, he’s a taxi boss and a shop owner. He owns an entire corner of just shops. There’s a grocery shop, a dry-cleaning business, a hair salon and a butchery. He’s an old thug, but I like him. He’s firm and he knows how to handle shit.

“Hawu mah, angisho uKoena wanted to make sure that uKholeka is honored and represented appropriately for Mfundo.” My sister says.

“Nizithanda kabi izinto ezi-sentimental for nothing. Who does not know that lo mndeni wakwaKhumalo is disrespectful? Badelel’ isicefe those people. Now they came here and bullied my daughter-in-law as if kusahlanganelwa indoda la!” 

Yoh, my mom is not letting this go, hey.

“Hai mah, it doesn’t matter anymore. Abasekho.” My sister tries.

“They were not supposed to be here to begin with”, my mom. 

Koena is just looking out the window. Mfundo is just chatting on his phone. I catch a glimpse of his screen and I see that he’s chatting to Nene. He’s also very upset. Maybe Nene will help with lifting his spirits so that we still enjoy today. 

“Mama, Koena just wanted everything to go well for Mfundo.” My sister. 

“Kholeka is dead! Akasekho emhlabeni uKholeka. She is six feet underground and i’bungu have feasted on her remains sezize zisuthi!” 

“MAMA!” 

“HAI BO!” 

“HAI!” 

Everyone in the car is just shocked. 

My mom is not moved. She just says, “uKoena Msomi is the mother to Mfundo. Umlingane wami waseMafikeng, did so much more for Mfundo than what Kholeka’s mother did. Mfundo’s family iphelele nje ngoba sinje. Finish!”

Ai. 

Mfundo looks at me. I look at him. We actually laugh. Because really, what the hell?! 

…

We’ve just finished dressing up at our guest lodge. Koena and Fikile are shouting at the boys because they are playing outside and they’ll probably get dirty. I feel like they are just boys. 

We pack everyone in a car and this time, Zothile ditches us for Thomas’ car now. But we are five minutes away from the house. The lodge is close to the house. We tell some people that are not ready to leave that they’ll walk to the house. But we are already an hour late and Koena and Fikile are pissed. Mfundo is not even as pissed off as they are. 

We arrive and we are actually received well. I even see Koena laughing, clearly getting to a better place than what she was. Nene looks very beautiful in her full siswati gear. Mfundo looks so happy. He reminds me of when I was taking Koena to be my wife. Her beauty mesmerized me as if I were seeing her for the first time and everything that was not perfect just fell perfectly into place. I’m so proud of the man that Mfundo has become. He has become such a decent man with strong family values and responsible in such a beautiful way. 

“I’m so happy to see you so proud. You did amazing as a father”, she’s next to me now, holding my hand. We are proud parents. We did well. 

I kiss my beautiful wife. We did great. 

“Now to get Thingo to this point”, she says and we both just laugh. I also see Fikile and Thomas holding each other close and tight, as if reminded of their own time when they committed to do life together forever. 

The ceremony of them giving our family gifts begins. Koena and I are gifted as Mfundo’s parents. We both get blankets and grass mats. Nene specially gives Koena the blanket that she had wrapped around herself, briefly dances for Koena traditionally, then waits for Koena to ‘accept’ her. Fortunately, Mfundo briefed us on this, so Koena ‘accepts’ her with a traditional dance herself and there is ululating. My mom got gifts. My two sisters got gifts. All three of my brothers got gifts. Koena’s mother also got a gift. Yoh, you should’ve seen Thingo’s and Zothile’s faces when they were called for gifts. It was actually funny. Thingo even danced for everyone. 

We had siSwati dancers dance for us as entertainment. 

Now we are eating, seated at a table where we kind of all sit together. It is one long table. 

This is nice, but I’m tired. The drive to Nelspruit is not as exciting as what was happening here. 

…

Today, we are at our house, getting ready to receive our bride. We should’ve done this over two weekends. Everyone is tired. Koena and Fikile are running things alongside my mother, Koena’s mother and Fikile’s mother. Skhakha has also arrived. His surname is Skhakha so I call him that. That’s as respectful as I’m getting because I’m not calling him dad – no matter how much he kisses my mom in front of me. His actual name is Mbulelo and he brought lots of meat from his butchery for us. He’s also brought a mobile bar for us. Thomas, Mfundo, Skhakha, Fikile’s dad and I are already drinking at the bar. Everyone is dressed in isiZulu today. 

