Wandisa has been discharged from hospital. She and Senzi are back at their place and have moved into the guest bedroom downstairs because Wandisa cannot make it up the stairs for now. I was here all weekend, with their permission of course, washing their curtains, linen and laundry. I actually emptied their closets and washed their clothes. There’s no telling what Laura and that Julia girl did while they had access to this place. I also cleaned the house thoroughly. Now that they are here, I’m comfortable leaving them here on their own.

Khotso sent someone from the kingdom to come be their stay-in helper. She worked in the royal house so she understands confidentiality and loyalty. She will be staying in the cottage outside. I let Senzi and Wandi interview her themselves. Apart from the fact that there is a serious language barrier, they were happy that she’s neutral and honestly is just here to do her job.

I’m cooking dinner for them. They’ve been locked up in their bedroom since they got back. As soon as I’m done here, I’m headed back to my place. I need a full body massage after all the hard labour that I’ve done. Plus, Khotso is coming over tonight, so I’m very excited about that. 

As I’m cooking, I get a phone call from Nkosinathi. 

“Hey”, me. 

“Phuthi. Kunjani?” 

“Ngiyaphila. Are you good?” 

“Yeah. I want to check in on Wandisa but ucingo lwakhe nocingo lukamkhwenyana is off.” 

“Okay, let me see if they are awake. They’ve been in the bedroom since they got back from hospital. I’ll ask them to phone you back.” 

“Okay ngiyabonga. Wena ushup? When am I seeing you again?” 

I laugh then say, “You miss me already?” 

“I do. Ngikhumbule amaswidi kakhulu“, he says. 

“Intombi yakho ayikuphi amaswidi?“

“Ngifuna owakho“, he says.

We just laugh hysterically.

“Lalela, kuzofanele sehlise kancane. I’m kinda seeing someone and I think he wants us to be serious”, I say.

“That explains why you just disappeared on me”, he says.

“It was never a permanent arrangement, Nathi. We made that very clear from the beginning”, I say. 

“I know. Don’t worry, there’s no bad blood. I swear.” He says. 

“Thank you. You are my daughter’s father. I don’t want us to have bad blood”, I say. 

“Say no more.”

“Thanks. I’ll get Wandi to call you back.” 

“Shup”.

We hang up. 

Awkward! 

But anyway…

Senzi comes into the kitchen as I’m tasting the stew and creamy spinach. 

“That looks and smells amazing”, he says. 

He’s so nice shame.

I laugh and say, “I wanted to cook for you guys so you don’t have to stress about food. Plus I’m sure you are tired of hospital food and take aways. So, I thought I’d just make you some dumplings and beef stew.” 

“You are the best, you know that?” Him. 

“As soon as I’m done, I’ll give you guys some space. Mara ngicela iskhaftin“, I say.

We laugh and he nods his head. 

“Lalela Senzi, don’t be too mad at your mother. You know, us mothers do stupid things in the hopes of doing what’s best for our children. I come from far with Laura so I know her well. She is a bit nutty, but she means well – especially for you. Nothing and no one is more important to her than you.” I say. 

He looks at me then says, “I wish she could just back off. I don’t appreciate how she treats my wife. And I hate that she makes Julia and other people comfortable with disrespecting my marriage”. 

“I hear you. I don’t appreciate it neither. Your wife is my child and it hurts me. All I’m saying is yes, talk to her and put her in line, but don’t shut her out. Don’t be done with her. You’d honestly kill her. Kodwa nami I’ll have a chat to her.”

“Thank you, mah. Wandi is really lucky to have you”, he says.

“Well I’m here for you too. Phela I have two babies now”, I say. He laughs.

“Okay, I’m out. Call me if you need anything Okay?” 

“Siyabonga mah”, he says. 

Such a respectful boy. 

I get my things, say bye to Wandi, then leave.

