I’ve spent my day today in the community and within the schools. I’ve been collecting information for Mofomahadi and Morena. I’ve been talking to people and getting a feel of their agenda for the next few months. 

I finish these visits and connects at about 1pm. I make my way to the royal house afterwards and I start the write up of my findings. I sit in the office I used to use as the guest wing manager. It takes me four hours to write up the report. Now, I have to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to present to Morena and Mofomahadi tomorrow morning. 

“Morafe, someone is at the gate. She insists she’s your sister. But the guards cannot let her in.” One of the staff members let me know. 

I check the time. 

I know Meme and Mosetsana have sports. But I have to go now and pick up my kids. I’ll phone Mofomahadi on my way to get them and I’ll finish working at home. I’ll probably have to pull an all-nighter. 

I pack up and head to my car. 

As I drive out, I see Mmaletuka. 

“Hop in”, I say. 

She hops into the front seat.

“You good?” I ask her. 

“Not really”, she says. 

I wonder.

“Let’s get Tshenolo. I need to call Mofomahadi on our way to get the girls. We can chat while I prepare dinner. It’s my turn today, plus Meme needs to study. We can chat then? I have to work through the night. You’ll have to head home tomorrow”, I say.

She nods her head and says, “Sure.” 

–

My kids are actually happy to have Mmaletuka visit overnight. I told her she will sleep with me and she gave me a look. So, Meme said she will sleep with Mosetsana then Mmaletuka can have some privacy in her bedroom. 

For now, Mmaletuka and I are cooking dinner. 

“So, what’s up?” I ask her.

“I need you to please live with my kids”, she says.

All four of her kids?! And I kinda knew she was here to do this.

I’m quiet. 

“I want better for them. I want them to have what you are offering to your kids and to Mmamello.”

I’m still quiet. 

“You are doing well now. Le nna I’ll send you money to help you with my kids. It won’t all be on you. I’ll still pay for their school fees. I’ll buy their clothes. I’ll pay you for their food. Please, ausi waka. I want them out of that environment. You know what mama and I do for a living. You were able to get out because I shielded you from it. I caught mama with two men once before we had to leave for school. When I asked her why she was doing this, she told me she was doing this for us. So when I had my first child, that’s what I understood to be a way for looking after my kid. And mama didn’t stop me. Now I’m knee-dip into this thing. My kids are growing up now. They are noticing things. They are asking questions. I want them out.” 

I take a deep breath. 

“I can’t take them, Mmaletuka.” I say. 

She’s quiet. 

“First of all, my place is not big enough. And secondly, my kids are recovering from a trauma themselves. We didn’t come back from South Africa because home had better opportunities. We were running for our lives. And now, they are starting to settle down and not dream about what we’ve just been through.”

“But you took Meme. Meme must go back to Maja Perre and have her mother do her job as a mother.” 

I actually don’t believe I owe her an explanation about why I took Meme. 

“I can’t take your kids, Mmaletuka. But I can help you get them into a really good boarding school. I’ll help you apply for fees grants to make sure they receive the best. Then during holidays, they visit you or even visit us here. But I’m sorry, there’s no space here for them. Le nna I’m doing my best with my three kids and sometimes, it’s really difficult. I’m doing this by myself and I don’t want Meme feeling like a deputy parent. Le yena she’s my child around here. I’m figuring it out with them. I don’t have the capacity to take on your kids as well”.

“Meme is not your child.”

“She is. And if that’s the mentality you are already putting in your kids, then it is what I don’t need around my kids”, I say. 

She’s quiet. 

“But I’ll help you the best that I can. I just cannot live with them”, I say. 

“Okay.” She says. 

Then after a few minutes, she’s leaving the house with bags. 

“Mmaletuka, it’s late. Where are you going?” Me. 

She slams the door and just leaves. 

I try to follow her out, but Meme stops me at the door. I look at her. She looks at me. She hugs me.

“Kea o rata, ausi waka“, she says. 

I guess she heard our conversation. 

I hug her too. 

