I am at Bassie’s place. Yoh, her and Keith are at war EVERY DAY! We try to keep them apart because Bassie blames Keith for everything and she kicks him out every day, telling him that she wants her child back. Keith is determined that he’s not going back to Noria and that he loves Bassie. I honestly have no advice for either of them. 

I left my kids with my mom and Meme back home. Apparently, Mmaletuka is out on bail. She begs my mom every day to get me to drop the charges. She lives in Maja Perre at our mom’s house with her kids. She keeps saying that if anything happens to her, I won’t even take her kids. And she’s right. Now she’s saying what am I expecting her to do and where will her kids go if she goes to prison. I’m still thinking about dropping the charges. I haven’t made up my mind.

There was a meeting with Mahali and her family. It happened in Dithabeng. Apparently, the meeting was to address her behaviour towards me and my entry into the Mothipa family. After the meeting she went back home. I wasn’t in the meeting, but MmaKB was. Thabang just told me that Mahali was sent back with her parents. She has to be back home for six months learning all about her duties in this marriage and family. When she returns after six months, she must return with one of the lobola cows that were paid for her by the Mothipa family. So she’s temporarily out of the picture. I wonder what she will be like when she’s back in action because that one… ay! 

MmaKB decided to take her kids on a holiday away for about two weeks, so Thabang went with them. I just got back to work and to my life, so I’m here to support my friend alone. Which I don’t mind. MmaKB has been really cool with me, so there’s no need for me to feel threatened by her going on holiday with her husband. 

At the moment, I’m able to work remotely because the queen has been kicked out of the royal house. So, she just works from anywhere… with her strict instructions of me not working for the king’s second wife under any circumstances – the very second wife who now also lives in that royal house as mofomahadi has been kicked out – I also work from anywhere. 

Wandi comes in the morning and leaves in the evening. Tamia too. I’m the one who sleeps over with Bassie, holding her hand through this nightmare of a situation. I briefed Thabang telephonically while reporting that I’d be in South Africa for a bit. He also believes that this is insane. 

I’m making the bed now. I’ve showered and I prepared breakfast because Bassie and Keith both need to eat. They are just so mad at each other that they don’t want to do anything really. 

I phoned my kids in the morning before they dashed out for school. I miss them so much. They love my mom so much. I think she spoils them a lot. I left my car with her so she can get around and do school runs, her shopping etc. I give her money – enough to keep her away from performing her profession in front of my kids or in my house. I know she gives some money to Mmaletuka as well. Meme told me. I thought I’d be angry about it, but I’m actually cool with it. There’s something about being a mother and grandmother that humanises my mom. It’s beautiful. She must just keep Mmaletuka far away from me. 

My phone rings. It’s Thabang. I sit on top of the bed then answer the phone.

“Hey baby”, me.

“Love, how are you?” 

“Ke shup. How’s Cape Town?” I ask him. He and MmaKB took the kids there.

“It’s good. The kids love it here and Mmakabelo is enjoying everything about it. She has a lot of spa appointments though. I think this was a holiday for me to look after the kids more than anything”, he says.

One thing about MmaKB is that she’s very strategic. Maybe she just noticed that Thabang is not spending enough time with his kids anymore, so she planned this for that to happen. She’s just that person.

“Well, I hope you are having fun too.” I say.

“I’m trying. I really am. But I’m worried about you and whatever is happening there with Bassie and Keith.”

“Eish Thabang, it’s bad. Wandi’s mom and Senzi’s family are trying their best. But this Noria woman is always a few steps ahead of us. They managed to find the hospital that Risuna was at. Somehow he was moved. We don’t know if it was to another hospital or what. But the hospital at least told us that Risuna was recovering very well. He was in good shape to be discharged. She’s not at her house. She not at any family member’s house. It’s like she vanished and she vanished with the baby. She keeps saying that she wants Keith back. If Bassie returns her husband, then she will return Bassie’s child.” 

“So why doesn’t Keith set a trap for her?”

“How so?”

“He must say that he’s ready to go back to her. Then when the exchange happens where Keith goes to her and Bassie gets her child back, Bassie gets Noria arrested for kidnapping.” He says.

“That’s actually not a bad idea, watsiba. I’ll actually chat to Keith and propose this. Yena leBassie are water and oil right now. It’s as if they are not on the same team. But then again, I can’t imagine what it’s like to have a missing child. There’s nothing normal about what’s happening.” 