I get to my place and find Khotso already there. Well, I’m greeted by his guards first. These guys honestly give me prison PTSD. The searching and treating me as if I’m a danger to whoever and whatever they are protecting. In prison, they were protecting society and I was a danger to it. With Khotso, they are protecting the most senior leader in Tholoana Kingdom and it seems I’m a danger to him. But I swallow it up and just allow them to do their job. But I usually need a minute to get over it afterwards. 

“Hello gorgeous”, he greets me. He’s so happy to see me. I’m still recovering from being treated like a criminal in my own house. 

“Hey”, me. 

He can see that I’m not okay. 

“Everything okay?” Him. 

“I just need a minute, babe. And maybe a glass of water”, me. 

“Keng baby?” Him. 

He holds me. He makes me face him and tell him what’s going on. 

“It’s nothing serious. I just need to –

“Maphuthi”.

I take a deep breath. I close my eyes. I open them then face him. 

“Your security just creeps me out. I mean, after prison, it’s not easy to be searched and treated like I could harm society or in this case, you in any way. Like I said, it’s something I will get used to eventually. I just have some mild PTSD from prison. That’s all.” 

He nods his head. 

He steps away.

“Khotso –

I try to stop him. He looks at me.

“They are just doing their job. I’ll adjust. I promise.” 

He still walks off to talk to them. 

Eish, I hope I didn’t get anyone into trouble.

I wait for him to come back to me. 

When he returns, he says, “They’ll never do that again.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” 

“I did. I trust you. I know that you’ll never harm me. You did time in prison to protect more than just me. If there’s one person I can trust in this world, it’s you.”

“Thank you. But still… I need to earn my stripes to be with you.”

“Come here”, he says.

I walk towards him. When I reach him, he hugs me, kissing the top of my head. 

“Ujwang?” He asks me. 

“All the better for being in your arms.” I say. 

We have a moment in this hug. 

“How’s Wandi healing?” He asks me.

“She’s getting there. Her husband is there for her and I appreciate it. But Laura has my nerves on probation. She doesn’t like my daughter and that’s fine. We can all live with that. But her putting my child’s life in danger just because she wants her son married to another woman is what will make me go back to jail… for murder this time.” 

He comes out of the hug and looks at me with concern. 

I tell him what happened at the hospital and Laura’s sneaky ways of getting into Wandi’s and Senzi’s house. 

“I can get pope to call her off. He’s always known how to handle her.” He says.

“It’s fine. I can handle Laura. She will know who and what I am very soon.” Me.

“Well, I think pope is best suited to manage her. He is Senzi’s biological father”, he says.

I almost fall to the floor. My knees have become instantly weak.

He sees the shock I’m in.

“Apparently that man of the cloth that she’s married to shoots blanks. She begged pope to intervene. The deal was that Senzi would never know about it. The man of the cloth wouldn’t know anything about it. And pope would see the boy and walk on by. But we all see that Laura is in love with pope. She thinks he’s the power element in a power couple she’s made up in her head. She thinks having his child makes her untouchable. So sometimes, pope works on it and puts her in a place we all need her to be put in. But we all know that pope would never hesitate to pump bullets in her head if the time ever came for him to do so. So I reckon we get pope to tell her to fuck off from your daughter. Trust me, she will even end up kissing Wandi’s ass. Clearly pope has some good dick.” 

I’m still in absolute and utter shock! 

“Hey”, he says, brushing my face.

“Everything is going to be okay”, he says to me. I smile at him and nod my head. 

“Now, you ordered a hot bubble bath and massage. May I take care of you for the rest of the evening now?” Him. 

I let him. 

…

We are all waiting for Laura in her office. I told pope about what Laura is doing to Wandi. He also wasn’t happy about it at all. So him, Ona and I are here to meet with this woman. She needs to back off!

She walks into her office and is surprised to see us. 

“Sanibonani! I wasn’t expecting you. Is everything okay?” She says.

“Why are you pissing Maphuthi off?” Pope begins. 

“What have I done to Maphuthi? She drives a Ferrari and a Bentley. She lives in a penthouse in Sandton. She is a COO in my business and she’s never even here.” She argues.