We see Rofhiwa walk in with that Mohale boy. Thomas gulps down his bottle of beer and asks for another one. Mfundo is looking at Thomas. I’m looking at Thomas. 

“Baba, now that you and Nene are married, am I going to get a sister?” Mbali says to Mfundo. She’s out of breath and she ran here from we don’t know where. 

Thomas starts laughing. 

I start laughing too. 

“Mbali, you already have a brother.” Mfundo says. 

“Exactly my point! Look at all these boys. I don’t even have one sister to play with.” She has a point.

Mfundo drinks his beer. 

“Please baba. I’m begging. Khulu please ask baba for me”, she says to me. I’m khulu. But Koena is mah. I’m not sure how that works. 

“I’ll ask him, baby girl”, I say.

She says thanks, gives me a hug with her little hands and says, “I’d really appreciate it.” 

We are in stiches! 

She runs off to the very boys she’s tired of playing with.

Now we are laughing at Mfundo. He’s just shaking his head and laughing. 

“Where is her mother, by the way?” Thomas asks Mfundo. 

“On holiday with her lover.” Mfundo says. 

“At least she’s moved on and is not giving you any issues.” Thomas. 

“I actually don’t talk to her at all. She and Nene do all the talking – even about Mbali’s visits and how we share her between us.” Mfundo explains. 

“How does the boyfriend deal with you?” Thomas. 

“She has a girlfriend.” Mfundo says.

“Huh?” Skhakha. 

Thomas is also a bit caught off-side. I’m just drinking my beer. 

“Who has a girlfriend?” Fikile’s dad asks. 

“Mbali’s mother. Botle. She and her girlfriend are even in the process of adopting a child together.” Mfundo says.

Ja, Mfundo and I gossip about it a lot. We are like a bunch of women. 

“Mfundo, did you destroy that girl so much that she decided to leave men for women?” Skhakha.

Mfundo bursts into laughter and we all laugh too. This was honestly my EXACT question when Mfundo told me. 

We have an isiZulu wedding celebration with the Kunene family as well. We gifted the Kunene family with gifts and now it’s quite a party. I even notice a few NFR Legends players here with their women. People are taking pictures and they are enjoying the day and evening. My son is a married man and a father of two. 

“I’m taking all the kids”, Thomas tells me. 

“Thank you. Can Koena and I come crash at your place? We are not young enough for this party anymore.” I say.

“Let’s go” He says. 

“Baby, I’m going to – 

“I’m also going” I say as Koena tells me. 

“I’ve already told Mfundo and Nene. They’ll take care of the house. I’ve locked our bedroom, Thingo’s bedroom and Zothile’s bedroom”, Koena is so… 

We leave. 

You’d think we’d get here and sleep, but nope. We just couldn’t do the doof doof. 

Koena and Fikile are already in comfortable clothes. Fikile has pulled out wine, wings and fries. The kids are in the cinema – watching a movie. Thingo and Khanyisa are there with them. 

I now see my mom, Koena’s mom, Fikile’s parents and Skhakha walking in. They actually sit with us. 

“Is that nice? That alcohol? The two of you are always drinking it.” Hai bo! Now my mom is about to start drinking?  

Koena and Fikile look at each other. 

“Very nice. Fikile, go fetch us glasses”, Fikile’s mother says. 

What’s happening?! 

And Fikile actually gets the glasses and further brings in two extra bottles of wine. 

The grannies pour wine in their glasses and my mom downs it like water. Fikile and Koena are not sure what to do. Fikile’s mother also downs the alcohol. Koena’s mother too. These old women are going to show us flames tonight. 

“Where are your bibles?” Thomas enquires. 

“With Jesus somewhere as He is turning water into wine”, I see my mom’s already drunk. 

Thomas cannot help himself. He just bursts into laughter. We all laugh as well as the gogos fill up their glasses again.

“Today was nice, yaz. Mfundo and Nene are so happy. It’s so beautiful to watch”, Fikile says. 

“These kids grow up so quickly.” I say. 

“Wena! Soon it will be Rofhiwa. I’m not even forty yet and I could be glam-ma any day.” Fikile says. 

“Giiiirrrlll… I’m not forty and I’m a glammy and mommy-in-law”, Koena says. 