“I hear you. Let me know if there’s anything that I can do, babe.” 

“Thank you, babe. Enjoy Cape Town, okay?”

“Shup. Keep me updated.”

“I will.”

“I love you, msadi waka… oratuwa waka.”

“I love you too, moratuwa waka.”

We hang up.

I get into the kitchen. Keith and Bassie are here, eating, sitting opposite each other and not saying anything to each other.

“Good morning”, I greet them. 

“How are you doing?” Keith. 

“Ke shup, thanks.” Me. 

“Wandi and her mother are on their way. They have news for us.” Bassie tells me.

I nod my head. 

I sit down and wait for them. Maybe I’ll make my suggestion once I’ve heard what they have to say. 

“Can I make you guys some coffee? I’m making myself a cup.” I offer.

“Thank you, that would be nice”, Keith. 

His brothers walk in with their mother. So, I guess I’ll make for everyone. 

They are greeting each other and chatting as I prepare the coffee. 

After a few minutes, I’m serving everyone coffee. 

Keith’s brothers have also helped themselves to breakfast. 

Mzala walks into the kitchen. She and Bassie’s mother have also been sleeping here. The tension between Bassie’s mother and Keith’s mother is just unmatched. 

It’s bad! Now I’m not even sure what to do with myself. 

“Wandi is here with her mom. I’m opening the gate and letting them in”, Bassie says. 

We are all now keen for these news. 

I hold Bassie’s shoulder. I really hope it’s good news. I hope they are not here to tell us that the baby is dead. 

Wandi enters first…

Then Tamia…

Then Wandi’s mom with Risuna in her arms.

“Mama!” He yells.

He has a little cast on his left arm. 

Bassie is still crying, shaking even. Keith is the one who stands up and makes his way to Wandi’s mom. Before he takes Risuna, he hugs Wandi’s mom. He’s also crying.

“Hello fana. Hello boy boy”, mzala is the one who takes Risuna from Wandi’s mom’s arms.

“Zala… hi”, Risuna says.

Mzala takes Risuna to Bassie. Bassie just holds her baby dear to her heart and she cries. Risuna is just confused but very relaxed.

Keith gets to Bassie. He holds both of them. 

“I think we should give them space. Keith, when you are ready, let me know. You and Noria need to talk. I told her you’ll talk on condition that I’m there. She’s currently in hiding. I know where she is. You and Bassie will decide if you want to press charges or talk to her. I’ll take the lead from you.” Wandi’s mom.

“I want her arrested”, Bassie. I actually agree with her. 

“What does she want to talk about?” Keith.

“You are welcome to go to the prison and ask her. I want that lunatic arrested and away from my child and me. Mama-Wandi, please… I want her arrested.” Bassie. 

I’m on my way back to the kingdom now. I’m driving my BMW X5 that Thabang bought for me as a wedding gift. It’s a black X5. I’ll phone Bassie when I get to the kingdom. Right now, I just miss my kids. 

The drive is long and I’m alone. I would’ve flew here, but everything just happened so quickly and I felt like the plane wouldn’t have got me here quickly enough. Thabang was worried when I told him that I was driving alone. But he was relieved when I phoned him to tell him that I had arrived safely. 

I phoned him again when I was leaving Bassie’s house. He went on and on about how I need to stop doing such drives alone. I told him that I’d phone him when I got to Tholoana Kingdom.

I actually had a good time at my mother-in-law’s place. She’s such a cool chick. I didn’t do any hard labour chores, but I had to attend council meetings with her as well as “tree court”. This is where the community comes forward to report issues like theft of cattle, cheating husbands, drunk husbands, pregnant side-chicks… the idea of the tree court is to possibly get the royal house to assist with matters at a “home” level instead of getting police involved. Thabang’s mother is a qualified customary lawyer, so this is her territory. She taught me a lot about polygamous marriages and what the role of each wife is. 

