8 months later…

Today is the first day of our final exams.
What a year it has been. I should actually write exams on all the drama that has happened. 
But Molise and I are in a good place. I’m actually glad that I came out here. I’m glad that I decided that my marriage was worth the chance he asked me to give him. He’s such a hands-on father and such a “within-the-feelings” husband. 

Exams are honestly so stressful! Yoh! But I must say, Molise has been great. He’s been extra hands-on with the kids to give me my space to study. I’m so thankful for him. Ausi Maletsoho is still around. And with us being in a big house now – yes, we bought a bigger house – she lives with us. She has a flat outside of the house. It is a a bedroom with its own kitchen and bathroom. We’ve even spotted a man coming to see her twice, so ja… she clearly has enough privacy. But I had to talk to her about that. I don’t like strangers having access to my house. We don’t know that man and this in and out where he can observe the house and know the corners of our yard makes me very uncomfortable. She told me that man is her husband. I told her I’m happy for her to go home during weekends if need be, but no strangers in the yard. She wasn’t happy, but those are my rules. 
Literally, a week after we had this conversation, we had a house break-in. 
I heard activity at 2:30am while we were all asleep in the house. I woke Molise up and told him, quietly, that someone is in the yard. He went to phone the police in his closet. I took my phone, put it on silent then went to get my kids in their rooms. We hid under my daughter’s bed. Molise eventually joined us. I knew the police wouldn’t come soon enough, so I put it in the group I have with my friends that people were literally breaking into my house.
We stayed under this bed as we heard people trash our house. We even heard them searching for us in the house. They knew we were in there, but they didn’t think we’d be under my daughter’s bed. While they were looking for us before doing whatever they came to do, the house was surrounded by cars and police. We heard them panic. We heard them trying to run away, but they were caught. Ruri and Mapho shouted for us to come out. We did. My kids cried and couldn’t sleep for the longest time. Molise was there for us, but he went and spoke to the police. Reahile was out there too. I think he sped up the response. The interesting thing was that there was no forced break in. It seems that these people had spare keys to our house. Imagine! 
They bypassed the alarm system and simply entered through the gate. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Maletsoho and that husband of hers had everything to do with this. So she was not allowed to live in the outside flat anymore. She went back to coming in at 8am and leaving at 5pm. But now, she’s not allowed in the house when we are not around. We hired another domestic worker who lives in the flat, much to Maletsoho’s anger. The new helper is is Macy. Macy is Molise’s unemployed aunt and she’s a good person, shame. She sometimes behaves out of pocket and thinks she’s here to teach me how to be a makoti, but I solve her very quickly. She assumed the role of managing Maletsoho and it honestly works for us so I’m here for it. Their relationship is tense, but they’ll get over it. I would fire Maletsoho. But I have no proof of my suspicions and I can get sued. I happen to be a law-abiding citizen.

It’s 4am and I’m revising my work while my house is still fast asleep. Ruri, Wehweh and I are all revising together. We want to do well. We have to do well. So much has happened and I’m sure there have been questions regarding our academic commitment. Ruri’s business got bigger. Wehweh became a step-mother. I became a new wife all over again. I honestly don’t know how we even qualified for exams. Tholoana Kingdom University requires you to have an average of 60% in your coursework to qualify for exams. The three of us managed to get that and more in all our subjects. I don’t know how, but we have. Breezy has already gone back home. She didn’t qualify for exams so she has to repeat first year. Vanessa had officially dropped out and has now decided that she will be a full-time wife to Prince Mohale. I guess when a royal one wifes you, you don’t need a degree. You’ll be a madam for the rest of your life. No need to get an education so you can be employable like the rest of us. Mapho is writing exams though… and she’s with a royal. I guess it’s different strokes. Thendo didn’t pay her school fees on time, so she was kicked out of school by June. She’s headed into a hearing for a possible exclusion. This is actually sad. Had she been from Tholoana Kingdom, the royal house would have sponsored her. But unfortunately, uyisifika namthwalo in this country – like myself, Wehweh, Breezy, Khanya… we come here understanding that we look out for ourselves. The royal house doesn’t have our back like it does its own citizens. 

“Good morning”, he says as he brings me a cup of coffee. I was just revising. I’m done showering and making lunch boxes. I just now need to bath my kids then the day can start. 
I look at him.
I kiss him.
He’s also so tired. He was up doing research to stay up with me as I was studying.
“And what was that for?” He asks me as he giggles.
“Just to say thank you for really making this work. I love being your wife”.
He blushes a bit. 
“How are you feeling about your exam?” He asks me.
“I think I’m ready. Im quite confident.” I say.
“That’s good. When you are done and the kids are done with school for the year, I’m thinking of taking some leave from work then we can go away for some time.” He says.
“Oh nice. To where?” I ask. 
“I was thinking Palm Springs”, he says.
“Palm Springs in California?!”
Hai bo! 
“Yeah! Why not? I’ll probably spend a day to two just doing some research, but after that, I’m all yours.”
I’m already jumping up and down on behalf of my kids and I. He is laughing.
“Maybe we can make it a trip that we take after Christmas, welcome the new year there. Then I was thinking…”
“Yes?” Him.
“I haven’t seen my family in FOREVER! Especially my mother. I was hoping that this year we could spend Christmas with my family in Diepkloof. Our house is big enough to accommodate your mom and siblings, so I’m happy for them to come with us too.” I say.
He smiles at me then says, “Say no more, my love. We will make it happen. Talk to your parents then let me know if they are keen.”
I jump on him and kiss him. He spins me around then we end up having sex before we wake the babies up.