I went to sleep just after 2am. But I finished my presentation. I meet with Mofomahadi and Morena at 9am. So, I’ll use an hour to go over my report and presentation. 

My family and I are having breakfast now. I’m checking bags and homework while they eat. 

“Why did Mam’holo leave?” Mosetsana asks. 

“She had to go back home”, Meme tells her. 

“Okay. You know, I met granny’s boyfriend”, Mosetsana says.

My stomach turns instantly.

Meme sees me change. 

“Me too.” Tshenolo says.

“When?” Meme asks them. 

When you, Mam’holo and mama went to town to buy granny groceries, he came out of granny’s room. He gave us ten rands. 

Yoh! Yoh! Yoh! 

Meme changes the subject. But shame, I’m livid!

–

I’m at work now. I keep thinking about the conversation that happened between my kids this morning, but I’m pushing work as well. At 11am, I make my way to the royal boardroom to present to Morena and Mofomahadi. When I walk in, Moholo Khotso and Teboho Seete are also here. I’m instantly nervous. They all look at me. 

“Dumelang“, I greet them. 

They all greet me back.

There are no niceties or anything. I just get into the presentation. Fortunately, I had made quite a few copies of the report that I put together, so each person here gets a copy. 

My presentation is an hour long – uninterrupted. But I’m grilled and questioned for about three hours. When we are done, I’m tasked with incorporating my report into a speech that Morena, Moholo Khotso and Mofomahadi have to deliver at different events and at different times. I’m then tasked to work with Teboho Seete to propose a plan to implement my recommendations. 

Now that I’m done, I’m just typing up the implementation plan so that I don’t forget. 

“You are doing great in this role. Phuthi was right about you”, Mofomahadi tells me. 

I smile at her.

“Where are you working from?” She asks me.

“The office in the guest wing management”, I say. 

“I don’t even know where that is. You can have one of the desks in the royal house office”, she says. 

“Kea leboha, Mofomahadi”, I say.

She nods her head.

“I didn’t know that you were familiar with the Mothupi royal family. But I suppose I should’ve figured with you being from Maja Perre and all.” She says.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m familiar with them”, I say.

“Well, chief Mothupi told Morena that his son has seen a third wife in you”, she says.

“His son told me that too. But, I told him that I’m not in support of that suggestion.” 

She looks at me as if enquiring why. I answer her anyway.

“Right now, I’m just focused on getting my children into a stable and safe space. They’ve been through a lot and they are so young. They don’t need to be in a situation right now where mom is a third wife to a chief’s son and the children she has are not even his. They don’t need the drama or the politics around that. Thabang is a nice guy and I definitely like him, but I love my children more.” I say.

She nods her head then says, “So you are just going to be his mistress?”

“Just his friend”, I say.

“I see.” She says. Then she says, “Anyway, Thabang has asked for you. You can knock off. We will catch up again tomorrow morning”. 

With this, she walks out of where I am.

I pack my bag for the day and make my way to my car where I find Thabang waiting for me. Ja neh… 

. ..

Yerr this girl is beautiful. Her beauty ages like fine wine. She has to be my wife. She just has to be. I think she would be the wife that is my heart’s burning desire. I’m already in love with her and she treats me like an option. 

“So you talk to my employers about me now?” She says as she walks up to me. Not even a Hello? 

“Hello, Morafe. Ujwang? You look beautiful.” I say. 

She blushes. 

I think she loves me too. She just hasn’t admitted it yet.

“Why do my employers think I’m about to marry you?” She says.

“I just told my dad about you. The old man got excited. When we got here and watched you work your way around this place, trying to solve this countries’ problems alongside the highest rulers of this land, he couldn’t help but speak my heart’s desires into existence. He believes in the power of the tongue.”

Now she looks away from me and I just see her giggle. Surely, I’m winning her heart. Surely! I just smile at her and wait for her to look at me again.

She finally looks at me. 

