Today, I’m going to my mom’s gravesite. I miss her so much. I’ve put enough money away to put a tombstone for her. Reahile helped me find a company to do this properly for me. Reahile wanted to help me pay for the tombstone, but I have to do this alone… for my mother. This is a me thing… a me thing that is for her. He understands and I’m grateful. 

I let him help me with building the house for Mamholo. Seete construction did the house and it’s actually done. It saw Mamholo, my cousin and the grandkids living with Mrembula for two months. But it’s done now. It’s not a wow house. It’s a four bedroom house… three bathrooms – two with showers and one with a bathtub. There’s a kitchen, and a TV room. 
I even bought the house furniture. 
Mamholo has her own bedroom with a queen-sized bed. She’s in love shame. A second bedroom has a double bed. I’m assuming myself and my cousins sleep there… me mostly when I’m visiting and that’s not often. Nix! The other two bedrooms have two single beds in them each. It’s for the grandkids. 
I bought couches, a TV and some occasional chairs. 
I put one garage – I don’t know why, and a patio. Now get this… 
I told my aunt what the function of a patio is, but she said she’s not rich enough to just chill under a patio because she doesn’t want to chill indoors. So, and I’m not kidding, she set up a stall to sell snacks that don’t have a barcode. Then the garage – I mean one day I’ll have a car and need to park it – but she turned it into a mobile kitchen. She cooks kasi food. No joke. When I told Reahile about this, we laughed together about it… but I honestly appreciate that she wants to be independent and actually try so that it’s not all on me. Plus she saw a market because the closest tuck shop in our village IS QUITE A WALK! 
So we asked her for a list of everything she needs – I asked… she doesn’t know that I’m dating a prince. 
She gave me a list of capital, basically. So we bought her gas stoves, the necessary cooking equipment and stock nje to start off with. She cooks and runs the kitchen – so there she sells chips, kotas, plates of food, meat from slaughtered animals… konke nje. 
Then on the patio, my cousin – the one that didn’t run off with a blesser – sells skopas, sweets, snacks with no barcode and snacks that actually have barcodes. 
Then my aunt started selling lunchbox packages. For R350, you get a box of: 
X6 six pack box juices
X6 six pack coke cans 
X24 small packets of Simba chips – different flavours. 
X24 small packets of biscuits – different flavours
X2 packets of pin pop suckers. 
And they sell out hey! Big time. 
The house is always full – cues all over the yard for her food and snacks. She doesn’t accept WhatsApp orders. I think it’s largely because she doesn’t know how it works. But I helped with typing and printing price lists for her so it’s set up properly and looks professional. 
I also opened a bank account for her and got her a speed point. She tried to protest but I told her that if she only keeps cash here, she will get robbed. She said Mrembula will be her security. I told her to also not look for shit. So ja, the house is quite busy all the time. She opens at 4am for the magwinya rush, then closes at 9pm after the dinner rush for people who knock off late and end up not cooking. 

We arrive at my mom’s gravesite. Reahile drove me here. He tells me that he will wait for me in the car. I’m actually grateful. 

I put flowers on here then get emotional all over again. It’s as if she passed away yesterday. The pain is fresh. I just cry. 
After I pull myself together, I find myself sitting on the pile of sand that my mom is carrying on her chest. I know I’ll be dirty, but I don’t care. This is my mother. 
“Mama, ke nna… your daughter, Maphodile. I miss you so much, mama. I wish you were still here. You’ve even stopped coming to me in my dreams. I hope you are resting, mama. It was very difficult when I was growing up, but you made sure that I’d be okay. Because of you always looking out for me, I’m now studying medicine. I’m going to be a doctor. I’ve even managed to build your mother’s house. Mamholo, her kids and her grandkids all live there. I’m still at school. But at least mama, o na le lehhaye. Now, I’m going to build you your own house here. I’ve put the money together and I’m going to build a tombstone for you. So, don’t be alarmed when there’s activity here. It’s just people placing the tombstone. I love you, mama. I miss you. You can now rest in peace. Your baby girl is okay. And I will be coming to visit you more and update you on everything. I don’t have too much time right now as I’m with someone… and it’s someone I’ll still tell you about. For now, rest mommy. I love you.”
I cry a bit then head back to the car. 

I phone Mamholo and tell her I’m from the gravesite so can she please prepare aloe water for me so I can wash my hands. It’s a thing we do when we come back from the graveyard nje. Rea is so excited to meet Mamholo. I’m just nervous. The house is always a buzz. And what will I say to my aunt about me arriving with a whole prince? My stomach is legit in knots! 