–

I’ve just arrived at the exam venue. Ruri, Wehweh and I meet outside of the big hall where we will be writing. 
We hug each other, wish each other luck then talk about other stuff completely unrelated to the paper. It’s really packed out here. Other subjects will be writing here too – BCom related subjects though. This is a great hall in the BCom faculty. Every faculty has its own great hall. 
We then notice Sanel and Wandile walking towards the hall together. The three of us look at each other. Wehweh doesn’t even get heart palpitations at the sight of him anymore and I’m so proud of her. It’s just such an awkward and unfortunate situation that Ruri and I cannot seem to get over. 

“Ladies”, he greets us as he reaches us. His girlfriend stands right next to him. 
We all have transparent pencil cases in hand. 
“Hey”, we say. 
Sanel rolls her eyes. This girl has issues. 
“Wehweh, Ushup?” Wandile. 
“I’m good.” Wehweh. 
“Le bhari yakho isakuphethe shup?” Wandile. 
“His name is Mnqobi and I don’t appreciate you calling him anything outside of that. I don’t call your partner names regardless of my thoughts of her.” Yes wena Wehweh girl. 
“You have thoughts of me?” Sanel. 
Uqalile! 
“It’s kind of hard not to have thoughts of a girl who is as insecure as you are”, Ruri chooses violence. 
Sanel chuckles in warning. 
“When are you headed back home?” Wandile asks Wehweh. 
“Christmas eve. Mnqobi and I have plans”, Wehweh. This hurts Wandile a bit. She sees it. Then she says, “but I’ll be back this side on the 27th of December as Mnqobi and I are doing new years together.”
At this point, Wandile is going to fail his exam. 
“You and Mnqobi sound serious”, Sanel says with a smile on her face.
Wehweh just side-eyes her. 
“Wehweh, can we talk?” Wandile. 
“No”, Wehweh says. 
“No?” Wandile. 
Sanel smiles. 
“No”, Wehweh. 
Yoh! This is tense! 

We are two hours into our three hour paper when the rain starts POURING! Lightning and thunder are the tense bridesmaids ushering the bride (i.e. rain) into this day. It’s actually a bit frightening. 
We finish writing and head out. Wehweh and Ruri got dropped off by their men, so I give them a lift. Something tells me to fetch my kids because this weather is really bad. I cannot even see the road. It’s wet. Thunder and lightning are hectic. 
I pick up my kids and we share the umbrella I find in my car. Ruri and Wehweh came in with me. Ruri has Lelapa in her arms, Wehweh – the new girl mom – has Phupho in her arms. I have the school bags. We all have huge umbrellas and are walking barefoot because it’s over for our shoes. 
When we get to the car, we are soaking wet. 
I switch on the heater and we wait a bit. 
I see other parents fetching their kids too. It’s bad! 
I try to phone Molise, but his phone is off. 
Eish. 

The rain is not calming down, so we drive off and head to my place. 
I make everyone hot chocolate after we’ve all taken a warm shower. I bathed my kids and got them to change as well. I borrowed Wehweh and Ruri some clothes too. The weather is so wild. I try phoning Molise again, nothing. 
I phone his office now. 
“Dr Maphosa’s office, good afternoon. You are speaking to Grace.” 
“Hi Grace, this is Zanolwazi.” 
“Oh hi Mrs Maphosa. How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Molise. Is he available to speak to me?” 
“He’s been in theatre all day, ma’am. The weather has also caused quite a lot of accidents, so there’s quite a crisis at the hospital. I’ll ask him to phone you when he comes back from theatre.” 
“I’d really appreciate that. Thank you so much.”
We hang up. 
“Did you find him?” Ruri asks me. 
“Apparently there’s a crisis at the hospital. They’ll give him a message when he’s back from theatre.” I say. 
“I also just got Khanya. He’s stuck at the office. It’s even flooding.” Ruri says. 
“Mnqobi just got Sasi. They are at his parents’ house, but it’s also flooding so he cannot leave. Eish, this weather kodwa.” Wehweh. 
“Let’s just be thankful that our infrastructure is well built for such weather conditions. Thankfully, things won’t be falling apart”. I say. 
“Except for the informal settlements. This is going to be a political disaster. Clearly, it’s the poor people that will be suffering.” Ruri. 
“Let’s turn on the news”, I say. 
We sit in the TV room. My helpers are both in the outside cottage.