I also spent time with Pebetsi. Pebetsi is also married into a polygamous marriage. She’s a lot like Mahali in her marriage. The things she complains about show that she wasn’t ready for this. I don’t know why she forced herself into such a marriage. It’s not for everyone. She gets away with a lot because she’s from a royal family. She comes across as if she uses that to hold over her husband and his other wives. She comes home all the time. She says it’s because her husband annoys her in the decisions that he makes. I don’t understand, really. Her mother shakes her head at her all the time. Sometimes, the mother chases her back to her own house and husband. Sometimes, she’s just defeated. I’ve also met le tona (the chief) and his other wives. He’s a nice man, shame. But some of those wives scare me a bit. They all seem like they give as much shit as they take. 

Thabang did indeed come every weekend to see me and spend time with me. It was nice. We really became closer than what we were. Some weekends, he came with my kids. I’m so grateful. But he was also nagging me to move out of my house and into a house in the suburbs. I really love my house. It’s the first house I got – all by myself. My kids love it there too. I understand that he isn’t a township kind of guy, but I really really love my place. My mom said she’d stay there. But I know deep down that she will bring up Mmaletuka and her kids to live with her. My issue with that is that I will stop supporting her if she does that. Then I know that they’ll continue with their business to make a living. In the township, they will get beaten up by the locals. Tholoana Kingdom townships don’t play those games. Anything nje that looks like it will take them to hell – especially when performed by people who are not hard-core criminals – they will deal with you. And I really don’t ever want Mmaletuka’s kids to become my problem. Ever.

So if I move, I’ll sell my house. Mama and Mmaletuka can just stay in Maja Perre. But Thabang and I will discuss further when he is back. 

I get home just after 9pm. I just want to catch my kiddies before they go to bed. I just want to kiss their cute little lips and give them big hugs. I’ll just text Thabang afterwards. He might be deep within sex with MmaKB then my call ruins it all. Mahali gave me a very stern warning, so I’m very aware now. 

I get into the house and I see my mom having tea with Mmaletuka. Ja neh, I’m being tested. They just see it on my face, and Mmaletuka’s smile tells me that this is exactly what she wanted to happen. I’m definitely selling this place should I decide to move to another house.

“And then?” I enquire, looking at my mother. 

“Mmaletuka asked me to look after her children while she goes to Johannesburg for some work.” My mom tells me.

“Mmaletuka is out on bail, she’s not allowed to leave the country. I’ll report her myself. I haven’t dropped the charges”, I say.

“Bathung ngwana oe!” My mom.

“And Mmaletuka is not welcome in my house”, I say.

“Mama is my mother too. Your kids are not the only kids she has to look after. She also has to look after mine.” Mmaletuka says.

“Not in my house, she doesn’t. You know what, mama… thank you for looking after my kids. Truly, thank you. But moving forward, I’ll get a nanny for my kids so they can help me. The last thing I ever want again is to run into Mmaletuka in a space that’s supposed to be my peace. Ke kopa le tsamaye”, I say.

“Morafe! Keng ka wena?! Ke ausi wahao motho oe!” My mom yells.

“Why didn’t you tell her that when she was burning my bed and my wedding dresses?!”

“The wedding dresses again?! Akere you got new ones and got married?” Mom.

“It cost me money! Money that she will never afford to even pay me back. She had no right to burn anything that didn’t belong to her. That’s why she is looking at possible jail time. I’m not the only person who sees that what she did was wrong. The law sees it too!” 

“What do you want from me, Morafe?! An apology?! Fine! I’m sorry, Morafe!” Mmaletuka.

“I don’t want your stupid apology! I want you to take your kids and get the fuck out of my house!” I say.

“Ke tle le ko mme waka!” She says. 

“Then take mme wahao o tsamaye le yena!” Me.

“And go where?! At this time?!”

“So, you came to my house without any plan to leave? You were just going to sleep in my house knowing perfectly well that you are not welcome here?!” 

“Morafe, ausi waka, please… I’m begging you. I have no one. I have nothing. I need your help. Please. Don’t do this! You know you can afford to help me. Please help me.” She says to me.