“You okay?” He asks me as we drive to the house.
“ I miss her. She didn’t have to die. I can’t believe that loser killed her”, I say. 
“She made sure that you are prepared for life without her. Look at how well you are doing compared to your cousins who actually still have a mother”, I guess he’s right. 
“Do you ever miss your mother?” I ask him. 
He takes a deep breath as if he doesn’t want to talk about her. 
I’d let him off the hook, but he never talks about her. All I know is that she has passed away. I know nothing else.
“My mom’s passing was the best thing that ever happened to me”, he says.
I’ve never ever heard such in my life. He can even see the shock on my face. 
“She was a drug addict… a hectic one. And I understand that addiction is a disease, but the things she exposed me too ripped her off all her rights to call herself a mother.”
Deep. 
I put my hand on his thigh. 
“We witnessed her trade in her body for drugs. Then she traded my brother and I in for drugs and the things we witnessed when we were under the care of a her pimp and drug-dealer were the coldest part of the world and of life. My brother couldn’t take it. He ended up having a mental issue. I don’t know how I came out without any mental issues. That shit was fucked up. When my father found us, it was the best day of my life. And no matter how fucked up I find him to be, he puts us first – especially after my twin passed away – he revived life within me again. I’d be dead by now if my mom were still alive”. 
There is a silence in the car now. I even see him wipe a tear away. 
You know, we haven’t even had sex yet. And I’m 910% sure now that I’m ready. 
“Rea… I’ll never be able to fix what happened in the past. But I’m here now. I don’t only want to be your present… I want to be your future too. We will hold hands throughout the challenges of life together. And I’m really sorry”, I say. 
He holds my hand. 

We finally arrive at my home. 
After we’ve washed our hands, we head into the house. Everyone is still staring at us. My aunt is still in utter shock. My cousin – WORSE! So shocked that my aunt had to tell her that if she doesn’t count change properly, she will beat her up. 

We are now seated in the TV room. He laughs at how people are taken by him. I did warn him. 
Mrembula walks into the TV room where we are sitting.
“Ah! Mrembula! Monna! Ushup?!” Wait… Rea knows shady Mrembula?
“Monna wa bo hhosi. I heard people go crazy about you being here. I thought I’d come by and be a fan too.” 
They laugh. 
I’m just sitting here trying to understand how these two know each other.
“Why are you here with my wife? Don’t you know that this is my future wife?” Mrembula embarrasses me. 
They both laugh. 
“Ho kena tsaka di kgomo mo”, Rea says and they burst into laughter. 
“I’ve brought you food. And wena Mrembula, uskaphaphela kgosana.” Mamholo says as she brings in three plates of food on a tray. She has a 2l bottle of coke with her and three rinsed glasses.

“Ausi Mamoleko, you promised me this lovely bride”, Mrembula needs to stop this now. 
“Mrembula, don’t say such things in front of the prince. What if he’s also brought a proposal? You think this family would choose you over the prince?” Mamholo. 
Laughter has filled the room. I’m just uncomfortable. 
We chat about with my aunt as she tells us that some lady is busy in the kitchen because she needed employment. 
The bank people arrive. 
The business account I opened for her has her banker coming in everyday to help her calculate how much she has made between the last time he left yesterday to right now when he arrives. Then he takes the bankable change with him to the bank. He’s the one who also pays salaries when my aunt employs people. I like this bank. It’s actually the royal house bank. And the banker travels with three bodyguards. Today, my aunt made me sit with them when they were doing the financials. I wish she could teach her daughter all of this. Honestly, I don’t want her to leave all of this to me. Her business is successful. I want her to leave it  to her children and grandchildren so they can also live and not need me to help them in life. When I told her this, she told me that she got the disappointments while my mom got the one they are all proud of. I really hope she changes her mind and views on all this at some point. Her kids don’t even like me because of that mentality from their mother.

My aunt and I are washing dishes now.
“And then? You and the married prince?” She asks me.
Eish, now I must explain things.
“He and his wife are separated. Mamholo. Their situation is over. They are just married on paper. She doesn’t even live in the kingdom anymore”, I say.
“Did she move before or after the prince met you?” 
“Way before”, I says.
“Kea bona. Ngwana ausi waka, we are doing so much better now. You are supporting us and we are all holding each other up now. You don’t have to date him so that we can be okay. Be with that man only out of love and nothing else. I know that from my mother right up to your mother and I – we never set a good example for you regarding real love. But you have a chance… you have different options. It is different for you. Don’t be in situations that you feel trapped in”, she says.
“I know. I love him, Mamholo. And it is different with him – different from what you, koko and mama experienced.” I say.
“Your life will be all over the papers now. Are you ready for that?” 
I didn’t think about that. And she sees it.
Then she says, “as long as you know that we are going to be fighting for you all the way. You’ll always have a home here. Ibile look at how beautiful you’ve made this home stand for us. Run home any day… you’ll find love here. Ibile I’ve reduced my drinking and I don’t sleep with men for money anymore. You’ve helped me, Maphodile.” 
I’m proud of her. And I’m glad that she’s even giving herself a gold star for that achievement. It’s a big one. 
“How’s Tono?” I ask her. 
“I don’t know. She doesn’t phone me anymore”, she says.
“Should we go and look for her, Mamholo?”
“She knows where home is. When she wants to come back, she will come back.” 
“But what if-
“We cannot think like that, Mapho. I did what I could with the little options that I had. I cannot carry the cross for her decisions. It is what it is”, she says.
I really wonder what happened. 