We see that the weather has caused three aeroplane crashes. There have now been over twenty car accidents. The number of deaths is increasing by the minute. There is flooding all over the country. This is insane. 
“I need to speak to Molise”, I say. 
“Molise is fine, friend. Maybe check up on his mother”, Ruri. 
By the way. 
I dial her number. Voicemail. 
I phone the older brother’s wife. Her line goes through. 
“Dumela Zaza”, she says. 
“Hi Mmaneo. How’s everyone in this weather?” I ask. 
“We are actually in Taung. The flooding started yesterday in the rural areas. We are at the hospital where Molise works. We are hoping that you guys can accommodate us until we have a plan. From what I’ve heard so far, we lost everything. Our houses have been wiped out”, she explains. 
I just hang onto my head. 
“Has Molise seen you?” I enquire. 
“Not yet. The hospital is so full. Some people are even sitting on the floor.” She says. 
I hang up. 

…

10pm

I still haven’t heard from my husband. My parents have phoned me to check up on me. The weather is just getting worse. Houses that were built funny no longer exist. My kids, my friends and I are in the TV room, under blankets, just waiting. My kids have even passed out. 
Molise finally calls me, yoh! 
“I’ve been worried sick! Are you fine?!” That’s how I answer my phone. 
I hear him sniffing as if crying. 
“Molise?” 
“I lost 287 patients on the table. 287.” He says through his sobbing. 
I forget how hectic his job is. He’s so there for me that I forget that he has his hectic career that can be emotionally draining. It’s only now that I’m realising that I’ve never really asked him how his day was… how work was… I’ve never really taken interest in his work and his world, yet he’s overextended himself into my world. I need to do better as a wife. 
“Love, I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry.” I say. 
“I’m exhausted, Zah. I’m exhausted and I cannot take another patient dying under my care.”
“I wish I could hold you right now so you can find comfort with me.”
He chuckles. 
I’m glad. I even smile. 
“Are you safe, baby?” I ask him. 
“I’m fine, love. But all the cars outside of the hospital have been wiped away by the flood. The hospital is closed so no one can go in or come out. I’m in my office now. I’ll sort out the car issue with insurance. But when we can finally leave here, I’ll need you to come fetch me”, he says. 
“Yeah… it’s not as bad this side. There’s flooding but it isn’t as bad as it is that side of town. Let me know when it’s better. And I spoke to Mmaneo.”
“Really? Shit, I haven’t had time or thoughts to phone them yet. I’ll do that afterwards.”
“They are actually there at that hospital.” 
“What do you mean?” He says. 
“I phoned them to check in on them, I couldn’t find mama, so I phoned Mmaneo. She told me that the flooding in the village started yesterday, so they left. They lost everything! She said they are at the hospital that you work at.” 
“What?!”
“Keng?”
“I lied to them. I didn’t want my mother popping up at my place of work. I told them I’m based at a different hospital.”
I actually laugh. 
“Where did you say you work, Molise?” I ask, still chuckling. 
“I’ll make a plan to get them there. You mustn’t leave the house. It’s not safe. Are you okay with them staying with us for a while?”
“Where will they stay if I say no? Don’t be silly, Molise, send them through.” I say. 
“I love you.” 
“I love you, hubby.”
We hang up. 

The night turns into day. Then more days turn into night. 
On day two of being indoors, Wehweh and Ruri left. It was still raining, but it was light rain. It was a little bit more than just a drizzle, but it was not heavy. But most places were still flooded. The royal house is busy with damage control and trying to aid the situation. Ruri’s friend, Rena, is at the forefront of this. Apparently, she’s a mastermind at these kinds of things. She’s done this crisis management stuff all over Africa. Ruri has asked us to help and be part of aiding the situation. We’ve all agreed to assist. 

On day four, I went out to fetch Molise’s family. 

Only on day ten, yesterday, I fetched Molise. 
He asked me to join him for a bath. I made sure it was a bubble bath with oils and candles. I massaged him for a good hour, using oils and sex. lol! Then I fed him, and he passed out. He’s not okay, but he’s getting there. 

I’m making my way to the kitchen now. I want to prepare some breakfast for him. I bump into Mmaneo and her man. I call him Abuti. He’s the eldest brother and much older than me. I have to be respectful even though I’m finding them in a very compromising position. 
“Dumelang”, I greet them. 
They jump and try to fix themselves. 
“I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to disrespect your home.” Mmaneo says. 
“It’s okay. Love lives here.” I say. 
I’m just giggling. They are embarrassed. 
“I just came down to make some breakfast before Molise le Mme wake up. If you’d like me to give you some space – 
“No no… le nna I had come to get breakfast started. I hope it’s okay and I’m not invading your space.” Mmaneo. 
“It’s okay. Maybe I can help?” I say, getting busy in my kitchen. 
I don’t know why these two don’t just go upstairs and relieve themselves like married people. This really doesn’t have to be awkward. 
It is still raining… in fact, the heaviness of the rain is picking up again.