“You want to talk to me about being alone, having no one and having nothing?! I left at the age of eighteen, running off to another country to start off what you see me have today… this which you believe I got just because I married Thabang. Akere in your eyes, I did nothing to receive this?! I was alone. I had no one. I had nothing. I made a plan. I’m a woman. I made a plan. And I landed. I had two children, and I was ducking and diving from a crazy abusive man’s punches, rape and attempted murder stints… when I ran away from him, I was alone with my two kids. I’m sure you could afford to help me then, but you didn’t. You had to focus on your kids and yourself. I’ve never held that against you. Ever! And wena, Mmaletuka, you said I lied akere? You said I lied on that man because I wanted Thabang, and I caused his unnecessary death. Those were your words to me. So Mmaletuka, you’ll be fine. You’ll land on your feet, and you’ll make a plan. You are a woman. There’s nothing that I have that you don’t – spoiled by mama and all. You’ll be fine. Now please, leave my house. And Mme, when you leave with your daughter and grandchildren, please leave my car in my garage. If you even try to take it, I’ll report it stolen. We all know Mmaletuka can’t afford another charge added to her record. Goodnight!” 

With this, I leave my kitchen. 

…

Today has been a crazy day. My kids have too much energy for me. I took them to Robbin Island with their mother. I don’t think they quite understood what was happening there. But hey, they are kids. The youngest of the four got motion sickness on the boat – right there with me. So, we came back to the hotel and just needed to sleep it off. I gave Mmakabelo some sex after dinner. Now they are all asleep and I’m still up, unable to sleep now because Morafe hasn’t let me know that she’s okay. It’s unlike her. She didn’t even send me a text. It’s almost midnight. Maybe, let me phone her.

I dial her number. Her phone is off. Now I’m panicking.

I dial Meme’s number. I didn’t want to phone her. But I’m worried about my wife.

“Hi Abuti Thabang”, she answers her phone.

“Meme, hi. I’m so sorry to phone you so late.” I say.

“It’s okay. I’m studying.” She says.

“I’m looking for Morafe. Her phone is off. She told me she was driving back to the kingdom. She hasn’t phoned me to let me know she’s home.” I say.

“She’s home. Eish Abuti Thabang, she had a fight with mama and Mmaletuka. She wasn’t okay when she went to lock herself up in the bedroom. Maybe she forgot.” 

I should’ve known.

“Mmaletuka is there?” I ask.

“She was. Morafe kicked her out and told mama to follow her”, she tells me.

“Please give Morafe the phone?” I politely ask her.

“Okay please hold on”, she says.

I hear her walking somewhere. Then she knocks on the door. I hear her walk in then she and Morafe have a brief conversation.

“Hello?” Morafe answers the phone.

“Baby, hey”, I say.

“Hey baby. Why are you up so late?” She asks me.

“I was waiting for you. I was worried. Why is your phone off?” 

“I didn’t realise. I’m sorry, babe. It’s just been a long day.” 

“I understand. Will everything be okay with Mmaletuka, baby?” 

She starts crying.

“Love?” Me.

“I don’t want to hate my sister, Thabang. I don’t want to hate my flesh and blood. I don’t understand why I feel the things that I feel towards her.” She says through her crying. 

I understand what she means. Pebetsi irritates me a lot, but I could never hate her. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I hated any of my siblings. 

“I don’t know how to un-feel my resentment towards her. I can’t even live with her children. What type of person am I, Thabang? What am I teaching my kids?” 

“Morafe, calm down. Please, my love. Calm down.” 

I hear her breathing. 

I wish I could drive to her then calm her down right now. Eish.

“Baby, we are going to fix this.” I say.

“The only way to fix this is if you put Mmaletuka and I in one room, lock it, then let us box each other out until we get over our issues”, she says. 

I laugh. 

She laughs. 

“I miss you”, she says.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you miss?”

“I miss you coming to bed topless, only covering your essential tools with those tight black briefs that you wear. I just see your package nicely put away, waiting for me to unwrap it like a sweet. It excites me like a teenager when I already see you walk towards me. I already imagine your body holding me, handling me… showing me why you’ve chosen to make me a woman amongst women.” 

I’m honestly already hard. 

I slide my hand down, holding my penis. I’ve never had to jerk off right after having sex. Morafe is torturing me.

“What are you wearing?” I ask her.

“A lacy piece I just bought while I was in South Africa. I’m trying to excite my man. I’m trying it out right now. It’s a royal purple one piece… it has diamonds around my boob area… it’s lacy everywhere… it’s designed to be ripped off so a man can get to business.” She says. 

Okay, I’m weak! I’m already rubbing my dick.

“Baby, I’m hard. You are killing me. I can barely breathe.” I tell her.