“Listen, I need you to come with me. I finally found the person who has been trying to break into your house. He has attempted multiple times. So last night, I just went by and paroled your house. I saw him jump the fence after cutting your electric fence. That’s why your alarm didn’t even go off.”

Now she’s spooked. 

“I grabbed him and took him to a police station, so don’t worry. He’s currently locked up. But he was saying some crazy shit.”

“Like what?”

“He said he’s your husband”, I say.

“I don’t have a husband. I’ve never been married before.” 

“I thought so. When I checked his ID, it’s not your ex’s name that you told me or the name that you put in the government files for people who should never be allowed into the country. But I suspect that it’s him and he’s using a different ID and passport. I was here to inform the king that a banned illegal is in our country. We need you to identify him then the government can act”.

“My kids, Thabang. My kids”, she’s panicking and seems to be having some sort of attack.

“Your kids are okay. We just need to make sure that we do our bit to keep you and the kids safe. I got my driver to get them from school. He’s called to confirm that all three of them are home and are safe. I’ve stationed a guard in your yard as well to keep patrolling your place. They are fine. But I need you to come with me. I’ll drive your car. Morena will meet us there. 

She nods her head. She’s not okay. At all. She looks TERRIFIED.

If it is that crazy fuck of hers, I’m going to murder him myself.

Our drive there is tense. She’s very tense. She’s even sweating. I’ve never seen her sweat before. She’s shaking. 

“He’s not going to do anything to you, Morafe. Not while I’m still alive”, I say.

“He’s going to kill me this time. Then he’s going to take my kids and I have no idea what will happen to my kids after that. It’s fine if I die, I was with him long enough to accept that any day could me my last day on earth. But my kids. Bana baka, Thabang.” 

She’s actually crying now. 

Ja no, some men don’t deserve such beautiful women. They don’t deserve beautiful things all together. 

“He won’t do anything to you. You will identify him and the government will do the rest. Tholoana Kingdom definitely got that right. This is not South Africa. People here belong to the kingdom and we look after them accordingly. People here are not just numbers. That’s why we can have such controls. You are safe here.” I reassure her.

She’s not consoled. 

“What if I didn’t tell you about someone trying to break in? I’d be dead and –

“Morafe, the important thing is that you told me. And you told me because you trusted me to deal with it. And I’m going to deal with it. I need you to trust me again.” 

She takes a deep breath. She’s shit scared! 

–

We arrive at the prison. We find Morena, Moholo Khotso, Maboko Seete, Shaka Maphumulo and Zithulele Khuzwayo already waiting for us. 

They see that Morafe is kak scared. 

“He’s going to pay for this. I’ll personally make sure of it”, Morena says.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this man has a crush on Morafe. And I don’t blame him. She’s gorgeous. Plus, he’s a man with quite the appetite. But Morafe is mine. And I put my arm around her just to make that very clear.

We all walk into the prison. We are taken to the holding cells area. We are taken to some private interrogation room. 

For the first time EVER, Morafe holds my hand. She’s SHAKING life a leaf. I kiss her hand and put my arm around her. She’s SHAKING! 

The door opens. 

The prison warden peeps in. He sees us. We nod our heads. He nods his. He steps out.

He throws the man in here.

“Thabang”, Morafe says as she hides behind me.

We all get it. 

But this guy…

Yoh! I even feel like laughing because I’m in disbelief. 

He literally charges towards Morafe with swear words and a formed fist. I’ve never seen all men react at the same time the way that all the men in here have done. This guy is on the ground instantly. Morafe is terrified and she’s in tears. 

“Morafe, I’m going to take my children and you’ll never see them again. You can go and be a slut all you want, but not with my kids. And if you stop me, I’ll kill you!” This guy yells from the ground. 

Ja no, he must die. And soon. 

“I know which schools they are in. One day, they’ll just not make it back at home.” He keeps saying. 

“Thabang, get her out of here re qede ka dai man“, Maboko says to me. 

I nod my head then get Morafe out of here. She’s definitely spooked.

As I drive her back home, she’s hectically tense.

We get to her place and I instantly decide that I’ll stay the night. 