I sometimes forget how young these two are hey. Thomas and I are their daddies! Lol! 

“It would be nice mara neh, Mr R… doing all of this for Fifi and having a little nunu running around here… hopefully it will be a girl. All I pop out are just boys.” Fikile says and we laugh. But Thomas is…

“It would be a blessing. And it would be a first. No one in my family has ever been a grandparent. If I become one, I’d be the first.” He says and he’s actually… almost looking forward to it. 

“And you’d be such an amazing one. Plus, you’d be a hot one.” Ai! Fikile must stop right there. 

Thomas just laughs. 

“It wouldn’t be so bad to have more kids running around here. Look at how nice it is with a full house of kids.” Thomas has a weird love for kids. I always used to think it’s because Pearl couldn’t give him any. But then Lydia happened. Then Fikile. He has five kids right now, one of which are driving him to a looney bin. And he still wants more kids running around in his house? Yoh! My three are more than enough. One moved out and I gained two grandchildren. I AM NOT RAISING THOSE KIDS FOR MFUNDO. AND I DO NOT WANT THEM IN MY HOUSE 24/7. I’m waiting for Zothile and Thingo to grow up and get the fuck out of my house. I won’t be the mkhulu that stays with kids. I’m going to fuck my wife and travel with her for a living.

“So Thomas, if Rofhiwa decided to get married tomorrow, you’d be excited?” Skhakha asks. Eish, I wish he didn’t.

“You know what, there’s nothing that I can do about Rofhiwa and that boy. It’s in my best interests to stop having heart attacks where they are concerned because they are adults and they probably spend more time together than apart… probably spend more night together than apart… any day, Rofhiwa will come here and tell me that she’s pregnant or that she’s getting married. And he will be the father and husband. I’m going to have to live with this boy for the rest of my life. So, I might as well brace myself.” Thomas. 

“That’s the blessing and the curse of having a daughter. There’ll never be someone who is just right for her. You end up telling yourself that as long as the non-compromising factors are met, then it’s okay.” Skhakha says. 

“And what are those non-compromising factors?” Thomas asks.

“Her happiness. Her safety. And him not laying a hand on her. If she’s happy. If she feels safe and if she’s not being abused, then you can live with that man.” Skhakha.

Thomas nods his head. Fikile holds his hand. 

“Is she happy, baby?” Thomas asks Fikile. 

“She is, my love.” Fikile says. 

“Does she feel safe with him?” Thomas.

“She does.” Fikile. 

“Is he abusing her in any way? Emotionally? Physically? Psychologically?” Thomas. 

“He isn’t. Not in the slightest bit. He loves her. He adores her. And she loves him so much. She wants to marry him. But she won’t do it without your blessing.” Fikile. 

“What do you think I should do?” Thomas. 

“You need to tell her that you love her. You need tell her that it’s okay for her to love him… that by loving him, she’s not disrespecting you or loving you any less. You need to tell her that’s it’s okay if she wants to marry him and that you’ll support her, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Tell her you are working on loving the idea of the two of them and one day you’ll get to where she needs you to be. But until then, she must love him loudly because it makes her happy. And when she’s happy, you are happy.” Fikile. 

We all look at them. 

“Are there any more bottles, my skat?” My mom. 

“Mama, hai! You’ve had enough! Hai bo! That’s not water!” I say. 

“It’s making me want my man”, my mom says. 

Fikile’s and Koena’s faces!!!

“Mah!” Me. 

“Love, let’s go paint our room red”, Fikile’s mom.

“Oh my – 

“We need to find Mme Letsoalo a man. Hai sisi, your husband has been gone for years now. You still have needs. You are not dead.” Fikile’s mom says to Koena’s mom. 

“You do not need that influence!” Koena. 

Thomas is laughing!!!!

“Why am I so glad that my parents are gone?” Thomas.

“Don’t worry, Dali… I’m going to a hotel soon. My man is waiting for me there!” Koena’s mom. Mfundo did tell me that lo gogo lo uyajola. I’ve never had the guts to tell Koena.

“Mama!” Koena.

“Keng wena?! Men still see how beautiful I am. And my man, darling, ke le bhobhodlwana!” Koena’s mom says. 

“Yerrrr! Why are we sitting with these people?” I enquire.

“This is very disturbing.” Fikile. 

Thomas is in stitches!