After saying goodbye to everyone in the house, we get into Rea’s G63 and we drive back to Taung. 

…

Rea and I are driving back to Taung now.
“I like your aunt”, he says. 
“Really? She really likes you too”, I say. 
He smiles at me. 
“She’s just worried that you are married and that I’ve got a lot more to lose – publicly because your family is always all over the media – and I need to make sure that I’m with you for the right reasons because those reasons are what will keep us strong when things go pear-shaped in public”, I say. 
He’s silent. 
His face is tense. 
“I love you, Rea. You even know that. But I agree with Mamholo”, I say. 
“Really?” Him. 
“Wouldn’t you? If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you agree with her? Rea, I know we’ve had this conversation – 
“Then why do we keep rehashing it every time someone knew brings up my marriage?”
“Because not everyone knows what I know. And people will have their opinions. I am the one dating a married man here! I’m the one who will be bullied the minute our relationship makes headlines. All you’ll do is hug me and say sorry. I’m very insecure in this relationship, Rea.”
He’s silent now. 
So now we drive in silence. 

I pull out my cellphone and start chatting to my friends. We actually have a group that we opened for the four of us. I type in there. 
“I’m ready to give him my virginity tonight. Any tips?”
Ruri is the first to reply saying, “Wait? You are still a virgin?”
Zaza and Wehweh react to Ruri’s response with laughing faces.
Ruri: “But the two of you are sooo… and haven’t you been together for a while now?” 
Zaza: “He must really love you. He waited for you. That’s so beautiful. I wonder if I’d still be with Molise if we didn’t smash the first night we met then I got pregnant”. 
Ruri, Wehweh and I send laughing stickers. 
Wehweh: “I also smashed Mnqobi within a month of meeting him – before we were even an official couple. AND I wasn’t a virgin when he and I met. I think I’m the ho of this group.” 
Ruri, Zaza and I send laughing stickers. I’m even giggling here, and Rea keeps stealing looks at me.
Zaza: “Girl, I smashed my baby daddy the first night I met him at a party and I was 17. My ho-ism started at a young age.” 
Ruri: “I slept with Khanya (and lost my virginity to him) after a year of dating him. I think Mapho must wait so I’m not the slowest in the group.”
I laugh aloud now. Then send a laughing sticker in the group. 
Zaza and Wehweh both post, “A YEAR?!!!” 
I reply with another laughing face. 

“What are you laughing at? Who are you talking to?” Rea asks me. 
“The girls. It’s a group we have.” 
He nods his head and continues to drive. 

When I’m back in the group, they are talking about how they lost their virginities. Zaza lost it at a party. Ruri lost hers on a weekend getaway. Wehweh sounds like she was raped. Her exact text reads: 
“I went to his house. I was in grade 9 at the time and he was in university. We started dating when he was in matric, and I was in grade 8. So, when he was home for the weekend or recess, I’d go visit him at home. It wasn’t anything new that I was doing. And we’d always just chill, catch up, eat township food then I’d go home. That particular day, his parents were not home, and his siblings were out – as if giving him space. We started making out – which was normal because that’s what we did often – then he started undressing me. I told him I wasn’t ready, but he told me that he’d earned my virginity. We had been dating for over a year and he’d been nothing but good to me. So, if we don’t have sex, it means I’m telling him that he’s not good enough for me. And if he’s not good enough, then we must just end things. So, I lay there and let him do whatever he wanted to do with my body. I went home, told Wandile what happened… Wandile took me to a dischem clinic to get a morning after pill. Then he took me to a hospital to get my blood taken for any diseases I may have got. Then he organised counselling for me. I didn’t get it then, but I think he saw that I was raped. But to me, it didn’t click. Therapy made me realise it. But hey… from that day onwards, sex was just always on the table.” 
We all type, “Yoh Wehweh.” 
Then we spend a good ten minutes apologising for her experience. She then tells us that with Mnqobi it’s different. He appreciates her with sex. She falls in love with him more and more every time they have sex. And they don’t even have sex, they make love. She tells us that the first time they had sex, she cried. And when he asked if he’s hurting her, she told him that he’s making love to her soul.
The goosebumps I get! 
I then type, “As I take notes so I can say such things when Rea makes me a woman.” 
They all send laughing stickers.
Wehweh: “Tell him you’d like some privacy tonight – away from Vanessa – and that you’d like to stay at a hotel.”
Ruri: “His favourite hotel is the Moholo Khotso Mohale Hotel. So, he will instantly go there. If you can send me about R3 000, I’ll phone and get the room set up for you. He will pay for the room, but I’ll tell them to direct you to the decorated room.” 
I send the 3k immediately then send her the POP on the group.
Zaza: “What underwear are you wearing?” 
Me: “A one piece lingerie piece”.
Zaza: “Perfect. You are sorted for the outfit of the night.”
Ruri: “Should I include condoms?”
Me: “Please.” 
We chat about then I tell them that I need to go so I can initiate the conversation already. 