“I have my finger inside a place only your penis enters baby. I’m so wet. It’s been a long two weeks. I don’t know what to do with myself”, she says. 

“Baby… I’m sorry.” I say.

She starts moaning. 

My God! 

She moans. 

I moan. 

I cum in my hand as her moans get higher and heavier. I also release quite a groan when cum shoots out of my penis. 

She’s breathing heavily. I breathe heavily. 

“When I see you…” I say.

“I’ll take care of you… in the kitchen, the TV room and the bedroom of whichever house you’d like us to buy together”, she says.

Now this has made my day.

“Seriously babe?” I say in excitement. 

“Yeah. I’ll move. I’ll sell the house now. I’ll use the money from the sale as well as my housing benefit from the royal house… I should be able to help you get us something nice. I really want to help.” She says.

“You know I want to gift it to you, right? I gift my wives their houses and cars, baby. You are all equal.” I remind her.

“T, I’m not your other wives. I’m not. I want us to have our own relationship. I’m not using your marriage to them as a benchmark for my own marriage. You and I are partners. Ke motho wa hao, Thabang. Not your first born. Please let me help you buy our home”, me.

“What am I going to do with you?” Me.

She laughs and says, “What did you think you would do with me when you wanted me all those years ago?” 

I laugh aloud. 

“Go to sleep, my love.” She says. 

“Sleep tight. I love you”, me.

“I love you, baby.” Her.

We hang up.

Now what am I going to do with myself for the rest of the night until the sun comes up? 

I’m waking up on a couch. I guess I passed out on here. My kids are up and are running wild. 

“Good morning, Mothipa”, Mmakabelo says to me.

“Dumelang. How did everyone sleep?” Me.

“Fine”, the kids say, one by one.

“We are all showered up and packed. I packed for you too. You just need to shower then we dash out to the airport. Our flight is in three hours. Please get ready. We will have breakfast at the airport.” Mmakabelo says. 

I nod my head then make my way to the shower. 

I quickly shower then dress up in the clothes she’s set out for me. I can’t wait to see Morafe. That’s where I’m sleeping tonight. 

By the time I’m done with everything, we are pulling our stuff out to the hired H1 that’s waiting to take us to the airport.

Our breakfast at the airport is nice. My kids chatted my ear off. Mmakabelo laughed the whole time. This time away with them was great. I wanted to take my kids with Mahali with us on this trip, but Mmakabelo just wanted her kids on the trip. My kids with Mahali are staying with my mom while Mahali is away. 

We are in the aeroplane now. I’m sitting with Mmakabelo. The kids are sitting in front of us, using the two rows in front of us. 

“I spoke to Mahali. I went to her home to check up on her.” Mmakabelo tells me.

This is one thing I appreciate about her. She shows up for her role in this marriage. All the time!

“How is she?” I ask.

“She’s angry. Very angry.” She tells me.

“So, no progress?” 

“Let’s just say that if we didn’t send her away, you and Morafe would be in danger. But it’s only month two. I’m sure by month four, the anger will have tired her out. She will come back relaxed.” 

“Thank you for handling this, Mme Mothipa.” I say.

“Anything for our family, Mothipa. I was thinking…” she says.

“Yes?”

“Morafe lives with her kids until she comes back. We are a family. She’s a mother to all the kids you have – just like Mahali and me. That would show her doing her role in the family as well. Then some time this month, all the kids need a play date AND Morafe and I need a long and overdue date together. We need it.” 

“I’ll talk to her”, I say.

“Ah ah, Mothipa. That’s not how this works. You can bend the rules all you want to protect Morafe, but not with me. Mama had her for a full month… I’m sure she’s ready to handle your first wife. I sent Mahali home for six months so the two of you could have peace in building your marriage. Now, I talk to her about the kids as well as me and her getting to know each other a little better. Let me do my bit.” She says.

I just smile at her. 

She giggles. 

“Trust me, Mothipa… you’ll also get to see who she is not just to you, but to the family. She can hate Mahali all she wants. But the kids are yours too. She loves you, she loves your kids too… just like you love hers. This will be a minor test of her intentions… is she here just tofuck you? Or is she here for all that you are about? It’s not like she doesn’t know that you have other wives and kids.” She says.

I don’t want to test Morafe. I know she’s here for me. But I’ll let Mmakabelo do this. It’s her role here anyway.