“That’s the least that you could do considering that she did time for us for a fuck up that YOU DID! But you couldn’t leave your pastor of a husband and you had a child that you couldn’t leave behind. Or you’ve forgotten all of those things? She gave up being a mother to her own child for YOUR UNGRATEFUL ASS! You should be kissing the ground she walks on! If you don’t know how to show your appreciation, I’ll make sure you remember your manners!” Pope is pissed. 

Laura takes a deep breath then says, “What have I done to her that has resulted to her reporting me to you?” She says.

“Are you trying to kill her daughter?” Me.

“What?!” 

“Don’t deny it! That injection that you and the daughter-in-law you wish was yours left under Wandi’s pillow… Phuthi had it tested and poison was found in there. She asked the nurses to not tell Wandi and Senzi because she didn’t think you deserve to be hated by your son! She’s even protecting you even though you are such a cunt towards her!” Me. 

She’s scared and relieved at the same time.

“Wandi is not right for my son. She doesn’t come from a good family! She doesn’t have what is required to lead this church next to my son! Senzangakhona is a good boy! He knows God! He has a good career! He’s actually a better person that his father and I combined. He doesn’t deserve a girl like… THAT!” 

What the fuck?! 

“And Julia is –

“An attempted murderer?! That’s the better woman for your son?! Really?!” Ona. 

“I’ll talk to her about her measures. But she’s great! She grew up in the church – like Senzi. She’s from an amazing family! A family that puts God first and has taught their child to do the same. She is the leader of the choir! She’s already in a leadership position in the church! She is the best suited leader to be standing next to my son as the next first lady. Surely naweShaka you want that for your son!” 

“Ungazong’phaphela wena!” Pope is not playing! 

“Sowuyahlanya?!” Pope.

Silence.

“You are going to back off from Wandi, do you understand?” Ona says, trying to break the silence that has now come about.

Laura stares at Ona but doesn’t agree.

“If not, we come for Julia.” Ona.

Now Laura is shit scared.

“Don’t be those mamazalas that want to choose wives for their sons. He’s made his choice. And from where I’m standing, if Wandi is anything like her mother, your son married a real one”, Ona.

Laura is quiet now. 

“Sizwene? Hlukana noWandisa!” Pope.

She nods her head. 

We all leave her office. 

As we are being driven back to the kingdom – we were only in South Africa for a day – I get a call from Rena. 

“Hey baby girl”, I answer my phone. 

“I thought you’d be back by now. Where are you?” 

“Lefatselabarena, you do realise that you are not my wife, right?” 

“Yep. I’m better than your wife. I’m your only daughter and the best thing that has ever happened to you.” 

I actually find myself laughing. 

“So, where are you?” She insists on her question. 

“I’m on my way back to the kingdom. We got a bit delayed here in South Africa”, I answer her question like a pussy-whipped husband.

“Are you coming back with Aus’Phuthi?” She asks me.

I laugh again. I like how she likes Phuthi. And I love how Phuthi loves my kids. 

“No, baby girl. But she’s coming to the kingdom over the weekend”, I say. 

“Okay. Is she going to be staying with us?” 

“Well, she has a house in the kingdom now. I’m sure she will stay there.” I say.

“So can we go and stay there with her this weekend?” 

“Lefatselabarena, can we talk about this when I get home? Please?” 

“Fine. Anyway, I was checking up on you. Hurry home. I love you, papa.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Where’s your brother?” 

“Aus’Morafe just made us a late lunch. We are eating now.” She says.

“Okay. Tell him I say hi. I’ll see you guys soon”, me. 

“Shup.”

We hang up.

I shake my head in disbelief. Lefatselabarena and her point of conversations!

I look up and see Ona and Pope laughing at me. I just laugh too. 

“Daughters!” Me. 

“Not daughters, LEFATSELABARENA MOHALE!” Ona says.

We all laugh again. 

“She likes Phuthi neh?” Ona.

“A lot. I don’t even understand it. They just have a connection that I don’t understand, but I must say that I appreciate it.” I say.