“I’ll stay over tonight”, I say.

She just looks at me. Her face is covered in tears and is shaking like a leaf still. 

I park the car in the garage. The people I got to fix her fence seem to almost be done. She heads into the house while I chat to the guard I got to be here.

“All’s good?” I ask him.

“Ja. But chief, there’s a car lingering here. I had my suspicions, so I had someone follow it. The car is guarding this house.” He tells me.

What the…? 

“Did you get a description?” Me. 

“An old Bantam van. It’s white and looks like it will fuck out any minute. Here’s the registration”, he gives me a piece of paper.

I take it.

Ja neh. Where did Morafe meet these clowns? She should’ve just married me all those years ago. 

“Thanks chief. Can you get someone to guard through the night? These out of country motherfuckers will have us working overtime. If they try anything, shoot to kill.” 

He nods his head. 

Now, I go talk to the guys fixing the gate. They tell me that they’ve also put eyes around the yard to detect any and all movement. I nod my head then pay them. 

Morafe needs to get the fuck out of the township. This life is too chaotic. 

I get into the house and lock up.

“Abuti’Thabang”, Mosetsana says as she hugs me. 

“Hey. Ushup?” I say hugging her back.

The brother has grabbed my leg. He wasn’t always fond of me. He was always the most distant from me. So, it’s nice that he’s warming up to me. I pick him up and play with him a bit. He’s even laughing. I’m making progress. 

“I’ve just prepared dinner. Will you be joining us?” Meme says to me.

“Yeah. I’ll take a plate for Morafe as well. She has a heavy headache.” I say. 

“Okay. We were wondering why she looks like that. Will you be staying the night?” Meme.

“If it’s okay with you, I will”, me.

“We are good. Just make sure mommy feels better”, Mosetsana says.

This one is my ace. I like her. 

Meme gives me a tray. The tray has two plates of food and two glasses of juice. 

“Ushup?” She asks me in a whisper.

“She will be fine.” I say.

“I’ve seen the guard. I see people beef up our security. Then Morafe comes home looking like that. Keng? Ke-baby daddy?” Meme.

I nod my head. Then I say, “But I’m dealing with it. Just be careful. I’ll protect you guys though. I promise you. Nothing will happen to you guys.” 

Her eyes widen, but she nods her head. 

“Take my number. Any time you feel unsettled, phone me. The guy that fetched you today is my driver. He’s the only person I’ll ever send to fetch you guys and I’ll always tell him to fetch you first. If you see anyone else, phone me. There will never be anyone else that I’ll send. Okay?” 

She nods her head. I take the tray from her and she takes my number. 

“Kea leboha, Abuti‘Thabang”, she says. 

“Sho. I love your sister. I’ll always be here for you guys. Always.” 

She seems shocked. I laugh at her then I head into the bedroom.

“Try to eat, come on Mo.” Me. 

She’s wearing summer pyjamas. She smells like she has just taken a shower. She even smells nice. But she even looks better now.

She takes a plate from me and we sit on a couch in her room.

We both sit down and start eating.

“Ushup?” I ask her. 

“I’m scared”, she says.

“Don’t be. I’ve beefed up the security around here. I’ll take care of everything else. Okay?” 

“Kea leboha, Thabang. Truly, I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you.” 

I brush her face. She smiles at me. 

“I’m still not marrying you”, she says and I laugh aloud. 

“O tlo robala le rona today?” She asks me.

I nod my head then say, “If it’s okay”.

“I’d really appreciate it. I just don’t want to cause any issues with wife number one and wife number two. You know?” She says.

I chuckle at her. 

“We are good. Don’t worry.” I say.

She nods her head then says, “it’s my turn to wash the dishes today. You can get comfortable. I’ll be back when the dishes are done.”

“You don’t think I can do dishes?” I say.

“Wena? With two wives? How are you still washing dishes?” 

I laugh.

“A re ye. I’ll wash. You wipe”, me.

She laughs even louder. 

Damn, she’s so beautiful.