We are now entering Taung after our six-hour drive. 
“Do you mind if we go to a hotel? I need some privacy tonight. Plus, it’s already late”, I say.
He just nods his head. 
He’s really touched about our conversation hey.
Hopefully, he’s in the mood for sex at least. He cannot break my virginity in a foul mood. 

Indeed, he takes us to Moholo Khotso Mohale Hotel. He probably has shares at this hotel. He goes to no other hotel in Taung.
He parks the car then we both climb out of the car. He at least holds my hand as we make our way into the hotel. He indeed pays for the room. The lady helping us at the desk smiles at me, so I know all is good. 
Rea holds my hand, and we head to our room. 
He opens the door, holds it then I walk in. 
Yerrrrr!!!!
It’s red roses everywhere. I’ve never seen this many roses in my life before. 
There are candles lit as well. There’s champagne and champagne glasses. 
He’s just as shocked. I’m not shocked, I’m just amazed at all these roses. 
“I think we are in the wrong room”, he says. 
“No. I had this organised for us.” I say. I look at him. He looks at me, enquiring on what this is all about. 
“Rea, kea o rata. Haholo ibile. Our situation is not perfect, but there’s no other person I’d rather be with”, I say. 
He takes a deep breath. 
“Do you believe me when I tell you that I love you?” Him. 
I nod my head. 
“Do you believe me when I tell you that Nandi and I are done?” 
I nod my head. 
“So why are you insecure? That really hurt me, you know?” He says. 
“Rea, what if I were married to someone else? Regardless of the situation, how would you feel?”
“I’d kill him”, he says. I think he’s serious. 
“So must I kill your wife?” I say. 
He laughs. 
I just giggle. 
“I’m scared, Rea. Any day, she can just take you from me”. 
“She won’t take me from you”, he says. 
“But she can. She’s your wife. She has more rights to you than I do. Technically, ung’kadimile wena. If she comes back and says she wants you back, what rights do I have to tell her that you are my man?” 
He’s quiet. 
I hold his hands. 
“I planned all this tonight because I’m ready to give myself to you. If you take my virginity tonight, you’ll have all of me. All the woman that I am will be yours. I just want all of you”, I say. 
He starts undressing me. He’s staring at me as he does this. 
Now I’m in my underwear only. He undressed himself. 
He’s so handsome! 
“You have all of me. I am all yours.” He says. Now he kisses me. I’ve never done this before, but it feels familiar. I know what to do. 
He finally puts himself inside of me. We both moan. And it starts. We have sex. It’s uncomfortable but it’s nice. It’s painful but it’s beautiful. We are working out and relaxing at the same time. 

We are both happily satisfied. 
We lie on the bed together, somewhere between all of these roses. 
“Are you okay?” He asks me as he tries to catch his breath. 
“I’m good. Are you good?” 
He smiles at me. 
We kiss. 
We have another go at each other. 
This time when we finish, we pass out. 

– 

His phone is ringing. I wake up. I wake him up. I give him his phone. The caller ID reads “dad”.
“Papa”. Him. 
“Where are you?” 
“In Taung”. 
“We need to go to the DRC. Meet us at the air strip in the next hour”. 
The line goes dead. 
I roll out of bed. He pulls me back towards him. I giggle. 
“Where are you going?” He asks me. 
“You have to go. I’ll shower at home. I don’t want to be the reason you are late.”
He kisses me then we get out of bed. 

I’m home now. He dropped me off then left. I walk into the apartment. Vanessa is watching some reality show. 
“Hey”, I greet her.
“Hey.” She says, standing up. There’s really no need hey. 
“Has he said anything to you?” She says.
“Excuse me?” 
“Look, I haven’t seen or spoken to the king since that day that you and Rea walked in on us. He doesn’t return my calls or messages – 
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask her. 
“Has Rea said anything?”
“We don’t talk about you”, I say. 
“I’m just worried. He’s so silent”, she says. 
“Maybe because he’s married. Between his two wives and leading this country, where would he find the time for his concubine?” 
“Bathung Mapho!” 
“Please! I want no part in your prostitution. Do me a favour and leave me out of it!”
Now I head straight to my room. She must just leave me alone. I just became a woman.