“Maphuthi is a good woman. She made some bad decisions along the way in her life. That Nkosinathi asshole was probably the worst decision of her life. But she’s honestly a good woman. And for someone who never raised her daughter, her maternal instincts are beautiful. I even find that sexier than seeing a gun in her hands”, pope says.

“Yeah, I hear you.” Me. 

“So is this thing between you two serious?” Ona asks me. 

“It’s picking up! It’s getting serious. I think I’m falling in love with her. And honestly, she’s never said it to me, but I think she’s in love with me too.” I say.

“You love everyone and everyone loves you. You’ve had more wives than me!” Pope says then Ona laughs.

“After Lulu, I’ve had the worst luck with women. Maybe Lulu put a hex on my dick or something”, I say.

Pope and Ona laugh.

“Take your time with Phuthi. The good news is that neither of you are chasing to have kids, so you don’t have to worry about rushing into marriage. Just take it easy with this one. She could be your one. But after all these failed marriages, you need to be sure.” Pope.

I nod my head. 

“Imagine if I were married to Fiks and Lulu. Man my life would be amazing!” Me.

“Don’t go there! And don’t disrespect Fikile’s marriage like that.” Pope.

I nod my head.

– 

Ona and I walk into the royal palace just as dinner is being served.

“Papa!” Rena sees me and sprints towards me. Moloko is also running towards me, but shame, he’s a little slower than Rena.

I get down on my knees and receive them both in a hug. 

“Le jwang?” I ask them. 

“Re shup! You’ve been gone, old man!” Rena neh. I never have the words. 

Everyone is now laughing. 

“I missed you too, Lefatselabarena.” I say. 

“Papa, tomorrow is daddy’s soccer day. Are you coming?” Moloko.

“I’ll be there, my boy. That’s why I came back today.” I say. 

“Can I sleep with you today?” He says.

“You don’t want to sleep in your own room today?” 

He shakes his head. 

“Okay then. Let’s eat some dinner then head to bed. I’m tired”, I say.

We are having dinner together. Ona and Thabi look like they’ve just had a fight. Mohato and Zari are also having issues. But I don’t have the full details of their issues, but we always find ourselves at the centre of the tension of whatever is going on between the two of them. 

Mohale is also here. He was gay in high school, but for whatever reason, that’s changed. Now he’s into girls. Ona and I genuinely don’t understand. Thabi says he sees men behind closed doors, but he needs a woman and some babies next to him for the public eye. We already know she had everything to do with Mohale’s sudden change in his choice of sex partners. Then Tholoana is here too, chatting on his cellphone as we all silently enjoy our meals. He’s dating Motshabi. They’ve been together for quite some time actually. At least he’s relationship seems stable. But he’s the most distant kid here. I just don’t get him. I used to invest a lot in Ona’s kids because they’ve always seemed ready to bomb the kingdom for whatever angry reason they carried inside of them. But it came at the expense of the fruit of my semen. I thought I was losing them at some point. Rena was the worst! But I appreciate her because she was honest. It’s her honesty that made me change my tune. I missed Oluremi with all of my heart. I made a promise to her and to myself that I’d never have more kids. I need to give my kids my all. I always feared that if another woman gave me kids, I’d be different with my kids. So, I didn’t have more kids. Not even with Remo – who ended up leaving me because of that… and because I wanted to take Ndalo to be my second wife. Remo turned shit up in Ndalo’s life so much that Ndalo ran from me, running for her life. Lol! It was funny to watch and all, but it made me thankful that I never had kids with either of them – and none of the bitches I fucked too. 

I finally finish my food at this awkwardly silent table. 

“Papa, can we go now to our outside apartment now?” Rena says to me. 

“Your brother is still eating”, I say.

“No he’s not.” She says then pushes Moloko’s plate away from him, grabs his hand and she leads the way to my outside apartment. 

“You need to discipline your kid”, Thabi says to me. 

“Maybe have some kids before you tell me what to do with mine”, I tell her. 

I get up, shake Ona’s hand, and we agree to meet tomorrow just after 7am. I grab Moloko’s plate because my boy needs his food. His sister can be crazy, but he must eat.